Adventure tours in Peru offer a perfect balance between adrenaline thrills, spiritual fulfillment, and a profound sense of personal accomplishment.
The abundance and variety of exciting activities is staggering. Climb that Inca mountain, conquer those rapids, and explore lesser-known trails.
The green slopes, the valley streams, and the colorful flowers will surround you. You’ll see alpacas, llamas, horses, and sheep grazing, and the snow-capped peaks glittering in the distance. Landscapes full of color and life.
But to enjoy that radiant sun and blue sky, you first have to get up at dawn, sleepy and cold, and hop on a minibus or train to reach the trailhead.
However, once you embark, you’ll be able to contemplate the natural wonders that surround you. You’ll appreciate everything said about Pachamama: why Mother Nature, the world of the living, and the world of the dead are central to Andean beliefs.
The tradition of sacrificing to nature arose over thousands of years of being so exposed to its forces. Therefore, adventure tours in Peru often include a small offering to Pachamana. The offering usually consists of a small, colorful gift of flowers or a pouring of chicha beer on the ground.
First, there’s the enormous popularity of the 26-mile (42 km), four-day trek. Second, it’s a marvel of 15th-century Inca engineering. It also encompasses an unparalleled variety of ecological zones and microclimates, as well as archaeological wonders. All of this is exquisitely packaged into a four-day excursion.
Any fit, experienced, and acclimatized hiker will have no trouble on the Inca Trail.
And even for the less experienced, the route is of medium difficulty.
So, while most people consider it a challenge, if you’re in reasonably good condition—and can handle thousands of stairs—you can tackle the Inca Trail.
The Inca Trail requires great physical effort at high altitude: 4,200 meters above sea level at its highest point, the Warmihuañusca Pass.
Before the hike, you should allow time to acclimatize. If you’re coming to Cusco from sea level, plan on spending at least two full days in Cusco before beginning this hike. (The same goes for all the adventure tours described below.)
You also need to think about preparing your legs and knees for the increased sustained training they’re likely to receive.
There is no official count of the stone steps along the entire Inca Trail. But on the second day of the hike—the most difficult—most of the ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass is via uneven stone stairs.
On the third day, the steep descent from the puna grassland to the lush cloud forest involves a seemingly endless stone staircase of 3,000 steps.
Good quality hiking boots are a must, and trekking poles are highly recommended.
No, you can only hike the Inca Trail with a certified Inca Trail operator authorized to obtain your entry permit. Inca Trail treks operate year-round, except in February, when the trail is closed for repairs and restoration. April through October is the best time to hike this route, as it is the dry season with little rainfall in the mountains of southern Peru.
May through August is peak season, when entry permits are most likely to sell out. So if you plan to hike during this period, book your trip several months in advance.
This shorter Inca Trail hike is the best Machu Picchu excursion for travelers with less time.
The hike begins in Chachabamba, or Km 104. The distance of this Inca Trail is less than 7½ miles (12 Kms) and can be done in 4 to 6 hours.
This shorter version of the Inca Trail is much less arduous than the longer route. It still allows you to visit the most beautiful ruins on the way to Machu Picchu, called Wiñayhuayna (Winawayna). After lunch, we’ll continue through the Sun Gate ( Inti Punku ) for your first glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas.
We’ll pass through Machu Picchu and descend to the village of Machupicchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). After checking into your hotel, dinner awaits you.
For those who want to try hiking in the Andes along trails built by the Incas, this excursion with the following day in Machu Picchu is the best option.
Vinicunca, or “Mountain of Seven Colors,” fully emerged from the permanent snow cover in 2013. This revealed the now world-famous vivid stripes formed by trace minerals of red iron oxide, bright yellow iron sulfide, and varying shades of green chlorite.
The “rainbow mountain” quickly became Cusco’s most popular tourist destination, second only to Machu Picchu.
