Cusco and Lares Trek 8D

In the afternoon at 13:00 hours, we will start the archaeological City Tour of Cusco, in this tour we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco,  it houses a large collection of architectural works of Spanish Baroque style.

Then, we will visit the Temple of Coricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun, where the Spaniards built the Church of Santo Domingo over one of the most important Inca Sacred enclosures.

After this, we’ll leave the city to go to four archaeological sites, such as Sacsayhuaman, where the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) the most popular celebration of Cusco, is recreated every June 24th, then we will visit Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara (famous Inca Baths).

The tour ends at approximately 6:30 pm.

At 08:00 h in the morning, is the departure from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, we´ll go along the famous Vilcanota River, better known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way, we will stop to have explanations from our guide about the Inca sites and to observe the landscape.

The first archaeological site to visit is Pisac, with its huge Inca terraces for agriculture, the extensive constructions over the valley such as temples, houses, altars, etc., and then we go ahead to the traditional market (only on market days), there you will have some free time to interact with local artisans, or to buy handmade souvenirs and handycraft in general.

Then we continue to the Inkary Museum, where you will learn about the amazing history of the most important cultures of Peru, here you can appreciate life-size models and mannequins of pre-Inca cultures such as: Caral, Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Mochica, Lambayeque and Chimu. Then we visit this Inkary museun just with private gropus, but in shared service we go directly to Urubamba for lunch.

After lunch, we head to Ollantaytambo, well known as the Museum town , the Inca city with remarkable canals, stone streets, where the Inca architecture is still preserved. We visit the incredible temples with huge blocks.

Finally, we will to Cusco, and then prepare for the next day Hike.

Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel a 5 am. We will then embark on a 3-hour drive to the Hot Spring of Lares. Along the way, we will be making a brief stop in Calca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you can buy some last-minute items and snacks.

At Lares, we will have free time to enjoy the hot springs that are divided into different pools ranging from cold to hot water. Later we will be serving our first breakfast of the Lares Trek prepared by our local Andean chef.

We will then drive for another 40 minutes to Quishuarani (3300m/10827ft). This is the trailhead of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will be introducing you to our support crew. After a short briefing, we will begin the trek with cultural immersion.

We will stop at a local family’s home, where you can witness traditional dances, and also learn about their farming techniques, including harvesting potatoes. They will also show you how they build their traditional houses.

Next we will enjoy a lunch served by the local family, and after a rest, we will begin our three hour hike to the first campsite on the bank of a lagoon. It will be a gradual ascent.

When we arrive at the camp, our chef will serve us coca tea, chocolates or coffee, and finally we will have the Andean dinner.

This hike will take you through mountainous Andean farms, where you will see alpacas and llamas. We will also pass waterfalls that come down from the mountains.

We will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed infusion or Peruvian Coffee. After relishing a typical breakfast, we will begin hiking for four hours, up the hill through the Lares Valley.

This section of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is somewhat challenging as we will be hiking to the highest point of Lares Trek, Condor Pass or Pachacutec Pass (4680m/15350ft).

On this Lares Trek hike, you will see stunning views of highland lagoons, dotted with snow-capped peaks.

At the summit of the pass, you will have free time to enjoy the panoramic view of the valley and the snow-capped mountains, enjoying a coca tea served by our chef. at the same time our guide will explain the meaning of the Apus (mountains), which are Andean deities.
Afterwards, we will descend for an hour and a half, accompanied by breathtaking views, to the community of Accopata, where we will have lunch. After lunch we will descend for another two hours through the valley to the last camp of the Lares Trail, the community of Cancha Cancha, where farmers grow only potatoes.

After or before dinner, depending on the weather, our guide will explain the importance of the Andean constellations for agriculture for the Andean man, and at the same time will show you the constellations in the sky.

After enjoying a typical breakfast, we will be visiting a local family house. They will demonstrate their skills in spinning and weaving. You can also buy some items as souvenirs if you wish.

We will then commence our last descent to Huaran. It is a four hours hike along the valley beside the river. You will get to see different Llamas and Alpacas along the way. We will also be passing through potatoes and fava beans farms. The farmers will be happy to demonstrate their farming skills here.

Once in Huaran, our chef will serve a traditional local meal called Pachamanca for lunch. Pachamanca is a traditional Andean meal baked with the aid of hot stones. The earthen oven is called Huatia.

After lunch, we will bid goodbye to our support team. We will then begin our trip in our private transport to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was the former administrative capital of the Incas.

Ollantaytambo is also a “living Inca town”. Here you will witness the advancement of the Inca’s town planning and our guide will be giving you a tour.

After having an Andean meal for dinner here, we will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes town where we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.

After enjoying a typical breakfast, we will be visiting a local family house. They will demonstrate their skills in spinning and weaving. You can also buy some items as souvenirs if you wish.

We will then commence our last descent to Huaran. It is a four hours hike along the valley beside the river. You will get to see different Llamas and Alpacas along the way. We will also be passing through potatoes and fava beans farms. The farmers will be happy to demonstrate their farming skills here.

Once in Huaran, our chef will serve a traditional local meal called Pachamanca for lunch. Pachamanca is a traditional Andean meal baked with the aid of hot stones. The earthen oven is called Huatia.

After lunch, we will bid goodbye to our support team. We will then begin our trip in our private transport to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was the former administrative capital of the Incas.

Ollantaytambo is also a “living Inca town”. Here you will witness the advancement of the Inca’s town planning and our guide will be giving you a tour.

After having an Andean meal for dinner here, we will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes town where we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.

The team will be at the hotel two hours before the departure of the flight to take you from the hotel to the airport, to go back to Lima.

Here, our service and your visit to the marvelous City of Cusco finishes!