Peru – and Machu Picchu especially – had been on my bucket list for a while, so when my friend Georgia mentioned this trip, I jumped at the chance. It ticked all our boxes, mainly because of the variety of activities: this wasn’t just a hiking trip, it was an adventure which also had cycling, whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking too, so we knew it would be a truly unique way to see Peru.
Arriving into Cusco (which sits at an elevation of 3,400m/11,154ft) we were worried we would get altitude sickness, but fortunately we were absolutely fine. Still, we took it easy, arriving a day before the activities started, exploring all the winding streets and enjoying the food. Cusco was so beautiful and rustic, I immediately fell in love with its charm.
The adventure was all seamlessly led by our outstanding guide, Jimmy. From start to finish, Jimmy orchestrated the experience with such professionalism and warmth. He led every activity with confidence, humour, and care, and always knew exactly when to push us and when to give us a breather. Each evening, he also picked the most fantastic local restaurants for dinner – every meal felt like a treat.
This (above) was Georgia and I, still smiling, before our bums got truly sore from sitting on a mountain bike for 25 miles (40km)! The views certainly helped keep our mind off it, though.
While I’m reasonably fit, I’m pretty new to rafting, mountain biking, and paddleboarding. That didn’t matter at all, as this itinerary struck the perfect balance. Each day was thoughtfully planned: we’d tackle something challenging one day, like a 25 mile (40km) bike ride, and recover the next with a more relaxing activity like stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking. The mix kept things exciting without ever being overwhelming.
Arriving at Machu Picchu made every single step worth it – it’s every bit as magical as you imagine.
We stopped at this idyllic spot on the the glassy waters of Lake Huaypo about halfway through our paddleboarding experience. Jimmy told us about Peruvian history and culture while we snacked on delicious local chocolate.
We stumbled across these swings in a play park after one of our hikes and realised there was the perfect number of swings for a group photo. Before the trip began, we were a little nervous to meet our group, which I think is natural. However, we needn’t have worried – we ended up in a group of truly lovely, like-minded people who were all super easy to talk to.
The hike to Machu Picchu was, unsurprisingly, a major highlight. The first section was a steep climb and quite demanding, especially with the altitude and heat, but Jimmy kept us motivated, hydrated, and safe.
And of course, arriving at Machu Picchu made every single step worth it – it’s every bit as magical as you imagine. Our little group of six were super proud when we reached the top, and were completely wowed by the view.
I brought a piece of the UK with me all the way to Machu Picchu – the famous Kendal Mint Cake. I'm not going to lie, this was definitely needed when we got to the top, because my energy was definitely lacking by this point.
Part of the way through hiking the rainbow mountain of Palcoyo, I stopped to pose with this cutie (above). We saw a lot of llamas and alpacas in Peru, but this llama certainly had the best accessories (and we sort of matched, too)!
It’s rare to experience such raw, diverse beauty in one trip.
On our way back from one of our day trips, we saw a herd of alpacas heading home for the evening – they were so adorable.
At 4,975m (16,322ft), the Palcoyo mountain summit was super high. It was actually the highest I’ve ever been. It was also one of the most stunning places I’ve hiked.
In fact, the scenery throughout the entire trip was absolutely breathtaking. Whether we were whitewater rafting through a gorge framed by the Andes, standing in awe at the almost-deserted Palcoyo Rainbow Mountains, or kayaking peacefully on Laguna Pomacanchi, every location felt like a dream. It’s rare to experience such raw, diverse beauty in one trip.
Another huge highlight was our chef, Enrique. I’m a pescatarian, and I was genuinely blown away by the variety and quality of the food he prepared. Every day brought something different – from beautifully grilled trout to hearty quinoa and soy dishes with fresh local vegetables. Enrique’s creativity and attention to detail made each meal feel special and nourishing, especially after a long day of activity.
Waking up from a night of camping to this beautiful scene of the lake we were about to kayak on was incredible!
Our final day of adventure was spent paddling on Laguna Pomacanchi, and we were lucky enough to have the whole lake to ourselves. This was one of the few times I’d been kayaking, so it was a challenge for my upper body, but I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people, or a more beautiful day.
The perfect combination of adventure, nature, culture, and incredible food, this trip was without a doubt one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever been on.
Feeling inspired? Check out our Hiking, Kayaking and Rafting Adventure in Peru, or take a look at all our adventures that visit Machu Picchu.