Peru Multisport
- Our local guide shares deep insight into Peru's culture and ancient civilizations
- Machu Picchu: the incredible "Lost City of the Incas"
- Cusco, alive with the energy of the Inca and history of the Spanish conquistadors
- Hike to impressive ruins: Tambo Machay, Temple of the Moon and others
- Experience Quechua culture at an off-the-beaten path weaving community
Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu: A Cultural Odyssey
It's about that picture. You know the one. Every website and coffee-table book has it. History, archaeology, anthropology guides all have it. You'll have it too. Standing above Machu Picchu, wispy white clouds floating by, the jagged Andes in the background, you'll snap the picture. But being there, feet firmly planted above that scene, will forever reset your view of humanity, society and history. How did they do this? When was this again? There are maybe ten places on Earth like this spot. And to think, it's only one moment in a week's worth of incredible moments.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk 
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Hiking the Inca Trail
Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited. We recommend booking a minimum of 4 to 6 months prior to departure in order to significantly increase your chance of securing a permit.Also, due to national park regulations and difficulty securing permits, your Backroads leaders may not be able to accompany you along the Inca Trail. Rest assured, you will always be well supported by our local Peruvian guide, who we've worked with for years, and a staff of porters.
Days
1-2 Hike to impressive Inca archaeological sites 
Explore Cusco, once the center of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire Visit Coricancha, a Spanish Colonial church built atop the ruins of an Inca temple Our local guide shares deep insight into Peru's culture and ancient civilizations as we journey through Puca Pucara, Q'enko, Temple of the Moon and Sacsayhuamán A long-time friend and Quechua shaman teaches us the meaning of his indigenous "Pago a la Tierra" ceremony Discover the superb collection at Cusco's Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.
Day
3 Las Salineras, a stunningly beautiful honeycomb of tiered pools, where salt has been raked and gathered by families for generations Bike along dirt roads through the altiplano amid a panorama of snowy peaks and traditional villages In Moray, learn how the Inca ingeniously farmed using high-altitude terraces.
Days
4-5 Experience Quechua culture in an off-the-beaten-path weaving community where master weavers work After an expert guide unlocks the historical treasure trove of Ollantaytambo's enigmatic ruins, climb the temple's 200 stone steps Visit the world-renowned ceramics studio of Pablo Seminario 
Enjoy a private dinner at the historical Hacienda Huayoccari Pedal on paved and dirt roads through the Sacred Valley Explore the ruins at Pisac, offering sweeping vistas of the terraced hillsides Interested in shopping for alpaca sweaters or decorative gourds? You'll find plenty to choose from at the Pisac market Learn the secrets of Peruvian cuisine during our exclusive cooking class with Sol y Luna's chef, a highlight of our trip.
Days
6-8 Machu Picchu: the incredible "Lost City of the Incas" After taking the train to Aguas Calientes, hike to the Gate of the Sun for an unforgettable bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu (you may have the option to take the famed Inca Trail) Spend a second full day exploring the "Lost City" A local expert provides insight into the exquisite stonework and mysterious astrological designs of this sacred site Stroll through the grounds of the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel with a local naturalist to learn about the local flora and fauna.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
I have been on several trips, and this was the best so far. I think it was the combination of outdoor adventure and cultural exploration. When people call and say which trip should I go on with Backroads you should say, "They are all great, but have you thought of Peru!"- Atlanta, GA
My sister and I just returned from the Peru multisport trip and I wanted to tell you what an extraordinary experience it was! It was truly the trip of a lifetime, due, in no small part, to the enormous attention to detail offered by your company. This was our third Backroads experience, topping off two other great trips in the past two years. For one couple in our group, it was their 23rd time with Backroads; for another fellow, it was his 14th trip. Almost everyone else had taken a Backroads vacation at least one other time. This speaks volumes about your company! Keep up the good work!- Redondo Beach, CA
This was a fabulous trip. The memories that will stay with me are: --Walking with the llamas to our lunch tent in a meadow where Peruvian musicians serenaded us while we ate amazing food!--Biking on a dusty road in the altiplano alongside glacier-covered peaks and encountering a boy herding a flock of sheep with his soccer ball. --Going to Machu Picchu before sunrise and watching the clouds swirl and alternately obscure and then reveal the ruins before finally lifting entirely for sunrise at Inti-Rami.- Bristol, VT
Premiere Inns
Hotel Monasterio
Cusco (2 nights) "An outstanding Orient-Express property housed within a converted 16th-century monastery situated just a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas," says Andrew Harper. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; Travel + Leisure World's Best.
Sol y Luna Lodge
Urubamba (3 nights) "An unpretentious but impeccably maintained lodge set in a wonderful garden surrounded by mountains," according to the Hideaway Report. (pool, spa, tennis)
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Aguas Calientes (2 nights) This hotel with Andean-style casitas is just minutes from the ruins of Machu Picchu. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Private Trips Options & Pricing
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.
You can pick any open date in next year's lineup for your group of 8 or more - just book by December 31st of this year. Call us for date availability.
If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Pricing for Private Trips
| 8 - 9 guests $5,898 pp dbl. occ. | 12 or more guests $4,998 pp dbl. occ. |
| 10 - 11 guests $5,598 pp dbl. occ. |
For groups of 2 to 7 guests, please call for Custom Trip pricing.
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Walking | 1.6 | 300 | ||||||||
| 2 | Walking | 3.4* | 500 | 5.0* | 600 | 5.6* | 600 | ||||
| 3 | Biking | 6* | 100 | 20 | 600 | ||||||
| Biking | 11* | 300 | |||||||||
| Biking | 14* | 400 | |||||||||
| Walking | 2.2 | 0 | 4.0 | 0 | |||||||
| 4 | Walking | 0.6* | 200 | 4.0 | 1200 | ||||||
| Walking | 1.9* | 500 | |||||||||
| Walking | 2.8 | 700 | |||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 15* | 200 | 19* | 200 | 27 | 300 | ||||
| Walking | 1.6 | 100 | |||||||||
| 6 | Walking | 2.2* | 800 | 5.5* | 1700 | 6.8* | 2200 | ||||
| 7 | Walking | 2.0 | 2000 | ||||||||
| Other | Machu Picchu guided walk (3 hours) | ||||||||||
| 8 | Other | Early-morning naturalist walk (45 minutes) | |||||||||
On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 70% dirt and 30% paved).
Altitude makes the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests.
* Includes a shuttle
More Recommended Trips
For 35 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Peru tour experts. See our award-winning Latin America multisport tours, Latin America biking tours and Latin America walking and hiking tours.
