4 Days
Daily Tour
16 people
English, Espanol
Early in the morning, we’ll pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM to start our journey to the Sacred Valley. After an hour of travel, we’ll stop at a viewpoint to take panoramic photos of the valley, where your guide will give a brief overview of the area. Next, we’ll head to the town of Calca for a short visit to its local market, known for traditional products. Afterward, we’ll continue driving for two more hours to the town of Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), the starting point of our trek. There, you’ll meet our team, including our chef and muleteer, who will join us on this adventure. Before starting the trek, you’ll have the option to visit the Lares thermal baths for a relaxing soak in warm waters ranging from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F).
Once refreshed, we’ll begin our trek with a gentle two-hour walk on flat terrain to help you acclimate to the altitude. We’ll reach the Vilcabamba Bridge, where our team will have prepared a delicious lunch. After a short break, we’ll hike for another three hours to the village of Wacahuasi (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Along the way, you’ll meet children from nearby communities in traditional clothing, warmly welcoming us to the Lares Valley—a great chance to connect with and support the locals. Wacahuasi will be our first campsite, where nighttime temperatures can drop to -5°C (23°F). We recommend bringing warm clothing for comfort. After settling into our tents and exploring the village, we’ll enjoy tea time, a perfect moment to share experiences and learn from our guide about the community’s customs and traditions. Later, we’ll have dinner and rest up for the next day’s adventure.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will start our hike at 7:00 AM, offering spectacular views of the Andes Mountains. We will ascend for about 3 hours to reach Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m / 15,242 ft.), which provides a rewarding panorama of the valleys, snow-capped peaks, and the Aruray Cocha Lake. Along the way, we might spot native bird species like Cara Cara and ducks, as well as local wildlife such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. From Sacsallaully Pass, we will descend to the two lakes known as Aruraycocha and Yuraccocha, surrounded by the Queuña forests (a tree species revered by the Incas). Near one of the lakes, we will have our Andean lunch with stunning views. During the next two hours of our hike, as we make our way to Mantanay, our second campsite (3,850 m / 12,631 ft.), we will experience a dramatic change in the landscape. The descent takes us through a picturesque Queuña valley, offering ample opportunities to photograph the Andean flora. Upon reaching our campsite, we can relax and share stories from the day. We will conclude with tea time and a delicious dinner.
This day will be the easiest of the trek. We’ll start the day a bit later, packing our belongings at a leisurely pace before having breakfast. After saying goodbye to our support team (chef and muleteer), we will begin our descent, which takes about 1 hour, reaching the village of Yanahuara (2,850 m / 9,350 ft). This village has a temperate climate and supplies food products to Cusco. From here, we’ll take a 15-minute drive to Ollantaytambo (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), a living Inca town known for its well-preserved Inca architecture and narrow, picturesque streets. We will also have the chance to visit the local artisan market and learn about the customs and traditions of this community. After lunch, we will board the train at 12:58 PM for a journey of approximately 2 hours to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 7,000 ft). Upon arrival, our guide will take you to your hotel and provide information about afternoon activities, such as visiting the thermal baths or exploring the local artisan market. In the evening, we will enjoy our final dinner together and review the details and recommendations for our tour to Machu Picchu the next day.
Early in the morning, after breakfast (around 5:00 AM), we will start our ascent with a 1-hour hike to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This early start allows us to be among the first groups to enter the Inca city, providing an opportunity to experience the majestic sunrise. Afterward, we will have a guided tour of the most important temples and palaces within Machu Picchu for approximately 2 hours. Following the tour, you will have time to explore the mysterious Inca city on your own. (Optionally, you can hike Huayna Picchu.) At the appropriate time, we will descend from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to catch our train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a vehicle will take us back to Cusco. We expect to arrive in Cusco around 8:00 PM, at which point we will provide transfers to your respective hotels.
The trek is moderately challenging. While no prior trekking experience is required, it is recommended to have a basic level of physical fitness due to daily hikes and varying altitudes.
Bring comfortable trekking shoes, layered clothing, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. A small daypack is also useful for carrying essentials.
The tour includes nutritious and varied meals, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, prepared by a professional chef. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.
You will camp in double tents with capacity for 3 people. The campsites are equipped with sleeping mats, chairs, and dining tents. A porter will carry your gear, so you only need to carry a small daypack.
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