Lares Inca Trail Trek: Unveiling Beauty

First Day: Cusco – Calca- Lares Hot Springs – Wacawasi

We know how important this vacation is for you. So, we do not want you to have any doubt or any lack during your trip towards one of the wonders of the world, therefore the guide will meet at your hotel 1 to 2 days before to give you detailed and personalized information to answer your inquiries.

Begin your journey with our private transportation, departing Cusco at 5:30 am, and prepare to marvel at the picturesque journey through the Sacred Valley. Make a 20-minute stop at the market in the provincial town of Calca and witness a range of local products from both the highlands and the subtropical jungle, such as cacao, coca leaves, bananas, and oranges, among many others. You will have time to buy last-minute items, such as water, before continuing your adventurous journey.

We will then continue driving for about 2 hours to reach the thermal springs of Lares (3,120 meters or 10,2660 feet), where we will have the option to soak in this medicinal thermal bath and unwind our muscles before our hike begins. The trail begins to climb gradually up the Lares Valley to the lunch spot.

Upon arrival, we will meet our rider and his horses. Today we will have lunch around 1:30 p.m., tasting a succulent lunch prepared by our adventure chef. After feeding and taking a nap, the adventure continues. Along this segment, we will see some herds of llamas and alpacas accompanied by their shepherds, who are usually children dressed in their typical costumes of their community, and later, we will arrive at our first camp located in the community of Wacawasi (12,630 ft/3,850 m). At the camp, we will have our tents ready to rest, and we will have a coffee break followed by dinner prepared by our creative chef.

MEALS: lunch, coffee break, and dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: camping facilities.
Distance: 8 km/5 miles.
HIKING TIME: 5 to 6 hours.
TEMPERATURE: minimum of -5 °C (23 °F) or maximum of 18 °C (64 °F).
Physical difficulty: medium 3/5.

Day 2 – Wacawasi – Ipsaycocha Pass – Lago Ipsaycocha– Patacancha

Today is our challenging but rewarding day. After breakfast, you will begin your ascent for approximately 3 hours to reach the Ipsaycocha pass (4,500 m/14,763 ft). This marks the highest elevation of our Lares Trek. Here we will enjoy the wildlife of the Andes and the life and herding of the Andean Quechua descendants of the Inca culture, who still live in the tranquility of these places. We will also observe the impressive mountain ranges, view the majestic mountain glaciers, and watch for condors. Below is the emerald green lake Ipsaycocha (4,200 m/13,779 ft.), where we will have a delicious lunch—truly an amazing place!

Next, we will head to the village of Patacancha, where we will camp in the midst of welcoming local families.

MEALS: breakfast, coffee break, and dinner
ACCOMMODATION: camping facilities.
DISTANCE: 12 km / 7.4 miles.
WALKING TIME: 7 to 8 hours.
TEMPERATURE: minimum -7 ° C (19.4 ° F) / max. 18 ° C (64 ° F)
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: challenge 4/5

Day 3: Patacancha-Willoq-Ollantaytambo

Today is an easier day. After breakfast, we will walk downhill through a narrower valley for about 5 hours, following the Paracancha River. On the way down, we will pass one of the oldest communities, Willoq (3,200 m/10,498 ft). It’s a Quechua village where the locals still wear traditional clothing and are proud to maintain their cultural identity. The inhabitants of this area are known locally as ‘Huayruros’, named after a red and black seed that recalls the color of their ponchos. During our journey, we will have the chance to admire some of the weavings made by the locals themselves. These high-quality weavings are renowned for their intricate designs that reflect various aspects of their daily lives and cultures.

Our journey will continue until we reach Ollantaytambo, which is the town that we are looking for. The streets, water channels, and foundations of some of the original Inca houses can be found in this Quechua town, which is another example of the Inca construction style being preserved. The Inca city of Ollantaytambo is a place that honors our ancestors by preserving their spirit in living form. Having the opportunity to spend the night in this historic location, which will feel like a trip back in time, will be a wonderful experience.

