Guide

Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide (English & Spanish)

Others

Pre-trip briefing to take place in your hotel the evening before departure

Meals

Meals as detailed in the itinerary

Transport

Private transportation for hotel collection & drop-off Return train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Cusco, drop-off by private vehicle to hotel Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Not included:

Flights

International Flights not included Domestics Flights not included (can be organised as part of plan)

Insurance

Travel & Adventure insurance is the responsibility of the travelling group

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Day 1 Day 1: Quishuarani - Cuncani
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Quishuarani - Cuncani

As the sun begins to shine on Cusco, leaving from your hotel you’ll head in the direction of the beautiful Sacred Valley. The Calca market will be our last stop before losing contact with big cities. This is our final chance to buy any last minute things we may need for the trip. The road that leads to Lares and crosses the Amparaes pass at 4470m is a phenomenal drive which winds through arid landscapes, occasional rivers run across the road and the mountain views are breathtaking. Our final destination is the banos termales of Lares. From the thermal baths unfolds a small track, you’ll pass through hand tilled fields and crops of quinoa and potato, amongst quaint stone houses. After a gradual climb of a few hours we will stop for a delicious lunch, before continuing on to the community of Cuncani, our camp for the evening. The night will be cold but charming.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 Day 2: Cuncani - Lares - Huacahuasi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cuncani - Lares - Huacahuasi

If the day is clear, we will wake up to the imposing view of Colque Cruz, a majestic mountain capped by a glacier, which provides water to the community. You’ll follow the path next to an icy stream that will take us towards the pass. The ascent is challenging. Following there will be some demanding but rewarding uphill, on rocky trails passing through incredible landscapes with high altitude lagoons dotted around. As you near the pass, the trail becomes steeper and trickier. On reaching the summit a stunning view of the Pampas of Anta awaits, followed by a descent that is perfect after a long climb. The descent is steep but stunning, crossing a small forest of ‘Polylepis’, the endemic and endangered trees of the high Andes. Just after the forest and with an incredible view of the valley below you’ll stop for lunch. After which the drop continues until we reach our camp, a tranquil paradise, surrounded by trees and crossed by a small river.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Day 3: Huacahuasi - Ipsaycocha - Pataccancha
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Huacahuasi - Ipsaycocha - Pataccancha

This morning is the last on the trail and after breakfast, there will be a chance to take photos with your crew. From here the walk becomes easier down to the piscigranja (fish farm). You’ll feel the climate changing, becoming warmer and more alive, with more variety in vegetation as hummingbirds accompany us on our journey. After a few short hours, you’ll meet the private transportation that will go to Ollantaytambo

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Day 4: Machu Picchu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Machu Picchu

At the end of the trek, we finish near to a town called Ollantaytambo, at this point there are a couple of options.

    1. You can either spend the night in Ollantaytambo, enjoy this lively little town & the ruins here, then have a leisurely morning the following day, followed by a 1.5hr train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Then you arrive by around mid-afternoon in time for the afternoon session tour of Machu Picchu. This is a more tranquil & serene time to explore the citadel as it is less crowded.

    There are 2 entrance times for Machu Picchu - 7am & 12pm

    You can also include hikes to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu mountain

    2. Head straight to Aguas Calientes directly after the trek. Most take this option if they want to head up to Machu Picchu as early as possible to see the fabled sunrise.

    This option makes the last day of the trek a long one & the following day also, but both options are available, it really depends how you’d like to do it.

Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals’ absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century.

    If there’s time, hike up to Machu Picchu Mountain (optional & depends on ticket availability) for a bird’s eye view of the citadel. Afterward, a tour guide will show you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel.

After the two-hour tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and your connecting transfer to Cusco.

    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

4 days tour

Lares Valley Trek To Machu Picchu - 4 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Lares Valley Trek To Machu Picchu - 4 Days

Day 1: Quishuarani - Cuncani

Day 2: Cuncani - Lares - Huacahuasi

Day 3: Huacahuasi - Ipsaycocha - Pataccancha

Day 4: Machu Picchu

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