Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Lares to Huacahuasi
You'll depart Cusco at 6 am and travel through mountain routes heading into the Sacred Valley. The drive takes you through some beautiful scenery before reaching Lares for lunch. Once you've eaten, the trekking starts from Bano Termales along an old Inca trail that follows the Rio Huacahuasi. You'll pass through rustic towns scattered along the route, and by evening you'll arrive in Huacahuasi where you'll stay with a local Quechuan community for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Bano Termales of Lares along old Inca trail following Rio Huacahuasi
Landmarks/POIs Bano Termales of Lares Rio Huacahuasi - Day 2
Huacahuasi to Pataccancha
This day involves trekking through local villages with views of Apu Pitusiray Nevada in the background. The elevation reaches 4,800m before you descend via Ipsaycocha lake and trek down the valley towards Pataccancha. Along the way you'll see traditional potato cooking methods, llama herds, and local families harvesting crops. By evening you'll reach Pataccancha where you'll overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through local poblados with views of Apu Pitusiray Nevada
- Pass Ipsaycocha lake during descent to Pataccancha
Landmarks/POIs Apu Pitusiray Nevada Ipsaycocha Lake - Day 3
Pataccancha to Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
The trek ends near Ollantaytambo and you have two paths forward. Option 1 has you spending the night in Ollantaytambo to explore the town and ruins, then taking a leisurely 1.5-hour train to Aguas Calientes arriving mid-afternoon for an afternoon Machu Picchu tour. Option 2 means heading directly to Aguas Calientes after the trek to catch the early sunrise at Machu Picchu the next morning (entrance times are 7am or 12pm). Optional hikes to Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu are available. After a two-hour guided tour of the citadel, you'll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, then the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (approximately 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Machu Picchu Mountain (depends on ticket availability)
- Hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Overnight in Ollantaytambo with exploration of town and ruins
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain Huayna Picchu Mountain Ollantaytambo Ruins
