Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Day one begins with an early pick you up from your hotel in a private bus direct to the town of Lares. During this trip we’ll visit the timeless town of Calca with its typical markets known for its visits from the local people from the mountains. There we can eat a local breakfast and stock up on any food and drink supplies you may need for the day. From there we will be ascending a winding road up to the archaeological site of Ancasmarka (4000 m. /13123 ft) where we get to visit the ancient Inca warehouses on top of a mountain. We then continue our journey to the starting point of our trek where we will meet with our support team of wranglers and mules. They will carry all of the camping gear, together we start the walk up to Wacawasi village (3800 m. /12467 ft). This track continues to our camp at Sondor (4200 m. /13779 ft) in a place surrounded by picturesque mountains, fields, and local llama farms.

***To consider: Travel time by bus is approximately four hours from Cusco to the wonderful thermal baths located in Lares.

• Maximum altitude: 4200 m/13779 ft
• Estimated hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
• Distance: 10 km

Day two begins with a light breakfast before beginning the ascent to our first challenge, the Wacawasi Pass peaking at 4560 m (Also known as Aurora step) the first step on the side of the mountains, to the great Pumahuanca (5300 m. /17388) that you will all get to glimpse. After a short break we’ll continue to our second challenge, the Wayruro Pass located (4540 m. /14895 ft) where we can appreciate the impressive snowcapped peaks of La Vernica – Abra Malaga. Then we descend through beautiful Andean landscapes, passing very closely to the local people continuing their traditional Andean daily tasks giving us a glimpse of their ancestral customs and traditions. During the hike, we will have a well-deserved lunch for our final descend to our Camp for the night Markacocha (3200 m. /9842 ft) in the warm valley of Patacancha.

• Maximum altitude: 4560m/14960ft
• Estimated hiking time: 8-9 hours
• Distance: 18 km

The third day is the easiest hiking day, as we enter the farthest part of the Sacred Valley. During the walk we will pass through the community of Purmamarca (3200 m. /10498 ft) descending along an ancient Inca trail through amazing farming terraces and beautiful streams to get to Ollantaytambo where we board our train to Aguas Calientes Town (2040 m. /6692 ft) right on the edge of the jungle. Aguas Calientes is located at the foot of the mountains leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Here we will spend the night in a hotel one minute walk from Urubamba the mighty Andean river. In the afternoon we will have free time, some people choose to do optional activities whilst here (not included), while others visit the popular markets.
On the way to Marcacocha – Ollantaytambo we will enjoy a delicious Box Lunch.

• Maximum altitude: 3200 m./10498 ft
• Estimated hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
• Distance: 10 km

Very early on the final day, we will have a breakfast at the hotel, before boarding the tourist bus that will transfer us to the sacred city of Machu Picchu and begin our guided tour which will last about 2 hours, visiting the temples, plazas, and religious sites of this enigmatic city. On completion of the tour, you will have a free time to explore the site on your own before finally descending back to Aguas Calientes at our scheduled time for lunch (Not included). We then board our train back to Ollantaytambo, and by bus returning to our hotel in Cusco.

• Guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Returning train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo: 2hrs
• Transfer Ollantaytambo – Cusco: 2hrs