Adventure sports on the trip to Cusco

Cusco has a perfect geographical area for adventure sports such as: cycling, hiking, canoeing, canopy, rock climbing, paragliding, bungee jumping and even ATV routes through historical places. such as the Inca platforms of Moray or the Salineras de Maras. Most of these adventures must be done within a tour that complies with security protocols. Get to know the details of these sports, their prices, services included and more information.

Trekking

Cusco offers different hiking trails, either short or long walks lasting several days. The most famous is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu that lasts 4 days, 3 nights and covers 39 kilometers in total.

Other of the most famous multi-day trekking routes are: the 5-day Salkantay trek, the 4-day Lares trek, the 3-day Huchuy Qosqo trek or the 2-day Inca Trail. All these hiking trails end in Machu Picchu.

The most famous short (1-day) hiking trails are the hike to the Huayna Picchu mountain (within Machupicchu) or the hike that connects Chinchero with Urquillos (in the Sacred Valley of the Incas). This last walk can be done for free.

• Tour price: 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu costs approximately 600 USD.
• Includes: Complete transportation, camps, cooks (food), porters, tour guide, entrance to Machu Picchu and return by train to Cusco.
• More information: The Salkantay trek tour of 5 days has an approximate cost of 500 USD.

Rafting

This sport can be practiced in two different places: in the Vilcanota River located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas or in the Chuquicahuana River located in the South Valley of Cusco. The first option is preferred by visitors.

The adventure has rapids of levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, depending on the time of year. The river adventure lasts 2 hours on average. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced tourists.

To carry out this adventure it is necessary to hire the services of a tourism agency. You can hire a tour in Cusco or online. The service is recommended for people over 12 years old.

• Tour price: Full Day Tour on the Vilcanota River costs approximately 80 USD.
• Includes: Complete transportation, necessary rafting equipment, professional guide and lunch.
• More information: During the Inca Jungle (4-day adventure tour to Machu Picchu) there is the possibility of rafting.

Cycling

The mountainous geography of Cusco is perfect for cyclists. There are mountain routes, downhill routes, trail routes and more. One of the favorites for tourists is the descent by road from the Abra Málaga sector, at the top of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

This route covers an average of 40 kilometers. The whole way is downhill. It stands out for its beautiful views of Andean mountains and also of tropical jungles. The Abra Málaga is located almost 120 kilometers from the city of Cusco.

Another of the routes preferred by visitors is the one that descends from the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman to the city of Cusco. This adventure can be done on your own if you have the necessary equipment.

• Price of the tour: Full Day Tour at Abra Málaga costs approximately 100 USD.
• Includes: Full transportation, professional guide, lunch, bicycle and complementary equipment.
• More information: During the Inca Jungle (4-day adventure tour to Machu Picchu) the descent by bike from Abra Málaga is included.

Canopy

The canopy is also known as a zip line. It is a sport in which you descend down a steel cable tilted in such a way that the tourist seems to fly downhill at high speed.

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas there is a site that has up to seven cables of different lengths, and therefore, speeds. The cables have a length that varies from 400 to 600 meters.

In the town of Santa Teresa (famous for the thermal baths of Cocalmayo) you can also practice canopy. To perform this extreme sport, it is necessary to strictly comply with various security protocols.

• Tour price: Full Day Tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas costs approximately 50 USD.
• Includes: Full transportation, professional guide, security equipment and lunch.
• More information: During the Inca Jungle (4-day adventure tour to Machu Picchu) there is the possibility to practice canopy in the town of Santa Teresa.

Paragliding

At the top of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the sector of Cerro Sacro, is where this extreme adventure sport is practiced. The adventure stands out for the incredible mountainous landscapes of the valley. It is flown from an altitude higher than 800 meters above the ground.

The paragliding flight lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. The tours strictly comply with all security protocols. The implements, training and transportation are already included in the tour.

The tour operates only in private service. The landscapes include the green fields, the high, snow-capped mountains, the Vilcanota River and even the Inca archaeological sites of the valley.

• Tour price: Full Day Tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas costs approximately 120 USD.
• Includes: Full transportation, professional guide, security equipment and lunch.
• More information: The paragliding tour may be postponed or canceled depending on the weather on the day of the adventure.

Rock climbing

In Cusco there are two places where you can practice this famous sport. The first is in the vicinity of the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman. The second is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The latter is preferred by tourists.

Rock climbing in the valley takes place in the village of Lamay. The challenge has a moderate difficulty. To do this sport, you must hire a tourism agency that complies with all security protocols.

To perform rock climbing you must be over 13 years old and be in acceptable physical condition. The tours are carried out in private services.

• Tour price: Full Day Tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas costs approximately 80 dollars.
• Includes: Full transportation, professional guide, security equipment and lunch.
• More information: In the Sacred Valley there is a glamping located hanging from the top of a cliff. The reservation of this service includes the practice of rock climbing to glamping.

Quad biking

The ATV adventure is one of the favorites for visitors as it includes a visit to the archaeological site of Moray and the salt mines of Maras, both in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The route must be contracted with a tourism agency that complies with the security protocols. The adventure lasts approximately 5 hours. It offers beautiful Andean landscapes. Also a lot of dust and adrenaline.

The Inca platforms of Moray stand out for their landscapes similar to a huge amphitheater. The salt mines of Maras also stand out for their incredible landscapes. All tours include proper training. They can be contracted in the city of Cusco or online.

• Tour price: Full Day tour of Maras and Moray costs approximately 45 USD.
• Includes: Full transportation, lunch, professional guide, entrance to Maras, Moray, ATV and complementary equipment.
• More information: There is a bike tour that includes a visit to Maras and Moray.

Bungee Jumping

This extreme sport takes place only in the famous ‘Action Valley’, a recreational center located just in the district of Poroy, just 11 kilometers from the city of Cusco.

Half-day tours already include on-site transportation. To perform this sport, all safety protocols must be strictly complied with. People with heart problems or pregnant women are not allowed to do it.

The bungee jumping is done at a height of 122 meters, one of the highest in Latin America. From there you have a terrifying view of the high mountains and fields of Cusco. It is one of the most extreme sports that can be done on the trip.

• Tour price: The half-day tour in Cusco costs approximately 70 USD.
• Includes: Complete transportation and bungee jumping service.
• More information: The ‘Action Valley’ facilities (where bungee jumping takes place) also offer slingshot and paintball practice.