This amazing 7 day tour package will have you exploring the beautiful Cusco City, experiencing the different scenery and culture of the Lares Valley trek and trekking the Short Inca Trail to the magnificent Machu Picchu, this adventure is the perfect combination of history and culture and the experience of a lifetime.
For a totally different experience the Lares Trek you will interact with the locals. Walk along incredibly picturesque passages which will include ice glaciers, blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, llamas, alpacas and on the 3rd day you will be rewarded with volcanic hot springs and soothe your tired body from the hike.
The Short Inca Trail is an adventure seeing ancient Inca sites, beautiful flora and fauna all while hiking the original Inca trail as the Inca did in ancient times. Visit Machu Picchu on a guided tour, stay in a hotel and with best guides. Arrive at Machu Picchu by the Sun Gate where you will get your first view of Machu Picchu.
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 !
When you arrive into Cusco you will be picked up at the airport and transfered to your hotel, you will receive a briefing, it is a great idea to spend the rest of the morning to rest and acclimatize. Be picked up at around 1pm for a wonderful and informative tour of Cusco. The city is one of the best examples of the mix of Spanish and Inca culture. Our first stop is the temple of Santo Domingo Convent that is built the foundations of the Inca Temple of Koricancha, which was in Inca Times the most important. Travel just outside of Cusco to the mesmirizing site of Sacsayhuaman, whose massive walls overlook and dominate the city. The last three stops are the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambo Machay all with their own interesting stories. Head back to Cusco in the early evening.
This morning you will be picked up at 6am by your guide at the hotel reception. Travel for an hour to Pisac Inca ruins, explore, hear from your guide the amazing history and take in the views. Afterwards enjoy a wonderful breakfast in front of the ruin, this all while seeing views of the valley below and the Inca city.
After breakfast, we have 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, hike north 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.
This morning we will leave Cancha Cancha and trek through the valley, where you will pass huge mountain ranges and the mountainous landscapes. Pass small thatched houses and see the people that live in them. After around 2 hours reach the highest pass, Pachacutec Pass. On reaching the summit, be captivated by the views that you will receive of Lake Pachacutec and the peaks of Pitusiray. Enjoy the stunning sites and feel the sun warm you. From here we trek 2 hours downhill to our to our lunchspot where a wonderful and delicious meal awaits. The last part of todays trek is 1.5hours passing glacial lakes, alpacas herds, llama and sheep. Camp is close to Quishuarani village, complete with its stone houses.
Today after an early start you will take on the second mountain pass, the Hillkiccasa Pass. Trek and marvel at the views of the Andes Mountain peaks. From the summit of the pass enjoy views of the majestic mountains of Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains. Continue your trek through the grasslands and productive agriculture lands, complete with pristine lakes. A long stretch of hiking with 5 hours to the villages of Cuncani a small community. From here we head down into a lush valley that have agricultural areas with fruit trees and native flowers. Reach Lares Village where you can soak in the volcanic hot springs and later lunch and siesta.
After lunch in Lares we take our private transport to Ollantaytambo, where we spend the night in a hotel.
Catch the train the the start of the short Inca Trail. From km104 start the first part of the Inca Trail pass the checkpoint before start the climb for around 3 hours to the Inca archaeological site of Winay Wayna. From here enjoy spectacular views of the Urubamba Canyon and the Inca sites around us. Later continue to the Sun Gate where we will get the first spectacular views of Machu Picchu spread out before you. Walk one hour downhill to the top of Machu Picchu where you will send some time taking in the views. Travel by bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night.
Take an early bus to Machu Picchu archeological site, making sure to explore all of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu, what an unforgettable experience. Your guide will take you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets.
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, 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 train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station for here we travel 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.
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.
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! 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.” 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.
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.
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 40 Litres 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
