Our amazing authentic 7 day tour package of exploring the famous Cusco City, hiking our especially designed Lares Valley trek, and the Short Inca trail to Machuu Picchu is the perfect combination of adventure, history, and culture that will be an experience of a life time!
On the Lares trek route, you’ll interact with the locals in their isolated Inca communities where people are keeping the Inca Culture alive. This incredibly picturesque trek includes peaking ice glaciers, shockingly blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, llamas, alpacas and on the 3rd day rewards you with natural volcanic hot springs to soothe your tired muscles.
Highlights of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Explore the ancient Inca religious cities along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna, hike on the original Inca trail just like in ancient times, visit Machu Picchu, hotel, and the best guides. Plus, upon arrival to Machu Picchu by the Sun Gate, you will have the unique experience of viewing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
Highlights: Sunrise at Machu Picchu – Private guided tour of Machu Picchu – Ascent of Wayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional) – Early return trip by expedition train.
Click on the link to watch the video: Live the Lares Trek Experience in video !
Upon your arrival to Cusco you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a short briefing and have the remainder of the morning to acclimatize. In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco , a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing your journey, you’ll visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. Our tour continues to the unmatched and mesmirizing archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture which dominates the city. Finally we explore the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city. We will head back to your hotel in Cusco by early evening.
At 6am we pick you up a your hotel and then drive for the next hour to the Pisac Inca ruins, where we explore this amazing Inca City with your guide as he shares with you the history of the City and the Incas. After the guided tour, we enjoy breakfast in front of the Pisac ruins engrossed with the amazing views of the Inca city & valleys below.
After breakfast, we take off on a 2 hour drive to the village of Huaran (2840m/9,318ft) located in the famous Sacred Valley between Pisac and Urubamba. Huaran will be the starting point where we meet up with the horsemen and pack up the horses. Leaving the Sacred Valley behind, we manuever northward following a gentle ascending trail along the small Cancha Cancha River. It takes approximately 6 hours to reach our destination, a small village named Cancha Cancha (3800m/12,477ft) where we spend the night.
Leaving Cancha Cancha we continue trekking up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses, huge mountainous ranges and typical Peruvian layered landscapes. After 2 hours the path plateaus out, and we arrive to the highest pass called Pachacutec Pass (4758m/15610ft). Filled with joy and relief over reaching the summit, and captivated by the superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy mountainous peaks of Pitusiray, we take the moment to enjoy the stunning sites before us and allow the suns rays replenish us. We then head downhill for the next 2 hours in time to enjoy a refreshing lunch. After lunch we continue downward for another 1.5 hours into the valley’s several glacial lakes, herds of alpacas, llamas and sheep. Tonight we camp at (3,870 m/12,694ft) close to Quishuarani village, with its typical Inca stone and thatched homes.
As we reach the mid-point of our trek, it is time to take on the second mountain pass, Hillkiccasa Pass,(4200m/13779ft). As we trek we marvel over the views of the plunging and peaked Peruvian Andes Mountains, as nature surrounds us in its purest form. The majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains are awe inspiring to watch from the pass. We continue our trek through the Puna grasslands, undulating and productive agricultural sites and natural pristine lakes. After 5 hours of hiking we reach Cuncani, a small Inca community. From Cuncani we head down through a lush valley with extensive agricultural areas, fruit bearing trees, varied flora, and native flowers like begonias and wild orchids. Finally, we reach our destination, the Lares Village (3100m/10170ft) where we cannot wait to soak in the natural volcanic hot springs for an hour, have lunch and take a siesta if you like.
After lunch in Lares we take our private transport to Ollantaytambo, where we spend the night in our hotel.
Early, we take our train to 104 kms point (2,100m/6,927ft), Cusco-Machu Picchu way. With anticipation we begin our first leg of the Inca Trail, passing the first checkpoint. (Here you have repacked to only carry the essentials in your backpack for the 1 day of trekking on the Inca Trail). Afterwards we initiate a moderate climb for three hours to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñayhuana. (2,650m/8747ft). Once there, we notice as we take in the spectacular views of the Urubamba Canyon, the stunning Inca sites around us, and the connection to the traditional four day Inca Trail. We continue onward towards the long anticipated Sun Gate, (2,730m/9,007ft) where we finally get our first spectacular view of Machu picchu in all its brilliance and its majestic monumentality. After a time to take lots of photos.Just one we head for one hour downhill, to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, take the bus to Aguas Calientes, and find our hotel where we spend the night.
Bursting with excitement on your final surreal day, we take the first bus to Machu Picchu archeological site, making sure we tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu, what an unforgettable experience. Your guide will expertly direct you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets. Then on your own, you can wander around the town squares of the world’s spiritual center of Inca wisdom, as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Or you can stay still and just relax or meditate as you sit in the pure delight of the moment and the mountain’s presence.
If you wish to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own you can (not included in the price):
When you are ready, you will descend to Aguas Calientes, have a leisurely lunch on your own, and later on board the train at 4:22pm for the return trip to Cusco with the Vistadome Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station, where you will catch our private van back to Cusco and your hotel by 8pm.
Our incredible journey ends here. Airport drop-off is included and it can be done at any time.
This unique trekking package of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail can leave on any date, as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants.
The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu portions of the trek is almost always available year round except it is closed in February for maintenance.
This price includes the extra porter who will carry your beloñgings up to 7 kilograms, we will provide you a duffle bag, to put your belongings in.
All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 persons with a maximum of 8!
We provide large Eureka 4 man tents for each 2 trekkers.
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu”
You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to trek´s start. Look out for our representative holding an orange board of INCA TRAIL HIKE at the arrival terminal.
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm at our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Of course! During the Lares trek Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.
FIRST, to book your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail Tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail permits and entrances without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
Unfortunately the answer is generally “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Permits and entrance tickets are not transferable nor refundable.
If you cancel your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail Tour , the deposit is not refundable at all!
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail, permit, entrances and reservations. The rangers will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack. Thick layers and you will be comfortable.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Usually our groups are between 2-6 persons. INCA TRAIL HIKE specialises in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 9 porters, 8 trekkers will have 12 porters.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14p. Your team of porters will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 litre backpack is sufficient.
The Lares trek + Short Inca Trail is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is (4,700m/15,419ft). The Trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
It has been highlighted by most of our clients, especially by the female ones who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet!! INCA TRAIL HIKE toilet facilities have an individual tent and a “camping toilet with a seat.” Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.
There are hot showers and hot water pools to soak in and relax on the 3rd day of your trek at the Lares Hot Springs. Be sure to bring your bathing suit.
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, INCA TRAIL HIKE will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there !
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore you we usually book the train at 4:22pm. With this train schedule, you will have more than 9 hours to enjoy Machu Picchu
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Cusco