MEALS: breakfast, coffee break, and dinner
ACCOMMODATION: camping facilities.
DISTANCE: 12 km / 7.4 mils
WALKING TIME: 5 to 6 hours.
TEMPERATURE: minimum -2 ° C (28.4 ° F) / max. 18 ° C (64 ° F)
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: easy 2/5

Day 4: Train Station- Km 104 – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes Town

After spending three days in the Andes, we entered the upper Amazon and embarked on the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

We woke up early to prepare and have breakfast before heading to the train station. This is where we began our hike. During the 1:10-hour train ride to km 104, we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Nearby is the first archaeological site of Chachabamba (2,170 m/7,120 ft), which boasts a pleasant, temperate climate.

We then continue for three hours uphill along the well-preserved Inca trail to visit another Inca site, Wiñaywayna, also known as Nini Machu Picchu. This hidden gem is nestled among the vegetation of the cloud forest and boasts impeccable sixteenth-century architecture that has been well preserved. Hikers use a camp nearby with the same name. Our chef will prepare a boxed lunch for us to enjoy with a rewarding view.

Then, we will continue on an easier hike through a cloud forest to the famous Sun Gate. From there, we will have our first panoramic view of the Peruvian emblem, Machu Picchu.

After a short descent, we will continue walking until we reach the main viewpoint and fulfill our dream. After taking the classic photos of Machu Picchu, we head to the town of Aguas Calientes, boarding the bus to spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

MEALS: breakfast, boxed lunch, and dinner
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
DISTANCE: 12 km / 7.4 miles
WALKING TIME: 6 to 7 hours
TEMPERATURE: minimum 5° C (41° F) / max. 22 ° C (71° F)
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Medium 3/5

Fifth Day: Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – Back To Cusco

Today, we will begin our day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before embarking on an exciting sightseeing and exploration tour of Machu Picchu. We will take a private tour of this magnificent site with our guide. To reach Machu Picchu, we will drive from the hotel to the bus station and board a bus for a scenic 25-minute ride.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, our guide will lead us on a captivating tour, sharing fascinating stories about its history and explaining the significance of the main sites of this wonder. We will spend two enchanting hours immersing ourselves in the last city of the Incas.

After enjoying its mystery and creating unforgettable memories, we will board the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes. Following this, we will enjoy a delicious lunch (not included) before continuing our journey. In the afternoon, we will take the train to Ollanta Tambo station, followed by a comfortable ride back to your hotel in Cusco on our private transportation. If you wish to hike the Huayna Picchu mountain after the tour on your own, please request availability and book your ticket.

Please note that the return trip from Aguas Calientes to Cusco takes approximately four hours, so we recommend having lunch before (not included).

Meals: breakfast
Temperature: minimum 8 ° C (46.4 ° F) / max. 26 ° C (78.8 ° F)

Taylor M

2024-07-01

An experience of a lifetime! We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Eli from Allyn Pacha tours for our 9 day trip in Cusco Peru. Eli is extremely knowledgeable and so accommodating! He truly goes above and beyond for his travelers and assures you have a wonderful experience! He is excited to show you around and share his knowledge and secretes in order to miss the crowds and see incredible views. I cannot say enough how impressed I was with his hospitality. Our decision to book our tours with Eli through Allyn Pacha was the best choice we have ever made while traveling. This decision made our entire experience in Peru absolutely unforgettable. From the beginning research phase, Eli was extremely responsive, answering any and all questions and offering suggestions to make the most of our itinerary and time in Peru. During our trip my fiancé came down with altitude sickness and with no hesitation, Eli rushed over and nursed my fiancé back to health with his natural herb remedies. From start to finish Eli went above and beyond to continue to amaze us. Whether it be him nursing us back to health, surprising us with pillows and blankets for the car rides, making sure we were ok every step of our journey, and or being a phenomenal photographer, the list could go on and on. We are so thankful to have met Eli and to be in such great hands. Eli is extremely knowledgable, funny, kind-hearted, and genuinely cares about offering amazing experiences. He has worked 20+ years in the industry and knows the ins and outs of not just history and site-seeing’s, but how to make experiences the most enjoyable for his guests. I would 1000% recommend booking your Peru trip with Eli from Allyn Pacha. It’s never a goodbye, it’s see you later. Thank you Eli, until next time!

