Lares and Machu Picchu

The tour of Lares and Machu Picchu starts at 7:00 AM, where you will be picked up from your accommodation in Cusco. You will then be transported for 45 minutes to an animal rescue sanctuary, in a small Andean zoo. Here, you will see many animals that are native to the region, such as llamas, alpacas, pumas, condors and colorful birds of the jungle. After spending an hour here, we will make our way to the town of Pisac. This town is known for its welcoming people, colorful market and its imposing Inca ruins.

After visiting the main touristic sites of Pisac, we will drive for approximately 2 hours towards Lares, where you will have the opportunity to relax in the warm water of the thermal baths.

Maximum Altitude: 11,811 feet (3,600 meters)
Overnight in Lares (local hostel)

On this day we will walk through Andean trails that vary from the previous day’s trails. The hike begins in the Lares Valley in the direction of the Patacancha Valley. On the way, you will get to meet charming Andean communities and experience the local and very colorful textile workshops. You will also witness herds of llamas and picturesque landscapes.

We arrive at the Patacancha Valley at approximately 5:30 PM.

In Patacancha you will meet and stay with a local family for the night. Andean hospitality is exceptionally warm and you will be invited to join the family for a traditional breakfast and dinner.

Trekking Time: 8 to 9 hours
Maximum Altitude: 14,760 feet (4,500 meters)
Overnight in the Patacancha Valley (with a local family)

The walk on the third day is shorter but equally as spectacular. We will have the option to alter the route and extend the walk, but it will depend on the physical state of the group.

We will start from the town of Patacancha at approximately 8:00 AM and travel for approximately 45 minutes by car to the starting point of the day’s walk. We will stop at the pre-Inca ruins of Pumamarca before reaching the beautiful city of Ollantaytambo, a true jewel of the Sacred Valley

In the ruins of Ollantaytambo we will spend some time exploring with a guided tour. Afterwards, you will have some free time to explore the charming city of Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes at 7:00 PM. The ride will last about two and a half hours and arrive at approximately 9:30 PM.

Trekking Time: 3 hours + 1 hour of walking in the ruins of Ollantaytambo
Maximum Altitude: 12,140 feet (3,700 meters)
Overnight in Aguas Calientes (hotel)

The fourth day of the tour is dedicated to exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the most famous attraction of the Cusco region and Peru. Within the ruins there are many options available: you can walk up one of the two additional mountains within the archaeological complex, “Huayna Picchu” (Old Mountain) or “Machu Picchu Montaña”. It is also possible to walk to the famous “Puerta del Sol” (Inti Punku); and/or the Inca bridge.

The trip to Machu Picchu will start from Aguas Calientes, where you can either take the bus service ($24 USD) or walk up the mountain for an hour and a half.

In the ruins you will have a guided tour for 2 hours, providing you with an overview of the history and culture of the Inca Empire. You will be informed of the spiritual, political and cultural importance of Machu Picchu. After the tour, you will have time to explore the site on your own for a few hours (or until when your ticket expires).

After visiting Machu Picchu, you must descend to the town of Aguas Calientes either on the bus (if you have hired it previously) or by foot and wait at the station for the train service to Ollantaytambo (where you will arrive at around 8:20 PM. Here, our bus will be waiting, to transfer you back to Cusco (where you will arrive at approximately 10:30 PM).

Maximum Altitude: 11,154 pies (3,400 meters)