Classic Inca Trail  to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail 5 Days

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Max Size: Min 2

Physical rating: Challenging

Overview

This Lares trek & Short Inca Trail offers 3 days of Hiking on Lares mountain Trail through the remote communities living in the mountain tops that managed to preserve traditions dating back to the time of the Incas. Afterward, 3 days hike on Lares valley trail, we lodge in a hotel at Ollantaytambo town.

After 3 days Hiking on the the Peruvian andes we continue our One Day Hike to Machu Picchu, The Short Inca Trail is the best option hike to Machu Picchu! It incorporates a small portion of the Classic Inca Trail but in a shorter time frame! On this short Inca Trail, you will guided an Inca ruins of Chachabamba and Wiñayhuayna. You will also see a waterfall that is so gorgeous it can’t be described! Finally, reach to Machu Picchu Inca citadel through the Sun Gate witnessing its amazing panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

Overview 

  • Hike Distance:  .46km / 29 miles
  • Difficulty:​ Hard
  • Duration: 5 days/4    nights
  • Highest point: Sikllakasa  pass 15200 ft / 4700 m
  • Elevation Gain: 6,000 ft / 1900 meters
  • Seasons: All year round.

Do not miss this hike to Machu Picchu in 2023/24, Plan ahead your dream hike with local tour company in Peru

One day before the trek your guide will brief you in your hotel lobby where you can ask question concerning to your lares trek,

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Local Indigenous People
  • herds af llamas and alpacas
  • Snow Mountain
  • Water fall and lakes
  • Local experience
  • Tranquil views of the mountains ranges

Itinerary

Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco. Our private bus leaves Cusco at 05.40am for a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in the town of Urubamba, (2,700 masl) for a brief toilet break and the chance to buy any last minute snacks, water, etc, Small packed breakfast is served here. Departing Urubamba around 07:15, we have a further 20 minutes drive to the beginning of the Pumahuanca Valley, land of the famous white corn crops and the Chicha, the Inca´s favorite corn beer. This is the place where we will meet our horses and handlers, (HORSEMENS), and trek staff. All of our required equipment will be carried by mules and horses. We commence our hike through this beautiful polylepis qeuñas Valley in the Andes with a gentle switchback ascent on a gravel path from 2,800 mt to 3,600 mt with stunning views of the surrounding valley and mountains. 4 hours walk to the Inca complex of Inca–Kancha for a guided visit, and where we stop for our first lunch. Our expert cook will indulge you with delicious Peruvian dishes. Time to relax or a little nap, Continuing afterward along the way you will be able to observe native trees of qeuñas, eucaliptus, then we reach a small Andean community of P´accha, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas, alpacas, sheeps and goats. Then final 2 hours further we will reach a series of small waterfalls and beautiful campsite named Cuyoc, our first campsite at 4,000 m.
Meals: B,L,D
Snacks Accommodation: Camping Tents for 2 ppl
Maximum Altitude: 4,000m/13123ft / Minimum Altitude: 2,800m/9186ft
Distance Travelled: approx 14km / Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours

Early wake up at 06:00 am with a cup of coca tea, then a good breakfast with quinua panqueques. At 07:00 am we recommence our trek with scenic views of Chicon, San Juan and Veronica mountains. Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging 4 hours climb along a dirt road with some stone steps, in some parts there are zig zag switchbacks toward the Pumahuanca Pass located at 4,580 MTS (A sacred Apacheta is a series of piled stones, made by pilgrims as a symbol of gratitude and respect to the Apus), Once we get to the pass we honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as is the local customs. Enjoy the amazing views of part of Moray, Maras and Salineras. Then we are ready to descend for an hour along a stone road with a nice view on both sides, arriving to enjoy lunch near impressive lakes by which we rest. After our lunch we walk for 2 more hours mainly downhill and enroute we will meet some local campesinos (people of the local village) in colorful costumes as is traditional with all villages around Lares. Impressive landscape views, mountains, flocks of llamas and alpacas. Cuncani is the major district in the area., located at 3,750 M where, before our final part of our trek, .Early wake up at 06:00 am with a cup of coca leaf tea, then a good breakfast with quinua panqueques. At 07:00 am we recommence our trek with scenic views of Chicon, San Juan and Veronica mountains. Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging 4 hours climb along a dirt road with some stone steps, in some parts there are zig zag switchbacks toward the Pumahuanca Pass located at 4,580 masl (A sacred Apacheta is a series of piled stones, made by pilgrims as a symbol of gratitude and respect to the Apus), Once we get to the pass we honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as is the local customs. Enjoy the amazing views of part of Moray, Maras and Salineras. Then we are ready to descend for an hour along a stone road with a nice view on both sides, arriving to enjoy lunch near impressive lakes by which we rest. After our lunch we walk for 2 more hours mainly downhill and enroute we will meet some local campesinos (people of the local village) in colorful costumes as is traditional with all villages around Lares. Impressive landscape views, mountains, flocks of llamas and alpacas. Cuncani is the major district in the area., located at 3,750 masl where we spend the night

