Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco- Calca- Lares- Cuncani

Very early in the morning on Day 1, we will pick you up from your hotel and depart in the direction of the Sacred Valley.  We will make a stop in Calca on the way to the starting point, the Lares Hot Springs.  Some of us may decide to take a refreshing dip in the naturally heated hot springs, which are said to be some of the best in the Cusco region.  We will then need to start with a 2 hour trek through the mountain landscapes to get to our first destination in Cuncani.  That is where we will set up camp for the night.

Day 2: Cuncani- Lake Ipsaycocha

After breakfast, we will continue our trek through the valley until we come to the small, extremely typical, community, Huacawasi.  Huacawasi, is known for the extremely fine fabrics that they produce, and we will even get to watch their great skills and brilliant technique as they handcraft ponchos and clothing before our eyes.

After visiting the village and learning about their way of life for a while, we will return to the trekking, ascending now, to the second pass of the journey, Abra de Condorpasa (4100msnm).  From this amazing vantage point we will soak in some truly spectacular scenery, with Mount Veronicas' snow-capped peak (5750 meters) looming above all the while.  The last hour of the journey will be in a downward descent towards the picturesque Ipsaycocha Lagoon, where will set up our campground in the perfect setting by the water. water.

Day 3: Ipsaycocha-Willoc- Pumamarca- Ollantaytambo- Aguas Calientes

After enjoying a healthy breakfast, we'll begin a descent down into the valley  beneath us to reach the community, Willoc, where we have lunch and a short rest.  From this point, it is only about another 2 hours to reach Pumamarka, a typical Andean pueblo which boasts some Incan terraces and gorgeous scenery that we can appreciate.

Continuing on, we will finally come to Ollantaytambo, which is nestled in a green, fertile valley, watched over by immense mountains on all sides.  This is a perfect place to appreciate some marvelous examples of Inca remains which were left here by our ancestors, as well as a wide variety of Andean birds and native flowers.  In Ollantaytambo, we will also catch a train that will weave us through some stunning scenery and multiple micro climates, to Aguas Calientes.  That night we will sleep early in a comfortable hotel in preparation for the next day's adventure.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes- Machupicchu- Cusco

Day 4 of the journey is dedicated entirely to visiting the magical remains of Machupicchu.  After an extremely early breakfast, we will take the bus up to the site, where we will need to register ourselves at the checkpoint.  Afterwards, we will walk around the site with our guide, as he teaches you about the amazing history of the mystical place.  In the afternoon, you should start making your way back down the mountain to Aguas Calientes so you can get to know the town a little bit more before retrieving your things from the hotel and catching the train back to Cusco.

Included

•  Transfer from airport or bus terminal in Cusco to your hotel
•  Information and maps related to the trek
•  Transfer from your hotel in Cusco to Lares
•  Entrance to Machupicchu
•  Professional, bilingual Tour Guide
•  All food during the trek (2D, 3A, 2C), with vegetarian option for those who reserve it
•  Wranglers and mules to carry the camping equipment and food
•  Professional, trained cook
•  First aid kit, blood pressure gauge, oxygen tank
•  Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, cooking equipment, etc)
•  Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
•  Bus tickets for: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
•  Train tickets for return from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
•  Reconfirmation of airline tickets
•  Transfer from the train station to your hotel in Cusco
•  Transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the airport or bus terminal

Not Included

•  Hotel for overnight in Aguas Calientes
•  Breakfast on Day 1, dinner on the Day 3, Breakfast or Lunch on Day 4
•  Sleeping bag