Premium Cycling and Adventure Sports in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Urubamba is not only archaeological landscape and boutique hotels. It is also a stage for adventure sports with premium infrastructure —mountain biking on Inca terraces, via ferrata in the canyon, white-water rafting, paragliding from Andean viewpoint. This guide describes four active activities with certified operators and logistics integrating with five-star hotels.

Mountain biking in Maras and Moray

The mountain-biking route through Maras and Moray is the most considered activity. Four hours on bicycle with professional suspension, 1,800-metre descent from altiplano (4,200m) to the Sacred Valley (2,870m), on dirt roads between the Maras salineras and the Moray archaeological site.

The recommended operator is Cusco Adventure, only one certified by the International Mountain Bike Association. Equipment: Trek bicycles with full suspension, professional helmet, knee and elbow pads. Bilingual guides with first aid. Programme: hotel pickup at 7 AM, transfer to descent start (Chinchero), 4-hour descent with stops at Maras (lunch at local restaurant), Moray (archaeological visit), and hotel return at 4 PM. Cost: USD 280-380 per person.

Recommended for people with prior bike experience. For beginners, modified 2-hour version on lesser slope.

Via ferrata in the Urubamba canyon

The via ferrata is a system of steel cables and metal steps anchored to canyon rock allowing vertical climbing with safety. The Urubamba canyon's (operated by Sky Lodge Adventure) is 400 metres tall and ends at the transparent cabin-capsules mentioned in our astrotourism guide.

The route takes 2.5 hours with UIAA-certified instructor (International Union of Alpine Associations). Equipment: helmet, full-body harness, two safety carabiners (redundant system). The visitor ascends step-by-step through the via, connecting carabiners to vertical cables. For descent, option to continue to shorter via ferrata or take zipline (horizontal cable).

Cost: USD 180-280 per person. Minimum age: 14 years. Maximum weight: 110 kg. Not for people with vertigo. Two-week reservation.

Rafting on the Urubamba river

Rafting on the Urubamba river has class II sections (family, children from 8 years) and class III-IV (intermediate-advanced, over 14 years). The premium operator is River Explorers, based in Ollantaytambo.

The half-day family programme (4 hours) includes class II section with stops at natural pools. The advanced programme (full day, 7 hours) covers the Pumahuanca-Ollantaytambo section with class III-IV rapids, riverbank lunch and dinner at the operator's lodge. Equipment: 8-seat inflatable raft, personal paddle, professional helmet and life jacket, neoprene suit (Urubamba waters are cold, 12-15°C year-round).

Cost: USD 95-140 (half day) or USD 220-320 (full day). Recommended between May and September (adequate flow for class III-IV).

Paragliding on the altiplano

The tandem paragliding operates from the Pumamarca viewpoint, at 4,000 metres above the Sacred Valley, with panoramic views during flight (15-20 minutes in air). The certified operator is Wayra Paragliding, with FAI-international-licensed instructors.

The flight is tandem —the visitor goes in harness in front of the instructor controlling the paraglider. Take-off is by short run (10-15 metres), ascent by thermal currents up to 200 metres above ground, and soft landing in the certified landing zone near Urubamba.

Cost: USD 220-320 per person. Minimum age: 12 years. Maximum weight: 95 kg. Only in favourable wind conditions (May-September). One-week reservation.

Comparison by adventure level

For families with 8-15 year old children: class II rafting.

For active couples: mountain biking in Maras-Moray.

For adventurers without vertigo: via ferrata in Urubamba canyon.

For unique experience without physical effort: tandem paragliding.

What matters beyond cost

Physical condition: mountain biking demands endurance (4 hours with technical descent). Via ferrata demands upper-body strength (arms and core). Rafting is accessible but requires basic swimming. Paragliding requires no condition.

Acclimatisation: the four activities take place between 2,870 and 4,200 metres. We always recommend minimum two nights in Cusco or Sacred Valley before the activity. For via ferrata specifically, avoid the first day (sustained altitude tires faster).

Insurance: all premium operators include accident insurance (coverage up to USD 50,000 for evacuation). For people coming without international travel insurance, we recommend taking the operator's.

The Sacred Valley is one of the best stages in South America for premium adventure sports. Altitude gives panoramic views; geography permits extreme descents; tourist infrastructure guarantees professional equipment and operation.

Kada Travel

How they are booked

Mountain biking, paragliding and via ferrata book one to two weeks ahead. Rafting, three to four days.

For our travellers, activities are arranged as part of the Sacred Valley package, with hotel coordination (most operators pick up from hotel at no extra cost), equipment, and combination with other valley cultural activities.