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Peru Multisport

Peru Multisport

A tapestry of history, culture and extraordinary natural delights blankets the diverse country of Peru. Beneath lofty Andean peaks and shifting clouds lie the remnants of an ancient civilization. Here the fascinating archaeological ruins and traces of Inca architectural heritage are found at every turn. Setting off with our local guide, this Backroads journey takes you from Cusco - the former religious center and capital of the Inca empire - to humble Quechua villages, and finally to the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu. Following trails built by the Inca, we hike through the ancient city on foot and glimpse the ruins from Intipunku, the "Gate of the Sun." It's a spectacular way to experience the "Lost City of the Incas."  

Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited. We recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure date in order to increase the chances of acquiring authorization. If permits are unavailable during some seasons we will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.

Days 1-2 cusco

Meet in Cusco, set at a lofty 11,200 feet With our local guide, take a walking tour of the town, rich in Inca and Spanish-Colonial architecture Hike to Inca archaeological sites, including Tambo Machay, Sacsayhuaman and the Temple of the Moon Admire the superb collection at Cusco's Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

Days 3-5 urubamba

Amid a panorama of snowy peaks, bike along the altiplano past small farming villages In Moray, learn how the Inca experimented with farming techniques using high-altitude terraces Visit the scenic "salineras" (salt pans) and ascend the enigmatic ruins of Ollantaytambo Journey into a quiet river valley to a Quechua community, where we visit local families and see master weavers at work Bike along the floor of the Sacred Valley to the ruins and market town of Pisac.

Days 6-8 aguas calientes

After a train ride, hike the "Gate of the Sun" trail for a birds'-eye look at the "Lost City of the Incas" (you may also have the option to hike the famed Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu)  Spend another full day exploring Machu Picchu, contemplating its exquisite stonework and mysterious astrological designs Return to Cusco by train.

big map Peru Multisport

HIGH-ALTITUDE ELEGANCE: Premiere Inns

Hotel Monasterio (2 nights): A 17th-century monastery transformed into a graceful five-star hotel and member of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Willka T'ika (3 nights): Meaning "sacred flower," this guest house has Spanish-Colonial-style garden suites - plus a yoga room, herbal baths and massage facilities. Or, Sol y Luna Hotel, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, with beautiful garden bungalows and a pool.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel (2 nights): The savvy traveler's preferred choice at Machu Picchu: adobe cabanas adorned with regional weavings and surrounded by tropical gardens, where Peru's leading botanist Dr. Isiais Rolando has created a refuge for rare orchids.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8

* Please note that altitude will increase the level of difficulty of some route options.

Peru Multisport
Trips 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.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking & Hiking
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Guest Trip Reviews

The trip was fabulous! As one who has done very little in the way of group travel, I must tell you that it surpassed my hopes and made me want more! Our leaders were extremely accommodating to our needs, and helped us achieve our individual and group goals. Having different levels of each activity really allowed each of us to do what we wanted to do. It would only have been better if we could have added more hours to each day, so that we could have had more time to enjoy each of the beautiful places we stayed.
Lisa Braun Glazer - Lutz, FL

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!
Linda L. Duttenhaver - 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.
Anne Majusiak - Bristol, VT

It is difficult to express to you how much we enjoyed this trip. My wife and I have traveled extensively, but we think we have finally found the company that best matches up with the way we like to travel. No more cruises, or other hiking companies for us. We are looking forward to our next Backroads vacation. This particular vacation in Peru was a perfect combination of cultural, physical and emotional experiences for us. The leaders we had are wonderful representatives of your company. They played an invaluable part in making this trip so complete. Many thanks to them for all their efforts. I wish I knew how to provide more superlatives for them. The local guides were extremely helpful and very outgoing. Peru is a beautiful, charming and friendly country.
Kevin O'Connor - Arden, NC

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!"
Stephen Rothbloom - Atlanta, GA

Peru was a difficult place to create such an amazing journey! The flow, the content, the history, the activity were all exceptional. We could not have asked for a finer introduction to Backroads than being with folk who have travelled with you 15 times, 3 times, etc.!! A commentary on the excellence provided by the company and the leaders that are hired. Congratulations to you all. We loved our trip and will return.
Victoria Macrae - Toronto, Ontario

This was our honeymoon, and I cannot think of a better way to have spent it. The leaders were among the best I have ever encountered and they managed to enhance what would have, in itself, been a magnificent trip. From the educational aspects to the food to the hiking, everything was perfection! Thanks again, Backroads!
Linda Wilkerson - Minnetonka, MN

I can't thank you enough for such a wonderful, enriching, calming trip. I felt like I was really far away from home and was able to relax, mellow out, take some time to myself, learn about another place, READ, sleep, eat in peace, and all the things that I don't get to do at home. THANK YOU.
Margaret Seligson - Palo Alto, CA

This wasn't just a trip; it was a life experience.
Jodi Howell - Mississauga, ON

WOW! Telling everyone they need to go on this trip. The leaders were both excellent. The group was amazed that the leaders were able to keep everything together seamlessly to us all. The group was perfect; I want to see them all again. Food and lodging were first class. The hiking and biking routes were truly "backroads." There was nothing I would change about the trip. Best part was finishing the Inca trail and seeing Machu Picchu from the Gate of the Sun.
Jack Nihem - Frisco, TX