Lares and Sacred Valley Trek to Machu Picchu with Lodges - 5 or 7 Days
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Trek through the charming towns of the Sacred Valley, to seldom-visited Inca archaeological sites, along remote highland hiking trails with breathtaking views, and to hidden villages for a first-hand glimpse into the culture and daily life of these traditional Andean communities, while overnighting in comfortable lodges.
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5 Day Adventure |
7 Day Adventure |
DAY 0 EVENING BRIEFING IN CUSCO
About a 45 minute orientation at El Mercado Hotel, located just 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main town square. DAY 1 EXPLORING PISAQ Begin your journey from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the Awanakancha textile center followed by an exploration of the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour. ACTIVITY OPTIONS In the morning /Cultural: Excursion to Awanakancha for an introduction to traditional Andean textile weaving techniques and an up-close visit with some friendly llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, all camelids indigenous to both this region and other high-altitude regions throughout Peru. Next, visit the town of Pisaq for a brief tour and time explore the unique goods for sale in its colorful artisan marketplace. /Active: Hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha.
/All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices. Afternoon /All-Group Activity: Guided tour of the Pisaq archaeological site. Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m) DAY 2 INTO THE HEART OF LARESThe day begins with a visit to the small town of Lamay followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the Lares Valley. Your first stop will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archaeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night. ACTIVITY OPTIONS In the morning /All-Group Activity: Explore the town of Lamay and visit the archaeological site of Ancasmarca. In the afternoon /Cultural: Visit to the remote village of Choquecancha where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community’s expert textile weavers. /Active: Option A: Hike from Quelquena to Huacahuasi
DAY 3 TO OLLANTAYTAMBO Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways. Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley. ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning /Cultural: Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and her blessings for the health of the community livestock. Drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for an all-group tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch. /Active Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka.
/Cultural: After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming Sacred Valley town. /Active: Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo.
DAY 4 DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO Begin your day with an optional early morning hike to the Inca storage houses high above the town for an impressive view of the Ollantaytambo fortress and ceremonial site. Afterwards, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost). ACTIVITY OPTIONS Early morning /Active: Option A: Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo
/All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Afternoon /Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
(Subject to availability and additional cost)
DAY 5 MACHU PICCHU Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a rollicking morning uphill bus ride, followed by a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. After the tour you will have free time to explore on your own or hike up Huayna Picchu*, the iconic mountain that looms overhead. After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before the return train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours). *Note: Permits for Huayna Picchu are subject to availability; please consult with us when you confirm your reservation. In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, Machu Picchu Mountain (the second peak within the sanctuary) permits will be secured instead. Morning /All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Machu Picchu citadel (7,872’ / 2,400m) Late morning /Cultural: Free time for further exploration. /Active: Hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
2025 rates: March 1st – March 31st and November 1st – December 14th - US$ 1,900 per person, double occupancy for standard package or $2300 with Inca Trail Express April 1st – October 31st and December 15th – December 31st - US$ 2,600 per person, double occupancy for standard package or $3100 with Inca Trail Express For Both 5 and 7 day options:
Requested single room: 50% supplement of the per person rates. ● Requested Willing to Share: No additional charge at mountain Lodges. A supplementary charge will apply at affiliate hotels in the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes ● Children under 12, when sharing a room with an adult, will be granted a 50% discount off of the standard rate depending on the program. (Maximum two children per room).* ● Children 13 to 16 years-old, when sharing a room with an adult, will be granted a 25% discount off of the standard rate depending on the program.(Maximum two children per room).* ● A non-refundable deposit of US$500.00 per person is required to confirm a reservation. ● We recommend arriving in Cusco 1-2 days prior to your departure date for altitude acclimatization. |
DAY 0 EVENING BRIEFING IN CUSCO
About a 45 minute orientation at El Mercado Hotel, located just 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main town square. DAY 1 TREASURES OF THE SACRED VALLEY Your journey begins from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Your first step will be Chinchero, a small Andean village and Inca archaeological site. From there, choose an inspiring downhill hike from Chinchero to the town of Urquillos along historic Inca trails, or an afternoon exploring the circular agricultural terraces in Moray and natural salt mines in Maras. ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning /All-Group Activity: Visit to Chinchero. Afternoon /Cultural: Guided exploration of the Moray agricultural complex and the natural salt mines in Maras. /Active: Hike from Chincheros to Urquillos Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
DAY 2 EXPLORING PISAQ Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning / Cultural: Excursion to Pisaq for a guided tour and free time to explore its celebrated marketplace, followed a visit to the community of Viacha. / Semi-active: Bike ride from Lamay Lodge to Pisaq.(subject to additional cost)
/ All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices. Afternoon /All-Group Activity: Guided tour of the Pisaq archaeological site. Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m) DAY 3 INTO THE HEART OF LARES The day begins with a visit to the small town of Lamay followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the Lares Valley. Your first stop will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archaeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night. ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning / All-Group Activity: Explore the town of Lamay and visit the Ancasmarca archeological site. Afternoon / Cultural: Visit to the remote village of Choquecancha where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community’s expert textile weavers. / Active: Option A: Hike from Quelquena to Huacahuasi
DAY 4 EXPLORE HUACHUASI For a cultural morning experience, you will visit the village of Huacahuasi and learn more about its heritage and daily life of the locals. Afterwards, return to the lodge for a Peruvian cooking class with the lodge staff or take a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Alternately, challenge yourself with an all-day hike from the community of Quiswarani to Quelquena along the ‘Trail of 1,000 Lakes’ for majestic views of the lakes, valleys, and mountains.Morning / Cultural: Visit the village of Huacahuasi followed by a cooking class and lunch at the lodge. / Active: Hike to the the waterfalls near Huacahuasi and lunch at the lodge
/ Active: Hike from Quiswarani to Quelquena (lunch en route)
DAY 5 TO OLLANTAYTAMBO Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways. Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley. ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning / Cultural: Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and her blessings for the health of the community livestock. Drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for an all-group tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch. / Active Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka.
/ Cultural: After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming Sacred Valley town. / Active: Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Kuychi Rumi Lodge (9,284’ / 2,830m) DAY 6 DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO Begin your day with an optional early morning hike to the Inca storage houses high above the town for an impressive view of the Ollantaytambo fortress and ceremonial site. Afterwards, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost). ACTIVITY OPTIONS Early morning / Active: Option A: Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo.
/ All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Afternoon / Train ride: Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
(Subject to availability and additional cost)
DAY 7 MACHU PICCHU Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a rollicking morning uphill bus ride, followed by a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. After the tour you will have free time to explore on your own or hike up Huayna Picchu*, the iconic mountain that looms overhead. After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before the return train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours). *Note: Permits for Huayna Picchu are subject to availability; please consult with your MLP Travel Specialist when you confirm your reservation. In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, Machu Picchu Mountain (the second peak within the sanctuary) permits will be secured instead. ACTIVITY OPTIONS Morning / All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Machu Picchu citadel (7,872’ / 2,400m) Late morning / Cultural: Free time for further exploration / Active: Hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
2025 rates: March 1st – March 31st and November 1st – December 14th - US$ 2,400 per person, double occupancy for standard package or $2800 with Inca Trail Express April 1st – October 31st and December 15th – December 31st - US$ 3,300 per person, double occupancy for standard package or $3900 with Inca Trail Express |