Mountain Lodges of Peru - Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure
Day 4 – Treasures of the Sacred Valley
Your journey begins from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Your first step will be Chinchero, a small Andean village and Inca archaeological site. From there, choose an inspiring downhill hike from Chinchero to the town of Urquillos along historic Inca trails, or an afternoon exploring the circular agricultural terraces in Moray and natural salt mines in Maras.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
All-Group Activity: Visit to Chinchero.
Afternoon
Cultural: Guided exploration of the Moray agricultural complex and the natural salt mines in Maras.
Active: Hike from Chincheros to Urquillos
Stay: Two nights at Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
Day 5 – Exploring Pisac
Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
Cultural: Excursion to Pisaq for a guided tour and free time to explore its celebrated marketplace, followed a visit to the community of Viacha.
Semi-active: Bike ride from Lamay Lodge to Pisaq (subject to additional cost). Approximately 3 hours – Easy to Moderate
Active: Hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate, 14,200’ / 4,328 m
Midday
All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices.
Afternoon
All-Group Activity: Guided tour of the Pisaq archaeological site.
Day 6 – Into the heart of the Lares
The day begins with a visit to the small town of Lamay followed by a scenic drive into the heart of the Lares Valley. Your first stop will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
All-Group Activity: Explore the town of Lamay and visit the Ancasmarca archeological site.
Afternoon
Cultural: Visit to the remote village of Choquecancha where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community’s expert textile weavers.
Active:
Option A: Hike from Quelquena to Huacahuasi. Approximately 2.5 hours – Easy to moderate, 14,200’ / 4,328 m
Option B: Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi. Approximately 4 hours – Moderate, 13,838´ / 4,219m
Stay: Two nights at Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)
Day 7 – Exploring Huacahuasi
For a cultural morning experience, you will visit the village of Huacahuasi and learn more about its heritage and daily life of the locals. Afterwards, return to the lodge for a Peruvian cooking class with the lodge staff or take a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Alternately, challenge yourself with an all-day hike from the community of Quiswarani to Quelquena along the ‘Trail of 1,000 Lakes’ for majestic views of the lakes, valleys, and mountains.
Morning
Cultural: Visit the village of Huacahuasi followed by a cooking class and lunch at the lodge.
Active: Hike to the the waterfalls near Huacahuasi and lunch at the lodge. Approximately 1.5 hours – Easy
All-day
Active: Hike from Quiswarani to Quelquena (lunch en route). Approximately 6.5 hours – Challenging, 14,505’ / 4,421 m
Day 8 – The road to Ollantaytambo
Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways.
Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
Cultural: Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and her blessings for the health of the community livestock. Drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for an all-group tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch.
Active Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate
Afternoon
Cultural: After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming Sacred Valley town.
Active: Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate
Optional All-Group Activity (late afternoon): Visit a locally-sourced Sacred Valley craft brewery (subject to additional cost).
Stay: One night at a hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (9,284’ / 2,830 m)
Day 9 – Discovering Ollantaytambo
Begin your day with an optional early morning hike to the Inca storage houses high above the town for an impressive view of the Ollantaytambo fortress and ceremonial site. Afterwards, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost).
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Early morning
Active:
Option A:Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo. Approximately 1.5 hours – Moderate
Option B: Hike up Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo. Approximately 2.5 hours – Moderate to challenging
Morning
All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site.
Afternoon
Train ride: Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Approximately 1.5 hours
All-day activity (subject to additional cost)
*Active: Hike on the classic Inca Trail, from KM 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. Approximately 6 hours – Moderate to challenging
*Note: This is a full-day hike that replaces the standard program day itinerary. Permits are required and must be purchased in advance.
Stay: One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel (6,232’ / 1,900m)