Machu Picchu Pueblo Activities

Activities

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the must-see destinations to visit Cusco. It is characterized by a friendly climate, beautiful scenery, picturesque villages, popular arts, colorful handicrafts and the warmth of its people, reflects the authenticity of Peru by which visitors travel thousands of kilometers to get to know. It is also an ideal place to practice adventure sports eco-friendly, such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and river rafting.

Hacienda Urubamba offers some activities that are included in their room rates as well as some additional once that will have to be booked and paid for separately.

Included Excursions
 

BIRD WATCHING

Walk early in the morning to take advantage of the optimum time for cloud-forest bird watching. Begin at a river observatory, with the possibility of sighting the sought-after torrent duck and the white-capped dipper.

Then proceed to a productive tanager feeding area, where silver-beaked, blue-necked, Fawn-breasted and Saffron-crowned tanagers can be found. Along the hotel’s pathways, be on the lookout for the cock-of-the-rock, the golden-headed quetzal and many of the 18 different hummingbirds identified on the grounds, including the booted racket-tail and the green-and-white hummingbirds, which are native to the area.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Birds / Photography


NATURE WALK

Walk along the hotel’s trails, and discover the fascinating yet fragile ecosystem of the Machu Picchu cloud forest, and learn about its many indigenous plants and animals. The Nature Walk offers travelers a glimpse of cloud forest flora: ferns, bromeliads and orchids and fauna -an interesting variety of birds; as well as an introduction to the Vilcanota river system, the Observatory, the tea garden, and house.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Tea / Birds / Medicinal plants / Butterflies / Insects

Recommended for Children


ORCHID TRAIL

Walk through the orchid garden to observe some of the hotel’s 372 different native orchid species in their natural habitat, the world record according to the American Orchid Society. Discover this extraordinary plant family, which has captured the human imagination for centuries.

From the largest orchid flower in the world – the Phragmipedium caudatum, to tiny flowering specimens properly appreciated only through a magnifying glass, there are orchids to amaze both the newly inquisitive and the expert, including VARIOUS species new to science that have been discovered on the hotel grounds.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Orchids / Photography

Recommended for Children


TEA HOUSE

Visit our organic tea (Camellia sinensis) plantation and tea house to discover the wonders of the traditional tea making process. Take part as the freshly picked leaves are pressed over wooden blocks and finally seal your own tea bag.

A glass of fresh, hot or iced-tea from the Tea House at the hotel lobby completes the experience.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Medicinal plants / Photography / Tea

Recommended for Children


TWILIGHT WALK

This early evening walk is designed to connect on a spiritual level with the environment and the historical energy of the Machu Picchu area. With special attention placed on nature’s core elements like an enchanting waterfall, also sacred pre-Inca pictographs, and then the walk pauses at the Rocotal Observatory.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: II

Attractions: Medicinal Plants / Photography

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NATIVE FARM

Visit the crop-rich native farm at km 108, 30-minute walk. Interpretation of the flora and fauna of the area. A detailed explanation of the various plantations; origin, properties, and uses. Learn about beekeeping, and guinea pig and rabbit breeding.
Tasting of snacks made of farm products.

Duration: 1/2  day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Birds / Insects / Medicinal Plants / Native skills / Photography

Recommended for children

Additional Excursions (not included in rate)
SPECTACLED BEAR PROJECT

The Inkaterra Association (ITA) and the Protected Natural Areas National Service (SERNANP) manage the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Spectacled Bear Project, an effort designed to recover bears that have been negatively affected by human impact and reintroduce them into their natural habitat.

Once common throughout the Andes, the spectacled bear is now critically endangered. Visits to the project are organized with advanced coordination to gain insight into the world of these large mammals (the only bear species in South America), and learn about the challenges they face to survive in today’s world. Donations to the project are welcome and will be duly acknowledged and certified.

Duration: ¼ day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Photography / Spectacled Bear Project

Recommended for Children

Voluntary Contribution


SPECIALIZED WALK

A guide for a three-hour walk along the hotel’s Orchid or Bird trails, by our specialized Explorer Guide, includes a personalized tour of our facilities and a detailed description of their natural highlights.

Duration: 1/4 day

Difficulty level: II

Attractions: Birds or Orchids / Photography


MACHU PICCHU AND WAYNA PICCHU

Visit the historical citadel of Machu Picchu with a private guide, followed by an hour-trek up Wayna Picchu. The steep trail, overlooking Machu Picchu, clings to the side of the mountain, leading the adventurous traveler to a remote corner of this archaeological site. In addition to a magnificent bird’s-eye view of Machu Picchu, the summit also offers a perfect vantage from which to take in the Vilcanota River, the mountain of Putukusi and the distant snow-capped Andean peaks.

Duration: 1 day

Difficulty level: III

Attractions: Orchids / Market / Archaeological sites / Language / Photography


APU MACHU PICCHU

Hike the Machu Picchu mountain for two and a half hours from the archaeological site, and reach the Summit of Apu Machu Picchu.

This trail, accessed from the Reserve, joins parts of the Inca trail leading to the Sun Gate before climbing to the mountain’s highest point. From there, enjoy the view of soaring eagles as well as Machu Picchu, other significant ruins in the area, Putukusi, Wayna Picchu, Salkantay mountain and the Vilcanota River.

Duration: 1 day

Difficulty level: III

Includes: Transfer by bus back and forth between Machu Picchu village and the Citadel of Machu Picchu; expert guide and entrance fees to the Citadel of Machu Picchu

Attractions: Orchids / Market / Archaeological sites / Language / Photography


MACHU PICCHU

Take a 30-minute bus transfer to the Historical Reserve of Machu Picchu. Your expert guide will lead a tour of the Reserve, providing geological and historical information on key areas of interest, including Intihuatana (the Sun Dial), the Sacred Plaza and the Temple of the Sun.

This is an opportunity to revel in the energy and atmosphere of one of the most significant and spectacular archaeological sites on the planet, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Wayna Picchu and Intipunku (the Sun Gate), the entrance to the Machu Picchu Inca trail.

Duration: 1/2 day

Difficulty level: II

Includes: Transfer by bus back and forth between Machu Picchu village and the archaeological site of Machu Picchu; specialized guide and entrance fee to the Citadel of Machu Picchu

Attractions: Orchids / Archaeological sites / Market / Quechua / Photography

Recommended for Children


MANDOR

A two-hour walk along the Vilcanota River follows the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley, inhabited by varied and fascinating birdlife, including cock-of-the-rock, speckle-faced parrots and green jays.
Relax and bathe under a secluded waterfall, before walking back to the hotel in the shadow of Machu Picchu.

Duration: ½ day

Difficulty level: II

Attractions: Birds / Insects / Orchids / Photography


MUSEUM – MARKET

Visit the open-air market at Machu Picchu Pueblo, filled with displays of local Andean curios and clothing, then make the 30-minute walk to the archaeological site bridge and the Manuel Chavez Ballón Museum, home to excellent displays, maps, and artifacts related to the archaeological site.

Duration: 1/2 day

Difficulty level: I

Attractions: Photography / Market