Lares Trek & Machu Picchu

Our private bus leaves Cusco at 05.40am for a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in the town of Urubamba, (2,700 masl) for a brief toilet break and the chance to buy any last minute snacks, water, etc, Small packed breakfast is served here. Departing Urubamba around 07:15, we have a further 20 minutes drive to the beginning of the Pumahuanca Valley, land of the famous white corn crops and the Chicha, the Inca´s favorite corn beer. This is the place where we will meet our horses and handlers, (arrieros), and trek staff. All of our required equipment will be carried by mules and horses. We commence our hike through this beautiful polylepis qeuñas Valley in the Andes with a gentle switchback ascent on a gravel path from 2,800 mt to 3,600 mt with stunning views of the surrounding valley and mountains. 4 hours walk to the Inca complex of Inca–Kancha for a guided visit, and where we stop for our first lunch. Our expert cook will indulge you with delicious Peruvian dishes. Time to relax or a little nap, Continuing afterward along the way you will be able to observe native trees of qeuñas, eucaliptus, then we reach a small Andean community of P´accha, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas, alpacas, sheeps and goats. Then final 2 hours further we will reach a series of small waterfalls and beautiful campsite named Cuyoc, .. our first campsite at 4,000 masl.

Early wake up at 06:00 am with a cup of coca leaf tea, then a good breakfast with quinua panqueques. At 07:00 am we recommence our trek with scenic views of Chicon, San Juan and Veronica mountains. Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging 5 hours climb along a dirt road with some stone steps, in some parts there are zig zag switchbacks toward the Pumahuanca Pass located at 4,580 masl (A sacred Apacheta is a series of piled stones, made by pilgrims as a symbol of gratitude and respect to the Apus), Once we get to the pass we honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as is the local customs. Enjoy the amazing views of part of Moray, Maras and Salineras. Then we are ready to descend for an hour along a stone road with a nice view on both sides, arriving to enjoy lunch near impressive lakes by which we rest. After our lunch we walk for 2 more hours mainly dowhill and enroute we will meet some local campesinos (people of the local village) in colorful costumes as is traditional with all villages around Lares. Impressive landscape views, mountains, flocks of llamas and alpacas. Cuncani is the major district in the area. Campsite at Cuncani community, located at 3,750 masl where we enjoy Dinner and Camp. Cuncani is also very famous for their textiles produced with ancestral weaving techniques; weavers will offer their work

Morning to relax, before our final leg of our trek, so you can sleep until late 7:00 am. Breakfast. At this little village we have the chance to visit the house of our arriero who will share with us how they live in a simple way in deep connection with nature, preserving traditional customs in agriculture, weavings, showing their textile skills from generations past, use of medicinal plants etc. Then 4 hours of easy downhill walk to reach the Lares village, once we arrive to the pools, we can soak in the springs. The village is known for its medicinal hot springs, After our lunch, 3.5 to 4 hours drive in our private transport to Ollantaytambo town, 2-hours train to the town of Aguas Calientes

Early breakfast (05.00am) before taking the 5.30am bus directly to Machupicchu arriving around 06.00am. **Optional for those still able/wanting to walk!: leave 04.30am and walk up to Machupicchu arriving approx 06.00am but only if you really want to hike in the dark so have torches but remember you do not get into Machu Picchu earlier than people who take the bus as they also arrive around 6am to the entrance with the guide.

In Machupicchu it is still a 15 minute walk from the drop-off point to the famous views from the South Zone of the farming terraces at the end of the Inca trail. Enjoy the early tour of Machupicchu with your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, showing you the very best of it! Your guide will spend about 2 hours relating to you interesting and amazing stories, explaining temples and special sectors. Your tour of Machupicchu should finish between 10 and 10:30am then you have free time to take your photos before the 10:30 crowds arrive.
Train back to Cusco and hotel.