Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival in to Cusco, you will be met & transferred to your hotel.

Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Incan remains.

NOTE: We recommend at least 2 nights pre-trek in Cusco to help with acclimatization
Overnight in Cusco

Day at leisure in Cusco to relax and start acclimatizing.

Pre trek briefing
This evening you will be collected from your hotel and dropped off for a pre tour briefing, where you will learn about the plans for your Lares Trek. The briefing is approx. 45 minutes and allows time for any questions you may have about the days ahead.

Overnight in Cusco

Your journey begins from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Your first step will be Chinchero, a small Andean village and Inca archaeological site. From there, choose an inspiring downhill hike from Chinchero to the town of Urquillos along historic Inca trails, or an afternoon exploring the circular agricultural terraces in Moray and natural salt mines in Maras.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Morning = All-Group Activity: Visit to Chinchero.

Afternoon = Cultural: Guided exploration of the Moray agricultural complex and the natural salt mines in Maras.

or Active: Hike from Chincheros to Urquillos, approx 3 hours, easy to moderate mostly downhill

Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)

Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Morning

/ Cultural: Excursion to Pisaq for a guided tour and free time to explore its celebrated marketplace, followed a visit to the community of Viacha.

/ Semi-active: Bike ride from Lamay Lodge to Pisaq.(subject to additional cost)
Approximately 3 hours Easy to Moderate

/ Active: Hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha.
Approximately 3 hours
Moderate
14,200’ / 4,328 m

Midday

/ All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices.

Afternoon

/All-Group Activity: Guided tour of the Pisaq archaeological site.

Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)

The day begins with a visit to the small town of Lamay followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the Lares Valley. Your first stop will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Morning

/ All-Group Activity: Explore the town of Lamay and visit the Ancasmarca archeological site.

Afternoon

/ Cultural: Visit to the remote village of Choquecancha where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community’s expert textile weavers.

/ Active:
Option A: Hike from Quelquena to Huacahuasi
Approximately 2.5 hours
Easy to moderate
14,200’ / 4,328 m

Option B: Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi
Approximately 4 hours
Moderate
13,838´ / 4,219m

Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)

For a cultural morning experience, you will visit the village of Huacahuasi and learn more about its heritage and daily life of the locals. Afterwards, return to the lodge for a Peruvian cooking class with the lodge staff or take a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Alternately, challenge yourself with an all-day hike from the community of Quiswarani to Quelquena along the ‘Trail of 1,000 Lakes’ for majestic views of the lakes, valleys, and mountains.

Morning

/ Cultural: Visit the village of Huacahuasi followed by a cooking class and lunch at the lodge.

/ Active: Hike to the the waterfalls near Huacahuasi and lunch at the lodge
Approximately 1.5 hours
Easy

All-day

/ Active: Hike from Quiswarani to Quelquena (lunch en route)
Approximately 6.5 hours
Challenging
14,505’ / 4,421 m

Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)

Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways.
Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Morning

/ Cultural: Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and her blessings for the health of the community livestock. Drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for an all-group tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch.

/ Active Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka.
Approximately 3 hours
Moderate

Afternoon

/ Cultural: After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming Sacred Valley town.

/ Active: Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo.
Approximately 3 hours
Moderate

/ Optional All-Group Activity (late afternoon): Visit a locally-sourced Sacred Valley craft brewery (subject to additional cost).

Overnight: Hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (9,284’ / 2,830 m)

Begin your day with an optional early morning hike to the Inca storage houses high above the town for an impressive view of the Ollantaytambo fortress and ceremonial site. Afterwards, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost).

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Early morning

/ Active:
Option A:Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo.
Approximately 1.5 hours
Moderate

Option B: Hike up Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo.
Approximately 2.5 hours
Moderate to challenging

Morning

/ All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site.

Afternoon

/ Train ride: Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
Approximately 1.5 hours

All-day activity (subject to additional cost)
Note: This is a full-day hike that replaces the standard program day itinerary.

/ Active: Hike on the classic Inca Trail, from KM 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu
Approximately 6 hours
Moderate to challenging

Overnight: Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel (6,232’ / 1,900m)

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a rollicking morning uphill bus ride, followed by a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. After the tour you will have free time to explore on your own or hike up Huayna Picchu*, the iconic mountain that looms overhead. After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before the return train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours).

*Note: Tickets for Huayna Picchu Mt. may be available subject to additional cost. Please consult with your MLP travel specialist when you confirm your reservation. In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, ask your travel specialist for availability to Machu Picchu Mountain (the second peak within the sanctuary).

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Morning

/ All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Machu Picchu citadel (7,872’ / 2,400m)

Late morning

/ Cultural: Free time for further exploration

/ Active: Hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. *Subject to availability, please read the note above

8,924’ / 2,720 m
Approximately 2.5 hours
Moderate to Challenging

Overnight in Cusco

Departure day. Depart any time. Transfer to the airport or bus station is included.