Hike and bike the Inca Trails of Peru's Sacred Valley and explore one of the world's most extraordinary adventure destinations, from the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the remote ruins of Choquequirao to the high passes and glaciers around Ausangate and the spectacular Salkantay route. Rich in Inca history, Andean culture, and breathtaking high-altitude scenery, the Sacred Valley offers an unrivalled combination of trekking and mountain biking adventure within reach of Cusco.

Suitable for walkers and riders with a good level of fitness, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 40 graded day walks, short treks, and mountain bike rides across the Sacred Valley, including routes well away from the tourist trails. Day walks range from 2 hours to a full day, treks from 2 to 9 days, and rides from 1 hour to 7 days, making this the most versatile guide available for exploring Peru's Inca heartland on foot or by bike.

• Choose from 40 graded hiking and mountain biking routes across six areas of the Sacred Valley, covering the approaches to Machu Picchu, Cusco, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, the south and west of Machu Picchu, and the spectacular Ausangate massif, with routes including many previously unpublished trails well off the standard tourist circuit.
• Discover 7 different routes to Machu Picchu, from the classic Inca Trail and the famous Salkantay route to lesser-known alternatives, including the back door route from Ollantaytambo and the Mollepata to Huayllabamba approach, giving you the freedom to choose the experience that suits you best.
• Explore the wider Sacred Valley beyond Machu Picchu with routes to the remote ruins of Choquequirao, the lost city of Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba), the salt mines of Maras and Moray, and the high glaciers and passes of the Ausangate massif at over 5000m.
• Select routes suited to your ability using clear grading throughout, with advice on whether routes are best undertaken independently or with a trekking agency or local guide, and notes on which routes involve glacier travel and require specific expertise and equipment.
• Navigate with confidence using sketch maps included for all routes, a comprehensive route summary table, and a full glossary of Spanish and Quechan words to help you communicate and find your way in the field.
• Plan your Sacred Valley adventure with comprehensive practical information on getting there and around, permits and guides, accommodation, food and health, money, safety, and the best time to visit, with May to September offering the most reliable dry weather.

Explore the trails, ruins, and high passes of Peru's Sacred Valley with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the classic Inca Trail to the remote heights of Ausangate and Choquequirao, this is the essential companion for hiking and biking adventures in one of the world's great mountain destinations.

Will 'KB' Janecek grew up in the US on a small lake in Minnesota, where he learned his love of the outdoors from his father. After a narrow and daring escape from an office cubicle, he rediscovered his passion for adventure activities. His pursuit of high altitude mountain biking and trekking led him first to Colorado and then Europe and Africa, before finally settling in Ollantaytambo, Peru where he runs a small hotel and adventure tour guide business. In his spare time, he enjoys drinking coffee, listening to music, and high altitude mountain biking and trekking (preferably simultaneously).

A guidebook to 40 day walks, short treks and mountain bike rides in Peru. Exploring the Inca Trails in the Sacred Valley, the routes are suitable for walkers and riders with a good level of fitness.

The day walks range from 2 hours to a full day, the treks from 2 to 9 days and the rides from 1 hour to 7 days. Routes range from easy outings to strenuous high-altitude treks and rides, some involving glacier travel, and are graded by difficulty, allowing you to select the routes that are suitable for you.

• Sketch mapping is included
• Advice on travel, accommodation, bases, equipment, money, health and safety, permits and guides
• Notes on Inca history, the culture of the Andes and local points of interest
• Highlights include Machu Picchu

Map key Overview maps Preface Introduction The story of the Incas The Sacred Valley History in the making Don't miss… Exploring by bike or on foot Centres and bases Getting there Getting around When to go Accommodation Food Health matters Safety Language Money Communications Trekking Mountain biking What to take Hazards and annoyances Cultural impact Maps and waymarking Using this guide 1 Tourist Trails to Machu Picchu Route 1 Agua Calientes to Machu Picchu Route 2 The Classic Inca Trail 2 Around Cusco Route 3 To Calca via H'uchuy Cusco Route 4 The back way to Ollantaytambo Route 5 To Urubamba via '44' Route 6 Urquillos Canyon 3 Around Urubamba Route 7 Salt Mines of Maras and Moray Route 8 Moray to Paucarbamba Route 9 Abra Azulcocha to Calca Route 10 Calca to Lares Route 11 Chicón summit Route 12 To Lares via the Pumahuanka valley 4 Around Ollantaytambo Route 13 Pumamarca Route 14 Choquechaca Route 15 To Lares via Abra Wakawasi Route 16 To Lares via Patacancha Route 17 The Weaver's Trek Route 18 Inca Raccay and Q'orimarca Route 19 Ñaupa Iglesia (Pachar Caves) Route 20 Las Canterras quarries and Inti Punku Route 21 The Veronica glacier Route 22 Patacancha valley Route 23 To Quillabamba via Abra Yanamayu Route 24 To Quillabamba via Abra Malaga Route 25 To Ivochote and Pongo de Manique Route 26 Machu Picchu 'back door' route Route 27 To Huayllabamba and the start of the Inca Trail Route 28 Ollantaytambo to Soraypampa via Salkantay 5 South and West of Machu Picchu Route 29 Mollepata to Huayllabamba Route 30 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Salkantay Route 31 Soraypampa to Machu Picchu via Hydroelectric Route 32 Choquequirao from Cachora Route 33 Inca Wasi from Yupanqua Route 34 Huancancalle to Choquequirao Route 35 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Yanama Route 36 Huancancalle to St. Theresa via Abra Mojón Route 37 Mollepata to Choquequirao Route 38 Espiritu Pampa (Vilcabamba) 6 Ausangate Route 39 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Ausangate Route 40 Tinqui to Pitumarca via Puca Punta Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Glossary of Spanish and Quechan words Appendix C Useful contacts Appendix D Further reading