Tour Itinerary

This trek is our cultural trek! There are no ruins enroute but you will be taken back in time traversing through the beautiful Lares Valley.

You will pass by many rural farming communities and see how the Andean people still live the way they did 100 years ago! You will see lots of llamas and alpacas and a get a true feel for the Andes! We end our trek in one of the Worlds Wonders, Machu Picchu.

DAY 1

Cusco – Huaran (Sacred Valley) – Cancha Cancha

We pick you up from your hotel and travel by bus for the 1 hour to the village of Huaran (2,840m) located in the Sacred Valley between Pisac and Urubamba. Huaran is the start of the trail. We will meet up with the horsemen and pack the horses. Leaving the Sacred Valley behind us we head northwards following a gently climbing trail that runs parallel to the small Cancha Cancha river. It is a fairly tough 4 hour uphill trek to our destination, the small village also named Cancha Cancha (3,800m) where we will spend the night.  (Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 2

Cancha Cancha – Quishuarani

Leaving Cancha Cancha we continue up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After an hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2 hour trek to the first pass, called Pachacutec Pass (4,450m). From the pass you will be rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray. The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded quarry filled with glacial lakes and rich in birdlife. The lip of the quarry descends into the next valley, following a series of cascading waterfalls to the village of Quishuarani (3,700m) about 1 hours easy walking. We will camp here for the night.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 3

Quishuarani – Lares (thermal springs) – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Heading south through a small valley, walking around 3 hours downhill surrounded by beautiful landscapes, we will arrive to the road that will bring is to the town of Lares (3,100m).  From the town we walk for around another 20 minutes extra to finally arrive at the hot springs of Lares.  Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy a soak in the open air thermal springs (bring a swimsuit). At about 1pm our transportation will pick us up and depart for the town of Ollantaytambo where you will have some time to explore and see this amazing site (entrance not included to Ollantaytambo ruins) before going to Aguas Calientes by train late in the afternoon. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

DAY 4

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

This morning together with your Guide you take the bus up to the magnificent ruins of Machupicchu! You will visit the most important sites and temples of this beautiful ancient city – the guided tour lasts around 2 hours.  After the tour you have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, and maybe even climb Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mnt.  Afterwards you can come back down to the town for lunch.  Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time.  In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco in Private Transportation leaving you in your hotel.  (Breakfast)

ENTRANCE PERMITS and TIMES INTO MACHUPICCHU

In accordance with new rules imposed by the Institute of National Culture there are three morning entrance times into the citadel:  6-7am, 7-8am, 8-9am   Permits are limited to each entrance time.  The sun rises in the area around 6am but has to climb over the surrounding mountains in front of the ruins before you actually experience the sun rays.  Please do not be disappointed if you cannot get the earliest entrance time as Machupicchu is often shrouded in cloud especially in the rainy season.  This usually lifts a little later in the morning.  It really is the luck of the draw if you get sunny Machupicchu or mystical Machupicchu – they are both equally as beautiful!

ENTRANCE PERMITS and TIMES FOR HUAYNAPICCHU or MACHUPICCHU MOUNTAIN HIKES

Permits are required for either of these hikes – you must book in advance!

Permits can only be booked as a combined ticket together with your entrance into Machupicchu and you need to adhere to the following regulations:

• Machupicchu entrance time 6-7am : must purchase Huaynapicchu entrance for 7-8am
• Machupicchu entrance time 7-8am : must purchase Huaynapicchu entrance for 7-8am
• Machupicchu entrance time 8-9am : must purchase Huaynapicchu entrance for 10-11am

Kindly note that if you want to do one of these hikes, we always do the guided tour of the ruins first. If it happens that you are part of a group and only some persons wish to do the climb we then need to coordinate with you to work out the best solution for all parties.

Huaynapicchu: Currently the more popular hike.  This hike is around 1hr steep ascent – there are sheer drops on the side – if you are afraid of heights, this is not for you!  Coming down will also be around 1hr approx. The following are the entrance times:

• 7am-8am slot (you may need to forfeit part of your guided tour of Machupicchu with this option)
• 10-11am slot (this is our preferred time slot for our passengers as it means you can have your tour of Machupicchu first followed by the hike)

Machupicchu Mountain:  Less known than Huaynapicchu but certainly not to be ignored.  This hike is slightly longer taking around 1.5hrs up and same down.  From the top you will also get a birds eye view of Machupicchu. Many of our guides prefer this hike as its less crowded.  The following are the entrance times:

• 7am-8am slot (you may need to forfeit part of your guided tour of Machupicchu with this option)
• 9-10am (this is our preferred time slot for our passengers as it means you can have your tour of Machupicchu first followed by the hike)

The cost to add on either excursion is US$ 28 per person payable in advance.  Please note your permits are with your name and passport details and are non- transferable and non-refundable