Lares Trek and short Inca Trail Picchu 5 Days & 4 Nights

Day 1: Cusco - Calca - Lares - Wakawasi

We’re going to start our Lares and Inca Trail trek by picking everyone in our group up from their hotel at around 5:00am. From Cusco we’ll travel to Calca within about 45 minutes. Here we’ll have a short break where we can buy a few supplies like water and snacks. From Calca we’ll head out to Lares which will take about 2 hours. In Lares we’ll have some time to relax in the Lares thermal baths. After relaxing for about 2 to 3 hours we’ll have lunch and then start our trek. Leaving Lares we’ll go on to Wakahuasi which is about 3 to 4 hours uphill climb. Wakahuasi is also our first camp along the Lares and Inca trail trek. Here we’ll have dinner and time to get to know the rest of our group before calling it a night so we’re ready for the next day on our Lares and Inca Trail trek.

Day 2: Wakawasi – Yanahuara

Today we’ll wake up around 5:00am with a hot cup of coca tea before having a healthy breakfast to help us refuel for our second day on our Lares and Inca Trail trek. We’ll leave Wakahuasi and hike uphill for 3 to 4 hours until we reach Wakahuasi Pass at 4300 meters. After climbing the pass we’ll hike downhill for about an hour to reach Lake Auroroycocha for lunch. After lunch we’ll hike an additional 3 to 4 hours to Yanahuara where we’ll set up camp for the night. We should be in camp at around 5:00 to 6:00pm giving us a little time before dinner to relax. We’ll have dinner and enjoy another night of camping along the Lares and Inca Trail trek.

Day 3: Yanahuara - Ollantaytambo

Today we’re going to start our day with a hot cup of coca tea before breakfast which will be around 6:30am. After breakfast we’ll start the last part of the Lares trek by walking down to the local road which should take about 40 minutes. From here we will take local transportation to Ollantaytambo which should be a 30 minute drive. Once we’re in Ollantaytambo you can roam around town and admire the Inca architecture left behind and still in great condition, have lunch, and even visit the local ruins (entrance ticket to ruins not included in itinerary). Today we’ll stay in a hotel in Ollantaytambo, giving you a chance to take a hot shower after hiking for 3 days!

Day 4: Ollantaytambo - KM104/Chachabamba - Wiñayhuayna - Inti Punku - Aguas Calientes

After an early breakfast at our hotel we’ll take the early train to KM104 also known as Chachabamba. From KM104 we’ll hike up for about 1 ½ hours before we reach the first Inca Trail control point at Chachabamba. Here we’ll also visit the local archeological ruins before starting our hike for about 3 hours to reach Wiñayhuayna. In Wiñayhuayna we’ll have a box lunch and visit the ruins. After our lunch break we’ll continue hiking the Inca Trail to Inti Punku (also known as the Sun Gate) which will take about 2 hours. Here you’ll have a good view of the surrounding area as well as your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We’ll stop for a little while as we admire the view and take some great pictures. From here we’ll hike down to macho Picchu which should take about 1 hour 10 minutes. We’ll take a little time to take in the view of the majestic city before hiking down to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes we’ll be staying in a hotel again and after dinner we’ll go back to relax and enjoy the last night together with our group!

Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

On our last day of our Lares and Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, we won’t go hiking but we’ll revisit Machu Picchu to take an actual tour of this enigmatic city. Don’t forget to bring your passport and if you had a student discount when you booked, you will also need to show your ISIC (International Student Identity Card). We’ll take a bus up to Machu Picchu where we’ll have a guided tour of the main areas for about 2 hours. You’ll then have time to roam the grounds on your own so you can soak up the magical atmosphere and take pictures. Afterwards you can take a bus down to Aguas Calientes and from there, depending on your train schedule take your Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo you will be picked up and driven back to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.