26 guides
The Sacred Valley and the hills around Cusco are a great playground for adventure. We explain each activity, its season, the level required and the safety points to check before booking.
Guide to rafting in Cusco: Urubamba River sections (Cusipata, Sacred Valley, Santa Teresa), Apurímac expeditions, difficulty grades, seasons, safety and choosing an operator.
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Guide to the ATV tour to Maras and Moray: route, duration, licence questions, entrance fees, safety, best season and alternatives like biking or the classic tour.
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Guide to ziplines and via ferrata in Cusco: what the Sacred Valley via ferrata is like, the Santa Teresa ziplines, difficulty, ages, safety, combos and what to bring.
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Paragliding in Cusco guide: tandem flights over the Sacred Valley, duration, best season and time of day, weight and health requirements, safety, choosing an operator and packing.
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Horseback riding in Cusco: the Temple of the Moon and sites near Sacsayhuamán, the Sacred Valley, horses at Rainbow Mountain, duration, requirements, animal welfare and tips.
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Mountain biking in Cusco: Maras and Moray descent, Abra Málaga on the Inca Jungle, Sacred Valley routes, guided tours versus rental, level, gear and safety.
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A guide to birdwatching around Cusco: the Huacarpay wetland, polylepis woods at Abra Málaga, hummingbirds and cock-of-the-rock near Machu Picchu, season, gear and guides.
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Where to climb around Cusco: the Ch'acco Huayllascca park near Pitumarca, limestone walls close to the city and the Sacred Valley, season, altitude, gear and guides.
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What canyoning near Cusco is like: waterfall descents at Limatambo and around Santa Teresa, season, fitness level, gear, safety and how to choose an operator.
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What Apurímac rafting expeditions from Cusco are like: sections, difficulty, the May to November season, riverside camps, requirements, safety and what to pack.
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A guide to camping in the Cusco region: treks with camps, night temperatures, gear rental, water, permits, communities, safety and alternatives such as glamping.
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What kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding near Cusco is like: Piuray lake by Chinchero, what an outing includes, cold, altitude, level, season and what to bring.
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A guide to mountaineering in Cusco: the summits of Ausangate, Verónica and Campa, the May to September season, acclimatisation, technical level, gear and choosing a guide.
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How to do rafting, ziplining, paragliding, canyoning or ATV tours in Cusco safely: choosing an operator, checking gear, altitude, weather, insurance and red flags.
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A 5 to 7-day adventure itinerary around Cusco: active acclimatisation, biking, ATVs, rafting, ziplining, trekking and Machu Picchu, with tips on order, rest and weather.
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How to explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley by motorbike: guided tours or rental, typical routes, mountain roads, driving licences, altitude, weather, safety and gear.
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A guide to trail running in Cusco: the effects of altitude, acclimatisation, training areas near the city and in the Sacred Valley, safety, dogs, weather and gear.
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Which adventure sports work in Cusco in the rainy season: rafting, ziplining, biking, short hikes, hot springs, what to avoid, timing and how to adapt your plan.
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We compare Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain: height, elevation gain, time, vertigo, views, quotas and which ticket you need for each.
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Salkantay Trek guide: 4–5 day route over a pass of about 4,600 m, Humantay Lake, cloud forest, arrival in Aguas Calientes, difficulty, best season and agency vs independent.
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Inca Jungle guide: 3–4 day route with a bike descent from Abra Málaga, optional rafting and zipline, a hike to Santa Teresa, hot springs and arrival in Aguas Calientes.
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Ausangate trek guide: a 4–6 day circuit above 4,000 m with passes over 5,000 m, lakes, glaciers and Rainbow Mountain, best season, cold, agencies and safety.
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How to visit the Peruvian Amazon from Cusco: Manu vs Tambopata (Puerto Maldonado), trip length, flights or road, what to expect, vaccines, packing and why a day trip doesn't work.
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Huaypo and Piuray lakes on the Chinchero plateau: getting there, walks, cycling, kayaking, birds, communities, combining with Maras and Moray, and altitude tips.
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Glamping options near Cusco: the Skylodge hanging pods, community glamping in Misminay and Huilloc, what to expect, when to go and what to pack.
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How to get from Cusco to Nazca and the Huacachina oasis: a direct bus of about 15 hours or via Lima, Nazca Lines flights, sandboarding near Ica and a 3–4 day route.
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