Four adrenaline-filled experiences to enjoy in Cusco

Bogotá, July 2025— The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a place as mystical as it is majestic. Visitors feel the power of the Andean mountains and surrender to its profound beauty. This incredible destination offers some of the best views of Cusco and offers options ranging from visiting archaeological sites and living with local communities to adrenaline-filled experiences in constant connection with nature.

To experience the thrill of the outdoors and explore breathtaking landscapes, we recommend four must-do activities in this magical place, located an hour and a half from Cusco.

Cycling and incomparable landscapes in Maras

A great option for adventure lovers is to explore the town of Maras by bike and marvel at its Andean landscape, filled with mountains and a beautiful blue sky. There are various routes with varying degrees of difficulty that allow you to explore trails at 3,300 meters above sea level. The easiest—a short route to adapt to the altitude—leads from the area known as Ramal de Maras (a detour off the main road through the Sacred Valley) to the village of Maras, where you can see the San Francisco Church, built on an Inca shrine, and its doorways with stone reliefs.

The second route, 8 km long, reaches the Maras Salt Mines, a visual and cultural spectacle of more than 3,000 wells formed by a natural process that gives rise to the coveted local salt. The longest route, 13 km long, leads to the enigmatic circular terraces of Moray, an Inca agricultural experimentation center where each concentric circle has a microclimate for the cultivation of local crops. This adventure is recommended to be undertaken with an authorized tour company that provides the necessary equipment and a guide to accompany you on this fascinating experience you will never forget.

Kayak and stand up paddle at Piuray

Another great option Cusco offers is to deeply connect with nature in the calm waters of Piuray Lagoon. Surrounded by mountains with terraces and charming villages, you can admire the scenic beauty and feel the peace this place offers while aboard a kayak or paddleboard. The reflection of the clouds and mountains on the lagoon, amidst the hypnotic surroundings, allows for a unique experience.

The tour companies that offer these activities provide the necessary equipment and also provide an introduction to the visitor. After kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, you can complete the experience with a cooking class or yoga class at the foot of the Piuray Lagoon and its wonderful natural surroundings.

Canopy in the middle of the Andes

Nothing beats experiencing the sensation of seeing the Sacred Valley of the Incas from another perspective, feeling the wind on your face and traveling at full speed on a cable car. Zip-lining, or zip-lining, is also an activity that can be enjoyed in this privileged area of ​​Cusco. These options combine panoramic views, allowing you to admire the rivers and mountains of the Andes from above, with a dose of pure adrenaline.

There are options ranging from a single cable ride to circuits that allow you to traverse a network of modern lines totaling more than 2,000 meters of aerial travel. The companies that offer this activity provide the equipment and explanations necessary for a hassle-free experience. This option will allow adventurers to see the landscape from a condor's perspective.

Via ferrata: adrenaline rush

This climb with breathtaking views is an option for the most daring. The Ollantaytambo via ferrata combines mountain hiking and climbing. After donning harnesses, helmets, and gloves, you ascend rock faces with steps and suspension bridges to a height of 300 meters.

The vertigo-inducing climb is made up of retractable ladders and is supported by fixed cables for safety. The route typically culminates with a 100-meter rappel descent and the reward of admiring the beautiful Andean landscape from natural viewpoints overlooking the valley.

Connectivity

Located just a three-hour flight from Bogotá and three and a half hours from Medellín or Cartagena, Peru is the ideal destination for both short getaways and long vacations. To get to Cusco, you can take one of the 95 weekly flights connecting these three Colombian cities with Lima, the Peruvian capital, and from there fly to Cusco; or you can take one of the seven direct flights from Bogotá to Cusco.