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Peru Fitness Holidays - best running holidays in South America

Run the Andes Active Holiday in Peru, South America - Peru Fitness Holidays

Run the Andes Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco/ Pisaq

The holiday starts at 9:00am, meeting for a welcome breakfast where we introduce everybody to the team and everybody will receive their welcome packs. After breakfast we will visit the archaeological sites surrounding Cusco, beginning with the fortress and temple of Sacsayhuaman, which is perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco at 3,600 metres. Our guide, will be able give us insights of the historic significance of this fortress and how it was constructed. We will then continue to Qenqo, Puca Pucara before descending into Pisaq (2,972 metres) where we will spend the night in the Royal Inca Pisaq, one of the wonders of the Sacred Valley in its own right. Built in the sixteenth century, it was the farmhouse of the Figueroa family. The hotel has a private club to which guests have access to an Olympic sized swimming pool, football pitches and an athletics track. 

We will have lunch at the hotel and you will have the afternoon to explore Pisaq's famous artisanal market. An evening run is scheduled for 5pm, where we will run along the Urubamba River, being able to get our first feel for running in Peru. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax.

Accommdation: Royal Inka Pisac

Run-  Acclimatization 5-10km depending on each individual 

 

Day 2: The Lares Run

The Lares run, one of Peru Fitness Holidays base runs

An early start on Day 2, where we will leave Pisaq after breakfast and travel through the Sacred Valley, passing through Calca before we arrive at the start of our Lares run.

There will be two options available for today, one for trekking and the other for running. This is a tough day as there will be passes of up to 4,400m. For those running it is important to run at your own pace. Running distance- Approximately 21km. Walking distance- Approximately 10km.

The route will take us through the heart of the sacred valley, passing communities where Quechua is still the main language spoken and women still use the traditional bright clothing. 

The finish will be at some of the best hot springs in Peru, where you can relax and let the natural healing powers of these waters heal your tiresome legs. After lunch you will have the rest of the afternoon in the Hot Springs, with the option to explore the local countryside. 

We will stay the night in the Hot Springs or local town making the most of the natural mineral water.

The Lares Valley lies in the east of the Urubamba mountain range, traversing part of the Sacred Valley. The small Andean communities that are visited along the way are famous for producing high-quality handmade textiles using natural dyes. Quechua is still largely spoken within these communities (the language of the Incas). 

Route

Option 1: 21km
One of the many highlights of the trip with breathtaking scenery throughout, the route begins in a rural community at 3,800m. From here, we will begin with a gentle climb to 4,200m running past alpacas and llamas where we arrive at a mountain top lake. The next part is recommended to walk to reach the pass at 4,400metres. From here, you have views of mountain top lakes on either side of the pass. We then run down passing communities and further mountain top lakes. If we are lucky we will see eagles flying in the sky above us and plenty of Viscacha (Andean rabbits) freely roaming and of course, plenty of llamas. 

We eventually reach the river where we can follow the trail to some of the best hot springs in the Sacred Valley. At the hot springs our bus will be waiting for us, with a nice picnic. You will have the afternoon to enjoy and relax in the hot springs.

Though this is a tough route with a high altitude pass, this is not a race and there will be plenty of time to make the pass before the route becomes alot easier. The views on this route will be tough to beat in any part of the world. 

Option 2: 9km

For those that would prefer an easier day, once those that have chosen to run the 21 kilometres have gotten off the bus, the bus will drive to the community of Huacahuasi. From here you are able to walk back along the river, passing through communities where Quechua is still the main language. The distance is approximately 9 kilometres. You will end up in the Hot Springs of Lares, some of the best in the whole of the Sacred Valley.  You will have the afternoon to relax in the hot springs. 

Accommodation: Lares Hot Springs

Run- Lares run 21km

        Lares trek 10km

Day 3: Huacahuasi - Patacancha

Exploring one of our favorite running routes in Cusco

 

An incredibly scenic day starts with a short ride up to the small community of Huacahuasi. From here we will start our run taking us through beautiful Peruvian countryside. Like the previous day, the first half of the route is inclined or uphill. Most will choose to trek or jog - run this, until we get to the pass. After this it normally is running all the way. 

Our transport will be waiting for us in the community of Patacancha and from there we will travel down to Ollantaytambo. There will be time to grab a shower and have lunch before we take the bus to Aguas Calientes, ready for Machu Picchu the next morning.

