Superior Lares Trail – 4 Days

Your adventure will start early morning, when one of our experienced guides picks you up from your hotel in Cusco. We recommend you to have some breakfast there or bring some with you in order to be energized for our first exciting day. Your first part of the trip is by car. Driving through the incredible landscapes of the Sacred Valley, stopping at viewpoints at our way, we will reach picturesque Calca town (2925 mts/9596.5 ft) after about 1.5 hours.

After a short stroll through the streets, a last visit to the supermarket, or a chat with the locals, we will make our way to Huaran (2966 mts/ 9730.9 ft). Our guide and staff will give you a final briefing and make sure you are good to go. In case you need walking sticks let us know in advance. We will equip you with a pair and give you guidance on how to use them properly.

Once you are set we are ready to start our incredible hike following the traces of Inkas. We will pass traditional Andean fields and tropical forests inhabiting wildlife including colorful birds you will only find in this part of the world. After a 3.5-hour hike through stunning scenery we will reach “Piedra Grande” or Great Rock (3780 mts/12401.6 ft), named after the massive rock formation close by. And while you gaze at the snow-glazed Andes your first lunch is being prepared for you.

After you regained your strength we will continue a path through the Sacred Valley, finally reaching our campsite Cancha Cancha (3980 mts/13057.7 ft) 2.5 hours later. We recommend you to buy some warm and cozy alpaca or llama textiles, handmade in a traditional way by the locals. Have a chat with them to experience their traditional life first hand. You can wander around a bit before your fantastic dinner is served. And finally, after a first long day, your bed underneath the Andes stars is ready.

Before we start our way to more exciting trails and beautiful landscapes, simultaneously a nourishing breakfast is prepared and our excitement rises for the upcoming hike. We will pass some more villages with indigenous people living in a traditional way. Since they live in humble conditions, they will be very thankful if you give them fruits, clothes or school supplies, or buy something off them. Four hours upwards and we will reach the highest point of our hike. Nearly 4700 meters or 15400 feet, the Pachacutec Pass wait for us with stunning views. From here you overlook the colorful lagoons of Azulcocha and Suerococha. Glaciers shine in the bright daylight and you will have more than enough time to take some photos. And to cheers with a glass of cool champagne. You deserve it!

For a change we will hike downwards again. 2 hours and we reach our lunch spot with amazing views of the Qoyalaycocha Lagoon (4140 mts/13582.7 ft). Here we will recover our strength with a gourmet lunch and hot beverages. And then, a jewel of nature. The seven waterfalls, an amazing spectacle of a water formation. When we reach our luxury Quiswarani campsite (3902 mts/12801.8 ft) in the afternoon, you have enough time to explore the surroundings, buy some woolen products and engage with the locals. For second time dinner is there for your full satisfaction and your cozy bed is ready to grant you some sound sleep.

Another day, another big breakfast will assure that you have enough strength for the third day. 3.5 hours of hiking through astonishing mountain paths, past the Sacred Mountain “Apus” and colorful lagoons, we will reach the Huillquijassa Pass (4400 mts/14435.7 ft). From here we will be able to gaze at spectacular views of valleys and the Mountain ranges of Urubamba. Our descent to our well-deserved picnic lunch leads through Cuncani Town accompanied by some gracious herds of alpacas, llamas and sheep as they are usually grazing around. Remember to bring your insect repellent, the further we hike down, the more mosquitos are waiting for their lunch.

From Cuncani town (3900 mts/12795.3 ft) we will be driven to the Lares hot springs, and believe us, after three days of hiking this will be one of your highlights so far. The volcanic hot spring measures 38°C/100°F, the heat and water pressure cushions our perception of pain. The minerals will have a pleasant effect on your muscles and joints. In a nutshell: You will feel good and relaxed when we finally get to eat our delicious picnic lunch. This is the last chance to chat to our trekking crew, tell stories and compare photos.

Then we will embark on a 3.5 hours ride towards Ollantaytambo train station in order to board our train to Aguas Calientes Town (2070 mts/6791.3 ft). At around 20:45 pm we finally arrive. After such a long day you will be taken to your selected accommodation in Aguas Calientes. Once settled at the hotel and coordinated with your guide the pick-up time for the following day, you may want to have a restful sleep in a lush room.

On our final day we will get before the sunrise. If the weather is good enough we will be able to see the sun rise over the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. In high season (April to July) there sometimes is a long queue to get up to the World Wonder, but with a qualified guide by your side who has plenty of information to share, time will pass like no time. All of the effort you put in the last days, all of the hour long hikes and the early mornings round out when you enter the gates of the breathtaking Machu Picchu citadel (2430 mts/7972.4 ft). Surrounded by steep rock walls and lush vegetation, the most famous sight of this continent will not fail to impress you. You will hear about the myths escorting the citadel, the history of its buildings and of course, about the millenary culture of the Incas.

After the tour you will have the opportunity to explore the site on your own, take the perfect photo or even discover Machu Picchu from a different perspective. You can choose to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain for a great panoramic view and uncover different nearby archaeological sites. You can climb Machu Picchu Mountain to enjoy this ancient wonder from the highest vantage point, or you can just embrace the atmosphere of the World Wonder.

At the most suitable time you will be going back to Aguas Calientes in a 30-minute bus ride to board your comfortable wagon to Poroy train station. After your arrival, you will be transferred back by our View Latin America representative in our private vehicle for a 40 min ride to your Cusco hotel After all the experiences of the past days, all the fascinating landscapes, the vivid rainforest and local coffee plantations, after visiting Machu Picchu, we are sure you will have gained memories for a lifetime.