Lares Trek

DAY 01: CUSCO – QUISHUARANI – CUNCANI

Our adventure begins in Cusco, from where we will travel early in the morning in a private bus. We will drive down the Sacred Valley of the Incas until we reach Lares, where we  can take a short dip in the hot springs before starting our journey. On our walk towards the first mountain pass we will have a spectacular view of the Andes, adorned with glaciers and lakes.

In the ascent we will enjoy a lunch made by our chef, who will accompany us during our journey through the mountains. We will also have horses and all the accommodations necessary for a comfortable and safe trip.

We will set up our first camp at the top of the Andean community of Cuncani, where we will be lulled to sleep by the melody of the river, which flows less than 100 meters (6 km / 3.73 mi / 5 hours).

Meals:  Lunch / Dinner

DAY 02: CUNCANI- WACAWASI – IPSAYCOCHA

We will resume our climb after breakfast, trekking for nearly 2 hours to the highest point in Cuncani. From this spot we will see the Chancachaca Valley (3,600 m), the Verónica mountain (5,800 m) and the small community of Huacawasi (3,700 m). Many of the houses we will see are built with stone and have thatched roofs. The inhabitants of this community make beautiful and colorful textiles with different weaving techniques. They make high-quality ponchos, chullos (wool hats), and other garments.

After lunch, we will climb for nearly 2 hours until we reach the top of Ipsayccasa (4,350 m), which is the highest point of our trek. Here, our effort will be well rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. We will continue hiking for about an hour until we reach our second camping spot: the beautiful Ipsaycocha lake. If we are lucky, we will be able to see Andean geese, ibis, and other aquatic birds. At night, if the sky is clear, we will enjoy a sky full of planets and constellations.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

DAY 03: EPSAYCOCHA – PATACANCHA – WYLLOQ – PUMAMARKA – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Our descent will lead us to Pata Cancha, an Andean community known for its textiles and weavers. Then, we will continue to Wylloq, where we will rest and enjoy our lunch. From Wylloq, we will walk for two hours until we reach Puma Marka, where we will marvel at the wondrous Inka terraces.

Finally, we will arrive in Ollantaytambo. Located in the Sacred Valley of the Inca, on the shore of the Urubamba river, this Inka town is one of the best preserved living museums, thanks to its people. In the afternoon, we will travel to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night at a hotel.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner


DAY 04: MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO

After breakfast at the hotel, we will board the first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, so we can get early to the Inca citadel. Once there, we will take a 3-hour-long guided tour of the citadel and its most important places and monuments. After the tour, we will have some free time to walk around and explore Machu Picchu, the marvel of the world.

We will board the train to Cusco in the afternoon and take you back to your hotel upon our arrival.

(*) Arrival and departure dates are estimates and may vary.