Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley, Peru
Explorations in
Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
Activity
Difficulty
Areas
Moray y Salineras
Suni
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Overland -
Easy
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Half-day
Located only 45 min. away from explora (by van), the Maras salt mines are one of the few sites in the world to extract naturally pink salt.
More details >Moray y Salineras
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Exploration Path
Located only 45 min. away from explora (by van), the Maras salt mines are one of the few sites in the world to extract naturally pink salt. This exploration takes travellers through the open-air salt pools, as well as to the silent village of Maras. Close by, travellers will also find the circular terraces of Moray, once used by the Incas as agricultural laboratories for the empire’s crops, and one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the valley.
Ayni
Quechua
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Overland
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Easy
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Full-day
We will visit the community of Huayllafara in the valley of Lamay, stopping along the way for a briefing on existing conservation projects...
More details >Ayni
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Exploration Path
We will visit the community of Huayllafara in the valley of Lamay, stopping along the way for a briefing on existing conservation projects and then reaching the hike’s starting point. Once in the community, we will take part in farm work –based on the Andean calendar– learning about different local plants and crops. We will also get to know farming tools and techniques passed down through generations. Lunch will be prepared by community members using local produce.
Valle de la Papa
Puna
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Overland
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Easy
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Full-day
This exploration takes the traveler to one of the most fertile areas in the Sacred Valley. The journey begins towards the Quinsacocha lagoon...
More details >Valle de la Papa
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Exploration Path
This exploration takes the traveler to one of the most fertile areas in the Sacred Valley. The journey begins towards the Quinsacocha lagoon, a sublime site that features the typical Cusco puna landscape. Going downhill, we will cross the el Valle de la Papa and next, visit the Quechua community of Chahuaytire, a place with an ancient textile tradition where we will learn about natural dying and back strap loom techniques. The trip ends with a visit to the stunning archaeological center of Pisaq, a city built on a mountain with hundreds of remarkable hanging farm terraces on its slopes.
Chicón
Janca
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High Mountain Ascent
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Expert
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Full-day
We reach the community of Cuncani after a three-hour drive. Hiking upslope, we pass by a shepherds’ estancia. We then follow a trail...
More details >Chicón
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Exploration Path
After going on several explorations at over 4,000 m.a.s.l., early in the morning on the fifth day we head to the community of Cuncani, a 3-hour drive away, to begin the climb up to the Chicón Glacier. From here we cross the ice and snow using technical gear and will have a great view of the Sacred Valley and the Maras plateau. The descent is through a Queñoa forest.
This exploration requires a minimum of 5 nights and is available from June to September.
1493 m 4898 ft
-1564 m -5131 ft
5.148 m 16.890 ft
3.846 m 12.618 ftElevation Profile
Pitusiray
Janca
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High Mountain Ascent
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Expert
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Full-day
Van ride to the upper part of Calca city. The hike begins with a sloped ascent following a well-marked winding trail. We go by lagoons...
More details >Pitusiray
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Exploration Path
After going on several explorations at over 4,000 m.a.s.l., early in the morning on the fifth day we head to the city of Calca by van. We begin the hike with a steep climb up a well-marked trail, where we pass lagoons and rocky areas where rock-climbing techniques are required. We will have a wonderful view of the Sacred Valley and much of the Vilcanota mountain range from the summit.
This exploration requires a minimum of 5 nights and is available from June to September.
1752 m 5748 ft
-1752 m -5748 ft
5.012 m 16.444 ft
3.664 m 12.021 ftElevation Profile
La Capilla
Quechua
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Self Guided
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Easy
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Half-day
This hike up to the chapel located on the hillside behind the hotel offers views of the valley, cornfields and mountains. The chapel...
More details >La Capilla
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Exploration Path
This hike up to the chapel located on the hillside behind the hotel offers views of the valley, cornfields and mountains. The chapel is a sample of the religious syncretism of this area where Catholicism and local traditions converge.
143 m 469 ft
-143 m -469 ft
2.948 m 9.672 ft
2.891 m 9.485 ftElevation Profile
Urquillos
Quechua
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Self Guided
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Easy
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Half-day
A good way to get to know the surroundings of Explora Valle Sagrado and the community of Urquillos, a hike where the active use of...
More details >Urquillos
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Exploration Path
A good way to get to know the surroundings of Explora Valle Sagrado and the community of Urquillos, a hike where the active use of irrigation channels for local farming can be observed, where the quiet way of life and work prevailing in this area of the Sacred Valley is maintained.
72 m 236 ft
-71 m -233 ft
2.951 m 9.682 ft
2.904 m 9.528 ftElevation Profile
Huayabamba
Quechua
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Self Guided
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Easy
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Half-day
Riding a bicycle through the explora’s surroundings is a good option for getting to know Urquillos, as well as getting to Huayllamba...
