This trek is a complete multi-day experience that combines mountain adventure, cultural contact, and visits to emblematic places in Cusco.
In general, the route starts with a trip from Cusco to the Lares area, where you first enjoy hot springs and Andean landscapes, then begin a progressive hike through mountains, lagoons, agricultural fields, and local communities. Along the way, you experience a strong connection with nature, observing animals such as llamas and alpacas, as well as sharing moments with Andean locals and learning about their customs.
The journey includes sections of moderate to challenging difficulty, especially when reaching the highest point at Paso del Cóndor, where you can enjoy impressive panoramic views of the Andes. Afterwards, the path descends toward the Sacred Valley, passing through traditional communities with an authentic and little-modernized way of life.
In addition to the hike, the trip includes important cultural visits such as the Maras Salt Pans and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Finally, the experience culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu, where a guided tour is conducted to learn about its history and architecture, with the option for additional exploration.
In summary, it is a route that combines trekking, spectacular landscapes, cultural coexistence, and historical tourism, offering a varied experience that ranges from high mountains to one of the wonders of the world.
At 4.30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you by van to the famous Lares thermo-therapeutic pools. Whether you are located in Cusco or the Sacred Valley around Urubamba or Pisac, we can pick you up from a hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or any other spot. From Cusco, we will travel 1 hour to Calca in the Sacred Valley, where we will tour the market and shop for local products. We will then drive for another 2 hours to Lares Hot Springs, where you can jump into the therapeutic pools with varying temperatures that are helpful for bones, muscles and stress relief while enjoying the stunning mountain views. Afterward, your trekking chef will prepare you with an energizing breakfast.After breakfast, you’ll take a 30-minute drive to Pampacorral and begin a 2-hour hike to Kiswarani Village, where we’ll enjoy a freshly cooked lunch made with local ingredients by our talented chefs. Next, we will hike for 2 hours to our first campsite at the banks of a beautiful Andean lake, passing through potato fields, waterfalls, and breathtaking mountain views as we make our way to Blue Lagoon at 3900 m (12795 ft). Once we arrive at the campsite, your tents will be set up, and a hot cup of coca tea or coffee will be waiting for you.During the day, you will enjoy the fantastic views of the Sacred Valley, explore the Lares District, enjoy the Hot Springs, and take a short hike along the beautiful valley. You will also hike through potato farms, visit Kiswarani Village, interact with locals, hike along with llamas and Alpacas, and enjoy the Kiswarani Waterfalls. At the campsite, you will have warm water to wash, tea time, and stargaze before sleeping in our comfortable tents.
Start the day with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent. After breakfast and receiving your snacks, you will begin the most challenging hike of the trek: 4 hours of ascent to the highest point, Paso del Cóndor, at 4,750 m (15,583 ft). Along the way, you will see beautiful lagoons, wallatas (Andean geese), mountain caracaras, llamas, alpacas, and clear views of the Andes.
At the summit, you will enjoy a 360° panoramic view while the guide performs a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred mountains. Then you will descend for 2 hours to Acopata for lunch.
Afterward, you will continue with another 2 hours of descent to the community of Canchacancha (3,750 m / 12,303 ft), where you can rest, enjoy hot drinks, and interact with the locals. You will have the opportunity to interact with the locals, play soccer with the children, learn some words in Quechua, or teach some in English.
Our team will wake you up with coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, you will have time to explore the village before descending for about 4 hours toward the Sacred Valley. You will visit local houses, learn about their way of life, and you may visit the primary school, where you can donate school supplies. Canchacancha is one of the last villages without electricity or road access, and its inhabitants only speak Quechua.
The hike is mostly downhill, going from the cold highlands where potatoes and beans are grown, to the warm climate of the valley where corn and avocados grow. The trek ends in Huaran (2,700 m / 8,856 ft), where we will enjoy a picnic-style lunch and say goodbye to the chef and the muleteers.
Then we will travel by private van to the Maras Salt Pans to explore the salt pools used since Inca times. Afterward, we will visit Ollantaytambo, known as the “Last Living Inca Citadel”, where original constructions and canals are still preserved. After touring the citadel, you will have dinner at a local restaurant and take the 7:00 p.m. Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
You will enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel and take the first bus to Machu Picchu to appreciate the sunrise over the citadel. Then you will begin a 2 to 3-hour guided tour, where you will learn about the history, secrets, and engineering wonders of the site.
After the tour, you can explore on your own or do additional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included and requiring prior reservation). Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes to have lunch on your own and take the panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and then private transportation back to Cusco. Arrival at the hotel is scheduled around 7:30 p.m.
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