Day 3 we wake up at 6;30 with hot coca tea and the breakfast and them we continue our hike amongst this little village where we will have the chance to see they live in a simple way in deep connection with nature, preserving traditional customs in agriculture, weavings, showing their textile skills from generations past, use of medicinal plants etc. Then after 2:20 hiking we arrive to the hot springs pools, we can soak in the springs. The village is also very famous for its medicinal hot springs and we are going to enjoy our last lunch on the camp site next to pools of natural hot springs. After lunch we will take our private transportations to Ollantaytambo town whre we will spend the night in the hotel to continue our next day with the short inca trail,
Lunch: B/L
Accommodation: Hotel3*

At 6 am we go to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Here we board the tourist train, travel by train for 1 hr and 45 minutes to Km 104 (start of our hike). At Km 104 after submitting passports at check control point, we began to walk softly around meters Vilcanota River then gradually to walk up around 600 mts . Starting we will see the ruins of Chachabamba , a stone altar -site that was used to worship the sun and mountains around, still revered by local people . After visiting Chachabamba , we continue the path south and started a gradual climb to the mountain , before entering a cloud forest , overgrown , then the trail leaves the forest and goes west while continuing uphill in an open meadow . After walking 3 hours , the road descends into a forest amazing. Here you will find a beautiful waterfall , then get to the bottom of the ruins of Winaywayna . Appreciate the beauty of this place ,information from our expert guide. After lunch at Winaywayna , we will continue in the afternoon in the cloud forest , filled with bromeliads , orchids and tree ferns . As we walk the last part of the way we pass many impressive features such as the stone stairs and drums ( ” resting places ” ) . You climb 60 stairs before you reach Inti Punku ( ” Sun Gate ” ) . From this point, you can see and observe this wonderful place of Machu Picchu for the first time ever . Then descend for 45 minutes to get to the viewpoint of the famous Machu Picchu, from here you can watch the sunset. Descend to the entry of Machu Picchu where we board the bus to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation and Dinner included , rest, plans and arrangements for tomorrow.
Meals:L D /
Accommodation:Hotel 3*
Maximum Altitude:2680m/8792ft / Minimum Altitude:2100m/6888ft
Distance Travelled:13 Km aprox. / Approximate
Walking Time:6 – 7 Hours

Early Breakfast then board the first bus to Machu Picchu at 05:30, the park opens at 6:00 am . We have a guided tour of Machu Picchu, this enigmatic and mysterious city is explored for about 2-3 hours explained by your expert guide , you can visit the most amazing places as the Royal Mausoleum , the Temple of the three windows , the main temple , the Sacred Plaza , the famous Intihuatana where wise Inkas tied to the sun in the winter solstice in June , stairways , plazas , fountains, etc. ( You usually have about 5-6 hours after extra time off ) .
Optional walks to Inca Bridge and Huaynapicchu mt (check availability previously).
After finishing our masterful visit, we take bus down to Aguas Calientes where you can enjoy your lunch at aguas calientes town Then we have some free time to explore this quaint village before boarding our train back to Ollantaytambo and them private van to Cusco hotel
Meals:B /
Maximum Altitude:2400m/7872ft
Minimum Altitude:2100m/6888ft /
Distance Travelled:9 km approx
Approximate Walking Time:4 – 5 Hours

Included/Excluded

Included

  • Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
  • Collection from hotel
  • Return transportation (bus to start of trail plus tourist train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco)**
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu and the Short Inca Trail
  • 1 one way bus tickets Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 4, and 1 round trip ticket Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back to Aguas Calientes on day 5.
  • Meals throughout the tour. (breakfast on the first day, and lunch on the fifth day in Aguas Calientes town are not included).
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • Cook
  • 2 person tents
  • Basic foam sleeping pads
  • Porters, Horsemen and mules to carry food, cooking and camping equipment only. *
  • Extra oxygen
  • First Aid kit
  • Vegetarian/special diet options available upon request

Excluded

  • Sleeping bag 15 $
  • Water on Day 1
  • Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits
  • Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 5
  • Waynapicchu Mountain USD $ 75.00 (Walk to the top without a guide. The trail is well marked.)
  • Tips: Guide, Cook, Porters
$ 0.00

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WHY BOOK WITH US?

EXPERT GUIDES

Our local bilingual tour guides are fully trained and experienced in many different hikes to Machu Picchu. They are among the best in the industry!

SMALL GROUPS & BIG ADVENTURES

Travelling with us will always feel like being with friends - we ensure our passengers leave with lifelong unforgettable memories of exciting experiences!

OUR EXPERIENCE

With over fifteen years experience in a range of tours to Machu Picchu, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition that’s right for you.

FANTASTIC MEALS

We cater for all diets (eg. Vegetarian, gluten free etc.) and provide nutritious and balanced food on the trail that leaves you satisfied and ready to hike.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

We use top quality equipment from well known brands that specialize in hiking and mountain expeditions for your comfort to facilitate enjoyable hiking and good sleep.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

We are a sustainable tour operator that protects our land and environment to preserve it for future generations. In addition, we work with the local communities on various social projects.