Active Peru: Cycling, rafting and the Inca Trail

The Sacred Valley is an immensely scenic region of fertile plains stretching out from under the shadow of looming mountains. The highland plains fringing it are equally brimming with attractions. Zipping along its rural paths by bike is a fantastic way to drink in the valley region's beauty and to explore its diverse attractions.

Our cycling trip (which takes place at an altitude around 3,700m) begins in Chinchero, where there's a guided tour of the village, its church, market and ruins, before continuing on to Moray  This was the agricultural laboratory of the Incas, where the technique of terrace farming that has shaped Peru's rural landscape was perfected. It is visually striking too – shaped like an elaborate amphitheatre of specialised tracts of land arranged in neat levels, offering a variety of conditions to suit different crops.

Once the capital of the ancient Inca Empire and still its tangible heart, Cusco is stuffed with the riches of many different eras. Spanish churches jostle for position with solid Inca walls that seem barely in need of preservation – such was the skill of their makers that they look certain to withstand many centuries more.

Our guided tour leads you through the city’s cobbled streets and into its most impressive colonial buildings, displaying the wealth and zealotry of the Spanish conquistadors.

Plunge into a full-day rafting adventure along the awesomely beautiful course of the Rio Apurimac, which flows through a deep canyon a short distance north from Cusco.

With top-of-the-range equipment, good food and expert guides, this adventurous trip, typically at altitudes of 3,400m +, takes on the thrills and spills of this dramatic river. Ride white water rapids and relax as you gently float along the calmer stretches of the Rio Apurimac, as it meanders through the breathtaking valleys of the Andes towards the Amazon.

Stop for lunch on a sandy beach alongside the river - remote and beautiful - there is nothing to disturb the peace and tranquillity but the sound of the river..

No previous rafting experience is necessary. You can also extend your experience with a two day trip, camping out under the stars. Read about Journey Latin America's Claire Milner's two day rafting adventure here.

If you have more, or less, time there are even longer-duration rafting adventures and white-water rafting day-trips available close to Cusco for people of all levels of experience.  Please contact us for details.

This guided walk explores the historical and architectural legacy of the immediate region around the imperial capital of the Incas. On foot you can better appreciate the context of the ruins around Cusco and how they connect to one another, and it’s also a great way to acclimatise in preparation for longer treks.

You’ll visit key ancient sites including the imposing fort of Sacsayhuamán, the Temple of the Moon and the sanctuary of Q’enqo, resembling an amphitheatre of solid stone. 

This is the moment almost all visitors to Peru have come for: the chance to finally see the legendary Lost City of the Incas for yourself.

Perched on a remote mountain pedestal and shrouded by neighbouring Andean peaks, the secluded citadel of Machu Picchu was never found by the Spanish invaders and escaped plundering, making it the most complete and intact Inca site in existence.

While Lima may not be the most celebrated of South America’s capital cities, to those in the know it is one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. This buzzing city is home to a vibrant cultural life, befitting of a flourishing nation where modern energy is underpinned by a rich ancient heritage.

A walking tour of the capital provides an immersive introduction to its sights and sounds. It will include the smart cliff-top barrio of Miraflores to see Pacific vistas unfurl from scenic viewpoints like the Parque del Amor. For a glimpse of how the ancient world intertwines with the modern city, you might visit the pre-Inca temple of Huaca Pucllana, a huge adobe pyramid ensconced in central Lima.

Adjoining Mirtaflores is the well-heeled neighbourhood of San Isidro, where one can sample the wonderfully creative gastronomy for which the capital has become known. One of thefamous restaurants is Tanta restaurant, run by preeminent Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio, the perfect place to taste Peru’s unique and varied cuisine.

All this contrasts markedly with Lima’s historic heart, the Plaza de Armas, where the imposing cathedral, city hall and palace are testament to the colonial era.

The Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous treks, and rightfully so. This tough four-day journey to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu starts on the river bank of the Urubamba and climbs up to mountain passes nearly 5,000 metres above sea level.  Passing a number of lesser-known Inca sites along the route, you'll be treading in the footsteps of the Incas themselves on an original ancient stone path skirting jagged mountains and dipping to subtropical cloud-forest.

The highlight for many is arriving at dawn on the fourth day to walk through the Sun Gate and see Machu Picchu laid out before you, resplendent in the remote Andean setting that kept this 'lost city' hidden for centuries.

3 nights are spent under canvas. However, this is a fully assisted trek with a knowledgeable guide to lead the way and a fantastic team of porters who carry all equipment and have the camp set up by the time you arrive. There are 3 hot meals a day, providing you with the fuel to face what is undoubtedly a demanding, yet enormously rewarding experience. Return to Cusco via a spectacular train ride through the narrow Urubamba gorge.