More details >Huayabamba
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Exploration Path
Riding a bicycle through the Explora’s surroundings is a good option for getting to know Urquillos, as well as getting to Huayllamba by following the course of the Urubamba River. This tour shows the farming nature of the area and the contrasts between one locality and the other.
267 m 876 ft
-275 m -902 ft
2.969 m 9.741 ft
2.867 m 9.406 ftElevation Profile
Silvayoc
Quechua
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Self Guided
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Easy
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Half-day
The hike visits archaeological sites with great historical value helping us connect with those who once inhabited the Sacred Valley.
More details >Silvayoc
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Exploration Path
Explora’s plot is located in Urubamba, considered Peru’s archaeological capital. This 32-hectare area –encompassing four ancient properties– includes archaeological evidence that proves occupation since pre-Incan times. The hike visits archaeological sites with great historical value helping us connect with those who once inhabited the Sacred Valley.
28 m 99 ft
-28 m -99 ft
2.939 m 9.642 ft
2.914 m 9.560 ftElevation Profile
Colores de Huaypo
Suni
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Hike
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Moderate
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Full-day
During this exploration, we can get to know the daily life of local communities: shepherds and farmers. Between November and May...
More details >Colores de Huaypo
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Exploration Path
During this exploration, we can get to know the daily life of local communities: shepherds and farmers. Between November and May, the landscape is lush green and humid, while from June to October the setting features are ochre, red and yellow. Lunch is served beside a lagoon and the last span of the route takes us to at an altitude from where a broad 360° panoramic view can be enjoyed.
238 m 781 ft
-424 m -1.391 ft
3.751 m 12.306 ft
3.518 m 11.542 ftElevation Profile
Arin
Quechua
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Hike
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Easy
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Half-day
Our hike begins in Huarán, on a narrow path that runs along an irrigation channel and different crops, with views of the valley and its ravines...
More details >Arin
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Exploration Path
Our hike begins in Huarán, on a narrow path that runs along an irrigation channel and different crops, with views of the valley and its ravines; among them, that of Urquillos. We continue skirting the channel through forests of eucalyptus and smallholdings, until we come to a path by which we descend. Finally, we reach the community of Arín. We return to Explora by van.
* Not recommended for travelers with fear of heights.
332 m 1.089 ft
-529 m -1.736 ft
3.253 m 10.673 ft
3.038 m 9.967 ftElevation Profile
Huertos de Yucay
Quechua
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Hike
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Easy
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Half-day
The exploration begins at Yucay, the former residence of the prominent Inca rulers Tupac Inca Yupanqui, Huaynacapac and Sayritupac...
More details >Huertos de Yucay
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Exploration Path
The exploration begins at Yucay, the former residence of the prominent Inca rulers Tupac Inca Yupanqui, Huaynacapac and Sayritupac, and abundant crop fields. The trail takes you to the area’s platforms and crop fields.
224 m 735 ft
-224 m -735 ft
3.051 m 10.010 ft
2.857 m 9.373 ftElevation Profile
Ollantaytambo
Quechua
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Hike
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Easy
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Half-day
The walk takes us through the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. The trail passes through the old main gate and over cobblestone streets...
More details >Ollantaytambo
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Exploration Path
The walk takes us through the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. The trail passes through the old main gate and over cobblestone streets framed by narrow water channels. After visiting the village, we climb to the archaeological site to see its terraces, the ceremonial center and the Royal Building.
177 m 581 ft
-146 m -479 ft
2.885 m 9.465 ft
2.816 m 9.239 ftElevation Profile
Salineras
Quechua
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
Hiking begins visiting the colonial town of Maras. After crossing the village, the trail descends among potato fields to the community’s salt...
More details >Salineras
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Exploration Path
Hiking begins visiting the colonial town of Maras. After crossing the village, the trail descends among potato fields to the community’s salt mines.
Not recommended for travelers with fear of heights.
162 m 531 ft
-681 m -2.234 ft
3.371 m 11.060 ft
2.841 m 9.321 ftElevation Profile
Pumamarca
Quechua
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Hike
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Moderate
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Half-day
This exploration is an opportunity to discover one of the area’s most puzzling and isolated Inca remains. The walk takes us through the...
More details >Pumamarca
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Exploration Path
This exploration is an opportunity to discover one of the area’s most puzzling and isolated Inca remains. The walk takes us through the Patacancha valley. The walk begin outside of Ollantaytambo, ascending through a verdant trail along local farm houses and orchards. The Pumamarca remains pose a conundrum to archeologists and explorers: their origins and functions are still unknown.
651 m 2.136 ft
-214 m -702 ft
3.427 m 11.243 ft
2.882 m 9.455 ftElevation Profile
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