The Sacred Valley is one of the most culturally rich regions of South America, and also one of the most adventurous. It is an open secret that the Sacred Valley of the Incas is becoming one of the best destinations for adventure sports. From rafting to rock climbing, the Sacred Valley offers many ways to get a dose of adrenaline in a breathtaking setting.

• Outdoor adventure activities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Overview
• White water rafting
• Mountain biking
• Trekking in the Sacred Valley
• Day trips
• Paddleboarding in Piuray Lagoon
• Bungee jumping
• Ziplining over the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Spending the night in a glass capsule suspended from a mountain above a cliff
• All-terrain quads
• Getting around the Sacred Valley

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the best adventures when you visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Outdoor adventure activities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Among the adventure activities you can have in the Sacred Valley of the Incas are following the historic Inca trail to Machu Picchu on 500-year-old trails; mountain biking on trails between picturesque colonial villages surrounded by mountains; spending the night in a glass capsule hanging from the top of a cliff above the sacred valley; jumping from one of the highest bungee jumps in South America and getting your heart pumping with adrenaline, and so on.

Overview

In addition to trekking, the Sacred Valley has become one of the best destinations for action and adventure sports. If you are the type of person with a thirst for adventure, the Sacred Valley offers mountain biking (road and downhill), bungee jumping, rafting and rock climbing, all organized by expert local operators.

If you are thinking of entering Machu Picchu by some of the alternative treks to the “Inca Trail”, for example the Inca Jungle Trail; or if you are going to make your trip to Machu Picchu by train and have some time available to enjoy Cusco and the Sacred Valley, you can include some of these adventures in your itinerary; ask through info@boletomachupicchu.com.

White water rafting

The Sacred Valley offers you the opportunity to do level II and III rafting at any time of the year on the Urubamba River; however, the rainy season allows you, in some parts of the river, to practice level IV and V rafting; although we only recommend you to book these levels if you already have experience with white water. The most popular section is between Ollantaytambo and Chilca, where you can practice level III rafting. Trips often start as early as nine in the morning, include transportation, the necessary equipment for the time on the river, and a stop for lunch. Advanced level rafting takes place on the Apurimac and Tambopata rivers.

Tourists practicing Rafting in the waters of the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley

Mountain biking

If you already know that you need to acclimatize and how to avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness, a mountain bike can be one of the best ways to explore places off the typical Sacred Valley route at your own pace. Keep in mind the altitude, your experience, and that the main roads in the valley do not offer much room for cyclists, so take the time to talk to a local specialist about routes before starting your adventure.

There are many options to choose from, but one route we recommend goes from the village of Maras to the ruins of Moray and ends at the local brewery of Pachar. You can consult us about the best mountain biking tour operators. We will recommend you where to rent quality mountain bikes and get the best guidance on the best routes to explore the valley.

Couple mountain biking next to the corn fields of the Sacred Valley

Trekking in the Sacred Valley

One of the most amazing ways to enter Machu Picchu and one of the best hikes in the world, is the Inca Trail trek, a 4-day (or 2-day) hike through the Sacred Valley on 500 year old trails to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. However, if you don’t get to book one of the limited tickets to hike the Inca Trail or simply want a less crowded route, know that there are alternative treks; the Inka Junlge trail or the Salkantay trek are some of them.

View of the beautiful landscapes surrounding the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Day trips

If you don’t want adrenaline-filled experiences, but want to enjoy the climate and spectacular mountain scenery, there are day trips that will allow you to tour the valley at your own pace. A great way to enjoy the valley, you can visit communities dedicated to Andean handicraft weaving, have a spiritual experience in the town of Pisac and see ancient Inca ruins, some as impressive as the Inca city of Machu Picchu itself.

Paddleboarding in Piuray Lagoon

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), known in Spanish as paddle surfing or stand-up paddle, is a variant of surfing that is gaining many followers, it can be practiced in the open sea but also lakes and rivers. Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) in the Piuray Lagoon is ideal for those looking for a more relaxed way to connect with nature in the Sacred Valley. The lagoon is located at 3,720 meters, so you will need to acclimatize before practicing this sport. Most travelers choose to leave Cusco very early in the morning, so they can take advantage of the calmer waters and return at noon.

A walk around the Piuray Lagoon in the Sacred Valley

Bungee jumping

Although not technically in the Sacred Valley, adrenaline seekers can stop by the “Action Valley”; it offers both a bungee jump and a “slingshot” at its “Adventure Park” 30 minutes west of Cusco. A small platform attached to a cable stretched between valley walls provides the base for both activities. The bungee jump of more than 120 meters (400 feet) high is so far the highest in Latin America.

Bungee jumping at Action Valley park near the Sacred Valley

Ziplining over the Sacred Valley of the Incas

You can see the Sacred Valley from a unique point of view. Climb 400 meters up a vertical cliff using metal handles embedded in the rock, then descend by sliding down one of 7 zip-line cables varying from 150 to 700 meters in length, and top off the experience by spending the night in a glass capsule suspended over a cliff on the side of the mountain.

Tourist practicing Zip-line

Spending the night in a glass capsule suspended from a mountain above a cliff

Spending the night in a glass capsule hanging above a cliff in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is an incomparable experience. It’s called glamping, and it’s a way of camping without sacrificing the glamour and amenities you might get in a first-class hotel. The Skylodge Adventure Suites is a luxury hotel made up of glass capsules hanging from the walls of a cliff on the side of a mountain, in the middle of the Sacred Valley. It is one of the best places where an adventurous person can spend the night. This “hotel”, has trained guides to help you reach the pod-shaped glass capsules, climbing the mountain wall with the help of a harness and a ladder; in these you will be given a meal, an optional tour, if you wish to enter by a zip-line instead of climbing the cables, and we assure you that you will spend one of the most picturesque and unforgettable nights of your life, with incredible views of the valley.

Glass capsule hanging above the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley

All-terrain quads

For those who enjoy all-terrain vehicles (ATVs/quads), the Sacred Valley offers some very popular one-day adventure tours; these will take you along dirt roads throughout the valley, with stops at some of the best attractions, including the salt mines at Maras, the agricultural laboratory at Moray, and the colonial town of Chinchero. Be sure to be aware of the environmental and community impact of this activity, as well as taking appropriate safety precautions.

Tour of the villages of the Sacred Valley on ATV’s

Getting around the Sacred Valley

Taxi: Taxis are a good way to tour the Sacred Valley, they can be hired to take you to Pisac, Urubamba and the rest of the valley. You can easily find one near the Plaza de Armas in downtown Cusco.

Private car / minivan: Excellent for getting around the Sacred Valley, particularly to the remote communities in the surrounding mountains. Best if on an organized tour.

Autobús: Los autobuses públicos están disponibles, tienen bajo costo, pero no siempre es la mejor opción para aquellos que buscan aprovechar al máximo el limitado tiempo.

Advice from people who have been there

Sacred Valley

By: Silvia C.

“Mandatory visit“

“It is very interesting to visit the villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Ollantaytambo is in my opinion the most beautiful village, its square, its cobblestone streets, and the ruins. It is worth every step to see the magnificent panoramic views, do not miss it. From here leaves the train that takes you to Aguas Calientes. But all the towns Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero, all are beautiful.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 10, 2024