Soft Adventure in Southern Peru

Cusco - Urubamba

Day 1: Welcome Peru and Cusco & Journey to the Sacred Valley

Welcome to Peru! We'll be expecting you at the airport, ready to take you to the Sacred Valley Incas. Because of its lower elevation (2,870 m or 9,415 ft) and its peaceful atmosphere, this valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco while you acclimatize. Depending on how you are feeling, en route, we can stop at Pisac village. This delightful Andean town has a colorful street market to explore. It's a great place to get an initial feel of local culture. We don't want to do too much on our first day, though; it is best to get used to the altitude first

Urubamba - Ollantaytambo - Urubamba

Day 2: Walk along the valley to Ollantaytambo

Away from more hectic routes, today, we'll see the Sacred Valley from a different perspective. We'll begin our day walking on a flat 10-km route to reach Ollantaytambo, starting at Yanahuara, an unusual path. We'll pass by farms and colorful mudbrick houses. On bright days, we see the snow peaks of the Vilcanota mountains too. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the rural countryside of Cusco.

Ollantaytambo village has not changed much since Inca times. It has an impressive Inca site with stonework only seconded by that of Machu Picchu, which we will visit as soon as we arrive. It is a significant advantage as most groups visit it in the afternoons. 

Note: During the hike, our transport is always nearby in case you wish to reach Ollantaytambo faster.

Urubamba - Pachar - Urubamba

Day 3: Via Ferrata and Zip-lining and visit to Maras and Moray

Flying through the Sacred Valley is possible. We'll pick you up from your hotel and drive towards Pachar, the starting point of today's adventure. Once here, you'll meet your guides and have a safety briefing before receiving all the equipment. First, climb the Sacred Valley's mountain cliffs with the help of iron ladders and fixed cables. The views from the top are well worth the climb. Finally, start your journey back to Pachar zip-lining! Descend from one line to another for about 2 hours enjoying the marvelous landscape. At the end of this fun adventure, we'll reach Moray, a unique Inca site consisting of circular terraces built upon a natural depression. It seems to have been an agricultural experimental station. Finally, visit Maras, an impressive salt-extraction complex composed of hundreds of small ponds from where locals have been collecting and selling the salt since before the Inca times.

Note: We'll have the climbers permanently tied to a steel cable lifeline that runs through the entire route

Urubamba - Lares

Day 4: Lares Trek hike towards Quiswarani

It's time to begin our alternative trek to Machu Picchu. We'll pick you from your hotel and drive through the Sacred Valley to Cuncani Village (3,750 masl / 12, 303 ft), a small pleasant community where our trek begins.

Today we will hike for 3 hours and reach our first pass Huillcaccasa (4, 200m / 13 , 779 ft), then we will descend through the valley till Quiswarani village (3,700m / 12,139ft) for the first campsite, as we make camp you can familiarize with the locals and their way of life.

Approximate distance: 10 km (6, 83 miles)

Estimated time: 5-6 hours

Highest point: 4, 200 masl

Lares

Day 5: The Majestic Ollantaytambo Fortress

After a well-rested night, we will have breakfast and continue to Qoyalay Lake, located uphill. It will be our beginning point to start our walk to our second Pass, Pachacucuteq (4, 400 masl / 14, 436 ft). Here we will be able to take breathtaking photos of the snowcapped mountains. We continue for two hours downhill and maybe be able to meet with the local communities. Once in Cancha Cancha (3, 800 masl / 12, 467ft) a small village, as we set our camp, you can share and be with the locals.

Approximate distance: 11 km (6, 83 miles)

Estimated time: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: 4,400 m (12,467ft)

Lares - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu

Day 6: Last day of Lares Trek and train to Aguas Calientes

We will end this trek today in Huaran Village, after breakfast from our campsite we will start downhill and spot small houses, and the forest along our path until we reach Huaran Village (2, 850 / 9, 350 ft).

This town is located in the Sacred Valley, between Pisac and Urubamba. After lunch, we will head to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes town, always traveling beside the meandering Urubamba River. Once in town, we'll take you to your comfortable hotel.

Approximate distance: 9 km (4, 35 miles)

Estimated time: 3-4 hours

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Day 7: Discovering Machu Picchu Citadel

Machu Picchu, here we come! After breakfast, take a 30-minute bus up to Machu Picchu, surrounded by an impressive mountain setting. Once here, accompanied by your guide, you'll start exploring every corner of the lost Inca citadel.

We will be more than happy to try and show you every corner of the famous site and answer any questions, so you have a better understanding of Machu Picchu and the Incas culture. Depending on your rhythm and interest, the tour may last between 2 and 4 hours. After the visit, we'll head back to town and take the train back to the Sacred Valley and then to Cusco in a private car.

