PRIVATE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS

The Classic 4 Days Lares Hike starts with a pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 am. We will head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing by the town of Calca, and visit the archaeological Inca site of Humanmarca. It is a pre-Inca citadel with spectacular terraces, temples and Inca streets. We then continue our journey through the Lares Valley, and have a delicious breakfast with a stunning view of the Andes Mountains. We will visit the hot springs of Lares, where we will have time to enjoy the numerous pools that are made up of different temperatures ranging from cold to very hot. The volcanic water is considered to be very good for your health. We will have lunch, and then finally start the first part of our hike, which will take about three hours. Our local guide will share his knowledge about the different local customs of the Andean communities. We will learn more about textile, livestock, agriculture and the cultivation of the many variety of organic potatoes and medicinal plants. We will follow the hiking route, passing pretty farmlands and alpacas along the way. We will then arrive at our campsite of Huaca Wasi (3770m/ 12,370ft) and visit the local community closeby to learn more about their traditions and lifestyle. If there is time, we will also visit the local school. The children there still speak Quechua as their maternal language. You are welcome to bring toys, note books or school material for the children to share. You may even be able to teach them a few words in English. In the evening, we will have a dinner, freshly prepared by our chef.

Very early in the morning, our staff will wake you up with a hot cup of coca tea. After breakfast we continue walking for 3 hours until reaching Huacarpunku where we can see a waterfall with impressive views. There are beautiful landscapes with lakes, waterfalls, llamas and alpacas. We will start our descent to the lunch point, passing by two lagoons (3,600m/ 11,800 ft). We will take a moment to rest, enjoying a fantastic view of the valley and farm houses that were built with original, ancient stones. We then continue our trail to our campsite in Yanahuara (3,400m/ 11,150ft), where our tents will be waiting for us.

Early in the morning, we will have a nutricious breakfast and continue our hike downhill along a beautiful path. We will get the chance to learn more about the process of making the traditional Inca drink called “Chicha Morada“, which is made from purple corn, along with lemon and spices. You are welcomed to try this delicious drink! As we continue our hike, the vegetation changes from the sparse grasses and high mountains to lush cloud forest, being home to fruit trees, a wide variety of flora, and corn, quinoa, and avocado fields. We ascent to the Yanahuara lookout where we will have an impressive view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will then descend to our lunch point and enjoy a delicious meal freshly prepared by our chef. Here we say goodbye to our team and then take our transportation to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, we take the train at 12:58 pm to Aguas Calientes, the village at the bottom of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. We will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay the night at our hotel in Aguas Calientes.

On this day we will wake up very early this morning for our visit to famous Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. This complex is considered a jewel of the Inca architecture. It is a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by the US researcher Hiram Bingham. We will have a guided tour to see and learn about the Machu Picchu site, a Wonder of the World. After the guided tour, you will have free time to take photos and discover this magical place by yourself.

For those who have previously selected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will do so at your designated time (1st group: 6am to 8am, 2nd group: 9am to 11am).

In the afternoon, we will return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo, leaving at 14:55 pm. On the way back, we can enjoy the incredible landscape of the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival at the train station, we will take our final return bus back to Cusco.