Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days/ 3 Nights

We wake up very early on our second day to enjoy a delicious breakfast, then prepare for a fantastic day of hiking, reaching the highest point of the trek (higher than the “Death Woman Pass” on the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu).
We first follow the slow ascent to Huarcahuasi town. From the upper part of the town, you will be able to enjoy the view over the snow peak that shapes the Lares Valley. Further on hiking, you will pass by a small blue lagoon, coloured by the minerals of the Andes, where you will have some local people selling you water or even beer in the middle of nowhere. It’s really fun to see local people in their beautiful clothing and natural surroundings.
After a few hours of hiking, we will reach the highest pass (Ipsay Pass) at an altitude of 4500 meters. From here, you will enjoy the last view over the Lares Valley and the surrounding mountains, descending to the Ipsaycocha Lagoon, where the crew will be waiting for us with lunch. You will have some free time to enjoy a short walk around the lagoon to observe the Andean water birds, and sometimes even the Pink Andean Flamingos.
Later on, you will take the downhill path for around 3 hours to the town of Patacancha, enjoying fantastic views over the Valley of Patacancha and its river of the same name. We will arrive at the campsite at the end of the day, where our crew will be welcoming us with hot drinks and a delicious Peruvian dinner.

Enjoy the night under the Milky Way – an experience that you might only have once!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4500 m./13134 ft.
Distance Travelled: approx. 16 km
Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

We will begin our third day with a great breakfast and, afterwards, board the vehicle that will transfer us from Patacancha to the Pumamarca archaeological site. This site is one of the first known Inca settlements.
We will have a quick lunch after visiting the Pumamarca site, then hike to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The path we take is part of the Original Inca Trail that once connected Ollantaytambo and Pumamarca. During this short hike, we will have the opportunity to observe one of the earliest Inca terraces in the Patacancha Valley. At the end of this path, we will take the transport to Ollantaytambo (the last living Inca town) from where we will take our train to Aguas Calientes at 04:36 pm.
In Aguas Calientes, you will be picked up from the train station and brought to your hotel. After a rest in your hotel room, recharge your camera and other devices to make the most of Machu Picchu the next day! In the late afternoon, you will have some free time to explore Aguas Calientes and enjoy a dip in the local hot springs (not included).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hostel New Day Machu Picchu (Machu Picchu town)
Maximum Altitude: 3900 m./12831ft
Distance Travelled: approx. 12 km
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours

You will have your breakfast early in the morning. Then we start our last day by climbing the hill to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Avoiding the crowds, you will be the first visitor of the day. Your tour guide will take you around the vast ruins for about 3 hours, providing a comprehensive explanation of their historical significance and place within the Inca Empire. After this, you have some free time to wander around.
Machu Picchu is the best-known of all the archaeological Inca sites, as it is recognised worldwide! Experts believe the citadel was constructed around the mid-15th century by the Inca Pachacuteq and rediscovered by the American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911.

The guided tour of this fascinating place will be an unforgettable experience! You will visit the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial and the Burial Grounds. (according to the time of your entrance fee)

We have optional hikes in Machu Picchu for an additional ticket.

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.

Since Huayna Picchu sells very quickly, we offer Machu Picchu Mountain as an optional alternative 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 is a ceremonial site in Machu Picchu; admission is 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$60.00 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.

After time in the sanctuary, we take one of the frequent buses back down to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch. If you prefer not to take the bus, you can walk through the beautiful jungle, which will take you 45 minutes.

At 7:00 pm, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a tourist bus to Cusco. If you want to return to Cusco in the early afternoon, please let us know so we can book an early train at 2:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group! The guide can change lunch and camping spots depending on the group’s progress.
• The guide can have his preference of which route to take – this might not
  correspond precisely to the described route.
• 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.
• As requested, the hotel cost can vary.