Tours of Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Tours of Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

The typical tour of the Cusco region combines the city with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in three whirlwind days, including the full boleto turístico. We recommend devoting five days to get the most out of your visit -- including one day to take it easy and get acclimated to the high altitude.

Although you can definitely travel around the region independently, many visitors sign up with a tour company to minimize the effort it takes to arrange for transportation and lodging. There are many excellent tour operators and travel agents in Cusco, some also with offices in Lima. Several companies specialize in adventure tours, others in rafting excursions, still others in llama-assisted treks.

Selecting a Travel Agency

Don't make arrangements or give money to someone claiming to be a travel agent if they approach you on the street or at the airport in Cusco or Lima. Instead choose an agency that has a physical address. Better yet, select one that is listed in this book or on www.peru.info. Below are several reputable travel agencies.

Tame rafting trips on the Urubamba River are operated year-round by Apumayo Expediciones Peru Garcilazo 265, Cusco. 084/246-018. www.apumayo.com

Amazing Peru organizes group and individual guided tours, including two types of trips to Cusco and Machu Pichu. Transportation services and accommodations are top-notch, and the guides are flexible and extremely helpful. 051/4342-6526; 800/704-2915 in the U.S. www.amazingperu.com

Enigma specializes in small, customized adventure trips throughout the region. Enjoy trekking, rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, or horseback riding led by professional guides. Jr. Clorinda Mato de Turner 100, Cusco. 084/222-155. www.enigmaperu.com

Explorandes organizes customized guided trips through the Andes in Peru and Ecuador. San Fernando 320, Miraflores, Lima. 084/620-717; 01/992-5060 in Lima. www.explorandes.com

Globos de los Andes floats you above the Sacred Valley on hot-air balloon tours. Av. de la Cultura 220, Cusco. 084/232-352. www.globosperu.com

Inkaterra specializes in trips to Machu Picchu, but can customize tours that include Cusco and the Sacred Valley with as much or as little guide accompaniment as you need. Andalucía 174, Miraflores, Lima. 01/610-0400 in Lima; 084/245-314 in Cusco; 800/442-5042 in North America. www.inkaterra.com

Instinct leads Cusco city tours, Inca Trail hikes, walking and rafting trips along the Tambopata River, and more. Procuradores 50, Cusco. 084/233-451. www.instinct-travel.com

Mayuc is known for its rafting excursions but also offers good city and Sacred Valley tours. Portal de Confiturías 211, Haukaypata, Plaza de Armas, Cusco. 084/242-824. www.mayuc.com

Overseas Adventure Travel offers fully escorted 11-day tours of Cusco and the surrounding region with groups no larger than 16 people. A popular OAT add-on is a trip to Ecuador's Galápagos Islands. 800/493-6824 in North America. www.oattravel.com

Cusco-based SAS Travel has made a name for itself in trekking circles, but can also customize tours and accommodations in the city and the region. Portal de Panes 167, Haukaypata, Plaza de Armas, Cusco. 084/255-205. www.sastravelperu.com

Swissraft-Peru runs multiday trips limited to 18 people on class II, II, IV, and V rapids. Plateros 369, Cusco. 084/246-444. www.swissraft-peru.com

Tranvía de Cusco offers a twist on the guided city tour using an old wooden streetcar, now motorized, departing several times daily from the Plaza de Armas. Parque Industrial G-1. 084/224-377. tinticusco@hotmail.com

For a tame adventurer, Wilderness Travel has a Peru Llama Trek that follows an off-Inca trail route to Machu Picchu where llamas carry your gear and you have the trail to yourself until near the end. 1102 9th St., Berkeley, CA, 94710. 510/558-2488; 800/368-2794 in U.S. www.wildernesstravel.com

Mainly for experienced adventurers, X-treme Tourbulencia leads mountain climbing and biking, trekking, and multisport trips that are not for the faint of heart. Plateros 358, Cusco. 084/224-362. www.x-tremeperu.com