LARES ADVENTURE

LODGE TO LODGE INCA TRAIL

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world. Traditionally, hikers walk the 4-5 day route to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu whilst camping along the way. Although an exhilarating experience, the weather and camping conditions can be challenging. Now, it is possible to enjoy this ‘bucket list’ activity in relative luxury – staying at small lodges and hotels en route, perfect for the hiker who enjoys some home comforts after a day in the mountains.

The Lares Trek is an alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail. The stunning Lares Valley has all of the beauty of the Classic Inca Trail without the crowds. The Lares trek is so remote that it has changed very little over the past 500 years. This is a fantastic opportunity to trek through some spectacular scenery and visit local communities – you can choose from either a five or seven-day option. These itineraries take you along the route, either walking as much as possible or using vehicles for an easier journey.

For a full overview of the Inca Trail, please read our BLOG.

FIVE DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO-PISAC-LAMAY

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Cusco and, depending on your choice of itinerary either visit the celebrated Pisac market, arriving by car at the village of Viacha, or enjoy a moderate trek from the community of Amaru to Viacha. Enjoy a traditional lunch in Viacha and a tour of nearby archaeological ruins followed by an overnight stay in a comfortable lodge in the town of Lamay.

DAY 2: LAMAY-LARES-HUACAHUASI

This morning you will have the chance to look round Lamay and then take a trip to the archaeological site of Ancasmarca and tour the ruins. Enjoy lunch in the town of Lares and then choose from one of three options for your afternoon:

• A drive to the village of Choquecancha with a tour of the village, Inca ruins and colonial colonial church. Arrive at Huacahuasi for the night by car.
• Depart from the village of Quelquena for an easy trek of 2-3 hours to Huachuasi.
• Depart from the village of Cuncani for a moderate trek of 3-4 hours to Huachuasi.

Overnight in a lodge in Huacahuasi.

DAY 3: HUACAHUASI TO OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today you can make a choice out of the following 3 options;

• Option one departs by Huacahuasi by car and takes you to visit a local farmers market, 2 museums and enjoy a BBQ lunch at Kuychi Rumi before travelling by car to Ollantaytambo and having time to explore the town.
• Alternatively, hike from Huacahuasi to Patacancha via Ipsaycocha lake where you will enjoy lunch. This is a 7 hour hike where you will go over a high pass with an elevation of 4464m (14646ft.).
• The final choice is a beautiful hike from Lares pass to the village of Totora. This is a moderate trek of around 3 hours. Afterwards enjoy a BBQ lunch at Kuychi Rumi. You then have an option to take part in a 2 hour mountain bike excursion followed by a visit to a local brewery.

After all the activities are complete, you will regroup in a hotel in the Sacred Valley.

DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO TO AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning you can choose, if you wish, to hike up to Pinkuylluna, the Incan storage site above the town of Ollantaytambo. Here there are 2 options;

• Option 1 is an easy hike of just over an hour up to the Incan ruins of Pinkuylluna with beautiful views.
• Option 2 is a slightly harder and longer hike of just over 2 hours that takes you higher up the site of the Incan Pinkuylluna ruins.

Afterwards, explore the archeological site of Ollantaytambo. At around noon you will take the train to the small town of Aguas Calientes, the town situated closest to Machu Picchu, and have the rest of the afternoon free. Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY AND RETURN TO CUSCO

Today you will leave your hotel early in the morning and make the short journey by bus to the fabulous citadel of Machu Picchu where you will spend the first few hours exploring on a guided tour. The last couple of hours of the morning are free and you can choose from a couple of options. Either enjoy some free time to explore the citadel yourself or take a guided hike of Huayna Picchu. This spectacular peak is quite a climb and offers amazing views when you reach the top. In the late afternoon, return to Cusco.

SEVEN DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO-CHINCHERO-LAMAY

You will be collected from your hotel in Cusco today and taken first for a tour of the spectacular Chinchero archaeological site. From there, you have the option of two different itineraries for the day:

• An extended visit to Chinchero followed by a tour of the beautiful Maras salt mines and the Moray agricultural terraces, a stunning example of Incan culture which are still in use today.
• A moderate 3 hour hike from Chinchero to Urquillos.

After the activities you will spend the night in Lamay Lodge.

