Best of Cusco and Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days/ 6 Nights

We begin the Sacred Valley VIP Tour by picking you up from your hotel at 6:30 AM in our tourist bus. From Cusco, an early start to take our time to visit places.

Our first stop is Chinchero, about 40 minutes from Cusco.

The colonial town of Chinchero was built on top of an Inca town, surrounded by multicoloured fields, and is close to a lagoon of the same name that provides water to nearby agricultural areas. Chinchero is one of the last Inca living towns that preserve ancient traditions and clothing, and you'll also see local artisans showcasing beautiful handmade textiles crafted with traditional techniques passed down through generations. In those textiles, it is possible to read stories and legends of divinities and sacred animals.

MORAY

A few minutes' drive from Chinchero, we will reach the central Inca agricultural laboratory known as the Moray circles. The circular stone construction consists of descending circles built into natural depressions in the ground, uniformly spaced at 150 meters, which were used to adapt different crops to the Andean ecosystem.

This place features an amazing irrigation system equipped with a filtration system to prevent water flow and crop damage. Also, many ceremonies to the earth (Pacha Mama) took place in the deepest circle. Therefore, this multifunctional location serves both agricultural and spiritual purposes.

MARAS/ SALINERAS (Salt mines)

A fast 20-minute ride from Moray, we arrive at a little valley where the Salineras of Maras (Maras Salt mines) are located, one of nature's biggest mysteries. From the depths of the mountain, a spring of extremely salty water sprouts. Even before the Incas ruled these lands, they utilised these salt mines, which are constructed from approximately 3000 small wells, each about 4 m² and 10 cm deep. They have been exploited ever since, producing salt through a simple natural process: salty water fills the wells, and the sun evaporates it, leaving behind pure salt.

Buffet Lunch in Urubamba

At noon, we'll arrive in Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch, prepared with fresh local ingredients from the Sacred Valley. This is the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge before continuing the tour.

Ollantaytambo, After a short rest, we continue our journey until we reach Ollantaytambo, also one of the last living Inca towns. You will be amazed by the impressive Temple of the Sun, featuring intricate stonework, terraces built to support the mountain, and a temple shaped like a llama. Ollantaytambo, a former Inca administrative, military, and religious centre. Known for its massive stone structures and strategic location, the city of Guorriors has been involved in rebellions.

Pisaq In the early afternoon, we'll explore Pisaq, an archaeological complex featuring an extensive system of agricultural terraces with irrigation channels, allowing the cultivation of different varieties of Corn, including the giant white Corn, Parcacay Sara.

During the visit, you will explore the residential and administrative areas, a large agricultural terrace, and the cemetery, all built high on the mountain slopes and cliffs. We'll also visit the famous Pisac market, a local trading space that has now expanded to offer a variety of artisan crafts and souvenirs.

Finally, we return to Cusco, arriving at around 7:00 PM.

Accommodation: 7 Ventanas

Around 03:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel and then leave Cusco at 4:00 am for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will pass by the colourful town of Calca and then ride up the Cordillera Alto Urubamba in the city of Qushuarani, where we have our wake-up tea. From here, we start walking uphill for 1,5 hours until we reach a viewpoint (3850 m.a.s.l.). Here, we will have our main breakfast, accompanied by a fantastic view of the Qeullacocha lagoon and the surrounding snow carpets. On our way, we will spot llamas and alpacas, and if we are lucky, we will see the majestic flight of the Condor as well.

Then, we continue hiking uphill for approximately 2 hours to reach the first high pass (Qolqe Crus) at 4400 meters, from where you can see beautiful lagoons produced by the meltwater of the snow-covered mountains. After this, we will descend to Cuncani, a small local community, from where we will observe a beautiful waterfall formed by cold water streams whose source is the meltwater of the glaciers. Reaching Cuncani at noon, we will have our lunch (lunchbox). After a bit of rest, we get ready to continue our 3-hour hike downhill to Lares and its hot springs. While descending to 3400 meters, we will enjoy the changing scenery and climate. Finally, we will be amazed by the view over the Lares Valley, ending our day’s hike in the relaxing hot springs of Lares, where we will camp and spend the night.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner – Snacks
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4400m/714476ft
Minimum Altitude: 3800m/12502ft
Distance Travelled: approx. 14 km
Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours

We wake up early for a delicious breakfast, then prepare for a fantastic hiking day, reaching the highest point of the trek (higher than the “death woman pass” on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu).
We first follow a slow ascending path for a few hours through the Lares Valley to its highest point (Urope Pass) at 4600 meters. Stopping by small local families along the way, we share supplies, observe their way of life, and connect with the Andean culture, its costumes, and traditions.

