Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Summary

1. Day 1

   Cusco – Lares – Huacawasi – Sondor

   • •Hotel pickup and departure towards Lares
   • •Stop in Calca (local market and breakfast)
   • •Enjoy the Lares hot springs
   • •Hike towards Sondor (first campsite, 3,800 m a.s.l.)
2. Day 2

   Sondor – Sacsayllame Pass – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Pucara

   • •Ascent to Sacsayllame Pass (4,400 m a.s.l.)
   • •Panoramic views of mountains and agricultural valleys
   • •Lunch by a lagoon and river
   • •Descent through native queuña forest
   • •Camping in Pucara (3,100 m a.s.l.)
3. Day 3

   Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Aguas Calientes

   • •Transfer to Ollantaytambo and train ride to Km 104
   • •Hike to Chachabamba (archaeological site)
   • •Visit to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m a.s.l.)
   • •Arrival at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
   • •First panoramic view of Machu Picchu
   • •Hike down to Aguas Calientes (hotel accommodation)
4. Day 4

   Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

   • •Early bus departure to Machu Picchu
   • •Guided tour of the Inca citadel
   • •Free time to explore: Inca Bridge or Huayna Picchu
   • •Bus return to Aguas Calientes
   • •Optional visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes
   • •Return train to Cusco

Itinerary

• DAY 01Cusco – Paso Huacawasi – Aguas Termales Lares – Huacawasi – Sondor

  We begin this Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4-day adventure at approximately 6:00 a.m. with hotel pickup in Cusco, heading towards the village of Lares, the starting point of our hike. Along the way, we will stop in the town of Calca, where you can visit the local market for breakfast and also purchase any additional supplies needed for the journey.

  Upon arrival in Lares, we will enjoy the hot springs while our cooks prepare lunch. After recharging our energy, we will start a gradual 3-hour uphill hike to our first campsite in Sondor (3,800 m a.s.l.), which will serve as excellent preparation for the challenge of the following day, when we reach the highest point of this Lares Trek with Short Inca Trail.

  • Transport time: 4 hours
  • Hiking time: 6 hours
  • Daytime temperature: warm
  • Night temperature: cold
• DAY 02Sondor – Paso Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Pucara

  After a nutritious breakfast, we continue our Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4-day adventure towards the highest point of the journey: Sacsayllame Pass or Hucahuasi (4,400 m a.s.l. / 14,435 ft). This steep section requires approximately 2 hours of hiking. An emergency horse will accompany us to ensure that everyone can complete this challenging stage.

  Along this section of the Lares Trek with Short Inca Trail, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and traditional agricultural lands. After reaching the highest point, we begin our descent, first passing a beautiful lagoon where we will stop for lunch by the river. We then continue descending through a native Polylepis (queuña) forest, an endemic tree of Peru. This descent lasts approximately 4 hours until we finally reach our campsite in Pucara, located at 3,100 m a.s.l. (10,170 ft).

  • Hiking time: 8 hours
  • Transport time: 30 minutes
  • Daytime temperature: warm
  • Night temperature: cold
• DAY 03Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes

  The third day of our Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4-day adventure begins early at 6:00 a.m. A vehicle will take us to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will board a tourist train to Km 104. Here begins the Short Inca Trail section of our combined adventure.

  We start the legendary Inca Royal Trail with a fascinating hike to Chachabamba (2,270 m a.s.l. / 7,448 ft), where our guide will immerse you in the history of this important archaeological site. We then continue to discover Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m a.s.l. / 8,694 ft), considered the most significant archaeological site after Machu Picchu itself. Afterwards, the trail leads us to the iconic Sun Gate, or “Inti Punku,” a privileged viewpoint where you will witness your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu (2,400 m a.s.l. / 7,874 ft) in all its glory. Finally, we conclude this unforgettable day with a relaxing descent to our comfortable hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can rest and recover your energy.

  • Transport time: 30 minutes
  • Hiking time: 7 hours
  • Distance: approx. 11 km
  • Daytime temperature: warm
  • Night temperature: cold
  • Accommodation: hotel in Aguas Calientes
• DAY 04Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

  On the final day of our Lares Trek with Short Inca Trail, we will depart from the hotel to Machu Picchu at approximately 5:30 a.m. by bus. This early departure allows us to enjoy the archaeological site with fewer visitors, fully experiencing the tranquility and ancestral spirit of this Inca treasure.

  Upon arrival at the citadel around 6:00 a.m., our guide will provide detailed information about Machu Picchu and the fascinating history and culture of the Incas. After this introduction, you will have free time to explore the structures, visit the Inca Bridge, or hike up Huayna Picchu for breathtaking panoramic views.

  Later, a bus will take you back to Aguas Calientes, where you may choose to relax in the town’s hot springs (S/ 10.00 soles) before our return to Cusco in the afternoon, completing our Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4-day adventure.

  • Daytime weather: warm with mosquitoes
  • Hiking time: 2 hours
  • Total duration: 4 hours

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