Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Quishuarani
You'll start before dawn at 5:00 am and head out toward the Sacred Valley. After stopping briefly in Calca, you'll reach Lares Hot Springs where breakfast and a soak in the medicinal waters are waiting. Then comes a 7 km hike from Cuncani through to Pacchayocc waterfall and up to Willkikasa Pass at 4,400 m (14,436 ft). By evening you'll be at the Quishuarani campsite where you can meet locals, check out a children's school, have dinner, and spend time looking at the stars.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Pickup from Cusco hotels 30 minutes before departure time., 05:00 - 05:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Lares Hot Springs), Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Quishuarani campsite)
Included Activities
- Visit Lares Hot Springs and relax in medicinal waters
- Hike to Pacchayocc waterfall
- Hike to Willkikasa Pass
- Explore Quishuarani community
- Meet locals and visit children's school
Landmarks Lares Hot Springs Pacchayocc waterfall Willkikasa Pass Sacred Valley of the Incas 
- Day 2
Quishuarani to Cancha Cancha
This morning starts with a hot beverage and hearty breakfast to fuel the day. You'll hike 11 km to Pachacutec Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,700 m (15,420 ft), where the 360-degree views are really something. After lunch at the pass, it's another two hours of trekking to reach Cancha Cancha campsite. In the afternoon, locals will teach you about their handicrafts and how they live, then you'll have dinner and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Cancha Cancha campsite)
Included Activities
- Hike to Pachacutec Pass
- Observe local handicrafts at Cancha Cancha
- Learn about local lifestyle
Landmarks Pachacutec Pass Qoyalay Lake - Day 3
Cancha Cancha to Ollantaytambo
You'll wake early to finish the final stage of the Lares trek, walking through beautiful landscapes and seeing unique plants and wildlife along the way to the Sacred Valley. Lunch happens in Huaran, and this is where you'll say goodbye to the muleteers and cooks. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit the Maras Salt Mines high in the mountains, then continue to Ollantaytambo to walk through the archaeological center, have dinner at a local restaurant, and sleep at a hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo)
- Accommodation
- (Hotel in Ollantaytambo)
Included Activities
- Hike to Huaran
- Visit Maras Salt Mines
- Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological center
Landmarks Maras Salt Mines Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley of the Incas 
- Day 4
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
After breakfast you'll board the train heading to KM 104, where the Short Inca Trail begins. You'll explore the Chachabamba archaeological site, then hike 9 km to Wiñay Wayna, an important Inca site where you'll learn about its history and structures before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, head to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first real view of Machu Picchu. From there it's a walk to the citadel entrance, then a bus ride down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a hotel stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Wiñay Wayna), Dinner (Dinner in Aguas Calientes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Explore Chachabamba archaeological site
- Visit Wiñay Wayna Inca site
- Hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
- View Machu Picchu from Sun Gate
Optional Activities
- Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (approximately 2 to 4 hours round trip) - USD 60 per person
- Hike Machu Picchu Mountain (approximately 3 hours round trip) - USD 60 per person
- Hike Huchuy Picchu Mountain (approximately 2 hours round trip) - USD 50 per person
Landmarks Chachabamba Wiñay Wayna Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu 
- Day 5
Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Early at 6 am you'll head to Machu Picchu to beat the crowds and take in those views. A one-and-a-half-hour guided tour shows you the citadel's most important areas and structures. If you booked mountain tickets earlier, you can hike one of the additional mountains for even more perspective. Back in Aguas Calientes, you'll grab lunch, then board the train to Ollantaytambo and take private transportation back to your hotel in Cusco.
- End point
- Hauqaypata, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Drop-off at Cusco City hotels)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (1.5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (approximately 2 to 4 hours round trip) - USD 60 per person
- Hike Machu Picchu Mountain (approximately 3 hours round trip) - USD 60 per person
- Hike Huchuy Picchu Mountain (approximately 2 hours round trip) - USD 50 per person
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Mountain Machu Picchu Mountain Huchuy Picchu Mountain
