5 tours you should do in Cusco if you love adventure

05 Jan 2022

Cusco is one of my favorite destinations, and I never get tired of visiting it for the variety of different activities it has to offer.

Here are five fun and exciting adventure activities you can do in Cusco during your trip.

1.VIA FERRATA:

The via Ferrata is a mountain route ideal for people without climbing experience.

The via Ferrata is a climbing circuit equipped vertically and horizontally with nails, clamps, holds, handrails, chains, suspension bridges, and zip lines. All these to make the route easier and safe for people without climbing experience.

The origin of this activity is about the First World War. The via Ferrata was built in Italian Dolomites to allow the soldiers’ mobilization during this period.

After the war was over, these routes were used for mountain guides and adventure lovers.

This activity takes place on a 300 m rock wall located in the district of Pachar, between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. During the ascent you will enjoy the mystical landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. For the descent, you can choose the rappel that will give you an extra shot of adrenaline to make this experience complete or by Zipline.

ATV’S TOURS IN SACRED VALLEY

Cusco and the Sacred Valley are surrounded by fantastic landscapes, perfect for adventure sports. For speed lovers, the ATV tour is an activity that you should experience.

The adventure begins in Cruzpata, a small community located in the district of Chincheros, where the guide will give a quick lesson on the use of the ATV.

Next, you will pass by the Huaypo Lagoon, surrounded by the Salkantay, Veronica, and Soray mountains. It is the perfect place to take photos. It is full of energy and mystery, because it’s said that on full moon nights, the light reflected in the lagoon reveals an ancient citadel full of lights in the depths of its waters.

The tour will continue to Moray, which is an Inca archaeological site with circular terraces used as an agricultural laboratory, and end at the salt mines of Maras, one of the major attractions of the sacred valley. These are 3,000 natural salt mines, filled by a hypersaline spring that originated 110 million years ago during the formation of the Andes Mountains. The people of Maras still commercialize this salt, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago.

Note: There are different routes you can choose, but this is one of the most popular.

3.BIKING IN CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY:

This is one of the must-do activities for biker lovers.

The bicycle is an excellent alternative to visit the archaeological sites closest to Cusco such as Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara.

You can also explore the Sacred Valley by mountain biking and admire the beautiful scenery of the colorful chacras (crops) and the villagers in their daily work, surrounded by the nature that makes up the valley.

4.CLIMB TO THE HUAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN:

Climbing to Huaynapicchu mountain is an ideal complement to your visit to Machu Picchu and should be included in your bucket list.

Huayna Picchu is also known as the young mountain and is located at 2,720 meters above sea level.

The trail is made up of a zigzag and almost vertical steps next to a vertiginous cliff. Getting to the top of Huayna Picchu is a challenge that is worth the effort, because the view is breathtaking.

The average time to fully enjoy this mountain is 3 hours. The distance covered is 2.50 km. This includes the ascent, descent, time at the summit and the visit to the Temple of the Moon:

The ascent takes one hour on average, but it depends on your physical condition. Someone in good physical shape can do it in 45 minutes.
At the top, the ideal time to be at the top is 30 minutes. During that time you can take the best pictures.
The descent takes an hour on average.

5.YOGA & STAND UP PADDLE:

The wonderful and peaceful scenery of Piuray Lake is the perfect place to enjoy a yoga session on a stand up paddle board.

This tour is designed for travelers that are looking for a peaceful moment surrounded by the nature of the sacred valley. Yoga on a SUP board is special on its own , but plus the landscapes and the great conditions that Piuray offers, the result is a memorable experience.