Most travelers reach Vinicunca on a day trip from Cusco, which begins well before dawn and requires a six-hour drive to reach the windswept summit. This includes a three-hour drive to the Ccayahuire Valley and the trailhead near the village of Chillca, and then a three-hour hike to Rainbow Mountain.
The summit is over 5,000 meters above sea level (5,200 m), so it is very important to be acclimatized.
We offer a more satisfying route for the adventurous traveler. This is a challenging four-day high-altitude circuit around the Ausangate or Apu Ausangate snow-capped mountain.
The hike culminates with a descent that allows you to see the gigantic rainbow mountain range ever closer.
The five-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is the meeting point between colossal snow-capped mountains and lush tropical rainforest.
The spectacular icy summit of Mount Salkantay has been considered sacred since ancient times, protecting the local population and their crops. At over 6,270 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
The name Salkantay comes from a Quechua word meaning invincible or savage. For this reason, Salkantay is often referred to as the “Wild Mountain.”
You might consider it apt when you reach 4,650 meters on the second day of the tour. This mountain inspires awe.
The Salkantay Trek was named one of the 25 best hikes in the world by National Geographic . Unlike the Inca Trail, Salkantay has no entry restrictions.
Passing through Mollepata to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trail is an ancient and remote path. It winds from the mountains, past the glacier line, and then descends through the tropical rainforest.
The Salkantay trek is specifically designed as an alternative to the traditional Inca Trail hike. Away from the crowds, this trek will provide a great experience for hikers seeking privacy and a sense of belonging with nature.
With breathtaking views of the Andes, this trek will take you to Machu Picchu in an unforgettable way.
The Ausangate Glacier is the fifth highest mountain in Peru, at 6,945 feet above sea level (6,384 meters above sea level). With its snow-capped peaks, it is the highest and most imposing mountain in southern Peru, visible from Cusco under clear skies.
The tour of Ausangate takes you to the heart of the Q’eros people, direct descendants of the Incas. Their small villages have remained virtually unchanged for centuries.
The Ausangate hiking circuit is the most challenging adventure route in the region. It takes between five and six days to complete and traverses several 6,000-foot (5,000 m) mountain passes. This hike is for experienced hikers, not beginners.
You’ll ascend through the brown, rocky grasslands of the Andean plateau, populated by grazing herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep. As you reach the heights, you’ll discover beautiful turquoise lagoons and various rock formations. The descent takes you through lush, swampy green valleys.
The starting and ending point is Tinqui, where you can bathe in the natural hot springs.
This full-day horseback riding tour of Cusco’s Sacred Valley will take you on a completely different route through Spanish colonial towns and the Andean countryside.
You’ll get alternative views of Inca archaeological sites, including the Quechuyuc Muyu , Moray’s central terraced monument.
Riding Peruvian Paso horses, you’ll be accompanied by a private guide. The tour includes a picnic lunch. It concludes with a guided tour of the Salineras de Maras, a stunning mosaic of some 3,000 salt flats that predates the Inca civilization.
Peruvian Paso horses are reputed to be the smoothest in the world. They are considered the best saddle horses due to their smooth gait, easy handling, and stable temperament. The sub-equine breed descends from the Andalusian and Arabian horses, which were first brought to Peru by the Spanish conquistadors.
Discover Peru’s unparalleled bird diversity with tours to Cusco, where the fusion of cultural heritage and natural beauty offers an exceptional birdwatching experience. Home to the highest number of bird species in the world, Peru invites travelers to explore its vibrant avian life. From the serene landscapes of the Sacred Valley to the enigmatic ruins of Machu Picchu, each destination presents a unique opportunity to encounter rare and endemic birds.
For an unforgettable trip to the heart of Peru’s avian paradise, designed for both enthusiasts and photographers, check out Fertur Peru Travel’s birdwatching tours. Embark on a personalized adventure that promises not only sightings, but an immersive experience in the avian world.
Contact telephone numbers
Offices
Phone
Contact telephone numbers
Offices
