Lares trek and short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Pisac– Huaran – Cancha Cancha

Your exciting adventure through the Andean Mountains, from the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu, kicks off early with your hotel pickup at 6:00 am in Cusco. We’ll hit the road and drive for two hours towards Huaran, where you’ll meet your horsemen and horses. It’s time to get ready, put on your boots, and embark on our first three-hour trek gradually ascending towards Cancha Cancha. You’ll take a break for lunch next to the river, enjoying a delicious meal prepared by our trekking chef to refuel for the rest of the journey ahead.

Discover the Unique Culture and Stargazing Traditions of Cancha Cancha, Peru

At Cancha Cancha, located 3,900 meters or 12,800 feet above sea level, you’ll get to experience one of the most isolated and traditional communities that have been self-sustaining for hundreds of years. There’s no road leading to the community, and they were only recently connected to electricity in December 2019. After settling into your tents and having afternoon tea, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a local family and learn all about life in a traditional Andean village with your guide serving as your interpreter. After dinner, your guide will show you the Inca constellations that were crucial to the community’s agricultural guidance, and they still rely on them to this day.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 9kms / 5.6 miles
• Time: 3.5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Cancha Cancha – Quiswarani – Ollantaytambo

After enjoying another delicious breakfast, we’ll be ready to tackle the second day of our adventure. Our 7-hour hike will take us northeast, and we’ll start with an intense walk, making our way up high passes towards the highest point of our trek, Pachacutec Pass, which stands at an impressive 4,500 meters or 14,800 feet. Once you reach the summit, take a moment to pat yourself on the back and soak in the satisfaction and exhilaration of the incredible accomplishment.

As you trek through this intense part of the trail, you’ll be motivated by the stunning views of glaciers, remote lakes, alpaca herds, rugged valleys, and magnificent mountain vistas. Don’t forget to keep your eyes on the sky for the Caracara falcons and Andean geese soaring overhead. It’s an awe-inspiring experience that will leave you feeling invigorated and energized.

Descending through indigenous highlands: Discovering Quechua culture and the Seven Waterfalls

After reveling in the stunning views from the summit, we’ll begin our descent for three hours until we reach our campsite near the Quiswarani community, located at 3,700 meters or 12,139 feet. Along the way, we’ll take an isolated trail where you’ll get to see indigenous highland people in their traditional outfits, herding their llamas and alpacas. The local community members will warmly welcome you and interact with you in the Quechua language, the language of the Incas. Your knowledgeable guide will serve as your interpreter, helping you to learn some Quechua phrases.

As we continue along the trail, we’ll come across the breathtaking seven waterfalls, which marks the end of our journey. From there, we’ll head to Quishuarani and take transportation for two hours to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner together and spend the night. If you’re staying at the Veronica View, you’ll even have time to relax and unwind in the heated swimming pool or sauna before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• 2* Accommodation: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
• Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles
• Time: 7hrs approximately
• Difficulty: challenging

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – KM 104 – WIÑAYHUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

We’re in for an exciting day today, and we’ll start early. Your guide will pick you up from the hotel at 5:30 am, so be sure to grab a quick bite or take your breakfast to go. When we arrive at the train station, your guide will hand you a delicious lunch to add to your daypack, so you’ll be all set for the adventure ahead.

We’ll be departing from Ollantaytambo on the train at 6:10 am, giving us just over an hour to relax and take in the stunning scenery around us. You’ll have the chance to enjoy breakfast (not included) on the train, and your hotel will provide you with a picnic breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast if you prefer. Either way, you’ll have plenty of energy to fuel your day of exploration.

Discovering the Beauty of the Inca Trail: A Scenic Hike through Microclimates and Historical Sites

When you reach Km104, your guide will accompany you off the train, marking the start of your exciting hike! At this point, you’ll be at an altitude of 2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level, and after crossing the Urubamba River on a charming footbridge, you’ll show your passport at the checkpoint and explore your first Inca site nearby.

