It is the favorite trek from those who believe that the only authentic way to visit and appreciate the Sacred Valley is to get in touch with nature and people, stopping in the Andean villages and entertaining with their inhabitants, bathing in thermal waters. , walking surrounded by the most impressive expressions of the Peruvian nature. Colossi of rock over 5000 meters high, blue lakes that blend with the sky, eagles, ibis. In the end, a fascinating walk will lead travelers, until the conquest of the most mysterious archaeological site in the world … Machu Picchu …
Group tours> departures every day of the year
Altitude: 2850 – 4400 m.
Difficulty level: Normal / Moderate (2.5 out of 5)
At approximately 7am we will pick you up at your hotel to set course to the village of Lares where we will start hiking. During this journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you need. When arriving in Lares we relax in the hot springs while our cook prepare a wonderful lunch. After that we head to Cuncani, starting point of the trek. We will walk 2 hours until Yanacocha lagoon where we have lunch. After lunch, we hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3600m/11811f). When you arrive your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot tea before having dinner.
Transport time: 5 hours
Hiking time: 5 hours
Climate during the day: Warm
Climate during the night: Cold
After a nutritious breakfast we will start hiking towards the trek’s highest point, the pass of Sacsayllame (4400m or 14435 feet). The hike takes about 4 hours is very steep uphill. An emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone can reach the top. During this trek you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. After reaching the highest point, we will start dour descent till 2 beautiful lagoons: Aruray Cocha and Yurak Cocha. We stop for lunch. We continue our way through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis), an Andean native tree until we reach our campsite at Miski Unu (3550m/11646f), where we have dinner and sleep.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Climate during the day/night: Cold
Today will be another spectacular day walking through different forests. You will be able to enjoy the rich biodiversity and change of fauna and flora during this 3-hour walk that will end in the Sacred Valley of the Inca’s. We have lunch in Queshuarchalloc where we will say goodbye to the Horsemen and cooks. After lunch we take a local bus to get to Ollantaytambo (2850m). We visit the beautiful town of Ollantaytambo before having dinner at a local restaurant. At 7pm we take the train to reach our final destination of the day, the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hotel.
Hiking time: 4hours
Transport time: 2hours
Climate: Warm
We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am and head for Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, including information about life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough time to visit Huayna Picchu or visit the Machu Picchu Mountain or the Huchuy Picchu (for those who made the reservation beforehand). We will leave Aguas Calientes by train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, we continue till Cusco (3350m) by bus. The weather in Machu Picchu is warm with mosquitoes.
PeruEtico does not organize this trekking, we work with a serious and professional local agency that respects workers’ salary conditions and is environmental friendly.
A briefing is scheduled the evening before the start of the trek at 6pm.
Campsites during the trek are subject to change due to weather conditions and / or at the discretion of the guide.
This trek is considered level 2.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5); Suitable to people with a proper physical preparation.
The train departs from Aguas Calientes at 4.43pm and your arrival time in Cusco is around 8.30pm. It is possible to take an earlier train (2.55 pm, with arrival time in Cusco around 6.30 pm). It has an additional cost of 25 USD per person.