Route

 

Huacahuasi - Patacancha - 15 kilometers 

Accommodation: Casa Andina

Meals: B, L, and D

Run- 7km

Day 4: Machu Picchu

Explore Machu Picchu, wonder of the world with a Peru running holiday

Today we rise early to catch the bus up to Machu Picchu for 5:30am. our guide will give us a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which will last two hours, after this you will have the rest of the morning to explore the incredible wonder of the world.

If you would like to climb Huayna Picchu (young mountain), there are limited tickets available and specific times 7:00am and 10:30am to climb. The climb of Huayna Picchu takes between 1.5-2 hours and about 45 minutes coming down. The other option is Machu Picchu Mountain, which is a lower level intensity and takes between 45 minutes to one hour to climb up and 30 minutes to come down. (Both are additional extras). Please let us know when making the deposit as these are additional costs and have limited availability (400 places per day).

You have the rest of the morning to yourselves to explore Machu Picchu before we have lunch in Aguas Calientes at 2pm before taking our train back to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. Our transport will be waiting for us at the train station to take us back to Cusco.

Accommodation: Antigua Cusco

Run- Rest Day (you will do plenty of trekking in Machu Picchu) 

 

Day 5: Pacchanta

Discover Peru Fitness Holidays brand new running route

Today you have a free morning in Cusco, you can have a lie in, go shopping, people watch, explore a little bit more of this majestic city or just prepare yourself for the next three days! After lunch we will take private transport to the town of Pacchanta three hours from Cusco.

A town that is in the shadows of the impressive Ausangate (6384 metres), you will have a couple of hours before darkness arrives. We will spend the night in basic but clean and welcoming homestays in the small community. The village has hot springs throughout so feel free to take a dip. 

Accommodation: Homestay Pacchanta Community  

Run- Rest Day (you are able to go off exploring the countryside around Pacchanta in the afternoon) 

Day 6: Ausangate

Asungate run on Run the Andes, Peru Fitness Holiday

Today starts with a breakfast provided by the family that we will be staying with. 

We will then climb slowly for three hours, passing incredible turquoise lakes before we reach the first lookout. After, we will drop down to the second lookout, with even more impressive views. We will arrive at a crystal clear lake, where those who are brave enough can take a dip. Opposite are the ice capped peaks of Ausangate, so you know the water is fresh! 

Two more hours and we will arrive back to the small community, where the hot springs will be waiting for us. 

After a lunch provided by the host, we will travel to Pitumarca where we will be spending the night ready for another highlight of the trip. The Llama run! 
Accommodation: Community of Pitumarca 
Run - 16km

Day 7: Llama Run + Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain, explore this incredible natural beauty in a unique way

Though, it is hard to have a favourite route in Cusco, this has got to be it. Both in terms of scenery and the physical test that the route gives you.

The Llama trekking route is truly a breathtaking adventure from beginning to end. It takes us through a valley filled with grazing Llamas and Alpacas. If this isn't enough for you, then you just have to peer up and see the ice capped peaks of Ausangate (6384 metres) looming over you, one of the most awe inspiring backdrops of the Peruvian Andes.
After a relatively gentle beginning we start to make a steady climb to reach the first pass of 5000 metres. If you peer back, a turquoise laguna shines below Ausangate. From here we drop down passing mountain top lagunas before we make a final climb reaching the impressive Rainbow mountain (Vinicunca Montaña). 
This is a challenging Trek/Run, though there will probably be more trekking than running on this route its beauty will remain with you for many years to come. 

Accommodation: Antigua Cusco

Meals: B, L, and D

Run- 20km

Day 8: Cusco

Explore the mystic city of Cusco

Today we will have a 8km gentle trail run that will include spectacular views overlooking Cusco. After this we will have a special farewell breakfast/brunch together, before the tour ends at midday. Transport will be organised to take you back to the airport or assitance will be given for your onward travel.

Route:

On our last morning we will either hike up to the Temple of the Moon or be dropped off in private transport. From there we will run along the original Antisuyu Inca trail that connected Cusco to the Sacred Valley during Inca times. Once we drop down to the river, we will run back passing by Inca ruins before finishing back at the Temple of the Moon. 

For those that are happy with that route, they are able to jog back down to the hotel (total run 8km), whilst the others will continue and run around Saqsayhuaman, where you can get excellent views of the ruins. We will then run back into the San Blas neighbourhood finishing at the hotel in time for the farewell breakfast. 

Run- Distance 8km