The initial hour and a half of the hike is a gentle uphill climb, with a few shelters along the way where you can take a break from the sun or rain (depending on the season). As you continue, you’ll stop at several lookout points to appreciate the expansive view of the Urubamba River. The hike also takes you through various microclimates, including cloud forests, so be prepared for some moisture or even rain, regardless of the season. The next hour and a half is a slightly steeper uphill climb, but it’s worth it as you’ll be rewarded with a stunning waterfall at the end.

After crossing the bridge below the waterfall and taking some time for photos, you’ll be able to witness the awe-inspiring Wiñay Wayna ruins, which stand at an altitude of 2,600m/8,500ft above sea level. These ruins have a rich history, and their location in a dense jungle only adds to their allure. As you’re so close to Machu Picchu, you’ll be hiking through a lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will provide interesting insights about the ruins, the flora, and fauna of the area, and will happily answer any questions you may have. Afterward, it’s just a short, 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.

Discovering Machu Picchu: A Memorable Hike Through Wiñay Wayna Campground and the Sun Gate

Once you’ve arrived at Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the final campground for those who hike the four-day Inca Trail, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious lunch at a covered shelter. You’ll also find outdoor sinks for hand washing and restrooms nearby. Take your time to savor your gourmet lunch and appreciate the beautiful tropical flowers surrounding the campground. If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know when you make your reservation.

After lunch, you’ll embark on a mostly flat walk toward the Sun Gate, which offers a spectacular first glimpse of Machu Picchu! Albeit the drawn-out walk includes delicate moving all over, you’ll ultimately arrive at a bunch of steep steps cut straightforwardly into the bedrock by the Inca, which shows that which indicates that you’re almost at the Sun Gate.

The view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate is truly breathtaking, so be sure to take some time to soak it all in and snap some photos. The last 45 minutes of the hike down from the Sun Gate provide many more photo opportunities of Machu Picchu from a unique perspective. There are also a couple of significant Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so take your time, relish your experience walking in the footsteps of the Inca along the Inca Trail, and feel free to ask your guide about these historical sites on the final leg of your journey to Machu Picchu.

From Machu Picchu’s Sunset to Aguas Calientes’ Hot Springs: A Perfect Ending to a Memorable Day

After reaching Machu Picchu, you will have ample time to capture stunning photographs from the viewing platforms above the site. Since you will arrive in the afternoon, when most tourists start to leave the area, you can enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the site in the soft afternoon light without the hassle of crowds in your shots. Make sure to relish this enchanting experience before heading down to Aguas Calientes by bus to check in at your hotel. Later, you can enjoy a delectable dinner and explore the charming little town by taking a leisurely walk or soaking in the hot springs. Alternatively, if you prefer to unwind after an exhilarating day, you can head straight to your hotel for a good night’s rest.

• Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• 2* Accommodation: Inti Punku Tambo or Wiracocha Inn
• Difficulty: Moderate

You will leave your duffel from the trek at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Today is the day you’ve been eagerly looking forward to! Start your day with an early breakfast at your hotel, followed by boarding one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to witness the magical sunrise. It’s amazing to view that you don’t want to miss it. Your knowledgeable guide will accompany you throughout the two-hour tour and take you through all the significant areas of Machu Picchu, such as the Sanctuary of the Sun, Sanctuary of the Condor, Sanctuary of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry, and the Place of the Inca. It’s a truly fascinating experience you’ll cherish for a long time.

Discovering the Best of Machu Picchu and Beyond: Hikes, Shopping, and Scenic Train Ride

Once you’ve completed your tour, those who have pre-booked extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have the chance to relish the views on their own. After enjoying the awe-inspiring views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train’s departure time, you may also have some time to explore the town’s shops, museums, or hot springs.

Your train will depart at either 14:55 or 15:20, taking you back to Ollantaytambo, while following the Urubamba River, which offers breathtaking views. As you get closer to Aguas Calientes, the canyon narrows, and the river has several stunning sections of whitewater. If you look up high on the steep canyon wall, you can catch a glimpse of Wiñay Wayna from the train! Once you reach Ollantaytambo, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit from the train station, and you’ll travel back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to reach your hotel by 19:00, ending an unforgettable journey.

Meal included: Breakfast

• Difficulty: Easy