Peru Adventure Tour for Active Travelers

Arrive in Lima and witness the beauty and diversity of the City of Kings. The hustle of the big city rises around you while the grandeur of the historic center glistens in the warm sun. Each neighborhood in Lima offers sensational and diverse life, and a distinct energy. After settling into your beautiful accommodation you will have the day to explore the city. Begin your outdoor adventure through Peru with a visit to the fabulous neighborhood of Miraflores. The neighborhood sits along the edge of the city near a trendy collection of restaurants and stores nestled along the beach. The sweet scent of lemon citrus from the countless cevicherias mixes with the salty essence of the sea.

While wandering through Miraflores you will come across the magnificent Incan pyramid of Huaca Pucllana. The structure sits in the open air and is gilded in bright sunlight. The stone blocks are tiered, creating stepping-stones that climb into the sky and give the structure its pyramidal shape. The site is quiet as people explore the ruins, looking to connect with the remnants of the ancient civilization that built the monument sometime between AD 300 and 700. The sun drifts across the sky as the lights surrounding the pyramid blink into existence. From the rich buildings of the historical center to the decadent history of Huaca Pucllana, your outdoor adventure in Peru has just begun.

Today you will venture through the Peruvian skies on your way to Cusco, leaving the majestic past of Lima behind you. The rocky peaks of the Andes spread along the skyline as you land in Cusco with the promise of adventure before you. The city sits within the mountain peaks, pressed with cobblestone streets that meander through the hills. The colors of Andean culture are worn proud and vibrantly by outside villagers and locals alike. Artists paint the Spanish buildings onto their canvases with circular spires and pink facades. The air is rich with the smells of fresh paint and pisco, a grape brandy known as the national drink. Whether exploring the depths of the city’s history or watching the lazy water spring from the fountain in the Plaza de Armas with a frothy and tangy pisco sour in hand, the city of Cusco is open from all angles giving you the perfect view of life, culture, and history along the edges of the Andes.

From the cobblestone streets of Cusco to the lush grass and steep hills of the Sacred Valley, venture through and around the stone terraces at Sacsayhuaman, over the mountain peaks of the Andes, through the colorful clothing and beaded hats of Chinchero village, and into the subterranean altars of Kenko. One of the largest holy places in the region, you’ll notice the ingenuity of the people with their ability to build wondrous monuments in tiers along and, in the case of Kenko, within the mountainside. Kenko is believed to be a place filled with a long history of mummification and sacrifice. There is a giant, natural stone that towers into the air, surrounded by an altar. A snake meanders through the stones, a winding carving within the earth that brings water to the small pool at its end. The air is cool and crisp on your cheeks. As you venture beneath the surface of the mountains the air becomes a bit warmer, denser, and damp during your visit to the subterranean altar that sits beneath the amphitheater. The Sacred Valley is rich with sites to explore and all of them are at your feet waiting.

Today you will explore the expanse of the Sacred Valley beginning with a visit to the famous weavers of Amaru. The village sits along the ridges of the valley where you can see the slopes of the mountains open in the distance to a plateaued horizon. The grass is tall and lush tickling the palms of your fingers as you wave them over the blades. The smell of fresh tamales and pupusas drift from the huts. In season, when the quinoa is harvested, the earthy scent lingers in the air as the bright magenta of the plant glows tall along the grass. The women’s clothing almost blends in with the harvest, mixed with purple and black textiles, their hats black and adorned with shining red fringe. The Amaru’s take their sensational textiles to the local market where the colors of the dyes and the clothing are as vibrant as the produce. The people smile and barter, always looking for a better bargain. The air is filled with boisterous laughter and life while the Pisac ruins decorate the mountainside in the distance. From the shades of the Amaru to the stones of the Pisac ruins, the sites and scenes of the Sacred Valley are never less than wonderful.

The morning sun brings with it the aroma of fresh dew along the valley. The sunshine spreads over the valley giving you another day of verdant grass and vibrant village textiles. Climb aboard a mountain bike and follow your guide and the path through the beautiful colonial villages of the Andes where, just past the village of Maras, you will find spectacular saltpans. The pre-Incan salt pools were constructed to capture the highly salty water that emerged from the local spring. Tiny channels were built to let the water run slowly into small tiered ponds. The water evaporates in the dry air of the mountains leaving only the salt behind. Dip your finger into one of the ponds and you can taste the briny remnants of the harvest. With the sun still high in the air you will once again mount your bike and venture back to the comforts of the village. The wind blows against your cheeks. The crisp mountain air feels fresh in your lungs. The beauty of exploration brings with it the uniqueness of Peru.

