Peru Multi-Activity Adventure to Machu Picchu

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Cusco Arrival

On arrival from your spectacular flight along the Andes to Cusco, we transfer you to your hotel and start acclimatizing to the rarefied air of this beautiful city (3,326m). In the afternoon, we take a short walking tour of the center of Cusco to familiarize you with the main sights, restaurants and a chance to stretch your legs and experience hiking at 3,300m. At a convenient time you guide will arrange a full briefing for the days ahead.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 2 - Whitewater Rafting Rio Urubamba

From Cusco we drive to the upper Urubamba, the sacred river of the Incas for some fun grade II-III rafting. Full instruction and safety talk is given so no previous experience is necessary. We return back to our hotel in Cusco in the afternoon.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 3 - Cusco: Local Ruins And Horseback Riding

We head out of Cusco to visit the main Inca ruins in the Cusco valley. We visit Tambo Machay, Puca Pucara, Kenko, Sacsayhuaman and some lesser known ruins as well. We use a mix of vehicles, on foot and also meet up with our horses for some fun easy horse-riding to break up the journey and give you a chance to try your hand at horse-trekking and to explore the spectacular Cusco scenery while at the same time acclimatizing to the rarefied air of the Andes. We will enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Cusco for the night.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 4 - Canoeing & Pisac Market

A chance to do some ‘white-water’ yourself today with some inflatable canoeing on a scenic and fun stretch of the Rio Urubamba. We continue down the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the quaint town of Pisac where we check into our local hotel and then visit the extensive artisan market - Pisac is a shopper’s dream. We can also visit a local bakery and dinner can be taken at one of the good local restaurants overlooking the plaza.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 5 - Mountain Biking & Salt Pans

A short transfer brings us to Chinchero plain for the start of probably the best one day mountain bike adventure in Peru. Largely downhill, we pass Lake Huaypo and enjoy great views of the Vilcanota mountain range. This fun dirt-road mountain bike descent into the Sacred Valley is suitable for the whole family. The final descent on mule trails is through the spectacular working salt-pans of Maras. We have a constant support vehicle on hand for any weary/non-riders. Meeting our vehicle we continue on to our hotel in the charming village of Ollantaytambo where we can relax or go for a gentle stroll and explore this fascinating Inca town. There are a number of excellent restaurants in town to dine at.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 6 - Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We catch the early morning train from Ollantaytambo down the now raging Urubamba river to km 104. Here we start our hike along the Royal Inca Trail. While walking all you need to carry is a daypack, your over-night luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo to await your arrival. An initial hot ascent is replaced by satisfaction as you reach Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca ruin full of swallows and orchids. A contour path through the fascinating cloud forest leads to Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hotel in the colorful town of Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Overnight: El Mapi Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 7 - Machu Picchu

First thing in the morning we head up the hill to the fabled "Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu" for a fully guided tour, of the residential, religious and agricultural sectors. There is time afterwards to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s hut or else just wander through the ruins, soaking up the atmosphere. (Please note Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain now require an extra, limited-availability permit. Please enquire at time of booking if you require one.) In the afternoon, we board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. Then, if we have the energy, a celebratory dinner in one of Cusco’s excellent restaurants.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast included)

Day 8 - Cusco Free Day

A free day in Cusco for some rest and recuperation. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in artisan markets, chocolate museums or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.

Overnight: Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco (Breakfast included)

Day 9 - Cusco Departure

We transfer back to Cusco airport in time for you internal and international connections.

Accommodation Information

Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

A beautifully renovated 18th-century manor house, just 3 blocks from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, replete with authentic colonial character. It offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel but the comforts and services of a much larger property.

The hotel is distinguished by its 3 interior patios with wooden balconies. The principal patio, featuring a gurgling stone fountain, is one of Cusco’s emblematic colonial courtyards. In the hotel’s cozy lounge and reading room is a massive stone fireplace that’s always crackling, while the romantic gourmet restaurant invites guests to dine by candlelight in one of 4 connected salons richly decorated with 18th-century Cusco School paintings. Several rooms in the original structure of the hotel feature surviving colonial frescoes unearthed during renovation.

El Mapi Hotel

Smart and contemporary are the defining elements of this hotel, amidst the commercial village of Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), from where you can admire and interact with the quaint folksy town and get a different perspective.

The hotel is efficient, playful and people friendly; it welcomes a wide range of guests expecting an uncomplicated visit. Turn into an amiable and healthy environment after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most distinguished destination, the Machu Picchu Archaeological site.