CUZCO DAY HIKES AND TOURS
EXPLORE DEEPER INTO CUZCO AND THE SURROUNDING AREA
Cuzco and the Inca region have so much to offer, with incredible views of beautiful scenery of mountains, valleys and traditional Incan communities. Take a day tour that takes you off the beaten track and lets you take in some of the best scenery this area of Peru has to offer. Hike through the incredible Inca terrain that takes you to relatively unknown but impressive ruins in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and to Rainbow Mountain. Bike through the hills and valleys of Cuzco on a mountain biking adventure across the stunning plains for an adventurous exploration of the Inca territory or horseback-riding for a laid-back ride.
The Maras–Moray one day trek is a fantastic way of combining big views, local culture, Incan ruins and the incredible natural salt pans. It is a great hike that takes you off the beaten path across tranquil Inca farmland, and provides a great authentic experience for those who want to get to know real rustic Peru.
MARAS & MORAY TREK
1-day trekking – daily departures
We start across the fertile plain of Chinchero rich with grain, potatoes and beans. Labor intensive local farming techniques are well demonstrated in route. We arrive at the circular Inca ruins of Moray where we enjoy a picnic lunch. Time is permitted to fully explore these fascinating ruins. Moray is believed to be an Incan agricultural center used to improve high altitude crops – an essential commodity for the huge Inca armies and road building teams essential to support the empire. Mule trails then takes us to the ancient town of Maras with its outstanding Spanish door arches and a vast church. Maras is famous for its spies – due to its strategic location above the Sacred Valley. We then drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Along the way are some of the most astounding saltpans covering the whole of the hillside. These saltpans were mentioned in conquering Spain’s chronicles. We finally meet our vehicle again beside the Urubamba river for the drive back to Cusco.
Vinicunca-The Rainbow Mountain– one day trek is an unforgettable hike combining big views, local culture and a chance to hike to a high-altitude peak. It is a great hike that takes you off the beaten path into the mountains south of Cusco. This is a high-altitude trek, not all passengers may choose to hike to the summit.
PUMAMARCA & OLLANTAYTAMBO TREK
1-day trekking – Daily departures
We start out today’s adventure at the small traditional hamlet of Huilloc, a place where the Incan traditions still run strong, with many people wearing the traditional costumes. Huilloc is famous as a weaving center and is a good chance to see traditional ponchos being made and worn before commencing our days hike with a short steep climb up to Puma Marca – a remarkably well preserved and extensive Inca ruin with spectacular views down the valley towards Ollantaytambo. We follow an Inca Trail along the steeply terraced valley down towards Ollantaytambo, stopping in route for a picnic lunch. We will have time to visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo before returning back to your hotel in Cusco, the Sacred valley or catching the late afternoon train to Machu Picchu.
Puma Marca to Ollantaytambo: A short sharp climb awaits us following an old dirt road to reach the impressively located Puma Marca ruins. We then begin a meandering descent again on an old Inca trail and following the course of an ancient Inca water channel, passing many well-preserved terraces in route before reboarding our bus for the short road transfer to Ollantaytambo.
The Chinchero Huayllabamba one day trek is a delightful day out for those looking to hike rarely visited areas in the Sacred Valley past Inca ruins and local communities. It is ideal as an acclimatization hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
CHINCHERO & HUAYLLABAMBA TREK
1-day trekking – daily departures
The route follows an incredibly well-preserved Inca Trail from the quaint town of Chinchero down to the small village of Huayllabamba. This beautiful lush valley combines interesting Incan ruins, original Inca trails and spectacular views of the natural scenery. Time permitting, we can visit Chinchero town and if doing this tour on a Sunday, we can visit the Sunday market as well as a weaving display. In the late afternoon we can visit the larger town of Urubamba and visit a local pottery shop before returning to our hotel that evening in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
The Huchuy Qosqo day hike is a great way to explore some old Inca roads and rarely visited Incan sites, rustic village and church of Pucamarca and to the hidden Huchuy Qosqo ruins.
HUCHUY QOSQO HIKE
1 day trekking – daily departures
We start by driving high above Cusco and the outlying town of Corao and we reach the end of the road above Lake Qoricocha. Here, we see some ancient Inca platforms (“Apachetas”) at the pass. These are believed to mark the boundary and entrance to the Huchuy Cusco Inca Estate. The rest of the day’s trek follows a well-preserved ancient Inca trail to Pucamarca to see the church, and an Inca bridge through a narrow canyon and emerging high above the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas. After lunch we head to the entrance gates of Huchuy Qosqo and the extensive ruins themselves. Little is known about this mysterious site, ‘little Cusco’ as it translates in Quechua, it may have been the country retreat of one of the first Incas. Its three-story high storage houses, extensively trapezoid-niche walls, large main central square, three-meter-high terracing walls and its hidden location above the Sacred Valley make this gem a real pleasure to explore.
Horse-riding above the town of Cuzco gives you a great opportunity to explore and experience is a great way to explore the fantastic scenery that surrounds the city, pass some old Incan roads and rarely visited Incan ruins, all done on the comfort of your trusty steed.
HORSE BACKRIDING IN CUZCO COUNTRYSIDE
1/2-day horse-riding – daily departures
We embark today from our hotel and take a drive up above Cuzco into the rural area by the ruins of Quenko above the city where our horses will be waiting for us. Our experienced horsemen will show us how to saddle and mount the horse. Then we’re off! Our guide takes us through the agricultural fields of Salcantay and through incredible scenery of open fields and quaint rocks, Andean valleys and great views of the mountain scenery surrounding us and the lush and fertile fields. We pass through several interesting and unknown Incan ruins including the rarely visited “Balcon del Diablo.” We return to our starting point later in the day to return to Cuzco.
Mountain biking in Maras and Moray combines the opportunity to see beautiful scenery, Incan constructions and breathtaking natural landscape with the thrill of bike riding. Pass by at speed and try biking maneuvers or just cruise through and take in the views.
BIKING IN MARAS AND MORAY
1-day mountain biking – daily departures
We take an incredible scenic bike ride that takes us through some incredible Andean scenery in the Sacred Valley. We start in the quaint village of Chinchero on a dirt road llama track that caters to all people, for those who want the technical routes and easier lines for light bikers. The bike ride gives us incredible views of the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds Cuzco and the Sacred Valley including the Chicon glacier and the snowcapped Mount Veronica. We then come to the Moray ruins which we can enter into and visit, and then we pass through the town of Maras. From here we go on a long downhill bike ride to the pre-Inca Salineras (salt mines) and then on to the valley to the Urubamba river to end our tour and then return to Cuzco to relax.
Rafting Excursions
Enjoy a full or half day rafting with professional guides on the Apurimac or Vilcanota rivers
RAFTING
1-day rafting tour – daily departures
On arrival we will inflate the rafts and following a full safety briefing and instruction in the art of white-water rafting, we set off for approx. two hours of fun white-water rafting. The river starts gently with time to practice the maneuvers required, then builds up with more fun rapids through a beautiful canyon where we will hopefully see torrents ducks and views of the surrounding peaks. After approx. two hours of rafting, we reach our takeout point and enjoy a full picnic lunch before your transfer to catch the train to Machu Picchu.
What’s included on our Cuzco day hikes and tours
All of our Cuzco day hikes and tours include pick ups and drop offs. All our tours include bilingual guides and all entrances. Our hikes include a snack-pack and/or picnic lunch, they also include an emergency vehicle with a first aid kit to accompany the tour. On horseback riding, rafting and mountain biking excursions all necessary equipment is provided.