Cade F

2024-06-27

Trip of a lifetime. 10/10. This trip and trek was an experience I will never forget. It was incredible. Elistan was the man, and quickly became someone I’m glad to be able to have spent such an incredible trip with. He’s intelligent, kind, and really cares about the people he works with. Elistan was someone that people were always happy to see on the trail as it seemed a lot of people knew the kind of person he was. This hike had me a bit nervous in time leading up to the hike, but with the calming experience of Elistan and his crews top notch service we not only completed but enjoyed every second of the hike. The 5 star meals along the way at 14000 ft are another story. Certainly wish I could eat the meals that this teams chef provided 3 times a day. I also had to be very careful during the hike because I had an engagement ring in my pack! I told Elistan about my intentions in very short notice. We discretely came up with a game plan, and I proposed at the Sun Gate. Elistan was incredible and the team in its entirety is the real reason my brand new Fiancé and I had so much fun. If you are planning a trip and want to make some memories you will have forever please take my word for it and just do it with this team. I promise you won’t forget it.

Emily N

2024-06-23

Allyn Pacha tops the rest! Our decision to book our tours with Eli through Allyn Pacha was the best choice we have ever made while traveling. This decision made our entire experience in Peru absolutely unforgettable. From the beginning research phase, Eli was extremely responsive, answering any and all questions and offering suggestions to make the most of our itinerary and time in Peru. We (my fiance and I) ended up spending 6 days in total with Eli, touring the Sacred Valley, going on a city ruins tour around Cusco, and embarking on the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Eli is extremely knowledgable, funny, kind-hearted, and genuinely cares about offering amazing experiences. He has worked 20 years in the industry, and knows the ins and outs of not just history and site-seeing, but how to make experiences the most enjoyable for his guests. The service Eli provided to us on the Inca Trail was above and beyond what we saw other companies offering. We signed up for a private tour, and Eli, his chef, and team of porters took excellent care of us. Porters play an important roll on the trail, carrying food, cooking materials, sleeping tents, eating tents, and anything used on the trail. They carry heavy bags daily to ensure the guests experience is nothing short of amazing. In other companies, it is known that porters are not always treated well, or compensated fairly. It was seen that Eli takes excellent care of his porters. He noted that he was once a porter, and understands how hard they work. He makes sure they feel like an equal part of the team. Multiple times throughout the trek, porters from other companies would greet and talk to Eli. Most porters work for more than one company at a time, and many asked Eli when they could come work for him next. This to me just proves how Eli's service is phenomenal not only for his guests, but his staff as well. Before the trek, I had some nerves about how difficult it would be to complete. Eli provided me constant reassurance and explained how each day would look. We had plenty of breaks, and walked at a comfortable pace. Being just the two of us, we had complete control of our speed, and were able to slow down or speed up when needed. Additionally, Eli even helped my fiance in surprising me with a proposal at the Sun Gate! He kept the secret for the entire trek, and they secretly planned the proposal without me suspecting a thing. I cannot recommend Eli with Allyn Pacha enough. If you are looking for a small group, individualized experience, please give Allyn Pacha a chance. You will not be disappointed!

Rachel Y

2024-05-28

The BEST Guide Wow, I can't say enough great things about Allyn Pacha. Our guide, Elistan, was loaded with knowledge about the areas we visited, history, and culture. He was extremely fun to be around the couple days we toured the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Had it not been for him, we would not have been able to visit Machu Picchu due to our last minute planning. I am beyond thankful for their expertise and guidance on this trip. I cannot wait to come back and explore more. Thank you!!

