DAY 1: CUSCO – HOT SPRING – WACAWASI
We will take a bus from Cusco in the wee hours of the morning. While traveling through the Incas’ Sacred Valley, we will see several historical sites, small handicraft stores, and vast stretches of farmland. The Sacred Valley is home to some of the richest agricultural resources in all of South America, including the region’s primary export—maize.
We’ll enter and explore the province of Calca (elevation: 2,940 meters), halfway through the Sacred Valley, before switching routes and riding up to Huacacasi, the highest point of the adventure, at 4,400 meters. We’ll descend from this pass into the sparsely populated Lares Valley (at an altitude of 3,250 meters). In a short while, we will reach the Lares (3200m) hot medicinal springs WILL VISIT. Here we may take our time relaxing in each of the baths, which range in temperature from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius and include unique natural charms. We will leave the hot springs after lunch and hike to the high-altitude campsite at HuacaWasi (3,600 m).
It will take us about 5 hours to get there by car. We’ll be out on the trail for perhaps three hours in the chilly weather.
- Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles.
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours.
- Lowest elevation: 3,200m / 10,496ft (hot springs)
- Highest elevation: 3,800m / 12,464ft (campsite)
- Highlight: Hiking in the Andean valleys with pretty scenic views, interacting with local people (children), llama and alpaca herds along the trail, and camping in a highland village.
DAY 2: WACAWASI – ABRA IPSAY – PATA CANCHA
The hardest part of the Lares walk occurs today when we begin our moderately steep ascent to Ipsay Pass (4,550m/15,017ft) after an early breakfast. From this vantage point, we can see snow-capped mountains, lakes, remote villages, natives of the Andes, llamas, and alpacas.
We take some time to admire the view, and then head down to Ipsay Lagoon for lunch. After that, keep going downhill until you reach the true Inca descendant. We made it to Patacancha (3,750 m / 12,377 ft), where we camped for the night.
- Hiking distance: 12 km / 6.97 miles.
- Hiking time: 7 hours.
- Lowest elevation: 3,200m / 10,496ft (hot springs)
- Highest elevation: 3,800m / 12,464ft (campsite)
- Highlight: Hiking in the Andean valleys with pretty scenic views, interacting with local people (children), llama and alpaca herds along the trail, and camping in a highland village.
DAY 3: PATA CANCHA – WILLOQ – PUMA MARCA – OLLANTAYTAMBO
The trail takes us through a number of tiny towns and villages today, including Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m), and many more. Traveling from Patacancha into the countryside and via these settlements, we get a taste of the customs our ancestors brought with them from the days of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (Inca culture and customs).
Ollantaytambo (2850m), which we will reach after a couple of hours of hiking and seeing the land, tells a broad picture of Andean history and anthropology of these periods through its archaeological monuments. where we stay this third night, after a deserved relaxation at hotel, we’ll go for an exploration of the authentic Incan streets in the same town. At night, We’ll have dinner at one of the many restaurants the town has.
- Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles.
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours.
- Lowest elevation: 3,200m / 10,496ft (hot springs)
- Highest elevation: 3,800m / 12,464ft (campsite)
- Highlight: Hiking in the Andean valleys with pretty scenic views
DAY 4: KM 104 – WIÑAYHUYNA – INTIPUNKU – MACHU PICCHU AGUAS CALIENTES
Since the trip will be 2 days, we have to use our time in the best possible way to make the trek more efficient and fun.
We will have breakfast very early at the hotel and then head towards the train station to take us to km 104 where the short Inca trail begins.
On the first day, there will be a 3 to 4-hour hike to the Winayhuayna mountains, and on the way you will find many incredible views of the ruins such as Chachabamba, Intipata seen in the distance, and the famous Puerta del Sol (INTIPUNKU). The tour guide will explain the views and their significance in the civilization of the Inca people.
Then you will arrive at Wiñayhuayna where you will have lunch and then continue towards the Puerta del Sol (INTIPUNKU) where you will have the first incredible view of Machu Picchu, after the photos you will be able to continue the trail to Machu Picchu once there you will take photos and then end the day with the fascinating views of Machu Picchu. You will spend the night in the local village hotel, and the next day you will have a full view of Machu Picchu and then see the ruins in their true beauty and richness of the ancient Inca culture.
- Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles.
- Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours.
- Lowest elevation: 2,150 m / 7,052 ft.
- Highest elevation: 2,650 m / 8,692 ft.
- Physical rating: Moderate.
- Highlight: Original section of Inca Trail, exploration of two Incan ruins before Machu Picchu, first views of Machu Picchu from the Gate of the Sun, and gaze out Machu Picchu in the late afternoon.
DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We will rise early and eat breakfast before catching the first bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,400 meters above sea level). A trained guide will lead us around this pristine Inca refuge shortly.
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to explore the remains on your own after our two-hour tour… Huayna Picchu and the neighboring Temple of the Moon offer a challenge to the most daring of us. After that, we’ll all head back down to Aguas Calientes (2050m) to catch the train and bus back to Cusco.
