Hiking and Biking Peru's Inca 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the south and west of Machu Picchu, and the spectacular Ausangate massif, with routes including many previously unpublished trails well off the standard tourist circuit.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.

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.

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