Hiking and Biking Peru's Inca Trails
40 trekking and mountain biking routes in the Sacred Valley
Hiking and Biking Peru's Inca Trails
40 trekking and mountain biking routes in the Sacred Valley
Guidebook to hiking and mountain biking Inca trails in the Sacred Valley of Peru, including 7 routes to Machu Picchu. A range of mountain bike and trekking routes: half-day, full-day and multi-day. All routes graded for difficulty, and the guidebook includes many previously unpublished routes away from the tourist trails.Hike and bike the Inca Trails of Peru's Sacred Valley and explore one of the world's most extraordinary adventure destinations, from the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the remote ruins of Choquequirao to the high passes and glaciers around Ausangate and the spectacular Salkantay route. Rich in Inca history, Andean culture, and breathtaking high-altitude scenery, the Sacred Valley offers an unrivalled combination of trekking and mountain biking adventure within reach of Cusco.
Suitable for walkers and riders with a good level of fitness, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 40 graded day walks, short treks, and mountain bike rides across the Sacred Valley, including routes well away from the tourist trails. Day walks range from 2 hours to a full day, treks from 2 to 9 days, and rides from 1 hour to 7 days, making this the most versatile guide available for exploring Peru's Inca heartland on foot or by bike.
- Choose from 40 graded hiking and mountain biking routes across six areas of the Sacred Valley, covering the approaches to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, the south and west of Machu Picchu, and the spectacular Ausangate massif, with routes including many previously unpublished trails well off the standard tourist circuit.
- Discover 7 different routes to Machu Picchu, from the classic Inca Trail and the famous Salkantay route to lesser-known alternatives, including the back door route from Ollantaytambo and the Mollepata to Huayllabamba approach, giving you the freedom to choose the experience that suits you best.
- Explore the wider Sacred Valley beyond Machu Picchu with routes to the remote ruins of Choquequirao, the lost city of Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba), the salt mines of Maras and Moray, and the high glaciers and passes of the Ausangate massif at over 5000m.
- Select routes suited to your ability using clear grading throughout, with advice on whether routes are best undertaken independently or with a trekking agency or local guide, and notes on which routes involve glacier travel and require specific expertise and equipment.
- Navigate with confidence using sketch maps included for all routes, a comprehensive route summary table, and a full glossary of Spanish and Quechan words to help you communicate and find your way in the field.
- Plan your Sacred Valley adventure with comprehensive practical information on getting there and around, permits and guides, accommodation, food and health, money, safety, and the best time to visit, with May to September offering the most reliable dry weather.
Explore the trails, ruins, and high passes of Peru's Sacred Valley with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the classic Inca Trail to the remote heights of Ausangate and Choquequirao, this is the essential companion for hiking and biking adventures in one of the world's great mountain destinations.
Hiking and Biking Peru's Inca Trails – Quick Facts
Location: Peru – the Sacred Valley, covering Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, and the Ausangate massif
Routes covered: 40 graded hiking and mountain biking routes; half-day, full-day, and multi-day options
Typical duration: Day walks 2 hours to a full day; treks 2–9 days; rides 1 hour to 7 days
Difficulty: Graded from easy to strenuous; all routes graded for difficulty; most require no special equipment; some high-altitude routes involve glacier travel requiring correct expertise and equipment
Activities: Hiking, trekking, and mountain biking; both short outings and multi-day expeditions described
Routes to Machu Picchu: 7 different routes described, including the classic Inca Trail, Salkantay, and several lesser-known alternatives
Key centres: Cusco, Agua Calientes, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Huancancalle, Ausangate (Tinqui)
Highlights: Machu Picchu, classic Inca Trail, Salkantay route, Choquequirao, Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba), Ausangate massif, salt mines of Maras and Moray, Chicón summit
Navigation/mapping: Sketch maps included for all routes; route summary table and Spanish and Quechan glossary included
Permits and guides: Detailed advice on permits for the classic Inca Trail and guidance on when to use a trekking agency or local guide
Best time to go: May to September for dry weather; the rainy season (October to April) brings plenty of sunshine alongside the rain and routes remain possible
Author Highlight
“The beautiful terrain, combined with the countless number of Inca archaeological sites along the way, are just two reasons why the trekking and mountain biking in Peru are among the best in the world.”