Venture out into the open air of the morning with the mist rising along the mountains. The clouds weave through the trees and up and over the Andes. The morning fog is cool and refreshing. The leaves drip with moisture. Follow your guide along the trail that takes you through the Cloud Forest where the fog grows almost as much as the trees do. The dense forest surrounds you blocking the vista of mountains and valley that was previously spread before you. Your heart races, as much from the climb as from the anticipation of the coming ruins. The canopy and the fog comingle to keep the sunshine from breaking through to the forest floor. You reach the stone steps and begin your ascent. Each stone is built firmly into the ground. Some steps are steeper than others but each step brings you closer to the top. The slope on your right is sharp and vicious. You keep to your left as you climb the stairs and eventually see the three remaining columns of the Sun Gate. The clouds burn away, the stairs are almost a complete memory as you stand with the Lost City of Machu Picchu in the distance. The stones wrap around the plateau like a maze as Huayna Picchu, the looming peak, casts its shadow over the city. You can see the remnants of temples and buildings and the terraces that cascade down the mountain The crisp air the rushes into your lungs. You have made it to one of the Seven Wonders of the World ready and eager to explore.

The sun rises over the stones of the Lost City and you stand in the darkness of the dawn waiting for the light to wash over Machu Picchu. Watch the shadows drift over the ancient sundial that stands along the plateau. The stones continue to spread along the mountaintop with grace and structure amidst centuries of neglect. From the residences to the condor temple, you will follow your guide through the history of the Lost City, its structures and its integrity.

After the tour, you can make your way to the base of Huayna Picchu for one last climb and one more breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. The scent of sweet earth fills the air as you choose to be one of the few people allowed per day to climb the steep slope. The stairs rotate from cobblestones to pure stones. Once you reach the top you understand your decision to climb the partially non-manicured steps. You can enjoy the unique sensation of solitude, the sounds of the serene air the only whisper you can hear. Machu Picchu sits beneath you like a tiny replica rather than the impressive ruins that you wandered through earlier. Take another deep breath and enjoy the view of the city, the surrounding mountaintops, and the stretch of valley below. It isn’t everyday you are able to explore a piece of the sky.

You can hear the train coming into the station. The beauty and majesty of Machu Picchu will never end and is unforgettable. Climb onto the train and wave goodbye to the spectacular Wonder of the World as you indulge in the comforts of the railway that take you to the edges of Ollantaytambo. The town is a living relic of the Incan Empire. The Andean culture is alive and well, with the villagers speaking Quechua, its vibrant colors sparkling in the sunlight, and the scents of quinoa and choclo, corn with large kernels, drifting through the streets.

The entrance to the fort ruins of Ollantaytambo is unmistakable, with terraces climbing along the mountainside and hovering over the ticketing offices, leading back into the crevices of the mountain. You can also visit Pinkullyuna, the Incan storehouses that overlook the town. A gorgeous moderate hike through the mountain pass will have you witnessing the remains of the storehouses and overlooking the main ruins that sit along the hill. The storehouses, built with stone from the surrounding quarry, rest along the slope of the mountain and look like the remains of a castle. After your exploration of Ollantaytambo you will delight in a lunch at a colonial-hacienda before returning to Cusco for the evening.

Venture through the cobblestone streets of Cusco with the taste for adventure rich in your mind. The city is open to you and your ideal adventures. From horseback riding to whitewater rafting, traverse the streets and the sights that surround the city.  Your options for adventure are nearly limitless. Travel into the mountains with the fresh fragrance of poppies, enjoy the bittersweet taste of coca tea while sauntering on horseback, or cruise through the cold rush of the Urubamba River within the safety of a guided raft tour. Or if your prefer, stay in the city and wander through the mixture of Spanish and Andean beauty.

The Temple of the Sun God, known as Qurikancha, was one of the most important temples during the Incan Empire. It was once gilded and the courtyard was decorated with golden statues before the Spanish arrived, demolished the temple and used the foundation for the church. Incan stonework was used in the cathedral’s construction giving it a sense of belonging to both the Spanish and Andean traditions of the city. The multi-leveled stone building stands tall along a sunken street. The museum now houses archeological wonders of the area including mummified artifacts, fabrics, and sacred idols. The rooms encircle the tiled courtyard with an impressive collection of pillars, rooms, and relics.

Today you will make your way the airport and say goodbye to the wonderful world of Peru. You have taken the time to explore the mountainside, biking through the villages, and wandering through the salt mines. You hiked the steep steps of the Inca Trail and ventured through Cloud Forest discovering the majesty of Machu Picchu first hand. From the Spanish facades of Lima to the lingering wonders of ruins, you scoured the Andes and experienced Peru. Just because your time in Peru is ending doesn’t mean that the exploration is over. If you want more than nine days to explore, consider adding on to this Peru adventure.  Visit the Peru vacation reviews to see what other travelers have experienced while in Peru.