Lares Trek To Machupicchu Via Huaran

At 6 am you will be picked up at the hotel by our private transport which will bring you into the sacred valley of the Incas. The ride will take about 2 hours. We will take a short break close to the town of Calca in order to have breakfast. You will also have the opportunity to buy snacks like fruit, chocolate and water etc. in case you didn’t get a chance to do so in Cusco. We will drive a bit further to our starting point, the plains of Huaran (3.000 m / 9.840 ft ASL) where we will meet our wranglers with their horses and commence our trek. The trail ascents steadily for 4 hours to the center of the valley of Huaran, following the river Cancha Cancha to a small community of the same name. Along the way we’ll be able to see the traditional farmland of the locals, enjoy the view into the impressive valley of the river and walk through the typical Polylepis woods, which unfortunately are diminishing. This vegetation is particularly interesting due to its abounding wildlife, especially the humming birds and the Venus-flytrap. In the village we will be able to enjoy a traditional, Andean lunch and continue with our hike after a short break. After two more hours of hiking we will reach our campsite “Acopata” at  3.950 m/ 12.960 ft ASL. We will spend the night here after a traditional dinner and a short briefing for the next day.

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
• Accommodation / Lares Trek: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3,700 m.a.s.l – 12 139 feet
• Minimum Altitude: 2,800 m.a.s.l – 9 186 feet
• Distance Travelled: 10 km approx – 6,213 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours

After breakfast we continue our ascent. This is the longest and most exhausting day of the trail. We will climb for about 3 hours to the highest point called “Pachacutec” at  4.750 m / 15.580 ft ASL. The view from up here is breathtaking, you can see the impressive mountains and the glaciers  Pitusiray and Sahuasiray as well as emerald green lakes. From there we descend for about 2 hours to the glacier lake Qoyalaycocha where we will break for our traditional lunch. After a short break we continue for another 2,5 hours to the village of  Quishuarani. Along the trail we will be able to observe free range flocks of lamas, alpacas and sheep, and with a bit of luck we might be able to spot the gray Andean deer, the Andean goose, falcons, ducks or even the noble Andean fox.  We will camp at the community center which offers bathrooms and a camp site. In Quishuarani you will be able to purchase alpaca textiles which are still handmade according to the original style and tradition of the Lares valley. In the afternoon we will provide a small snack and later our ample traditional dinner.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation / Lares Trek: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4,540 m.a.s.l – 14 895 feet
• Minimum Altitude: 3,900 m.a.s.l – 12 795 feet
• Distance Travelled: 14 km approx – 89,477 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

We will have to get up at 6 am and begin our ascent after breakfast. We will climb for 4 hours to the pass of Cuncani  4.200 m / 13.780 ft ASL from where we can admire the mountain range of Urubamba with the peaks of the Willcaccasa (4.458 m / 14.625 ft ASL), the Padreyoc (5.500 m / 18.045 ft ASL), and part of the Veroni (5.800 m / 19.030 ft ASL) as well as turquoise lakes and the marvelous landscape of the valley itself. We will now descend for about 2 hours past several lakes until we reach the banks of lake Cuncani where we will enjoy our lunch. Another hour of walking will bring us to the village of Cuncani ( 3.900 m / 12.795 ft ASL). In Cuncani you can buy traditional woven fabrics. Along the way we will meet people who are dressed in these colorful fabrics. The flock of lamas, alpacas and sheep will also accompany us on this stretch of the way. From Cuncani we will descend further into the valley of Lares, known for its medicinal hot springs, where we will enjoy a well-earned hot bath. Our bus is waiting for us at Lares and will take us to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. There we will change onto the train to Aguas Calientes. You will be picked up upon arrival and accompanied to your hostel. In the evening there will be a briefing by your guide, coordinating your visit to Machu Picchu for the next day.

• Accommodation: Hotel
• Maximum Altitude: 4,458 m.a.s.l – 14 625 feet
• Minimum Altitude: 3,190 m.a.s.l – 10 465 feet
• Distance Travelled: 13 km approx – 8,077 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours

We meet our guide early to walk or drive up to the arqueological complex. We have to get our tickets checked at the entrance. Once we are inside we start with our guided tour ( 2 – 2,5 h). Afterwards we have free time to explore on our own or enjoy the views. In the afternoon we have to return to the train station to take the train back to the Sacred valley or Cusco, transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

• Note: if you wish to climb Huayna Picchu mountain you need to advise and book this in advance as spaces are limited and there is a new fee of 30 US$ per person.
• Meals: breakfast
• Train: From Aguas Calientes to Poroy station