The Approach: Safety, Instruction, & Stepping Up Onto The Wall
For this half-day adventure you’ll get picked up in Cusco, where transportation to the Sacred Valley is included, much like most day tours from Cusco Peru. After about an hour and a half of driving through the sometimes-nauseating roads of the Andes, you’ll reach the base of the cliff. Your heart rate will probably spike a little when you spot the tiny ladders stretching up the first ascent.
Our via ferrata guide giving safety instructions before we start.
Safety first!
The staging area.
Part of the waiver for the via ferrata with ziplines
Rebar steps, gloves, and clipped in and all safe.
Before you even touch the rock, your guides walk you through every piece of via ferrata equipment: the full-body harness, helmet, gloves, and the all-important lanyard system with two locking carabiners and an energy dissipator.
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Hiking up the hill to the beginning of the via ferrata.
It’s the safety system that keeps you safely attached to the steel cables at all times…assuming you do what you’re told during the instruction!
If you’re wondering, “Is via ferrata safe?” the answer is *generally *yes—when done with professional instruction and proper gear. You’re always connected to the cable by at least one carabiner, so even if you miss a step, you won’t go anywhere but into your harness after a short fall. Are injuries during this via ferrata possible? Of course, but if you listen to and follow instructions, any missteps should cause minimal damage, lol.
Platforms for one of the ziplines with “pods” in the upper left corner where people overnight!
After a quick safety talk and practice run, it’s time to hike about 100ft up to the wall, clip in and start the climb.
The first step is literally a 10-15ft metal ladder straight up the rock wall. Quite the introduction!
The rebar steps up the first part of the via ferrata!
From there, steel rungs are set into the rock face itself, and within minutes you’re a few stories off the ground, realizing how different “steps” feel when they’re bolted into a cliff. Oh, and wait til you step on one that’s just a* little loose.* Good times!
First Ascent—Straight Up A Few Hundred Feet
This first vertical section of the via ferrata Cusco climb gets your adrenaline pumping right away.
All-in-all during the via ferrata you’ll ascend over 300 vertical meters!
The ladders and steel rebar steps are surprisingly sturdy, but the exposure—those vast drop-offs below—will make you very aware of your every move.
Each step upward rewards you with better and better views of the Sacred Valley: terraced farmlands below, jagged peaks in the distance, and the river snaking through it all. Your via ferrata guide will be along for the entire journey. We had 5 people on ours.
Thanks to my new friends from France and Australia for taking pics of me along the way!
Horizontal Traverse & Rope Bridge
Once you’ve conquered the first climb, you’ll start a horizontal traverse that lets you breathe a little easier. You’re still clipped in, of course, but now you’re moving sideways across the cliff, sometimes with your feet on small rock ledges and other times on steel steps drilled into the wall.
Then comes the rope bridge—two parallel cables strung across an airy gap between rock faces. Your feet walk the lower cable while your hands balance on the upper one. It’s a mental game of focus and trust, but crossing it is pure fun.
Pause in the center for a few seconds like I did and take in the view of the gorgeous Sacred Valley below. You’ve earned it!
New friends hanging out with me over the Sacred Valley.
Scaling the side of the Sacred Valley…
A view of the Sacred Valley of Peru from the via ferrata.
The suspension bridge on the via ferrata.
Second Ascent—Up A Few Hundred Feet More
After the rope bridge, you’ll face another vertical push—this time even higher than the first. It’s around this point where the wind picks up and you’re grateful for the early start, since the wind picks up as the day rolls on. Just look at the trees along the river leaning sideways for proof!
Pro tip: do this via ferrata as early in the morning as possible. The cliff face sits in shade until late morning, which means cooler temperatures and far less sweat while you’re working those quads.
The climb is steady and well-paced, with plenty of spots to rest, drink water, and take in the landscape and plenty of pictures. Remember to bring plenty of water or hydration and a small backpack with layers, since the higher you go, the chillier it gets especially in the shade.
And this via ferrata is rain or shine, so be ready for any elements Pachamama might throw at you.
Sacred Valley selfie views. 
Going over the suspension bridge on the via ferrata. It was much more stable than expected!
