itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE CUSCO AIRPORT & TRANSFER TO OLLANTAYTAMBO
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Ollantaytambo in the beautiful, peaceful Sacred Valley.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO IN THE SACRED VALLEY
The Sacred Valley sits at very high altitude so it’s important to take time to acclimatise in preparation for trekking the Lares Trail. While it’s important to factor in some rest, there are a number of optional activities we can arrange from mountain biking, horse riding and rafting to visiting local markets or the fascinating Inca ruins.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 3: COMMENCE THE LARES TRAIL – TRANSFER TO HUARAN, THEN TREK TO CANCHA CANCHA
This morning you will make the hour or so’s drive from Ollantaytambo to Huaran where the Lares Trail begins. Today’s trek commences in a lovely, lush valley and follows an uphill path for around five hours to the first campsite at Cancha Cancha, a small farming community nestled amidst spectacular mountain scenery. There’s a restful stop for lunch along the way and when you get there, you will have the opportunity to meet the friendly inhabitants and learn about their way of life.
The 3-day trek will meander through some amazing scenery with impressive views of snow-capped mountains, lagoons and forests of protected Andean ‘Queuña’ trees. There’s some stunning flora and fauna to discover, including some interesting birdlife. Along the way, there’ll be encounters with friendly local communities keen to share their textile and weaving expertise, and the opportunity to visit some fascinating archaeological ruins.
Approximate walking time: 6 hours (distance 10 kilometres)
Altitude: max: 3,700 m.a.s.l / min: 2,800 m.a.s.l
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp or lodge-to-lodge upgrades available)
DAY 4: CANCHA CANCHA TO QUEUÑAQOCHA LAGOON (DAY 2 OF LARES TRAIL)
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll leave the campsite and begin today’s long walk up the ascending path to reach the first mountain pass, Pachacutec (4,400 m.a.s.l.), from where mind-blowing views of glacier lagoons and the surrounding valleys can be enjoyed. Today’s hike also reveals wonderful vistas of snow-capped mountains Colquecruz, Minas and Sirijuani and some interesting birdlife. Once through the pass, there’s a break for lunch and then a descent to the Quiswarani community from where the protected native Andean ‘Queuña’ polilepis forests can be seen. From Quiswarani, the ascent continues towards the Queuñaqocha lagoon where you’ll spend the night. With any luck, the chef will have gone ahead and got your well-deserved dinner cooking on the fire; weather-permitting there may even be sparkling, starry skies. Don't be surprised if everyone heads to bed early after a tough but rewarding day.
Approximate walking time: 8 hours (distance 13 kilometres)
Altitude: max: 4,600 m.a.s.l / min: 3,700 m.a.s.l
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp or lodge-to-lodge upgrades available)
DAY 5: TREK QUEUÑAQOCHA LAGOON to LARES & TRAIN TO AGUAS CALIENTES (DAY 3 OF LARES TRAIL)
Today, the trek continues to the second Pass, the Willkiccasa (4,100 m.a.s.l.), which offers wonderful views of the Pitusiray and Colquecruz mountains. The road onwards to Cuncani is surrounded by plateaus characterised by lakes and agricultural terrain, and from here there’s a descent through a pretty valley dotted with more vegetation, crops and Andean communities. Your guide will point out local flora such as wild begonias and orchids, and after a couple of hours, you'll reach Lares where you can soak your weary limbs in the natural hot springs. Lunch is served after a dip in the thermal baths, followed by a transfer to Ollantaytambo in order to catch the late afternoon train to the town of Aguas Calientes where you’ll spend the night.
Approximate walking time: 8 hours (distance 12 kilometres)
Altitude: max: 4,500 m.a.s.l / min: 3,190 m.a.s.l
Accommodation: El Mapi
DAY 6: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU AND TRANSFER TO CUSCO
After breakfast at the hotel, board the bus to Machu Picchu where you will have a fascinating guided tour for a couple of hours, followed by free time to explore the ancient city. In the afternoon, you’ll take a train back to Ollantaytambo where transport will be waiting to take you to on to Cuzco.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 7: EXPLORE CUSCO
Spend this final day independently exploring bustling Cusco, the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site, or if you like we can organise a half-day guided city tour for you. You might want to book a massage for your weary legs or spend some time in one of the many cafes at the Plaza de Armas taking in the fabulous views, reflecting on your trek and congratulating yourself on your trekking achievement. There’s a chocolate museum in town and a whole host of ancient Inca palaces, temples and Spanish Colonial buildings to discover.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 8: DEPART
You will be transferred to Cusco airport in time for your onward flight.
