Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Pisac – Huaran – Cancha Canchaa

Your adventure through the Andes, from the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu, begins early with a 6:00 am pickup with your hotel pickup at 6:00 am in Cusco. We will drive for approximately two hours to 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 is no road to the community, which has been connected to electricity since 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: 9 km / 5.6 miles
• Time: 3.5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Cancha Cancha – Pachacutec Pass – 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 (also known as Condor Pass) at 4,500 m / 14,764 ft. 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. Keep an eye out for Caracara falcons and Andean geese soaring overhead 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. Local community members will warmly welcome you and speak in Quechua, 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 mark 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 stay at the Veronica View Hotel, you will have time to relax in the heated pool and sauna before dinner before dinner.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner
• 2-Star Accommodation: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge (or similar)
• Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
• Time: 7hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Challenging

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – 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. After a gentle undulating walk, you will reach a set of steep stone steps carved directly into the bedrock by the Incas, indicating that you are almost at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

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. Arriving in the afternoon, you will enjoy Machu Picchu in soft afternoon light with fewer crowds – perfect for photos. 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-Star Accommodation: Inti Punku Tambo or Wiracocha Inn
• Difficulty: Moderate

You will leave your Lares Trek duffel bag at the Ollantaytambo train station; it will be sent directly to Aguas Calientes by train.

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 a magical sunrise view you won’t want to miss. 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 Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of the Three Windows, Intihuatana (Sun Dial), Main Quarry, and House 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 14:55 or 15:20 (2:55 PM or 3:20 PM), 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