Llama Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

We wake up very early that morning to enjoy the sunrise in the middle of the Andes, one of South America's most beautiful natural wonders. A cup of Peruvian coffee will help us to wake up in the meantime. That’s when our crew will prepare a delicious breakfast for you. Afterwards, we get ourselves and the carrier llamas ready for a fantastic day of hiking!
We will start our journey to the upper-left part of the Cuncany community, passing a beautiful lagoon atop the mountain between Cuncany and Huarcahuasy. In this area, you will meet many other Llama breeders and see large packs of llamas, alpacas and even a few sheep. The Llama shepherds dress in very colourful clothing, most of them in red colours; therefore, it is easy to spot them from a great distance. We will hike at a pace that suits your fitness level. Usually, our crew will go ahead to prepare our lunch.
We reach Huarcahuasi around noon and enjoy our most delicious lunch. Then we rest well and continue our hike in the afternoon. The paths lead us uphill to the highest point of the trek, the Ipsay pass. From here you will have a stunning view over the Lares Valley and the surrounding snow peaks and take a first sight of the Ipsaycocha Lagoon and the Patacancha Valley as well. We finish our day’s hike and reach our camp for the night. We enjoy our Peruvian dinner and the beautiful evening sky, before falling asleep under the Milky Way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4500 m./12134 ft.
Distance Travelled: approx. 16 km
Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

We begin our third day with a delicious breakfast, gather the carrier Llamas, load the gear, and start a 3-hour descent to the town of Patacancha. Here, we will say goodbye to our carrier, the Llamas.
During our trek, we will have an incredible view over the Patacancha Valley and one of the central mountains of the Inca religion, Apu Huanacaure (a legendary mountain where the Inca rulers were born). We will reach Patacancha town, bid farewell to our carriers, the llamas, and then catch our transport to the Pumamarca archaeological site. This place is one of the first known Inca settlements, and it will impress you for sure!
After visiting the site Pumamarca, we will have a quick lunch and then hike to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will continue on the original Inca Trail that connects Ollantaytambo and Pumamarca. During this short hike, we will have the opportunity to observe one of the earliest Inca terraces along the side of the Patacancha Valley.
After a full day’s hike and adventure, we will take a transport to Ollantaytambo (the last living Inca town) from where we 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 have the opportunity 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 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 approximately 3 hours, providing a comprehensive explanation of their historical significance and their 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 offer optional hikes in Machu Picchu with 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, please let us know in advance if you wish to participate in 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 at Machu Picchu, with an admission fee of 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$60.00 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 would like 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 own preference for which route to take – this might not exactly match 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.