Cusco - Huaran - Accopate

Huaran - Guests will be picked up early from their hotel to begin the trek at Huaran (9,840 ft) in the Sacred Valley, a 1 ½ hour journey by private bus. Horses will be packed, and the trek will commence northward. The trail gently ascends alongside the Cancha Cancha river towards the community sharing its name. Along this river walk, trekkers will encounter cultivated fields and pass through ancient Polylepis forests. This unique vegetation supports a diverse bird population, and the valley is truly remarkable. Lunch will be enjoyed midway through the hike.

The trek will pass through the village of Cancha Cancha en route to the campsite. After approximately 6 hours of hiking, the group will reach the campsite for the night at Acopata.

Accopata - Quishuarani

Quishuarani - Day 2: Following an early breakfast, the trek continues uphill. After 2 ½ hours, the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass, is reached at 15,678 ft. The view from here is breathtaking, with the snowcapped Pitusiray and Sahuasiray mountains in full view.

The group will then hike downhill for 2 hours to the lunch spot, located beside a stunning lake.

Post-lunch, the descent continues for another 1 ½ hours into the valley, passing several glacial lakes. Trekkers may see herds of alpacas, llamas, and sheep, as well as Gray Brocket Deer, Viscachas, Andean Geese, the rare Giant Coot, Puna Hawks, and the majestic Andean Condor. The night will be spent camping at Quishuarani village, known for its traditional stone houses.

Quishuarani - Lares Hot Springs - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Lares Hot Springs - The journey continues through another valley, climbing to the second pass at Willcaccasa mountain for 2 to 3 hours. The views of the Andes, turquoise lakes, and beautiful valleys are once again stunning.

After the pass, the group will descend for 1 ½ to 2 hours, passing many beautiful lakes, arriving at Cuncani village. The trek then continues downhill for 2 to 3 hours towards the Lares Valley and its hot springs, where a well-deserved soak awaits. This is also the lunch spot.

Fully relaxed, the group will board a private van for a 3-hour drive to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft). Dinner will be enjoyed in Ollantaytambo, followed by a train ride to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, guests will check into their room at the bed and breakfast.

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Machu Picchu - After breakfast at the hotel, guests will take a bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu to explore the magnificent citadel. A 2-hour guided walking tour of the site will be provided.

Following the Machu Picchu experience, there will be time to explore further before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, guests will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, a private van will transport them to Cusco, where they will be dropped off at their hotel.

• Private transportation
• Duffle bag for personal gear
• Professional tour guide
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• B&B accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
• Meals including lunch, dinner, and breakfast
• Horse service for 8kg personal gear transport
• Chef-prepared meals
• Pillow and mattress for added comfort
• Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
• Support team with wranglers and horses for equipment
• Availability of emergency horse
• Kitchen tent
• Pre-trek briefing at your hotel
• Four-person tent shared by 2 people

• Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us - $30.00
• Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)

This secluded and infrequently explored area provides hikers with an intimate glimpse into conventional Andean existence - an unchanging universe where agriculturists cultivate their crops on the territories their forefathers took care of and supervise flocks of llamas and alpacas below the venerated snow-topped mountains they esteemed as deities. The trail from Lares to Machu Picchu is among the Inca trails from the era of the Inca Empire. At present, Inca descendants who are cultivators, make use of the trail. The Lares Trail establishes a connection between the communities of Cancha Cancha, Quisuarani, Cuncani and Lares with existence in the Sacred Valley. On the final day, we are scheduled to take the evening train to Aguas Calientes, allocating an entire day to discover the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and ascend Huayna Picchu mountain.

• What to bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
• Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
• Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
• Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
• Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
• Head lamp
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
• Binoculars
• Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
• Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
• Bug repellent

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.