DAY 2: LAMAY-PISAQ-VIACHA

Today you have a few options for how you wish to spend your morning;

• Drive to Pisac and visit the town and local communities at the market before being driven on to Viacha
• A 2.5 hour bike ride from Lamay to Pisaq along the Urubamba river.
• Hike to Viacha from the community of Amaru near Lamay. This moderate hike will take you over a pass of 4328m and take approximately 3 hours.

On arrival in Viacha after the morning activities you will regroup and take a walk around the town to learn about the agricultural culture of the community. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked traditionally under hot stones. After lunch there will be a guided tour of the archaeological site of Pisaq with an optional hike from the ruins to the town (about 1.5 hours downhill). You will return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

DAY 3: LAMAY-LARES-HUACAHUASI

This morning you will have the chance to look round Lamay and then take a trip to the archaeological site of Ancasmarca and tour the ruins. Enjoy lunch in the town of Lares and then choose from one of three options for your afternoon:

• A drive to the village of Choquecancha with a tour of the village and the chance to meet local weavers, view Inca ruins and admire a colonial church. Arrive at Huacahuasi for the night by car.
• Depart from the village of Quelquena for an easy trek of 2-3 hours to Huachuasi with the highest elevation being 3839m (12595ft).
• Depart from the village of Cuncani for a moderate trek of 3-4 hours to Huachuasi. You will walk over a high pass of 4219m (13838ft).

At the end of the afternoon activities you will regroup at a lodge in Huacahuasi where you will spend the night.

DAY 4: HUACAHUASI

Today there are three options to choose from;

• Explore the village of Huacahuasi, visiting the community and meeting the local people including skilled weavers. There will be a cooking class at the lodge and the afternoon will be at leisure.
• Visit the local community at Huacahuasi before departing for an easy 1-2 hour walk to an earby waterfall. After a snack at the waterfalls, return to the lodge for lunch and the afternoon at leisure.
• Leave the lodge early and departing from the community of Quiswarani, hike to Quelwacocha Lake. This will be a moderate to strenuous hike of 6-7 hours where you will reach an altitude of 4421m (14505ft). You can enjoy lunch by the lake and then hike to the small community of Quelquena where vehicles will take you back to the lodge.

Everyone will regroup back at the lodge after the days activities where you will then spend the night.

DAY 5: HUACAHUASI TO OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today you can make a choice out of the following 3 options;

• Option one departs by Huacahuasi by car and takes you to visit a local farmers market, 2 museums and enjoy a BBQ lunch at Kuychi Rumi before travelling by car to Ollantaytambo and having time to explore the town.
• Alternatively, hike from Huacahuasi to Patacancha via Ipsaycocha lake where you will enjoy lunch. This is a 7 hour hike where you will go over a high pass with an elevation of 4464m (14646ft.).
• The final choice is a beautiful hike from Lares pass to the village of Totora. This is a moderate trek of around 3 hours. Afterwards enjoy a BBQ lunch at Kuychi Rumi. You then have an option to take part in a 2 hour mountain bike excursion followed by a visit to a local brewery.

After all the activities are complete, you will regroup at a hotel in the Sacred Valley.

DAY 6: OLLANTAYTAMBO TO AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning you can choose, if you wish, to hike up to Pinkuylluna, the Incan storage site above the town of Ollantaytambo. Here there are 2 options;

• Option 1 is an easy hike of just over an hour up to the Incan ruins of Pinkuylluna with beautiful views.
• Option 2 is a slightly harder and longer hike of just over 2 hours that takes you higher up the site of the Incan Pinkuylluna ruins.

Afterwards, explore the archeological site of Ollantaytambo. At around noon you will take the train to the small town of Aguas Calientes, the town situated closest to Machu Picchu, and have the rest of the afternoon free. Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 7: MACHU PICCHU SANCTUARY AND RETURN TO CUSCO

Today you will leave your hotel early in the morning and make the short journey by bus to the fabulous citadel of Machu Picchu where you will spend the first few hours exploring on a guided tour.  The last couple of hours of the morning are free and you can choose from a couple of options. Either enjoy some free time to explore the citadel yourself or take a guided hike of Huayna Picchu. This spectacular peak is quite a climb and offers amazing views when you reach the top. In the late afternoon, return to Cusco.

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