The Lares tour to Machu Picchu is a unique experience to connect you with the majesty of nature and the impressive Andean landscapes. In this beautiful region, you will have the opportunity to visit traditional communities with charming houses built of stone and straw, discover dreamy natural lagoons and marvel at the presence of llamas and alpacas in their natural environment. In addition, you will be able to share moments with its people, learning about their traditions, customs and rich ancestral culture.
Day 1: Cusco – Lares – Wacawasi (3,880 m.a.s.l.)
Departure from Cusco at 6:00 a.m. to Lares, with a stop at the local market in Calca. We will enjoy the thermal baths and lunch before starting a 4-hour hike to the first campsite, passing through the village of Wacawasi.
Day 2: Wacawasi – Ipsaykassa – Patacancha (3,700 m.a.s.l.)
After breakfast, we will ascend for about 3 hours to the Ipsaykassa pass (4,450 masl). Then, we descend to the Ipsaycocha lagoon for lunch, and continue the hike to the camp in Patacancha.
Day 3: Patacancha – Pumamarca – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Drive to Pallata and hike to the archaeological site of Pumamarca. We continue along an ancient Inca trail to Ollantaytambo, where we have lunch and explore the town. In the afternoon, we take the train to Aguas Calientes and rest at the hotel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Guided visit to Machu Picchu (3 hours approx.) in the morning. Return to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo and transfer by bus to Cusco, ending the tour at your hotel.
We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 06:00 a.m. to start our trip to the town of Lares. On the way we will cross the beautiful Sacred Valley, making a stop in the charming town of Calca, where we will visit the local market and have the opportunity to appreciate the daily life of the inhabitants.
We will then continue by vehicle until we reach Lares (3,260 masl), the starting point of our trek. Before starting, you will be able to relax in the thermal baths of the area and enjoy a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, we will begin a hike of approximately 4 hours, gradually ascending to our first campsite, located near the village of Wacawasi at 3,880 masl. During the hike, we will enjoy beautiful Andean landscapes and the warm welcome of the local communities.
After a nutritious breakfast, we will begin our hike ascending for approximately 3 hours until we reach the Ipsaykassa pass, located at 4,450 meters above sea level, the highest point of the trek. This area, characteristic of the Andean puna, will give us spectacular views of the mountain scenery and, with luck, sightings of local fauna.
From there, we will descend for about 30 minutes until we reach the beautiful Ipsaycocha lagoon, where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch surrounded by an incomparable natural environment.
After resting, we will continue with a hike of about 2.5 hours to our second campsite, located in the traditional Andean village of Patacancha (3,700 masl), home to communities that keep alive their ancestral customs.
After breakfast, we will take transportation for approximately 40 minutes to the village of Pallata, from where we will begin a 45-minute hike uphill to the archaeological site of Pumamarca, a little-visited jewel with a privileged view of the valley.
From Pumamarca, we will continue our hike for about 3 hours following an ancient Inca trail. On the way we will pass through extensive agricultural terraces that still reflect the engineering of the Incas, and then descend along the Patacancha River until we reach the historic town of Ollantaytambo.
Here we will enjoy a comforting lunch and time to rest. You will also be able to visit the main square, the traditional Inca Qolqas (storehouses) and explore this charming living town.
In the evening, we will have dinner at a local restaurant before taking the train to Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, we will head to the hotel to rest and prepare for the expected encounter with Machu Picchu the following day.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will take the bus that will take us on a journey of approximately 35 minutes to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu. There we will begin a guided tour of about 2.5 hours, exploring its temples, enclosures, terraces and squares, while learning about the history, architecture and mysteries that surround this icon of the Andean world.
Once the tour is over, we will return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to have lunch or explore a little more on your own.
In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo and, from there, we will continue by bus to the city of Cusco. Finally, you will be dropped off at your hotel, concluding this unforgettable adventure in the Andes.
