Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 5 Days

Your Cusco Local Friend tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am, next, we’ll drive to Calca town through the Sacred Valley, where we’ll have a short stop to grab some breakfast and get some items for kids in the trail. We will then keep driving to Lares hot springs crossing the Amparaes Pass (4,500m/ 14,764 ft) for 2 hours and 30 more minutes. At our arrival at the trailhead, we’ll meet up our muleteers, horses and get ourselves introduced to them and make our rucksacks ready to get the adventure started.

Following the meeting, we’ll start our hike up the highland valley, as we’ll get hiking further, we’ll start seeing some llamas and alpacas close by, the perfect time to snap some great shots of course. The first section to lunch spot on day 1 is basically gentle, the trail goes up gradually for 2 hours. Today, we’ll have lunch at a nice scenic spot (3,650m/ 12.139ft). After lunch, we’ll still hike for 2 more hours to our first campsite located in Cuncani. village at 3,850m/ 12,631ft. Upon our arrival at the campsite, our crew will welcome you, you will have time to take a rest and change into something warmer clothes before tea time. At this campsite, we will spend some time mingling with local children dressed nicely and colorfully. Later, we’ll enjoy our just made dinner followed by a briefing for the second day. Lunch and dinner included.

• Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles.
• Hiking Time: 6 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 3,350m / 10,991ft (trailhead).
• Highest elevation: 3,850m/ 12,631ft (camp site).
• Meals: Lunch, tea time, dinner, and snacks.

We’ll be woken up with a hot tea or coffee in the morning still in our tents and we’ll take a nutritious breakfast which will make us ready for the toughest day. Next, we’ll start hiking up to the highest point for 4 hours, we’ll be rewarded with beautiful highland scenery of snow-capped peaks and llamas/alpacas, we can even spot condors soaring overhead if we are lucky, an important symbol of the Incan people. After strenuous hiking, we’ll reach the pass called Sicllacasa at 4,800m/ 15,748ft, this place offers us some stunning vistas in every direction, of course, a worthy picture place. And, at this place, we’ll have time to rest and make some offerings to the mountain spirits and Pachamama (mother earth). After taking some pictures and resting, we walk downhill for 1 hour to reach our lunch spot. Following lunch, the trail comes all downhill until the next campsite for 3 hours. This evening we’ll stay at the campsite called Cuyoq (4,100m/ 13,451ft) where we’ll have our afternoon tea followed by a delicious dinner. All meals included.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles.
• Hiking Time: 9 – 10 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 4,100m/ 13,451ft (camp site).
• Highest elevation: 4,800m/ 15,748ft (pass).
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner, and snacks.

After breakfast, we walk downhill for 3 – 4 hours through Pumahuanca highland valley, passing many queuña native trees towards Pumahuanca village located in the Sacred Valley, which is located 2,950m/ 9,678 ft.

As we descend down, we will see the change of flora, fauna, and temperature. When we arrive at the lunch spot, we´ll have the last lunch prepared by our cook. After lunch, we’ll say goodbye to our cook and muleteers, right after this farewell ceremony, we’ll settle in and scan the scenery for 30 minutes from the convenience of a private vehicle until Ollantaytambo town, where we’ll stay at a cozy hotel. At our arrival at the hotel, we’ll have time for rest and a nice shower, we’ll then go to the typical quaint town to explore its cobblestone streets. At night we’ll have dinner (this dinner is not included), right after dinner your guide will refresh the information for the next day. Breakfast and lunch included (except the dinner).

• Hiking Distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles.
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2,950m/ 9,678 ft (end of the trail).
• Highest elevation: 4,100m/ 13,451ft (last campsite).
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, tea time, dinner, and snacks.

At 5:30 am, your Cusco Local Friend guide will come to the hotel to pick you up and get to the train station together, the idea to start earlier is to have enough time to enjoy the amazing scenery along the trail. We’ll take the “Expedition Class Train” at 6:10 am to Km 104, which is the beginning of the trail. At Km 104 the train stops, where we’ll get off and we’ll cross the Urubamba River over a picturesque footbridge to the checkpoint for the respective registration, where you will show your passport (need to bring your original passport), this place is located at an elevation of 2,150 m/ 7,052 ft, just after 5 minutes from the checkpoint, we’ll reach the first archaeological site called Chachabamba that consists in having temples, the main patio, sacred rock, etc, where your guide will deliver a rich history of this place. In addition, you will be immersed in the stunning landscape as you’re surrounded by lush vegetation and towering mountains watching over you.

After the history lesson, we’ll continue walking for an hour and a half a gently up, with stops at several outlooks to enjoy the view of the Urubamba River and the high jungle landscape. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper climb with the spectacular scenery and beautiful waterfall to the most beautiful Inca site on the Inca Trail, called Winay Wayna (meaning “forever young” in Quechua) which is located at 2,650 m / 8,694 ft., where your guide will deliver you a fascinating history of these amazing Inca ruins, we’ll see ritual water fountains, a temple dedicated to the forces of nature and the beautiful agricultural terraces. Also, take some time to relax, unwind in peace, and connect to Mother Nature through birdsong and soft whisper of the wind. A little further on, we’ll spot the campsite where those doing the Classic Inca Trail spend the night. Here, you’ll have time to enjoy the tasty packed lunch.

After the break, we’ll continue the gentle hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku in Quechua) for 1 hour, at our arrival, we’ll have the very first sights of Machu Picchu at the background nestled among the tall mountains, and we’ll be astounded at how the Incas were able to build such a site on a mountain. The landscape is very dreamy, and you’ll feel the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu that’s withstood the test of time amazingly. Use this opportunity to capture some unique photos and honor the Incas as you ponder how they were able to lift such big stones and try to understand their deep connection with nature. Afterward, we hike down for the last 45 minutes to the Machu Picchu Citadel, taking some great snaps along the way, and you’ll also be able to watch the magical golden light of the sun setting on the immerse stone walls for some tranquility.

Once we arrive at Machu Picchu – Wonder of the World, we’ll take our time to take more pictures from the viewing platforms, as the afternoon is usually less crowded. After taking photos, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town and head out to our hotel. At night, you’ll have a delicious supper (not included) at one of the local restaurants After dinner, your guide will eventually deliver a briefing for the next day and everyone will return to the hotel for a deserved rest. Breakfast and packed lunch included.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles.
• Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2,100m/ 6,890 ft (trailhead).
• Highest elevation: 2,750m/ 9,022 ft (sungate).
• Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch.

After an early breakfast at the hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes, we will take the bus back to the Machu Picchu main entrance for 30 minutes. This morning, you’ll have a 3-hour private guided tour of this spectacular and mystical site.

This private guided tour includes walking through the different sections of the city like shrines, granaries, farming terraces, dwellings, solar observatory where you’ll learn the real significance of this unique place from your guide. If you have booked a permit for Wayna Picchu Mountain, you’ll climb the mountain after the tour; however, spaces are subject to availability. In the unlikely event that Wayna Picchu permits are not available for your departure date, you will climb Machu Picchu Mountain instead. If you are planning to hike one of these mountains, please let us know at the moment of booking to purchase an extra ticket. After Machu Picchu exploration, we’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes town, where we’ll celebrate our Lares Trek accomplishment with some Pisco Sours or Inca Kola. We’ll eventually take the train to Ollantaytambo from Ollantaytambo, you’ll be transferred by private van to your hotel in Cusco. End of the adventure. Only breakfast included.