Lares trek to Machu Picchu – Trek Lares

Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the Hotel Cusco. You will be welcomed with coca-infused tea (“mate de coca”) that will help you get used to the high altitude. You will have a free morning to take a walk around the ancient capital of the Incas or to acclimatize to the great settings altitude.

Cusco City Tour

After having lunch around 1:30 pm, we will have a half day tour in Cusco. It includes visit to Cathedral, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, starting at Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

Cathedral of Cusco

You will have the opportunity to enter the Cathedral of Cusco and observe the beautiful wood crafts and colonial paintings that contain extensive Inca iconography.

Qoricancha

Also, we will be visiting the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) in which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. Legend says this temple was completely covered in gold, which impressed the Spanish conquerors upon their arrival.

Sacsayhuaman

Afterwards, we will ascend to the Archaeological Complex of Sacsayhuaman (one of the main complexes of the Inca Empire) and visit the Citadel.

This place served as a fortress because of its standing out large stone blocks. However, this also was a ceremonial place dedicated to worshipping the Inti God (Sun), and where the Inti Raymi Ceremony or the so-called ‘Fiesta del Sol’ is held every year in the dry season.

You will be able to admire this incredible structure and enjoy the magnificent scenery that brings peace and tranquility.

Q’enqo

Next, we will visit Q’enqo, the ancient temple of the Puma. Inside it, you can see a sacrificial altar made of a huge stone.

Tambomachay

Our next stop will be Tambomachay, you will see the sacred sources of life and health and finally Pucapucara, these were the safeguarded gates of the city and the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán.

This tour ends with a detailed visit of the city of Cusco.

• Food: None

Note: We highly recommend you to arrive at Cusco between 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

You will be having breakfast at the hotel, then will pick you up from here at 8:30 am to have a full day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will explore the beautiful landscape of the impressive Sacred Valley

First, we will visit the city of Pisac, known for its lively market. This small town was once where “Forex trading” took place, people used to exchange one good for another instead of using the currency. We will be visiting the Pisac market, where you can buy wonderfully handcrafted products as silver made by the locals.

On Sunday, the main attraction is a mass celebrated in Quechua and performed in Spanish.

It is the presence of the mayors and their assistants who play traditional musical instruments called “pututos”.

Afterwards, you can enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch (included in the price) before visiting the Ollantaytambo fortress.

Next, we will visit the impressive ruins of the Ollantaytambo fortress. These magnificent ancient ruins serve as great vantage points to gaze out over the valley. Originally the royal domain of Emperor Pachacuti during the Inca Empire, this site later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca in the final Inca rebellion against the Spanish.

In the afternoon we will return to Cusco, accommodation at your hotel in Cusco.

• Food: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, we will be picking you up very early in the morning from the hotel (6:00 am).

We will be leaving Cusco by car, on the route to Pisaq until we reach the Huaran stream (2840m / 93152ft above sea level).

Here is where our climb up begins to a small side valley that gradually narrows while we ascend on an original Inca trail, enjoying a great variety of native flora and fauna.

After a 3-hour walk, we will arrive at Cancha Cancha (3800m / 12464ft), where we will receive some typical food and have the opportunity to share a vision of the traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community. We will be camping the night here.

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total distance: 7 km (4.35 miles)
• Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours
• Maximum altitude point: (3800m / 12464ft)

After enjoying a local breakfast, we will be starting uphill to arrive at Accopata, an extension of Cancha Cancha, then we will continue northeast through the valley, passing small stone houses with thatched roofs.

After half an hour the trail flattens out, before climbing steeply for the next  2 ½ hours to the first pass, called Pachacutec Pass (4458m / 14622ft).

Our Lares trail continues for one more hour along a narrow ridge until descending into a beautiful secluded stream filled with glacial lakes and rich in birdlife.

The group tour will descend to the next valley after a series of waterfalls to the town of Quishuarani (3700m / 12136ft).

This is where our campsite will be settle up; we also will meet children and women weavers on this gorgeous place.

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total distance: 9 km
• Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
• Maximum altitude point: (4458m / 14622ft)

As usual we will enjoy breakfast early.

We will have a short walk downhill to reach the colonial city of Lares where we will spend the rest of the morning relaxing in the medicinal hot springs.

The road follows the river in Lares valley downhill for about 2 and a half hours to the city of Lares ( 3100m / 10168ft) where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a bath in a hot spring in the open air (bring a swimsuit).

After lunch, we will transport you to the city of Ollantaytambo. This is where the train station is (train tickets are included) and from where we will be taking our train to Aguas Calientes.

We will spend the night in an Aguas Calientes hotel.

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total distance: 6 km
• Estimated walking time: 2-3 hours
• Maximum altitude point: (3100m / 10168ft)

Today will be having a Full day excursion to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes.

You will be transferred at 5:30 am to the bus stop for the short trip (25 minutes) to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, you will participate on a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and passes that are surrounded by terraces carved into the mountainside. After the tour you will have time to wander around the archaeological site at your leisure.

Also, you will have time to do any of the following activities by yourself (not included in the price):

For the adventurous ones, we recommend the Ascent to Huayna Picchu; from where you are able to appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, surprisingly the highest point so far.

You can have a buffet lunch at the Lodge Restaurant Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Finally you will return to the Aguas Calientes train station in the afternoon for the return trip to Cusco. 

Upon arrival, we will receive you to transfer you to the Hotel in Cusco.

• Food: Breakfast, Lunch
• Total distance: 4 km (2.49 miles)
• Estimated walking time: 2 hours
• Maximum Altitude Point: 2700m (8829 feet)

You will be sharing the las breakfast at the hotel before we transfer you to the airport to take your flight back to Lima.

• Food: Breakfast