Itinerary
- Day 1
Lares to Huacawasi
Your pickup happens around 6am from the hotel, then you'll drive through the Lares Valley heading toward Cuncani where the trek begins. Stop at Calca's local market to grab any last supplies you might need before hitting the trail. The hike takes you through Andean communities where you'll see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas grazing on the hillsides. After lunch at Yanacocha Lake, you'll trek for about 5 to 6 hours gradually climbing uphill to reach your first campsite at Huacawasi (3600m/11,811 ft). Hot tea and set-up tents are waiting for you there.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Yanacocha Lake), Dinner, Snack (Popcorn, sweets, and hot tea upon arrival at campsite)
Included Activities
- Hotel pickup and transfer to Lares Valley
- Visit Calca local market
- Hiking through Andean communities (Cuncani)
- Viewing llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos
- Lunch at Yanacocha Lake
- Hike to Huacawasi campsite (5-6 hours)
Optional Activities
- Purchase supplies or bread in Calca market
Landmarks Calca Market Yanacocha Lake Cuncani Village Huacawasi 
- Day 2
Huacawasi to Pucara
After breakfast, the real climbing starts as you hike steeply uphill for roughly 4 hours to hit Huacawasi Pass at 4500m (14,763 ft), which is the highest point on this trek. The views from up there show off mountain landscapes and those colorful agricultural patchwork fields below. If anyone needs support, horses are available for emergencies. From the pass you descend through forests filled with Queuña trees, a native Peruvian species, and past some really nice lagoons on the way down. By evening you'll reach Pucara campsite (3000m/9,843 ft) where hot tea and snacks come before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Nutritious breakfast), Lunch, Dinner, Snack (Tea and snacks upon arrival at Pucara campsite)
Included Activities
- Hike to Huacawasi Pass (4500m) - approximately 4 hours uphill
- Lunch at mountain pass area
- Descent through Polylepis forest
- Viewing of mountain scenery and agricultural lands
- Hike to Pucara campsite
Landmarks Huacawasi Pass Pucara Campsite - Day 3
Pucara to Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
You'll trek to Yanahuara where Inka terraces still get used by Andean farmers growing giant corn called Maíz Parcay. The path continues through Pachar and then follows the Inka trail toward Ollantaytambo, passing a small archaeological site called Choccana along the way. Once at Ollantaytambo you can walk through the ruins, then head down to Aguas Calientes for a soak in the hot springs. The 1:00 PM train departs from there taking you to Machu Picchu town.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in front of Ollantaytambo Inka town)
Included Activities
- Hiking to Yanahuara Inka terraces
- Visit Yanahuara Inka terraces
- Hiking through Pachar
- Inka trail trek to Ollantaytambo
- Visit Choccana archaeological site
- Exploration of Ollantaytambo Inka ruins
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at 1:00 PM
Optional Activities
- Visit hot springs in Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Yanahuara Inka Terraces Pachar Choccana Archaeological Site Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes Hot Springs - Days 1 - 4
Machu Picchu Exploration and Return
You'll wake around 4:45 AM and either hike up to Machu Picchu or catch one of the early buses starting at 5:30 AM if you want sunrise views without the hike. Your bilingual guide leads a 2-hour tour through the site explaining Inca history and pointing out the main areas. After that, the rest of the time is yours to explore the ruins on your own. Lunch in Aguas Calientes is on your own, then you'll head to Ollantaytambo train station and board the 6:30 PM train back to Cusco with transport arranged to get you back to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours)
- Free exploration time at Machu Picchu ruins
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco at 6:30 PM
- Return transport from Ollantaytambo/Cusco to hotel
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurants in Aguas Calientes
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes (14 USD) or optional 1-hour walk down
Landmarks Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes 
