Overview

This trek offers you an incredible combination of the Lares Valley (with its breathtaking landscapes and the traditional Andean culture), the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. In 4 days you will cross impressive scenery of mountains, snow-capped peaks, spending two nights in traditional Peruvian villages and cross the highland forest and semi-jungle until you reach Machu Picchu.

The Inca Trail is without a doubt one of the most beautiful paths in America and therefore an unforgettable experience, which you cannot miss. You will cross the protected wilderness of the jungle and Peruvian highland forest, pass several Inca archaeological sites and enjoy impressive panoramas. The Incas used this route for their pilgrimage to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

Day 1 :

Cusco – The hot baths of Lares – Huacawasi

Around 6 am, departure from your hotel for a driver of about 3 hours by private car to the village of Lares, our starting point of the trek. On the way, we will make a stop at the village of Calca, where you will visit the local market and have breakfast. You can buy some school supplies or sweets for the children we meet during our walk. When we arrive in Lares, you have the possibility to go to the hot springs if, while the cooks will prepare a gourmet lunch. After lunch, we will start walking towards our first camp located in the village of Huacawasi (3800m). For 3 hours, we will climb little by little on high. On arrival, our crew will install the tents. You will get a hot drink and a snack before dinner. Time of transport: 3 hours Time of walking: 3 hours Climate during the day: hot Climate during the night: (very) cold Altitude: Cusco (3400 m) – Lares (3100 m) – Huacawasi (3800 m)

Day 2 :

Huacawasi – Huacahuasi C'asa Pass – Laguna Aruray Cocha – Laguna Yurak Cocha – Pucara

After breakfast, we will start walking towards the highest point of the trek, the Huacahuasi C'asa pass at 4500m. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be physical. The landscapes of mountains and green plateaus, agricultural terraces will be breathtaking, a great reward for your efforts. Prepare for significant temperature drops. After reaching the highest peak, we will descend and pass by the beautiful lake of Aruray Cocha where we will have lunch. Then we continue the descent by passing the Yurak Cocha Lake and the Peruvian highland forest. Here you will discover the "Queuñas" (Polypepis), a typical Peruvian tree. This walk will take 4 hours until we reach our camp in Pucara (3000 m). A wonderful place where you will receive hot tea and a snack upon arrival, before dinner. Time of walking: 8 to 9 hours Climate day/night: hot/cold Elevation: Huacawasi (3800 m) – Huacahuasi Pass (4500 m) – Laguna Aroray Cocha (4250 m) – Laguna Yurak Cocha (3560 m) – Pucara (3000 m)

Day 3 :

Pucara - Ollantaytambo / Inca Trail : Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes

At 6am, a vehicle will bring you to the village of Ollantaytambo. From there, we will take a train to the point '' km 104 '', starting point for the Royal Road of the Incas. First, you will walk to Chachabamba (2270m.) Here your guide will give you information of the ancient function that the archaeological sites had. After that, you will reach Wiñayhuayna (2650 m), the most important archaeological site just after Machu Picchu. Then our route continues to the Sun Gate '' Inti Punku '', a great viewpoint where you can admire the sunset over Machu Picchu (2400m). As we have to continue walking to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will not spend much time in Machu Picchu on this first day but you will have all the time to enjoy the beauty of Machu Picchu the next day at sunrise. Time of walking: 6 hours Time of transport: 2h30 Climate: Hot Elevation: Pucara (3000 m)- Ollantaytambo (2700 m)- km 104 (2250 m) – Wiñayhuayna (2650 m) - Aguas Calientes(2050 m)

Day 4 :

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave our hotel in Machu Picchu after breakfast around 5:30 by bus. We leave so early because at this time there will be less visitors. Also the morning is a great time to enjoy the sunrise and calm and ancient energy of the most famous archaeological site of the continent. Around 6:00 am, your guide will make you discover all the secrets of Machu Picchu and its history. Then you will have time to climb Wayna Picchu for a panoramic view if you have booked it in advance. At the exit, you have the option to buy a bus ticket for US$ 12 to bring you back to Aguas Calientes. You can also hike back which takes almost 1.5 hr. In Aguas Calientes you will have free time to have lunch, shop or go to the hotsprings. We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon by train to Ollantaytambo, where a bus will be waiting to bring you back to Cusco. Time of walking/visiting: 2 hours Time of transport: 4h (Aguas Calientes - Cusco) and 30 minutes (Bus Machu Picchu) Climate: hot with mosquitos Elevation: Aguas Calientes (2050 m)- Machu Picchu(2400 m) – Cusco (3400 m)