Lares Trek & One Day Inca Trail 5 Days

On the first day you will be picked up early in the morning and driven through the Sacred Valley all the way to Pumahuanca until we reach the starting point of our trek to Lares Hot Springs. Our first day of trekking will be gradually uphill. The first Incan site we will pass is Ttica where your expert guide will share with you the rich history of the Incas and you will have the chance to explore the ruins and take photos. After a further hour of trekking along the path we will arrive at our lunch spot where a delicious lunch prepared by our talented chefs will be enjoyed by all and this will fuel us for the final two hours trekking of the day until we reach our first camping site at Sondor. The first day of the hike is plentiful in natural scenery and hikers are treated to the natural beauty of the forest of Queweña as well as a waterfall.

WALKING DISTANCE: 10 km / 7.45miles

STARTING ELEVATION: 3350 m / 12477 ft

HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3850 m / 12690 ft

DIFFICULTY: Moderate to challenging

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea)

ACCOMODATION: Camping

The second day of our trek starts with an early wake up call followed by breakfast prepared by our cook to prepare us for the hiking ahead. The terrain is uphill for two and a half hours until we reach Pumahuanca Pass, which, at 4,800 metres (15,100 feet) above sea level, is the highest point of our trek. From here you will be spoiled by the best views surrounding us, including a snow-capped mountain in the distance. After taking photos from this point we continue trekking downhill for three hours to our lunch spot at Cuncani, encountering llamas and alpacas in the wild en route and passing by picturesque lakes with the Urubamba mountain ranges in the background. After enjoying our second lunch prepared by our chef we continue our journey downhill for two hours until we reach the hot springs. At last, after two days trekking we can enjoy the hot springs (even jump into the hot water!) and relax for a couple of hours before dinner.

WALKING DISTANCE: 22 km / 13.7miles

STARTING ELEVATION: 3800 m / 12467 ft

HIGHEST ELEVATION: 4650 m / 15255ft

DIFFICULTY: Challenging / Moderate

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea)

ACCOMMODATION: Camping

The third morning of our trek starts as a relaxing one as we enjoy the hot springs, the sunshine by the river bank and our last breakfast prepared by our cook. This is followed by a 30 minute uphill hike to a lookout point from where we can appreciate the Lares Valley and Hot Springs down below. An early lunch on this day is the last of the meals prepared by the travelling cook as we part company with the cook and horseman directly after our midday meal. Following our goodbyes we catch our coach to Ollantaytambo town where tourists are free to enjoy the afternoon as they please.

WALKING DISTANCE: 7 km / 4.2miles

HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3850 m / 1131ft

LOWEST ELEVATION: 3350 m / 7022 ft

DIFFICULTY: Easy

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea)

ACCOMODATION: Camping

On day four we catch an early morning train from Ollantaytambo train station to KM104. This train journey follows the sacred Urubamba River and the views of rugged mountains and Incan terraces are a treat for the eye. Our One Day Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu starts where we disembark the train at KM104. The hike is gradually uphill for three hours until we reach the first Incan site of Wiñayhuayna, however, you will be pleasantly distracted while trekking with unique views of the cloudforest, orchids and a waterfall. On arriving at Wiñayhuayna you will enjoy a guided tour of the ruins with your expert tour guide after which you will continue the hike to the famous Sungate for approximately 90 minutes from where you will get to view Machupicchu for the first time down below. From here we travel to Aguas Calientes town where we spend the night.

WALKING DISTANCE: 11 km / 6.2miles

STARTING ELEVATION: 2750 m / 7231ft

HIGHEST ELEVATION: 2150 m / 8022 ft

DIFFICULTY: Easy

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (including a snack and afternoon tea)

ACCOMODATION: Camping

DIFFICULTY: Easy

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel

The fifth day is the last day of our Lares Trek with Hot Springs and One Day Hike to Machupicchu and on this day the pinnacle is the guided tour of Machupicchu where we visit the highlights of the famous Incan ruins such as temples, palaces and urban areas. Upon completion of the guided tour you will have free time to explore a bit more of Machupicchu then it is back to Aguas Calientes town for lunch and back to Cusco by train and coach.

WALKING DISTANCE: Bus

STARTING ELEVATION: 2115 m /6542 ft

DIFFICULTY: Easy

MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast

ACCOMODATION: N/A