Top Cusco Outdoor Activities

Peru’s Sacred Valley lies in the Andean Highlands—a landscape of rugged mountains, open plains, and soaring cliffs—and reaching the remote sites is a challenge. Choose a morning or afternoon half-day safari, and tackle the rough ground by powerful all-terrain quad bike. With your guide to lean the way, reach historic sites including Moray and Maras with ease, enjoy sweeping views across the Peruvian countryside, and learn of life here under Incan rule.

Moray archaeological park and the Maras salt mines rank among the top attractions outside Cusco, with a history dating back to the days of the Incas. On this tour, hit the gas and zoom through the Peruvian countryside, and explore both sites in one day—with safety kit plus pickup and drop-off at your Cusco accommodation included. With your guide to lead the way, enjoy outdoor adventure in Peru and learn how the Incas worked the land.

Get a taste for Peru’s high-alpine scenery and ancient Inca customs during this full-day hike to Lake Humantay from Cusco. Ascend to this scenic body of water located at 13,779 feet (4,200 meters), learning about its sacred place in Inca mythology during your climb. An included buffet lunch back at base camp is an added bonus.

Explore local Andean communities and ancient Inca ruins in the countryside outside Cusco during this horseback riding adventure. Learn about the daily rhythms of local life, observing farming techniques along with alpaca and sheep herding as you pass these tiny districts. You also discover Inca temples, soaking up the ancient energy of these spiritual sites, and visit the ‘Devil’s Balcony,’ a natural cave once used as an Inca shrine. Your horseback ride near Cusco also includes a guide, horseback riding gear, snacks and water, and round-trip transport from your hotel to the ranch.

Embark on a thrilling outdoor adventure that combines white-water rafting with zip-lining and satisfies your need for speed. Depart Cusco for Oropesa, where you can ease your butterflies with a bite of the town's iconic bread before hitting the Vilcanota River. Tackle Class III and IV rapids and battle intense waves as you make your way downstream, enjoying the remarkable scenery of the surrounding Andes as you go. Afterward, soar through the sky on an exhilarating zip ride.

Travel for a few hours from Cusco through the rugged mountain countryside of Peru to reach the aptly named Rainbow Mountain, striped with colorful mineral deposits and located far off the beaten path. Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (own expense) for easier access to the same incredible views.

Experience more of Peru’s Sacred Valley in just one day than you would on most tours during this comprehensive full-day excursion ideal for travelers with limited time in the region. Alongside a small group and local guide, visit Maras, Moray, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo in an unconventional order to avoid other tour groups and enjoy a more intimate experience.

Rainbow Mountain may not be close to Cusco, but it's still possible to visit in just one day on this guided tour. This budget-friendly day trip option takes you to the spectacular summit of Rainbow Mountain on a full-day tour—a challenging trek enchanted by commentary from your guide.

Maximize your adventure during your trip to Machu Picchu as you enjoy this 4-day, 3-night trip packed with fun activities like biking, ziplining and rafting. Choose an alternative to the typical Inca Trail hiking paths, enjoying a jungle bike ride, rafting trip on Classs III and IV rapids and Peru’s first canopy-level zipline. Cap it all off with a chance to explore the famous Inca citadel at Machu Picchu in the first light of day and with a guided tour of the site. This adventure-lover’s experience also features hotel pickup, three nights of guesthouse accommodations, guide, bus and train transfers, three days of meals and snacks, entrance fees and all necessary biking, ziplining and rafting equipment.

Explore the legacy of the Inca and Peru’s indigenous culture during this day trip to Maras, Moray, and the ‘Salineras’ from Cusco. Walk the streets of Maras and sample some ‘Chicha’ (corn drink), then learn about Inca engineering and agricultural practices at the Moray archaeological site. You’ll also get to see the “Salineras” salt mines. An optional private trip upgrade is also available.

Rainbow Mountain is the second most visited place in Peru After Machu Picchu, so its too Crowded because everyone goes in the morning, some groups are leaving Cusco by 3 am trying to be the first ones at the top before big groups arrives. you don`t need to wake up at 3 am on your vacation, that is why we are the only ones going in the afternoon, once everyone at the view point is gone, we arrive there and will have all the mountains only for us, without queuing to take pictures. We really warrant you a unique experience.

Visit one of Peru’s most famous areas, aside from Machu Picchu, on this 10-hour day trip to the Sacred Valley from Cusco. Pass through the ancient Inca sites of Saqsaywaman and Tambomachay, and explore the Inca site of Pisac. Along the way, visit a Peruvian weaving house, and see a demonstration on dyeing and weaving techniques. Plus, this tour operates with a maximum of 15 people, ensuring you’ll enjoy a small-group experience your expert guide.

