Lares Trek & Inca Trail

Your adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 5:00 a.m. From there, travel by private transportation to the famous Lares thermal pools, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

You will have time to relax in the natural thermal pools before continuing by vehicle for approximately 30 minutes to the trailhead. From here, begin an approximately two-hour hike toward Kiswarani Village, where your trekking chef will prepare a freshly cooked lunch using local ingredients.

After lunch, continue hiking for approximately two more hours toward the first campsite. The route passes through potato fields, waterfalls, traditional Andean landscapes, and impressive mountain scenery before reaching Blue Lagoon at approximately 3,900 m / 12,795 ft.

Throughout the day, you will experience the landscapes of the Lares District and have an opportunity to visit Kiswarani Village and interact with local residents. Upon reaching the campsite beside the Andean lake, your tents will be ready for the night.

Wake up at approximately 5:00 a.m. with a hot drink served at the campsite while enjoying views of the lake and the Kiswarani Valley. After breakfast, receive snacks from the trekking chef and prepare for the most challenging section of the Lares Trek.

Begin an approximately four-hour ascent toward Condor Pass, the highest point of the journey at 4,750 m / 15,583 ft. Along the route, you may observe high-altitude lakes, Andean geese, mountain caracaras, llamas, alpacas, and impressive views across the surrounding Andes.

Upon reaching the summit, take time to rest and enjoy panoramic views of the mountains before beginning an approximately two-hour descent toward Acopata, where lunch will be served.

After lunch, continue downhill for approximately one more hour through the mountain landscape until reaching Cancha Cancha Village at 3,750 m / 12,303 ft. Once at the campsite, relax with a hot drink and enjoy the surrounding scenery. You will also have an opportunity to walk through the village and interact with local residents.

Begin the day with breakfast surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery before starting the final descent from the highlands into the Sacred Valley. Before leaving Cancha Cancha, you will say goodbye to the local community and continue through the changing landscapes of the Andes.

During the descent, observe the transition between different ecosystems, from the cold highlands, where potatoes are an important crop, to the more fertile agricultural areas of the Sacred Valley, where corn is widely cultivated.

The trekking section concludes in Huaran at approximately 2,700 m / 8,856 ft. From here, private transportation will take you to Ollantaytambo.

Once in Ollantaytambo, you will have time to explore its historic streets and see the traditional water channels that have remained in use since Inca times. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay at a hotel.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, board the train in Ollantaytambo for an approximately 1.5-hour journey along the Urubamba River to Km 104 at Chachabamba. Upon arrival, proceed to the Short Inca Trail checkpoint. You must carry your original passport to enter the trail.

Your first archaeological visit is Chachabamba, located near Km 104. From here, begin hiking along the historic Inca Trail toward Wiñay Wayna.

The first major section consists of an approximately four-hour gradual ascent to Wiñay Wayna. Upon arrival, take time to explore this remarkable archaeological complex and enjoy the surrounding Andean scenery. A packed lunch and refreshments will be provided during the journey.

After visiting Wiñay Wayna, continue along the Inca Trail toward Intipunku, the famous Sun Gate, where you will experience your first view of Machu Picchu. From the Sun Gate, continue downhill for approximately one hour toward the archaeological site.

You will reach Machu Picchu in the afternoon and continue according to the entrance route assigned for this day. Afterward, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, enjoy dinner, and spend the night at a hotel.

On the final day, wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before traveling by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

Your guide will accompany you through the areas included in your assigned entrance route while explaining the history and significance of the archaeological site. The guided visit lasts approximately two to three hours.

If you have separately booked an additional entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can complete the corresponding hike according to the entrance time and conditions indicated on your ticket.

After completing your Machu Picchu visit, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where lunch will be on your own. Later, board the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, private transportation will take you back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival at approximately 7:30 p.m.