Cusco

Day 8: Cusco at leisure

Cusco is one of the most exciting cities in Peru and South America. Today, enjoy the free day to explore the streets, plazas, and markets of this UNESCO World Heritage City at our own pace.

We recommend you visit the Main Square, San Francisco Church, Koricancha Temple, and San Pedro Market. If you are into arts and crafts, you could take a walk around Cuesta San Blas and visit the local workshops and galleries. Cusco for something for everyone, it's up to you to discover it.

Cusco - Juliaca - Puno

Day 9: Flight to Puno and excursion to Sillustani Tombs

Puno and Lake Titicaca await! Today, at the coordinated time, we'll head to the airport to catch our flight to Juliaca, and upon arriving, we'll be ready to take you to your hotel in Puno, at the shores of Lake Titicaca. 7

On route, we'd like to show you a place called Sillustani. This archaeological site, located at the shores of Lake Umayo, is an area full of energy and mystery. Sillustani is something entirely different from what Lake Titicaca has to offer. Here you will see a marvelous burial site made up of cylindrical, tower-like tombs called Chulpas. Most of the Chulpas here were built by the Pukaras, a prehispanic civilization related to the Tiwanaku's, who were conquered by the Incas in the XVth century. After the tour, we continue to the hotel.

Puno - Luquina

Day 10: Hiking at the Shores of Lake Titicaca

We continue with our adventurous spirit, embarking on a two-day journey. We will explore Lake Titicaca as only few do, it'll be a story to tell for generations to come. We'll leave from Chucuito Peninsula and begin our 1-hour drive, it's likely to see villagers working in the fields along the route. Our first stop will be in the small community of Socca, where we'll have our first encounter with the Lake in a secluded beach.

Before starting our hike, we make an offering to the Pachamama or "Mother Earth" and Mamacocha or "Mother water", as the locals have done for centuries. Our hike starts at Perka, a natural viewpoint with panoramic views. From here, we can see the gorgeous Taquile and Amantani islands in front of us, and if we have a clear day, we might even see the Bolivian side of the Lake. This 10km hike will take us along the shores of the Lake, all the way to the Karina beach. Some sections of the path are through a well preserved prehispanic trail. You'll feel like an explorer, a discoverer of pristine beauty, walking along incredible, hidden beaches. If you're brave enough, we encourage you to bring your swimwear and take a dip in the cold and refreshing waters of one of the highest navigable Lake on the planet. Our final stop is Luquina Chico, we can either keep walking or drive there. We'll meet our Aymara host family and be warmly welcomed to their charming houses. Luquinas Homestay facilities are amongst the best in the Lake's communities. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and enjoy the shores of the Lake at your own pace.

Luquina - Puno

Day 11: Kayaking at Luquina and back to Puno

We recommend waking up at the crack of dawn and taking a short hike, where we'll enjoy magical views of the sunrise at the Lake. Upon our return, we'll have breakfast together with our host family and have some time to share with them. We then have a kayaking adventure scheduled for the morning.

After a safety briefing given by our kayaking instructor, we'll start paddling at the shores of the Lake. Kayaking is a great way to appreciate the Lake's breathtaking views and wildlife from a unique perspective. Picture yourself surrounded by breathtaking scenery, the calm waters flowing gently in the morning, and local Andean birds singing in the distance. It will be a memorable experience to paddle along the coastline of Luquina Chico. After today's adventure, we'll return to Luquina Chico on time for a delicious buffet lunch, after which, we'll board a shared boat back to Puno.

Puno - Lima - Paracas

Day 12: Flight to Lima & drive to Paracas Bay

At the coordinated time, we'll head to Cusco's airport to board your flight to Lima. Upon arriving, our local guide will meet you and start your drive to the Paracas bay, located 4 hours south of the airport. Paracas Bay is the entrance gateway to Paracas Reserve and the beginning of the Ica desert. Once here, you'll check into your beautiful beach hotel and have the rest of the day to rest and relax next to the bay. If time allows, we can drive to the Paracas National Reserve and the cliff-top lookouts to admire the immensity of the ocean and desert.

Paracas

Day 13: Ballesta Islands, and Sand Buggies at the California Desert

We will leave the city of Lima for a day. We start early this morning and head to Paracas Bay. On arrival, we'll board our fully equipped speedboats towards the Ballestas Islands, also known as the little Galapagos, because of their large variety of wildlife. We'll spot sea lions, penguins, and other bird species living here. Later this afternoon, after having some free time for lunch, and we'll move on to explore the California desert in powerful sand buggies and maybe try some sandboarding.

Paracas - Lima

Day 14: Departure day, drive back to Lima Airport

It's time to say goodbye after a fun, active, once in a lifetime experience. We will drive for 4 hours back to Lima Airport so you can fly back home.