Weaver’s trek Lares and Patacancha valleys to Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your hotel, leaving Cusco at 6.00 am and heading for Calca, a small town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At this time of the morning the views are often spectacular. Along the way we will visit the Inca granaries of Muyoq Orqo, before continuing past the Sawasiray peak on our way to Willka Punku Pass, which marks the start of the ascent to Lares.

There will be time to rest and enjoy the thermal baths at Lares (Lares 3285 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), where you can visit local weavers and enjoy your evening meal.

Traveling distance:

Cusco – Calca 52 kilometers / 32.31 miles (paved road) – 1.5 hours

Calca – Lares 42 kilometers / 26 miles (dirt road in good condition) – 1.5 hours

Trekking distance:

Thermal baths – Huacawasi 6.3 kilometers / 3.9 miles (3 hours)

Altitude:

• Lares 3285 meters / 10,775 feet.
• Huacawasi 3,806 meters / 12,483 feet

Meals: Lunch, dinner

After breakfast, we will continue our trek in the direction of Ipsayqocha pass, a steady climb through the natural habitat of llamas and alpacas. Here, in addition to appreciating the surrounding panoramic views, it is possible to observe several high Andes bird species. At 4,420 meters (14,500 feet) above sea level, Ipsaycocha is the only high pass on our route. Here the Andean landscape is dotted with herds of llamas and alpacas.

Once over the pass, a long descent will take us to the Patacancha valley, where we will camp.

Trekking distance:

Huacawasi – Ipsayqocha 9 kilometers / 5.6 miles (5 hours).

Ipsayqocha pass – Patacancha valley 6.5 kilometers / 4 miles (3 hours)

Altitude:

• Ipsayqocha pass 4,420 meters / 14,497 feet.
• Patacancha valley 3,802 meters / 12,470 feet

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning we will hike to the indigenous village of Willoq, a traditional farming, llama herding and weaving community that has conserved its traditional way of life. The trail follows a narrow valley through Inca terraces still used by local people to grow potatoes, corn, quinoa, and other native crops, along the way, we will pass the Inca archaeological site of Pumamarca (3,435 meters / 11,266 feet)

The communities of Willoc and Patacancha, are traditional farming, llama herding and weaving communities that has conserved its traditional way of life, they represent an ethnic group that has kept Inca traditions alive, one of the villagers’ specialties is their Textile Art, a heritage treasure, their dresses, and textile works have very striking colors in red, white, and black tones.

The Inca administrative and agricultural center of Pumamarca (3,435 meters / 11,269 feet) is surrounded by a zigzagging wall, suggesting that it may have been fortified, the complex is composed of several storehouses for crops, known in Quechua as colcas, while more than one hundred stepped agricultural terraces stretch out across the valley.

After enjoying our guided tour of this interesting and beautifully Inca site we will explore the valley following a narrow trail through Inca terraces still used by local people. It is a short walk, the scenery in this valley, with its woodland and fields of Andean crops is beautiful. The trail of 5 kilometer / 2.42 miles is easy and crosses many farming terraces built by the Incas to prevent the erosion of the land and to facilitate the irrigation of agricultural fields, the trail gradually descends to the valley (3,026 meters / 9,928 feet).

In the village our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo train station before taking the train to Machu Picchu and spending the night in the nearby small town of Aguas Calientes.

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

Trekking distance:

We will spend around 2 to 3 hours vising the Patacancha and Willoq villages.

Hike Patacancha valley – Willoq 3.90 kilometers / 2.42 miles (2 hours)

Hike Pumamarca hike; to the grounds of the valley 5 km. / 2.42 miles (2-3 hours)

Altitude:

• Patacancha 3,802 meters / 12,470 feet
• Willoq 3,532 meters / 11,587 feet.
• Pumamarca 3,435 meters / 11,269 feet.
• End of the hike, valley ground 3,026 meters / 9,928 feet.
• Ollantaytambo train station 2,800 meters / 9184 feet

Traveling distance:

Car: Willoq to Ollantaytambo 24 kilometers / 15 miles (1hour)

Train: Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu 55 kilometers by train (2 hours)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Known throughout the world as the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu remains intact because the invading Spanish never discovered it. Built some time during the 15th century, Machu Picchu is the greatest surviving achievement of the architects of the Inca state.

The site covers an area of 13 square kilometers and would have originally served as an administrative and religious center. Your guided tour will include the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses, and residential areas of the archaeological complex, in the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide.

Duration of tour: 3 hours at Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco.

Optional; after the tour you will have the option of climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain (2-3 hours, subject to availability, please make your booking as soon as possible).

Traveling time:

Machu Picchu – Poroy Train station (train): 99 kilometers / 61.5 miles (3.30 minutes)

Poroy Train station – Cusco (private vehicle): 13 kilometers / 8 miles (30 minutes)

Altitude:

• Machu Picchu 2,460 meters / 8068 feet.
• Huayna Picchu 2,720 meters / 8922 feet.
• Aguas Calientes 2,020 meters / 6625 feet

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.