Lares Valley and the Inca Trail

At 6 am, our private transfer will drive you to the community of Cuncani (3,750 m) in Valle de Lares. During the trip, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Calca local market and discover the natural products that come from the interior of the Cusco region. Cuncani (3,750 m) is the meeting place with the local culture and starting point of the trail that will take you to the Cuncani pass (4,200 m) from where you will discover beautiful landscapes of hills and lakes. Then, a downhill trail will take you to the community of Huacawasi (3,800 m). Here, we’ll have the opportunity to experience the ancestral culture, interpret their philosophy, beliefs and try the culinary art of the local gastronomy. We’ll spend the night in a rural community touristic accommodation or camping tents.

Andean textile art in Lares Valley

In the Andean community of Huacawasi, a new operational model of community tourism is being promoted, highlighting the living culture of the Peruvian Andes. In this sense, the women of Huacawasi propose the exhibition and ancestral technique of textile art. These women will teach us all the secrets of weaving, from shearing llama or alpaca wool to making colourful typical textiles, which represent the activities of daily life and the cosmology of the Andean symbols. Live a friendly experience and support local entrepreneurship!

• Transportation time: 3h.
• Walking time: 5h.
• Distance: 7 Km
• Difficulty level: moderate
• Meals: L = lunch, D = dinner.
• Overnight: tent 
• Climate: mild during the day and cold at night.
• Elevation: Cusco (3,400m) – Cuncani (3,750m) – Cuncani pass (4,200m) – Huacawasi (3,800m)

The most challenging day of the trek. A trail will take you to the Huacawasi C’asa pass at 4,500 m altitude. Here, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Urubamba mountain range, snow-capped peaks, streams, a mosaic of farmland and colourful lakes in the Peruvian Andes. Next, a downhill trail will take you to the natural reserve of Mantanay Park where you will be able to observe and photograph the native flora, Queuñas forest, and bird watch. Then, we’ll arrive at our camp in the community of Pucara (3,000 m), a cozy and quiet place to spend the night camping.

• Walking time: 8h-9h.
• Distance: 19 Km
• Difficulty level: challenging  
• Meals: D = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: mild during the day and moderate cold at night
• Elevation: Huacawasi (3,800m) – Huacawasi C’asa pass – Pucara (3,000m).

At dawn, we’ll leave Pucara in a private vehicle towards the village of Ollantaytambo, where we’ll board the train that will take us to Km 104. Along the Inca Trail, you’ll see the archaeological site of Chachabamba (2,270 meters), a place where agricultural products were collected to supply the citadel of Machu Picchu. Then, we’ll continue along a path with impressive views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and, at the bottom, the course of the Urubamba River, where the flora has been able to develop thanks to its microclimates. Next, the path will take you inside the main archaeological centre of Wiñayhuayna (2,700 metres), a fabulous urban complex, perched on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the Urubamba Valley and dominated by a vast set of terraces.

After lunch, we’ll head to the Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) located at 2,780 meters. We’ll make it here in time to marvel ourselves with a breathtaking sunset over Machu Picchu.

Then, we’ll go down to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu (2,400 meters), to take some pictures considering that the official visit will take place the following day. We’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (2,050 meters).

• Transportation time: 2h.
• Walking time: 6h. 
• Distance: 12km
• Difficulty level: moderate
• Meals: BL = box lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: hotel
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night
• Elevation: Cusco (3,400m) – km 104 (2,250m) – Wiñayhuayna (2,700m) – Aguas Calientes (2,050m)

After breakfast, we’ll leave our hotel to take the first bus that will take you up to Machu Picchu citadel (2,400 m). Our bilingual guide will help you to discover the Inca culture in the territory of the Tahuantinsuyo (4 regions of the Inca Empire), as well as the cults and ceremonies performed in the numerous temples and sacred places present in the citadel. After a 2-3 hour guided tour, you’ll have some time to enjoy the magic of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Then, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Transportation time: 3h 30.
• Visiting time: 3h.
• Distance: 3 Km
• Difficulty level: easy 
• Meals: B = breakfast
• Overnight: on your own
• Climate: warm during the day and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Aguas Calientes (2,050m) – Machu Picchu (2,400m) – Cusco (3,400m)