Raft, Hike and Cycle to Machu Picchu

Welcome to the heart of adventure in Peru! Your journey begins the moment you step foot in Cusco airport. Look out for your driver holding a sign at the arrivals gate, ready to take you on a short but scenic journey to your hotel. At 4pm gather with your fellow travellers as your trip begins with a useful briefing by your guide. Get ready to head out to Cusco town for a first evening getting to know each other and anticipating the adventure ahead.

Today you'll be rafting down a beautiful section of the Urubamba River. This morning you'll drive about two hours to the starting point of the river, where your guides will inflate the rafts and then give a safety briefing and instruction in the art of white-water rafting. Feeling confident and prepared, you'll set off for approximately two hours of fun rafting, making the most of the gentle start to practice techniques. For lunch, you'll enjoy a picnic and as the day winds down, you'll head back to your hotel in the Sacred Valley near Pisac and you can explore this charming, sleepy village that boasts a most excellent artisan market.

Saddle up for a cycling adventure from Pisac to Urubamba through the captivating Sacred Valley. Today you'll start with an exploration of the artisan stalls of Pisac, wandering through the village. You'll then head to Taray to begin your cycle following a beautiful flat dirt road alongside the River Urubamba. Travelling slowly is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of this traditional agricultural area with vibrant fields of corn, kiwicha and quinoa that line your route. On the way, you'll stop to enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank, before heading on to Urubamba for the night.

Today, you head to stand up paddle board on the shores of Lake Huaypo. Once fully kitted up in wetsuits, booties and life jackets, your expert guide will give you a full instruction on these easy to use crafts before you head out through the reeds and onto the lake itself. Set amongst fields of corn with fantastic views across to the snow capped Vilcanota mountains, this is a relaxing rural setting and the perfect place to acclimatise and enjoy some fun on the water.

Lunch today is a delicious picnic buffet made with local products and freshly prepared natural drinks. There's time to relax in hammocks and enjoy the stunning views before saying farewell to Huaypo and taking a dirt road to the colonial village of Maras to begin hiking. Famous for its out-standing Spanish door arches and a vast church, Maras was also renowned for its spies due to the strategic location above the Sacred Valley.

Thousands of salt-pans cover the whole of the hill-side creating a stunning white landscape. They have been constantly worked since Inca times and were even mentioned in The Chronicles. Your vehicle will be waiting for you at the end to take you back to the hotel after a full day of fun, food and culture.

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek! First, you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up toward the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.

Here you'll enjoy a packed lunch, with a great view before continuing on the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you, brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song. Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gateway, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After taking in this wonder of the world, you'll return to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

All you'll need to carry is your daypack, as your overnight luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering - Machu Picchu. For years it was lost to the jungle. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river.

We enjoy an early morning entry to the ruins of Machu Picchu with spectacular panoramic views of the neighbouring mountains and valleys it's impossible not to feel a deep connection to the natural world. You wander along narrow stone pathways, passing by terraces that once sustained thriving agricultural practices. You'll have a fully guided tour of the of the fabled "Lost City of the Incas"

In the afternoon, board the train for a scenic ride along the Sacred Valley - you can sit back, relax, and take in the breathtaking landscapes that surround you.

Today you'll stretch your legs with a delightful hike in the hills above Cusco. Visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman, where huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheater. Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay. With its intricately carved water channels this is thought to have been used both for ritual cleansing as well as the worship of water. From here you carry on down to Cusco, stopping at the Temple of the Moon. Back in Cusco, you'll have free time to explore the Inca ruins, bargain hunt in artisan markets or just relax on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas - Cusco has it all.

This morning you'll drive for around 3.5 hours to reach magical coloured mountains. Head off on a hike deep in the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain range. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate, Mariposa, Nevado del Inca and the diversity of this mountainous region. At the highest point of the trail (4970m), there is an option to explore the Bosque de Rocas (Rock Forest) with its unique formations. Head back to Cusco for a final dinner to celebrate your trip to Peru and recap on the adventures over food with friends.

Note that while the ascent of this hike is a modest 150m, the trek reaches a maximum altitude of 4,970m. This is why you'll be attempting this trek only after spending several days at high altitude, ensuring proper acclimatisation.

This morning, enjoy a final farewell breakfast before heading off to the airport in Cusco. It's been a blast, and you'll be leaving with many memories of a once in a life time adventure!