- William Janecek, author of Hiking and Biking Peru's Inca Trails
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852846312
Availability
Published
Published
10 Jul 2013
Edition
First
Pages
288
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.60cm
Weight
320g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
Map key
Overview maps
Preface
Introduction
The story of the Incas
The Sacred Valley
History in the making
Don’t miss…
Exploring by bike or on foot
Centres and bases
Getting there
Getting around
When to go
Accommodation
Food
Health matters
Safety
Language
Money
Communications
Trekking
Mountain biking
What to take
Hazards and annoyances
Cultural impact
Maps and waymarking
Using this guide
1 Tourist Trails to Machu Picchu
Route 1 Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu
Route 2 The Classic Inca Trail
2 Around Cusco
Route 3 To Calca via H’uchuy Cusco
Route 4 The back way to Ollantaytambo
Route 5 To Urubamba via ‘44’
Route 6 Urquillos Canyon
3 Around Urubamba
Route 7 Salt Mines of Maras and Moray
Route 8 Moray to Paucarbamba
Route 9 Abra Azulcocha to Calca
Route 10 Calca to Lares
Route 11 Chicón summit
Route 12 To Lares via the Pumahuanka valley
4 Around Ollantaytambo
Route 13 Pumamarca
Route 14 Choquechaca
Route 15 To Lares via Abra Wakawasi
Route 16 To Lares via Patacancha
Route 17 The Weaver’s Trek
Route 18 Inca Raccay and Q’orimarca
Route 19 Ñaupa Iglesia (Pachar Caves)
Route 20 Las Canterras quarries and Inti Punku
Route 21 The Veronica glacier
Route 22 Patacancha valley
Route 23 To Quillabamba via Abra Yanamayu
Route 24 To Quillabamba via Abra Malaga
Route 25 To Ivochote and Pongo de Manique
Route 26 Machu Picchu ‘back door’ route
Route 27 To Huayllabamba and the start of the Inca Trail
Route 28 Ollantaytambo to Soraypampa via Salkantay
5 South and West of Machu Picchu
Route 29 Mollepata to Huayllabamba
Route 30 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Salkantay
Route 31 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Hydroelectric
Route 32 Choquequirao from Cachora
Route 33 Inca Wasi from Yupanqua
Route 34 Huancancalle to Choquequirao
Route 35 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama
Route 36 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Abra Mojón
Route 37 Mollepata to Choquequirao
Route 38 Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba)
6 Ausangate
Route 39 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Ausangate
Route 40 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Puca Punta
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Glossary of Spanish and Quechan words
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Further reading
Seasons
best months to visit are May to September, when the weather is virtually guaranteed to be dry; the other months fall in the rainy season but there will also be plenty of sunshine.
Centres
Agua Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Huancancalle, Ausangate
Difficulty
the trekking and mountainbiking in the Sacred Valley is often strenuous and difficult; all routes are graded for difficulty and terrain indicated and also whether it is better to go with a trekking agency or hire a local guide; a few glacier climbs are outlined which require the correct expertise and equipment but most routes require no special equipment or skills and can be accomplished by anyone of average fitness.
Must See
the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu but also many other routes to many other Incan sites such as Choquechirau, Espiritu Pampa; spectacular Mt. Ausangate.
November 2021
Reader updates
We've had the following updates from Hervé Fagard.
Route 14 (Choquechaca): To reach Choquechaca from the ruins at Pumamarca, the start of the description is correct: go north, then NNE through an eucalyptus forest. The path then goes down to eventually reach the bottom of the valley E of the ruins ("Rio Yuracmayo" on the guidebook map, but "Riachuelo Choquechaca" on Opentopomap.org). Going up this valley but staying on the right bank of the river (W of it), you may see the small stone bridge mentioned in the route description, but do not cross it! The path goes up the valley but always on the W side of the river. There is NO path uphill on the opposite bank, unlike what the description says. You will eventually reach Choquechaca, which is well below the quoted altitude, in fact slightly above 3800m: both my GPS and the contour lines on opentopomap.org agree on this. In fact if you zoom in enough on opentopomap.org, you will see the correct route. On your way back, rather than returning to the ruins, cross the small bridge, and you will find a very well marked and very pleasant path going down the valley, on the E bank of the river. It will eventually lead you to the small village of Pallata (wrongly placed on the map in the route 13 description: it lies in fact at the rivers intersection, not SW of it). Then you will have to catch a ride back to Ollantaytambo. A very nice day walk, very recommended to acclimatise before higher altitude hikes.
Route 20 (Las Canterras quarries and Inti Punku): The direction arrows on the map need to be reversed, since they do not match the description: "Inca bridge --> mirador --> quarries", and "quarries --> Cachiccata". On the way back, the trail split towards Cachiccata is shown near the quarries: this point is 3.5km below Inti Punku, not 2km. At this point there is an obvious path towards NNW up to a couple of buildings. But then the path disappears, going on at the same altitude off-track towards NW will eventually lead you to a much better path going down to Cachiccata. On our way down from Inti Punku we saw a good path branching off to NE, which may be the one mentioned in the description 2km down from Inti Punku (but this does not match the map). It is probably the same path we crossed after the off-track section, and the best way to reach Cachiccata. Again, the opentopomap.org map seems to show the actual paths. Very recommended day hike, which allowed us to see a pair of condors.
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