Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco – Huarán – Cancha Cancha
1 stop
1
Cusco
Begin your connection with the Andes from the very first step We depart from Cusco early in the morning (5:00 a.m.) and head to the peaceful village of Huaran, where we enjoy a hearty breakfast and meet our muleteers and horses, who will accompany us throughout the trek. With boots laced and backpacks ready, we begin a gradual 3-hour hike to Cancha Cancha (3,900 m), one of the most authentic and remote communities in the region. Along the way, we stop by the riverside to savor a delicious lunch prepared by our trekking chef. Upon arrival in Cancha Cancha, we settle into our campsite and spend a meaningful afternoon with a local family, learning about their customs, weaving traditions, and daily life. As night falls and the sky fills with stars, our guide will share the stories behind the Inca constellations, which are still used today to guide agricultural cycles like planting and harvesting.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Cancha Cancha - Pachacutec pass - Quiswarani
1 stop
2
Push your limits among glaciers, lagoons, and breathtaking mountain scenery Wake up with a warm cup of Andean tea or coffee as the first sunlight illuminates the surrounding peaks. Today, we take on the most challenging — yet most awe-inspiring — stretch of the trek: a 7-hour hike to the majestic Pachacutec Pass (4,500 m / 14,763 ft), offering spectacular views of turquoise lagoons, sparkling glaciers, and herds of alpacas that look like they’ve come straight out of a postcard. As we begin our descent, we follow remote trails where locals still proudly wear their traditional clothing and speak Quechua, the language of the Incas. Our guide, acting as a cultural interpreter, will help you connect more deeply with this living heritage that remains faithful to its ancestral roots. We end the day at the tranquil community of Quiswarani (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), where our campsite and a well-deserved night of rest await.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Quiswarani - Hot Springs - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes
1 stop
3
Relax, savor, and explore the heart of the Sacred Valley After breakfast, we say farewell to our camping team and board our private transportation to the soothing hot springs of Lares, where we’ll spend around two hours relaxing body and mind in natural pools with breathtaking views of the Andes. We then continue to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, arriving in Urubamba to enjoy a delicious Andean buffet lunch, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional regional dishes. In the afternoon, we visit the impressive salt mines of Maras, a surreal landscape of more than 3,000 pre-Inca salt pools still harvested using traditional methods. Our final stop is the historic Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where you’ll have free time to explore its charming cobblestone streets and living history. We’ll then gather for a well-deserved dinner at a local restaurant before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes.
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Machu Picchu
1 stop
4
Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco Discover Machu Picchu at sunrise: the highlight of this Andean adventure. Witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu — a moment you’ll never forget Early in the morning, we take one of the first buses up to the citadel of Machu Picchu, aiming to witness the sunrise over the sacred mountains — a truly unforgettable experience. Accompanied by our expert guide, we spend about two hours exploring the site, discovering the agricultural, residential, and religious sectors of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way, you’ll learn about its fascinating history, spiritual significance, and ingenious architecture. After the guided tour, we return to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch, shop for souvenirs, or visit the local museum or hot springs. In the afternoon, we board the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco.
7 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

Tags