Lares – Machupicchu 5D/4N

Itinerary: from 6:00am (first day) to 10:00pm (fifth day)

Frequency: every day

(B) = Breakfast, (L) = lunch, (D) = dinner

An incredible and difficult hike from Huaran to CanchaCancha - Quishuarani - Cuncani -Lares City - Ollantaytambo - AguasCalientes.The final day includes a guided tour of the Incan city of Machu Picchu.

Leaving the Sacred Valley on the first day,we walkalong an original Inca trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna along the way, including plants used for natural dyes. The next day we began a steep ascent towards Pachacutec pass (4697 m / 15,406 ft), surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Suerococha. We follow a path that descends slowly, and permits views of Colque Cruz, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Sirihuani Chacon and snowy mountains. On the third day we see the glacier Chacon and the 7 lakes with geese, (Andean geese), ducks and other waterfowl, and enjoy the hot springs of Lares with their medicinal water. All in all, it is an amazing trip.

Day 1: Cusco / CanchaCancha Community (3800meters/12,464 feet) (L) (D)
We leave Cusco by bus, en route to reach Pisaq, on theHuaran stream (2950 m / 9676 ft). Here we begin to walk up a small valley that tapers gradually upwards, walking along an original Inca trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna. After a few hours of walking, we reachCanchaCancha (4000m / 13,192 ft), where you will be met by locals and have the opportunity to share a vision of traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community. (Duration: 3 hours / Distance: 6 Km.)

Day 2: CanchaCancha / Quiswarani (3800 meters / 12464 feet) (B) (L) (D)
After breakfast we start slowly upward until we reach Accopata, an extension of the CanchaCancha Community, where shepherds live in typical huts ofIchu stone with straw roofs. We must begin a steep ascent to Pachacutec pass (4697 m / 15,406 ft), surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Suerococha. We continue to follow a path that descends slowly allows for excellent views of Colque Cruz, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Sirihuani Chacon and snowy mountains. We go through Collaycocha Lake (4200 m / 16,000 ft), reaching a waterfall in our approach to the Quiswarani Community (3902 m / 12798 ft), where we camp and can enjoy the scenery and traditional lifestyle. (Time: 6 hours / Distance: 9 miles).

Day 3: Quiswarani / Cuncani (3800 meters / 12464 feet) (B) (L) (D)
As we leave our camp to move toHuillquijasa (4,457 m / 14,618 ft), we see the Colque Cruz Chacon glaciers and the 7 lakes filled with geese (Andean geese), ducks and other waterfowl. From the highest point, we continue down untilwe reach the community ofCuncani (3886 m / 12746 ft), a picturesque village, similar to previous sites. This was the last refuge of the Royal Panakas, a sect of Incans. After our picnic lunch, we continue past a narrow valley, full of spectacular giant stones to reach the Trapiche Valley floor. In the afternoon we will continue on the path along changing puna, an area full of lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer, until we arrive at Cuncani 3h later. Here we have dinner and camp. (Time 6 hours distance / 9kms)

Day 4: Cuncani / Lares / Ollantaytambo / AguasCalientes (B)
We leaveCuncaniat 8.00am to walk down a fertile valley with typical vegetation, crops, and agricultural communities. Along the trail we see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After a walk of about 2 hours we arrive in Lares (3261 m / 10696 ft), capital of the district of the same name and a large village whose main attraction is its pleasant hot springs, in which we can enjoy a swim. After lunch, we will board a private car to take us back to Ollantaytambo. The drive to Ollantaytamboallows for the extension trip to visit Machu Picchu and takes roughly 3 hours. From Ollantaytambo we take the train to AguasCalientes and stay overnight in a hotel.

Day 5: Machu Picchu (2400 meters) / Cusco (3400 meters) (B)
We wake up early, eat breakfast, and leave our luggage in the hotel. We then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, which usually arrives at around 6:50am.In Machu Picchu, we have a guided tour of the urban and agricultural zones, the ceremonial plazas, the sacred sites, the Intihuatana (solar clock) and the many terraces that form this incredible complex. The guided tour lasts approximately two and a half hours, after which you have time to explore the ruins on your own. We later take the train back to Cusco and are taken to respective hotels.

Included:
• Transportation Cusco - Huaran
• Bus Lares - Ollantaytambo
• Train OllantaytamboMachupicchu - Ollantaytambo
• Horses to carry the camping equipment and supplies.
• Camping equipment (tents kitchen, dining tents, mattresses, tables, benches, etc.)
• Ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Meals according to the itinerary 4B, 3L, 3D
• Hostal in AguasCalientes.
• Bus Station Ollanta - Cusco
• Professional guide.
• Cook.

Not Included:
• Sleeping bag
• First breakfast and lunch/dinner days 4 & 5
• Tips
• Extra horses.

Reservations / Queries