A journey with the last Incas

In the early morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco for the drive to the village of Lares (3,285 meters / 10,775 feet) in the fertile valley of the same name. From this subtropical location, we will continue to the trailhead near the village of Huacawasi.

There will be time to rest and enjoy the thermal baths at Lares (Lares 3,285 meters / 10,775 feet), and after lunch we will begin our trek by walking to our first campsite near the village of Huacawasi (3,806 meters / 12,483 feet).

Huacawasi (3,802 meters / 12,471 feet) is a weaving community, and the people still dress in their own handmade traditional clothing. These Quechua-speaking people maintain their ancient way of life, herding alpacas and llamas, farming the slopes of the Andes, and engaging in cultural practices inherited from their Inca ancestors. During our visit there will be time to experience the daily life of this traditional Andean community.

The villagers are friendly and welcoming, and some may offer to sell you their excellent weavings. After visiting the village, we will continue our hike along a gentle uphill trail to our campsite (4,020 meters / 13,186 feet) and enjoy your evening meal.

Traveling time:

Cusco – Calca 52 kilometers / 32.31 miles (paved road)

Calca to Lares 42 kilometers / 26 miles by dirt road.

and Lares – Huacawasi 9 kilometers / 5.5 miles by narrow dirt road (3 hours in total)

Trekking distance:

Huacawasi – camp 3 kilometers / 1.86 miles (1-2 hours).

Altitude:

• Lares 3,285 meters / 10,775 feet.
• Huacawasi 3,802 meters / 12,471 feet.
• campsite 4,020 meters / 13,186 feet

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Leaving Lares, we will travel by road to the village of Ollantaytambo. The highest point of this road stands at 4,265 meters (13,990 feet), from where we will be able to see the mountains of Sawasiray (5,818 meters / 19,087 feet) and Pitusiray (4,991 meters / 16,374 feet), before descending into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In the late afternoon, we continue by train to Machu Picchu.

The last night: We spend in Aguas Calientes town, in a hotel tourist class.

Trekking distance:

Cochayoc – Cachin 8.2 kilometers / 5.12 miles (3 – 4 hours)

Traveling distance:

Lares – Ollantaytambo: 121 kilometers / 75 miles (2 hours)

Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (train): 55 kilometers / 34 miles (1 hour 30 minutes)

Altitudes:

• Cachin (3,726 meters / 12,221 feet).
• Lares 3,207 meters / 10,521 feet.
• Urubamba 2,877 meters / 9438 feet.
• Ollantaytambo 2,845 meters / 9333 feet.
• Aguas Calientes 2,020 meters / 6627 feet.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, we will leave our porters to strike the camp and begin our day’s trek uphill to Huacawasi Pass (4,650 meters / 15,193 feet), from where we will have fine views of the surrounding Urubamba Mountain range, before descending to Lake Aruraycocha (4,445 meters / 14,580 feet). From here, we will continue through the narrow Mantacnayniyoc canyon to the village of Yanahuara (3,044 meters / 9984 feet), where our vehicle will be waiting to pick us up for the short drive to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, or the return drive to Cusco.

Trekking distance:

Camp – High pass 4.2 kilometers / 2.61 miles (Time: 2 hours).

High pass – Lake Aruraycocha 1.10 kilometers / 0.68 miles.

Lake Aruraycocha – Yanahuara 15.3 kilometers / 9.3 miles (Time: 7-8 hours)

Altitude:

• High pass 4,650 meters / 15,193 feet.
• Lake Aruraycocha 4,445 meters / 14,580 feet.
• Sacred Valley of the Incas 3,044 meters / 9984 feet.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Yes.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

For trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you should make your booking at least five days in advance, so we can make the necessary preparations, although we recommend that you make your booking up to 90 days in advance. Full refunds (minus administration costs) can be offered 45 days before your scheduled departure date. After 45 days, only partial refunds will be given.

Yes, for trekking and hiking routes other than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you can add other travelers to your group before departure. Write to us for more information on the treks, hikes and tours we have available.

The maximum group size is 16 persons. For more than 16 persons, a second group must be organized. A single guide travels with 8 participants. For larger groups, an assistant guide will also accompany the participants.

If you are traveling alone and are willing to share a tent, with a member of the same sex or partner, family member or friend, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like your own private tent an additional supplement will be payable. Please contact us in advance, because on some trekking and hiking routes this option may depend on the availability of spaces at campsites designated by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.

Use of plastic bottles on the network of Inca Trails to Machu Picchu is not permitted. Other treks and hikes do not have this restriction, but we always recommend and encourage our travelers to use reusable canteens or second use plastic water bottles. Our cook will provide you with boiled water to refill your bottle at all the campsites.

All foodstuffs are purchased immediately before departure to guarantee freshness, and they are correctly packaged and handled by our trained staff to ensure food safety. We use cloth bags when making our purchases, rather than plastic. The produce is fresh and bought directly from local farmers. Also, we pack the produce in cloth bags and hermetic multiuse containers, avoiding the use of plastic in order to make our operations as green as possible.

You will need to carry your daypack with all the personal items you need during the day. The rest of your luggage will be transported by us (van / porters). Porters are only permitted to carry 8 kilos for each person (including sleeping bag). As a company, Andean Adventures Peru is committed to the well-being of its porters during treks and hikes, ensuring that they are properly paid, well fed, and comfortable at our campsites. On some of our trekking and hiking routes, pack animals are used.

We supply all the camping equipment needed for groups to enjoy the great outdoors safely and comfortably: 4-person tents for every two participants; air mattresses; complete table service; dining tent, chairs and tables; kitchen tent; latrine tent; sleeping bags on request (many travelers choose to bring their own sleeping bag; however, we also offer sleeping bags for hire at an additional cost).

Our full time logistics staff continuously maintain and/or replace all our equipment. To ensure proper use of our equipment, all gear is handled by our trained field crew during treks and hikes.