Cusco - Huaran - Accopate

Huaran - The journey begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel, heading to the trek’s starting point at Huaran (9,840 ft) in the Sacred Valley, a 1 ½ hour drive by private bus. After packing the horses, the trek commences northward. The trail gently ascends alongside the Cancha Cancha river towards the community sharing its name. Along this river walk, you’ll encounter cultivated fields and pass through ancient Polylepis forests, which are home to a diverse array of bird species. The valley itself is breathtaking. Lunch will be enjoyed midway through the hike.

The trek continues past the village of Cancha Cancha on the way to the campsite. After approximately 6 hours of hiking, the campsite for the night at Acopata is reached.

Accopata - Quishuarani

Quishuarani - Day 2 begins with an early breakfast before continuing uphill. After 2 ½ hours, the trek reaches its highest point: Pachacutec Pass at 15,678 ft, offering stunning views. The snowcapped Pitusiray and Sahuasiray mountains are prominently visible.

The descent begins with a 2-hour hike downhill to a picturesque lake for lunch.

Post-lunch, the trek continues downhill for another 1 ½ hours into the valley, passing several glacial lakes. Along the way, herds of alpacas, llamas, and sheep can be seen, as well as Gray Brocket Deer, Viscachas, Andean Geese, the rare Giant Coot, Puna Hawks, and the majestic Andean Condor. The night is spent camping at Quishuarani village, known for its traditional stone houses.

Quishuarani - Lares Hot Springs - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Lares Hot Springs - The day involves following another valley and ascending to the second pass at Willcaccasa mountain for 2 to 3 hours. The views of the Andes, turquoise lakes, and beautiful valleys are once again awe-inspiring.

After the pass, a 1 ½ to 2-hour descent leads past many stunning lakes to Cuncani village. The journey continues downhill for 2 to 3 hours towards the Lares Valley and its hot springs, offering a well-deserved soak and serving as the lunch spot.

Fully relaxed, the group boards a private van for a 3-hour drive to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft), where dinner is enjoyed. Following dinner, a train ride to Aguas Calientes is taken. Upon arrival, guests check into their room at the bed and breakfast.

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Machu Picchu - After breakfast at the hotel, a bus ride along the winding road leads to Machu Picchu to explore the magnificent citadel. A 2-hour guided walking tour of the site is provided.

Following the Machu Picchu experience, there is time for further exploration before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, the expedition train to Ollantaytambo is boarded. From Ollantaytambo, a private van transports guests back to Cusco, where they are dropped off at their hotel.

• Private transportation
• Duffle bag for personal gear
• Professional tour guide
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• B&B accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
• Meals including lunch, dinner, and breakfast
• Horse service for 8kg personal gear transport
• Chef-prepared meals
• Pillow and mattress for added comfort
• Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
• Support team with wranglers and horses for equipment
• Availability of emergency horse
• Kitchen tent
• Pre-trek briefing at your hotel
• Four-person tent shared by 2 people

• Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us - $30.00
• Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)

This secluded and infrequently explored area provides hikers with an intimate glimpse into conventional Andean existence - an unchanging universe where agriculturists cultivate their crops on the territories their forefathers took care of and supervise flocks of llamas and alpacas below the venerated snow-topped mountains they esteemed as deities. The trail from Lares to Machu Picchu is among the Inca trails from the era of the Inca Empire. At present, Inca descendants who are cultivators, make use of the trail. The Lares Trail establishes a connection between the communities of Cancha Cancha, Quisuarani, Cuncani and Lares with existence in the Sacred Valley. On the final day, we are scheduled to take the evening train to Aguas Calientes, allocating an entire day to discover the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and ascend Huayna Picchu mountain.

• What to bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
• Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
• Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
• Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
• Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
• Head lamp
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
• Binoculars
• Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
• Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
• Bug repellent

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.