Horizontal Traverse To Ziplines
Once you top out on the cliff, you’ll traverse again along the rock to reach the zipline platforms. This section is more relaxed—your arms get a break, and your adrenaline starts to shift from climbing mode to “holy crap, I’m about to fly” mode.
You’ll also stop for a minimal but welcome bagged lunch, with plenty of time to chat it up with new friends and take in the Sacred Valley views.
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Safety equipment along the via ferrata.
View of the first zipline.
Some local snacks while on the side of a mountain cliffs.
The zipline safety rig.
6 Ziplines—700 Meters, 500 Meters, & More
The zipline portion is just as epic as the climb. There are six in total, ranging from shorter warm-ups to one run over 700 meters long, with another clocking at around 500 meters long. The speed, the view, the sensation of floating for over 35 seconds on the longest run is truly epic. Plenty of time to look around and take it all in!
Between each line, your via ferrata guides handle all the setup and safety checks, making sure you’re clipped and ready to go. It’s the perfect payoff after all that vertical effort. By the time you land on the final platform, if you’re like me, you’ll be wondering whether you can bribe the guides for another run at the entire route again!
Cusco Via Ferrata – When To Go & Weather Tips
The Sacred Valley has a distinct dry and wet season. The best time for this via ferrata tour is during the dry months, roughly April through October. You’ll get clear skies and minimal rain, though temperatures can swing dramatically between morning and afternoon.
I did this via ferrata in early October. While we dodged a couple raindrops, it was nearly perfect weather in the valley.
Mornings are best—hands down. The cliff stays shaded early, so you’ll climb in cooler conditions and avoid the intense midday sun. Even during the dry season, the wind can pick up at higher altitudes, so layers are your friend.
If you visit during the rainy season (November to March), plan accordingly since the Sacred Valley and Cusco get* a lot* of rain in their rainy season!
Safety, Equipment And Climbing Tips
Safety is the backbone of any via ferrata, and this one’s no different. Via ferrata equipment—from the harness to the helmet to the dual carabiner lanyard—is designed to keep climbers (…you) secure even on steep verticals.
Here are a few safety pointers from my first via ferrata experience:
- Always double-check your clips. Each time you move to a new cable section, make sure one carabiner is attached before unclipping the other. Your first mistake here could be your last, so don’t make a mistake! Slower is faster my friend.
- Listen to your guides. They know every rung, bridge, and zipline by heart.
- Pace yourself. It’s not a race; rest when you need to.
- Stay hydrated and eat snacks. Bring water, snacks, and don’t skip breakfast.
My two new friends had literally just flown in at midnight from over 30 hours of flights and were on the wall at 9am, followed by an Inka Trail and Machu Picchu trek. Please avoid this and make sure you’re acclimated and rested!
With professional via ferrata guides, a solid safety briefing, and good common sense, even first-timers like me can tackle this climb with little doubt.
The first “intro” zipline; just before the 700 meter zipline!
Nice-To-Knows For First-Timers
If it’s your first time doing a via ferrata, here are a few simple but super-helpful tips to make your day go smoother:
- What To Wear: Lightweight, flexible clothing and closed-toe shoes like light hikers—with grip! No sandals or open-toed shoes allowed.
- Weather Layers: It gets cooler and windier as you climb—pack a light jacket or hoodie, and a rain shell just in case of rain.
- Water & Snacks: Probably two liters of water minimum. Or just front-load and take a liter onto the climb.
- Cameras: Bring a GoPro or chest-mounted camera if you want hands-free shots. But again, you’ll have plenty of places to safely stop and take pictures between climbs.
Type 1 diabetes doesn’t stop for via ferratas.
Wrapping Up This Via Ferrata Guide
If you’re searching for things to do in the Sacred Valley of Peru that combine adrenaline, sick views, and mild bragging rights, this via ferrata and zipline combo delivers. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Andes Mountains.
Whether you’re on one of the Cusco, Peru tours or planning your own day tours, this is one adventure worth slotting into your itinerary. Check out my full travel guide for more Cusco and Sacred Valley travel inspiration! I spent over a month in Cusco and did all the things!
Cheers!
—Jason
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