Ethan A

2024-04-20

Unforgettable Trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu This trek and tour of Machu Picchu was fantastic! Juan was very flexible, accommodated all of our requests, and provided a well-planned, seamless itinerary. He was very friendly, and the five of us shared many laughs along the trail. Each night he organized for us to stay with a local family, allowing us to experience the local culture and customs. At Machu Picchu Juan knew where to be and when so that we could best-experience the UNESCO site, and had endless knowledge to tap into. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

melissa c

2023-10-25

Eli the man who knows everything Eli is super amazing and knowledgeable. I wanted to do a Machu Picchu train tour and he was able to find tickets where as everywhere else I went told me it was sold out and the next available is a week later. He arranged a driver to pick me up from the hotel at 4 AM, got to the train station at 5:40 am and provided a cute box breakfast. The next day after the Machu Picchu tour I wanted to see alpacas and llamas, He was able to accommodate me on my last minute trip! He’s your go to guy if you ever need anything or last minute planning. He knows everyone in Peru from the ticket lady in Machu Picchu to random tour guides from other companies, to restaurants waiters, to alpacas.

Vicent A

2023-10-02

a perfect day in the mountains of the seven colors My wife and I went on a day trip with Elistan to visit the mountains of the 7 colors on our honeymoon, everything went perfectly. Elistan recommended that we get up very early so we could enjoy the mountains alone. He knew the area and the weather situation perfectly, so in the early morning he picked us up with a driver and a private car (for the 4 of us), he arrived 10 minutes before the start. hour to wait for us at the door, and gave us each a pillow, two blankets and two boxes with breakfast, so that we could sleep during the journey and have breakfast when we arrived at the destination. Once there we had breakfast while it began to get light and we climbed following his advice on height and physical performance. We enjoyed almost two hours of the mountains exclusively for ourselves and he explained many things to us. Afterwards we went to eat at a restaurant that I knew, it was buffet style but of quality. In the afternoon on the way to Cusco, he was explaining to us everything we wanted to know, and we stopped at a delicious bakery where we bought a loaf of chocolate-filled bread for 9 soles (€2.5) and they gave us bread and water. Finally he dropped us off at the hotel. It is highly recommended, it was like taking a trip with two friends, I hope we can return to Peru to repeat. PS: he knows about photography, the photos I upload were taken by him.

ariell p

2023-09-14

Exploring with Allyn Pacha Had the absolute pleasure of meeting Eli and James from Allyn Pacha tours for our 15 day trip in Peru. Eli is extremely knowledgeable and so accommodating! He truly goes above and beyond for his travelers and assures you have a wonderful experience! He is excited to show you around and share his knowledge and secretes in order to miss the crowds and see incredible views. I cannot say enough how impressed I was with their hospitality and patience with our large group. I have gained a friend in Eli and I will be visiting him when I return to Cusco for another adventure packed trip! Eli you are wonderful! See you next time!!!

Eve H

2023-05-08

One day Ince Trail - DO IT, it's absolutely amazing!! I'd heard about the Inca Trail, wanted to do it, but didn't have the four days needed for it...and then I stumbled across the one day option that Allyn Pacha offers, and I'm so glad that I did. The last 7.5 miles of the trek are stunning, and coming to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate was nothing short of magical. Initially I'd been a little worried about being the only person on the trek...what if the guide was awkward and I was stuck with them ALL day?!...but Eli is the BEST. He's funny, sweet, engaging, and so knowledgable. Was able to answer every question I had, he is a wealth of information. We hiked on a day when there was a lot of mist, and he was like a mist ninja - knew exactly when and where to wait, for how long, so that I could see all the sights and get all the pictures that one dreams of when going on this journey. This is going to sound cheesy, but - it was truly an experience of a lifetime.

Sara Manley

2023-02-14

Truly an incredible experience!!! Eli is absolutely the best! I highly recommend this company. I spent 2 days with Eli visiting the different Inca sites and touring the Sacred Valley. Eli went in-depth about the Inca culture and history. It was a very custom and special experience. Will definitely be back to do his other tours!

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