After this astonishing experience, we keep ascending for a short time until we reach the Urope pass. Enjoying the incredible view,  we will be able to see the lagoon of the same name and great parts of the Sacred Valley, a significant extension of the Lares Valley.

At this special place, we will have a short rest and afterwards start our descent to the campsite at Mantanay (3900 meters), where we will have our dinner and share a coca tea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4600 m./15134ft
Minimum Altitude: 3900 m./12831ft
Distance Travelled: approx. 16 km.
Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

We wake up early, have our delicious breakfast, and then start our 4-hour descent hike to Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley. On our way, we will observe the local flora and fauna, including the famous Queuña, one of the most significant native trees of this area. We arrived in Yanahuara around noon and had lunch. Afterwards, we transfer you to Ollantaytambo from where we take the train to Aguas Calientes. Arriving there in the afternoon, you will have some free time to explore the small city and, if you like, enjoy a dip in the hot springs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel Margarita’s house
Maximum Altitude: 3900 m./12831ft
Minimum Altitude: 2700 m./8883ft
Distance Travelled: approx. 12 km
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours

The day you were waiting for!

Wake up early for breakfast and take the bus uphill to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The first bus leaves at 05:30 am and takes 25 minutes. (This timing can be changed according to the entrance fee to Machu Picchu)

Optional:  Take the path which winds up the mountain to reach Machu Picchu.

The Machu Picchu gate opens at 06:00, so arriving early will allow you to be among the first visitors of the day and avoid the crowds. However, we may modify the timing when you make your booking.

Upon paying your entrance fee, a private bilingual tour guide will escort you through the vast ruins for approximately 2.5 hours, providing a comprehensive explanation of Machu Picchu's historical significance and its importance within the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu is the best known of all the Inca Archaeological sites, as it is recognised worldwide as one of the New Seven Wonders, even though it's not mentioned in any handwritten Chronicle of the Spanish Conquerors. Experts believe that Machu Picchu was constructed around the mid-15th century by Inca Pachacuteq and was rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham.

The guided tour of this fascinating site will be an unforgettable experience, visiting the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Sun Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana), and the Burial Grounds.

We offer optional hikes in Machu Picchu with an additional ticket. (has to be reserved together with your booking)

You can hike up Huayna Picchu (the mountain behind Machu Picchu), from where you will enjoy stunning views over the whole complex! However, only 400 entrance tickets are available per day; therefore, you must let us know in advance if you want to do the hike so we can reserve your ticket at an additional cost of US$60.00.

Due to Huayna Picchu being very fast oversold, we offer Machu Picchu Mountain as a second optional climb. The advantage of this hike is that it will be less crowded, but not less beautiful! The cost for this hike is also US$60.00 per person.

La Gran Caverna a ceremonial place in Machu Picchu US$ 60.00 per person.

Also, there is another road to Inti Punku, the SUN GATE, which is the traditional end of the Inca Trail (a 3-hour hike), US$35.00 per person.

You can visit the beautiful Inca Bridge (a 1-hour hike). This road will allow you to enjoy other views of Machu Picchu and take many breathtaking pictures. US$35.00 per person.

You will arrive at Aguas Calientes for a late lunch.

At 14:30, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a tourist transport to Cusco.

Please let us know if you want to spend more time in Aguas Calientes, so we can book a later train at 04:12 pm or 19:00 (depending on the train schedule, this may incur an extra cost).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 7 Ventas

Based on your flight or bus schedule, we'll provide a complimentary walking tour of Cusco, allowing you to explore the city's enigma and enjoy some souvenir shopping. Afterwards, we will transfer you to the airport or bus station.

*Times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group; the guide can change the lunch and camping spots depending on the group’s progress.
The guide can have their own preference for which route to take, and this might not correspond exactly to the route described.
*An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged if you let us know in advance, so that we can change the date of your train ticket for the following day.
*The cost of the hotel will depend on your request.