Raft down Class IV rapids; mountain bike through jaw-dropping Andean scenery; hike through the unspoiled hills; or discover Cusco’s mountain towns on horseback!
RIVER RAFTING
Chuquicahuana: Upper Vilcanota River
In the morning, we pick you up from your hotel to drive south from Cusco to the beautiful canyon of Chuquicahuana, a journey of roughly 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, we will provide you with your equipment and give a safety briefing on the adventure to come, before pushing off into the Upper Vilcanota River.
We will travel along some 11km of the Vilcanota, all the while passing through exhilarating Class III and IV rapids, as well as enjoying the magnificent Andean scenery.
After roughly 2½ hours on the river, we change out of our wet gear and end our trip with a delicious picnic lunch, on the river banks, before returning to Cusco in the mid-afternoon.
| Chuquicahuana Rafting: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Full safety briefing Transportation for passengers Professional, English-speaking river guides All rafting & safety equipment (self-bailing boats, professional life jacket, helmet, spray jacket) First aid kit Picnic lunch (vegetarian option available) with tables, chairs, dining tent & toilet |
| Difficulty Rating | Class III & IV rapids No experience necessary |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Nov – April = high water season with optional Class V rapids |
| Price | 70 GBP |
Sacred Valley of the Incas
To get more of a taste of our tours around the Cusco and Machu Picchu area, check out our latest streaming video HERE.
We continue to the impressive archeological site of Moray, thought to have been used by the Incas as experimental agricultural terraces. After a guided visit to the bottom of these terraces, we continue to the town of Maras, where our picnic lunch awaits us.
After lunch, we follow the trail down to visit the impressive salt mines (salares) of Maras, still fully functional in the modern day.
Finally, we reach the Urubamba River at the bottom of the Sacred Valley, from where we take our transport back to Cusco.
| Sacred Valley Biking: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Full safety briefing Transportation for passengers Professional, English-speaking biking guides All biking & safety equipment (front suspension mountain bike, helmet, gloves) Repair kit First aid kit Communication system (walkie-talkies) Picnic lunch (vegetarian option available) Support van |
| Difficulty Rating | Soft adventure Medium level of fitness No experience necessary |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Advanced options available: email info@chimuadventures.com for more information Tourist ticket (BTG) not included |
| Price | 100 GBP in group service |
Chacan Rainbow Temple – Cusillochayoc
A full-day, guided acclimatization hike exploring the Inca legacy and Andean countryside overlooking Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel and transport you a short distance out of Cusco, to a spot overlooking the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Here we begin our hike to the Rainbow Temple, so called on account of the interplay of spray from the waterfall and sunlight in Chacan cave.
All along the way, there is a great chance to get a feel for local rural culture, seeing en route local farmhouses, fields of potato, corn, barley along with llamas and other livestock, tended to by Quechua-speaking campesinos in typical Andean dress.
After visiting the Rainbow Temple, we hike to some of the many Inca ruins that litter the countryside, including the X-Zone, Temple of the Moon, and Cusilluchayoc, meaning ‘Temple of Monkeys’ in Quechua, where we have our picnic lunch.
After lunch, we continue downhill, with great views of Sacsayhuaman, until we reach the city of Cusco, descending through the traditional neighbourhoods of San Cristobal and San Blas, until we finally reach our hotel.
| Chacan Rainbow Temple & Cusillochayoc Hike: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Transportation English-speaking guide First aid kit with oxygen Picnic lunch (vegetarian option available) |
| Diffculty Rating | Medium level of fitness 6 hours hiking at high altitude |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Tourist ticket (BTG) not included |
| Prices | 80 GBP per person |
A full-day, guided acclimatization hike exploring the fascinating archeology, local customs and magnificent scenery above the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Once at the well-preserved Inca ruins of Huchuyqosqo, we have our picnic lunch, in the shade of a Quenua (Andean Oak) tree, while enjoying the spectacular vista from this mountain-top vantage point.
After lunch, we hike across open terrain and then down a switchback trail to Lamay, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, our vehicle will transport us out of the valley, and back to Cusco in the early evening.
| Huchuyqosqo Hike: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Transportation English-speaking guide First aid kit with oxygen Picnic lunch (vegetarian option available) |
| Difficulty Rating | Good level of fitness 9 hours hiking at high altitude |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Tourist ticket (BTG) not included Horseback support available |
| Price | 105 GBP per person |
Ollantaytambo – Cachiccata Quarry
A full-day, guided acclimatization hike exploring the fascinating archeology and unrivalled scenery around Ollantaytambo
We then begin our hike, following the direction of the River Vilcanota, a tributary of the Amazon that flows past Machu Picchu, to Apu Buena Negra, a village located at the foot of Veronica Mountain, which, at 5680m (18635ft), is the highest peak in the area and permanently snow-capped. We visit Cachiccata Quarry, which provided the stone for Ollantaytambo fortress, and can learn about the Inca’s remarkable, yet little-understood stone-carving techniques. There is a great view of the Pyramid of Pakaritampu to appreciate, as well, while you enjoy your picnic lunch.
After lunch, we hike back along the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, where we rejoin our vehicle and make the impressive journey back to Cusco, in the adjacent valley.
| Ollantaytambo – Cachiccata Quarry Hike: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Transportation English-speaking guide First aid kit with oxygen Picnic lunch (vegetarian option available) |
| Difficulty Rating | Good level of fitness 8 hours hiking at high altitude, approx. |
| Sustainability | Local foods used on tour Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Tourist ticket (BTG) not included Horseback support available |
| Price | 105 GBP Per Person |
HORSEBACK RIDING
Cusco Ruins
A half-day, guided horse ride exploring the fascinating archeological remains and stunning Andean scenery above Cusco
After some two and a half hours’ on horseback, we dismount and our vehicle will take you back to Cusco and your accommodation.
| Cusco Ruins Horse Ride: Fast Facts | |
| Inclusions | Transportation Horse English-speaking guide and assistant Helmet (optional) |
| Difficulty Rating | Medium level of fitness Up to 3 hours horse riding at high altitude No experience needed |
| Sustainability | Locally-raised horses used Local English-speaking guides used |
| Notes | Daily departures, year round Tourist ticket (BTG) not included |
| Price | 50 GBP per person |

Did you know that almost all Chimu Adventures tours are customisable?
At Chimu Adventures we do tailor-made itineraries at group tour prices! Most itineraries can be changed to suit you. You’ll still be in small groups each day, meeting lots of people. It just won’t be the same group everyday - which sometimes has it’s benefits!
Please also be aware that our site is broken into a number of home pages and each home pages gives you detailed information on that particular area within Latin America. Go to the 'Look for Tours in' drop down menu at the top of the page to choose a particular home page.
And remember - we only specialise in travel to Latin America. It’s our passion and we’d love to be able to give you a quote for your dream holiday. Click here now to send us an enquiry for your dream trip to South America. Alternatively drop into our office at any time - it's just a two minute walk from London Bridge Station.






