Short itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Lares – Huaca Wasi
- Pick up from your hotel at 6:00 AM, drive through Calca and visit the pre-Inca archaeological site of Humanmarca.
- Continue to the Lares valley for breakfast with stunning Andean views.
- Relax in the natural thermal baths of Lares, with pools ranging from cool to boiling volcanic waters.
- Lunch and meet the muleteers and horses that will carry your gear.
- Start a 3-hour hike through landscapes with alpacas, vicuñas, and traditional Andean homes.
- Arrive at Huaca Wasi (3770 m) campsite, visit local homes and learn about weaving, farming, and Andean traditions.
Day 2: Huaca Wasi – Huaca Punku – Mantanay – Yanahuara
- Continue trekking over high Andean passes and descend through lush valleys.
- Pass traditional communities, encounter locals in colorful clothing, and spot native flora and fauna.
- Camp overnight in Yanahuara.
Day 3: Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo
- Hike to a lookout with breathtaking views over the Sacred Valley.
- Descend to Ollantaytambo, explore this living Inca town, and take the train to Aguas Calientes.
- Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Early breakfast and bus up to Machu Picchu.
- Guided tour of the Inca citadel, then free time to explore on your own.
- Return by train to Ollantaytambo and private transfer back to Cusco.
Itinerary Details
Check out our full itinerary for the Lares Trek
Day 1: Cusco – Lares – Huaca Wasi
We will pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 a.m., passing through the towns of Calca, and then visit the archaeological complex of Humanmarca, a small pre-Inca citadel where we can see spectacular terraces, temple, and Inca streets. We then continue to the Lares Valley where you will have your first breakfast accompanied by incredible views of the Andes mountain range. Afterwards, you can enjoy the hot springs, which consist of several pools ranging from cold to boiling, composed of purely volcanic water. It is considered good for bones, stress, muscles, and headaches. We will then have lunch and meet our muleteers and horses to carry our backpacks.
Next, we begin a 3-hour hike during which the guide will explain about textiles, livestock, agriculture, cultivation of many varieties of organic potatoes, and medicinal plants. Along this walk, we can see many alpacas, vicuñas, and the most impressive thing: the “decorations of the Andean houses.” We then arrive at the Huaca Wasi camp (3,770 m.a.s.l.), where the guide will accompany us to the village to visit some local homes, learning about the lifestyle and ancient traditions of the local people.
- Huaca Wasi
- Camping
Day 2: Huaca Wasi – Huaca Punku – Mantanay – Yanahuara
You will wake up at approximately 6:00 a.m. with our coca tea service. After breakfast, we will continue walking for 3 hours to Huacarpunku, where we can observe a (composite) waterfall. The views are impressive—you will see lakes, waterfalls, llamas, and alpacas. We will have an emergency horse to ride in case you get tired. We then begin our descent to the lunch spot, passing by two lakes: the first, called Auro Q’ocha, where we can see local birds; and the second, Yurac Q’ocha (3,600 m.a.s.l.), where you will enjoy lunch. You may see llamas grazing nearby. After lunch, we descend through a forest of Q’euñas until we reach Yanahuara (3,400 m.a.s.l.), where our tents will be ready.
- Yanahuara
- Camping
Day 3: Yanahuara – Yanahuara Viewpoint – Ollantaytambo
We will wake up at approximately 7:00 a.m. After breakfast, we continue walking downhill. Along the way, we will see the preparation of chicha and, if you wish, taste the delicious Inca chicha. You will pass by fruit trees and begin to feel the changes in the microclimate, noticing crops different from those in the high mountains. In the Sacred Valley area, people grow corn, quinoa, peaches, avocados, and other fruits. We will continue with an ascent to the Yanahuara viewpoint where we can see the impressive Sacred Valley, then descend for lunch with our mountain chef. After lunch, we will say goodbye and board the bus that will take us to Ollantaytambo to catch the 12:58 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes, a two-hour ride to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Ollantaytambo
- Hotel
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
The most magical day, because we will finally visit Machu Picchu. We will wake up very early to take the first buses at 5:30 a.m., where our guide will explain the Inca citadel for two hours. Afterward, you will have time to explore on your own and take photographs. In the afternoon, we will take a two-hour train back to Ollantaytambo, then a bus back to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel.
- Machu Picchu
- Hotel
Included
- Private transport
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish/English)
- Pack horses and porters to carry your belongings
- Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Not included
- Sleeping bag
- Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain (available upon request for an additional fee)
Recommendations
- Spend at least one day in Cusco before the trek to acclimatize to the altitude.
- Bring layered clothing for cold mornings and warm afternoons, plus a rain jacket.
- Wear comfortable trekking shoes.
- Use sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and insect repellent.
- Carry a small backpack with water, snacks, and personal essentials.
- Listen to your guide and respect local communities and the natural environment.