Discover Peru’s ancient past and vibrant present on this tour to the Sacred Valley, the traditional town of Pisac, and Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Plus, visit a colonial temple, learn how local villagers use plants to dye alpaca wool, and enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant in Urubamba.

Outdoor-lovers who don’t have time for the full Salkantay Trek but want to experience a day of its highlights can embark on this full-day adventure to Humantay Lake. The private tour enables you to skip the hassle of public transportation and avoid waiting on other travelers on a group tour. That way you can minimize your travel time and spend more time enjoying nature.

Discover Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas aboard a 4WD ATV. Set out from Cusco to Cruz Pata, where you'll hop onto your off-road vehicle and head into the countryside, navigating muddy paths and mountain trails to reach Moray—an Inca archaeology site featuring enormous circular ruins once used for agriculture. Spend some time exploring before continuing your adventure to the Salineras, an impressive series of salt mines at the bottom of a towering canyon. It's a whole new way to experience the Andean highlands.

Trade the crowded main sites of the Sacred Valley for a trip to Maras and Moray, and spend the day exploring traditional salt flats and Inca ruins. And since Maras and Moray are just 31 miles (50 km.) from Cusco, you can experience the Sacred Valley landscape without spending the whole day in the car, arriving back in Cusco in time for an afternoon of sightseeing.

Add a dash of adventure to your excursion into the Sacred Valley of the Incas by visiting via quad bike. Roar through the Andean mountains of Cusco, setting off from Cruzpata to take in the archaeological site of Moray. Learn about the culture and history of Peru and the Incas while admiring the spectacular scenery, and end with a stop at the picturesque Salinas de Maras salt mines.

The PeruRail Vistadome train offers a full panoramic view, connecting with the scenery along the way to Machu Picchu, making passengers feel as if they were somehow part of the nature that surrounds them. On the return trips on the PeruRail Vistadome train, you can enjoy live dances inspired by the ancient culture of the Andes, with an onboard fashion show, featuring the exclusive baby alpaca wool collection with the latest trends in alpaca apparel, all available for sale. Passengers also receive a snack made from local ingredients, so you can get the full Andean experience through our cuisine. The trip also includes non-alcoholic beverages for your onboard refreshment.

Trace the path of the original Inca Trail during an unforgettable 4-day, 3-night trip along this classic road to Machu Picchu. Follow the footsteps of this ancient people as you cross mountain terrain and lush jungles and explore fascinating Inca ruins like Wiñay Wayna, hiking toward the ‘Lost City of the Incas.’ On your final day, wake up early to reach Machu Picchu's iconic Sun Gate at sunrise, watching the first rays of light creep across the landscape. Then spend the morning exploring this incredible mountaintop archaeological site with your guide. This classic Inca Trail trek also features hotel pickup, camping accommodations, bus and train transfers, entrance fees, three days of meals and snacks and porters to carry shared equipment.

Set out on a hiking and biking adventure to Machu Picchu with this four-day, three-night tour along the Inca Trail. Explore archeological ruins, bike downhill for 60 kilometers, and admire mountain landscapes during the tour. On the final morning, see Machu Picchu at sunrise and set out on a guided tour of the site. Hotels and meals are included. 

Most hikers come to Cusco to trek to Machu Picchu, but for a thrilling day hike, there is nowhere quite like the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca. Set out on a challenging full-day hike through mountain valleys, Quechan villages, and herds of alpaca; tuck into a delicious breakfast and lunch along the way; and enjoy spectacular views of the multi-colored topography.

Only recently discovered, Rainbow Mountain has become one of the main attractions to visit in Peru for all travellers and locals.

There are three main routes to Machu Picchu. There's the popular Inca Trail, the lesser traveled Lares Trek, and the one we chose, The Salkantay Trek. Each of these has a variation of days and you basically just start further up in the trail, or make a shortcut to trim off one day.

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days 3 nights is considered one of the world’s oldest pilgrimages and consistently ranked among the ten best hikes on the planet. Over 4 days you will be hiking an ancient trail that was lost and reminded untouched together with Machu Picchu over hundreds of years. Why book with TreXperience? Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator from Cusco city We offer a real camping experience with tents and hot showers Support and visit Social Project that helps the education of local children Fare wages & proper treatment to porters and staff in the Inca Trail Arrive at the archeological sites at exclusive hours Come back to Cusco on the last days in the exclusive Panoramic trains