Adventure Tours in the Sacred Valley: 7 Activities

The best adventure activities in and around the Sacred Valley are ATV rides to Maras and Moray, tandem paragliding from the hills above Chinchero, the via ferrata and ziplines at Pachar (home of the Skylodge capsules), rafting on the Urubamba river, bungee jumping near Cusco and hiking on Inca paths. Most are half-day trips from Cusco or from hotels in the valley, and the dry season, from May to September, is the best time for them. Here is what each one involves and where it takes place.

Sacred Valley adventure activities at a glance#

1. ATV ride to Maras and Moray#

ATV (quad bike) tours usually start at Cruzpata, on the high plateau near Chinchero, about 40 minutes from Cusco. You ride on dirt tracks past fields and lagoons such as Huaypo to Maras village, the circular Inca terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pans, with the snowy peaks of the Urubamba range in the background. Expect about 2.5 to 3 hours of riding. Entrance fees to Moray and the salt pans are usually paid separately. Read more about both sites in our guide to Maras and Moray.

2. Paragliding over the Sacred Valley#

Tandem paragliding flights take off from Cerro Sacro, a hill near Chinchero above the Sacred Valley, with views of the Urubamba river and the Andes. You fly with an instructor, so no experience is needed. Flights usually last about 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the wind and the package. Most flights run in the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is more stable.

3. Via ferrata, ziplines and the Skylodge#

At Pachar, between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, the company Natura Vive runs a via ferrata, a climbing route with steel cables and rungs fixed to the rock face, so you can climb safely with a harness and a guide. After the climb you come down on a series of zip lines, the longest about 700 m.

On the same cliff are the Skylodge Adventure Suites, transparent capsules hanging about 400 m (1,300 ft) above the valley. Guests reach them by the via ferrata or by a hike and ziplines, spend the night, and descend the next day by zipline or rappel.

4. Rafting on the Urubamba river#

The Urubamba (called Vilcanota in its upper part) has calm sections in the Sacred Valley, such as around Huarán near Calca and between Pinipampa and Pisac, that are good for families and beginners. For stronger rapids, rafting companies go to Chuquicahuana, about 90 minutes southeast of Cusco, where the river has class III to IV rapids; these trips are best avoided in January and February, when the river is high. On our Inca Jungle Trek you raft on level III rapids near Santa María, on the way to Machu Picchu.

5. Bungee jumping near Cusco#

The bungee jump of Action Valley is in Poroy, about 11 km from Cusco, so it is near the city rather than in the Sacred Valley. The jump is about 122 m (400 ft), and the park bills it as the highest in South America.

6. Hiking in the Sacred Valley#

The valley is also one of the best places near Cusco to hike. You can walk up to the terraces and temples above Pisac or to the Inca storehouses above Ollantaytambo. For multi-day treks, the Classic Inca Trail starts at Km 82, near Ollantaytambo, and the Lares Trek crosses the mountains north of the valley to the Lares hot springs. See all the options in our guide to the best treks in Cusco.

Tips for adventure activities in the Sacred Valley#

• Acclimatize first: spend a day or two in Cusco or the valley before strenuous activities; see our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
• Choose the dry season: from May to September the weather is more stable for paragliding, rafting and the via ferrata.
• Check what is included: transport from Cusco, equipment, insurance and entrance fees vary between companies.
• Book with established operators: ask about safety equipment, guide training and insurance before you pay.

Adventure tours with Southern Peru Explorers#

If you want several adventure activities in one trip, our Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days combines downhill biking, rafting, a zipline and hiking on the way to Machu Picchu, and the Cusco Adventure Tour in 8 Days adds the Sacred Valley and Cusco. For the whole country, see our guide to Peru adventure tours, and for the valley’s sights, all about the Sacred Valley.

Frequently asked questions#

What adventure activities can you do in the Sacred Valley?

ATV rides to Maras and Moray, paragliding near Chinchero, the via ferrata and ziplines at Pachar, rafting on the Urubamba river and hiking. Bungee jumping is in Poroy, near Cusco.

Where is the Skylodge in the Sacred Valley?

At Pachar, between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The capsules hang about 400 m above the valley and are reached by a via ferrata or a hike and ziplines.

When is the best time for adventure activities in the Sacred Valley?

The dry season, from May to September. In the rainy months, from about November to March, rain and high rivers can cancel paragliding and rafting.

Do I need experience for these activities?

No. Paragliding is done in tandem with an instructor, and the via ferrata, ziplines and rafting sections near the valley are run by guides with all the equipment.