Zip Lining in Cusco

The rugged terrain around Cusco, Peru, is a magnet for adrenaline sport-lovers. Soar over canyons and rivers at one of the area’s zip lining parks Most tour packages offer an additional adventure, like rafting or an ATV ride. Combine speed and the thrill of being suspended high above the earth on a zip line tour in Cusco.

Here's all you need to know about zip lining, one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Cusco.

What are the best zip lining tours in Cusco?

Zip lining tours

Just a bit over an hour from Cusco is the famed Sacred Valley of the Incas. Replete with cliffs, high summits and rivers, a zip lining tour gives you a chance to fly through these heights for views you’ll never forget. Zip lining facilities often include obstacle courses, suspension bridges and chances to rappel during your challenge.

Zip lining and rafting tours

Take to the air and water with a full day of zip lining and white water rafting. Start your day on class III and IV rapids. Move up the hillside for an afternoon on a series of cables up to 700 meters long.

Zip lining and ATV tours

Conquer gravity with a zip lining feat followed by an ATV tour in Cusco. Rumble along dirt paths to the must-see locales in the Sacred Valley like Chinchero, Moray Archeological Center and the Maras Salt Mines.

Zip lining and via ferrata tours

Gain altitude by climbing the fixed metal via ferrata routes that help you scale cliff sides. Reach 400 meters above your starting point and feel your heart in your throat as you descend by a circuit of zip lines.

Multi-day tours

If you want to take full advantage of the best of Cusco, a multi-day tour is a great plan.  Zip over the Sacred Valley, raft down the Urubamba River, bike through the Cusco jungles and venture as far as UNESCO-protected Machu Picchu.

Spend a night in a transparent pod anchored to a cliff, enjoy an overnight stay with a local family or luxuriate in a three-star hotel while taking in the dramatic Andean landscape.

How much do zip lining tours in Cusco cost?

Zip lining tours cost from US$30 per person to US$50 per person for a half-day tour, depending on whether pickup and drop-off at Cusco hotels are included. Full-day tours cost from US$80 per person to US$205 per person. Highest-cost tours include lunch and a tour of Chinchero or a four-course lunch in a Skypod.

Zip lining and rafting tours cost around US$80 per person for an 8-hour experience. Some tours include free time to relax in a sauna. Zip lining and ATV tours cost from US$65 per person to US$170 per person. Prices depend on group size, duration of the tour and whether food and drinks or entry fees to attractions are included.

Zip lining and via ferrata tours cost from US$140 per person to US$275 per person. Higher-cost tours include a four-course lunch with drinks in a Skypod.

Multi-day tours cost from US$334 per person to US$1,000 per person, depending on the duration of the tour, type of accommodation and whether all entry fees and meals are included.

What is included?

All Cusco zip line tours provide round-trip transportation from hotels in central Cusco or from Plaza Regocijo. All safety gear and instruction is included on the 4 to 6 zip lines, depending on your location. Some higher-cost tours serve lunch or a tour of Sacred Valley attractions. Zip lining and ATV tours include visits to top Sacred Valley destinations.

Multi-day tours include meals, entry to most points of interest, guided visits and sports gear. Most multi-day tours provide accommodation, ranging from glamping, homestays, hostels and 3-star hotels.

Where does it start?

Zip lining tours near Cusco start with pickup from centrally located hotels or from Plaza Regocijo. The zip lining facilities are about 1 to 1.5 hours outside the city, at either Rapchi or Pachar in the Sacred Valley.

How long does it last?

Tours consisting of only zip lining last around 4 hours, with up to 3 hours of travel time from Cusco. Day tours with lunch, rafting. ATV or via ferrata experiences last from 4 to 11 hours. Multi-day experiences range from 2 to 7 days.

When is the best time for a zip lining tour near Cusco?

The best time for a zip lining tour near Cusco is during the dry season from April through October, although any time of year can be great for a tour. Plan a zip lining tour after you have spent at least two days at high altitude to allow yourself time to acclimate.

Is it safe?

Zip line tours in Cusco are safe, however they should be avoided by pregnant people, as well as people suffering from back and heart problems.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Should your zip lining tour in Cusco be cancelled due to bad weather, it will be rescheduled for a late date, when conditions are better. If this is not suitable, you may request a full refund.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Cusco?

• Hiking in Cusco
• Horse riding in Cusco
• Bike tours in Cusco
• Jeep tours in Cusco
• Paragliding in Cusco
• Hot air balloon rides in Cusco
• Abseiling in Cusco
• Bungee jumping in Cusco

Travel tips

• Wear shoes and clothing appropriate for an active day.
• Bring at least one liter of drinking water per person if your tour does not include it.
• Carry cash in Peruvian soles for tips and incidentals.
• For tours that don’t include entry fees to Sacred Valley attractions, tour providers suggest purchasing a Cusco tourist ticket before your trip.