9 days tour Lares trek – short Inka trail – Cusco – rainbow moutain

Day 1: Transfer In – Cusco Airport to Hotel

Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, our representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude.

• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Altitude range: 2,792–3,500 m / 9,160–11,482 ft

Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas

• Departure time: Approximately 7:30 a.m.
• Route: Cusco – Llama Farm – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Altitude range: 2,792–3,500 m / 9,160–11,482 ft
• Day temperature: 10–23°C / 50–73°F
• Night temperature: 4–10°C / 39–50°F

Llama Farm Interpretation Center

Located along the route from Cusco to Pisac, this sustainable project is dedicated to preserving South American camelids such as llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. Visitors can interact with the animals and observe traditional weaving techniques demonstrated by Andean women.

This is also a good place to find high-quality alpaca products while supporting families from the Andean highlands.

Altitude: 3,550 m / 11,647 ft

Taray Viewpoint

This panoramic stop offers beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, ancient agricultural terraces and the distant peaks of the Andes. It is an ideal location for photographs and an introduction to the geography of the valley.

Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,827 ft

Pisac Archaeological Park

Pisac is one of the most impressive Inca urban and agricultural complexes. It features extensive hillside terraces, ceremonial structures, residential areas and one of the largest known Inca cemeteries.

• Altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• Optional visit: Local silver workshop

Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex

This living Inca town displays remarkable megalithic architecture, precisely fitted stones, religious temples, ceremonial fountains, defensive walls and agricultural terraces. Ollantaytambo also served as an important military stronghold during the Spanish conquest.

Altitude: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft

We finish the day exploring Ollantaytambo, widely known as the “Living Inca Town,” before returning to Cusco.

Day 3: Moray, Maras Salt Mines and Chinchero

• Departure time: Approximately 7:30 a.m.
• Route: Cusco – Moray – Maras Salt Mines – Chinchero – Cusco
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Altitude range: 2,792–3,500 m / 9,160–11,482 ft
• Day temperature: 10–23°C / 50–73°F
• Night temperature: 4–10°C / 39–50°F

Moray Agricultural Laboratory

This remarkable system of circular terraces is believed to have served as an advanced Inca agricultural research center. Each concentric terrace creates a different microclimate, allowing the Incas to experiment with and cultivate a wide variety of crops.

• Altitude: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
• Highlight: Temperature differences of up to 15°C / 59°F between terraces

Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines are an outstanding example of pre-Inca hydraulic engineering. More than 3,000 salt pools are supplied by a natural hypersaline spring. Local families continue to harvest the salt manually using traditional methods.

This is also an excellent place to purchase locally produced pink salt.

• Altitude: 3,380 m / 11,089 ft
• Cultural heritage: Managed by local Quechua families and still in use today

Day 4: Huaran to Cancha Cancha

Your Lares Valley adventure to Machu Picchu begins with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 6:00 a.m. We drive to Huaran, where you will meet the horsemen and prepare for the trek.

The hike begins with a gradual three-hour ascent toward Cancha Cancha. Lunch will be served beside the river and prepared by our trekking chef.

Cancha Cancha, located at approximately 3,900 meters, is one of the most isolated and traditional communities in the region. After settling into the campsite and enjoying afternoon tea, you may visit a local family and learn about daily life in a traditional Andean village.

After dinner, your guide will explain the Inca constellations and their importance in Andean agriculture.

• Campsite: Cancha Cancha
• Altitude: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
• Distance: 9 km / 6 mi
• Hiking time: 4–5 hours
• Accommodation: Camping tents
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
• Day temperature: 13–18°C / 55–64°F
• Night temperature: 0 to -5°C / 32–23°F

Day 5: Cancha Cancha to Quiswarani

Your guide will wake you with a hot cup of tea or coffee before breakfast. Afterward, we begin a challenging hike toward Pachacutec Pass, the highest point of the trek.

Along the route, you will enjoy views of glaciers, remote lakes, alpaca herds, rugged valleys and impressive mountain landscapes. You may also see caracara falcons and Andean geese.

After enjoying the views from the pass, we descend toward the Quiswarani community. Along this isolated trail, we may meet local people wearing traditional clothing and herding llamas and alpacas. Your guide will help translate and teach you a few words in Quechua.

Before reaching the campsite, we pass the spectacular Seven Waterfalls. At camp, hot drinks and appetizers will be served before dinner.

• Campsite: Quiswarani
• Campsite altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Highest point: Pachacutec Pass, 4,758 m / 15,610 ft
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
• Accommodation: Camping tents
• Distance: 13 km / 8.5 mi
• Hiking time: 6–7 hours
• Difficulty: Difficult and challenging
• Day temperature: 18–22°C / 64–72°F
• Night temperature: 0 to -5°C / 32–23°F

Day 6: Quiswarani, Cuncani, Lares and Ollantaytambo

Today begins with a three-hour ascent to Willqaqasa Pass, located at approximately 4,200 meters. From the pass, you can admire glacial lakes reflecting the surrounding mountains, including the majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray peaks.

We continue across high-altitude grasslands, agricultural areas and pristine lakes before descending for approximately two hours to the Cuncani community. Depending on availability, you may have the opportunity to visit the local school and spend time with the children.

From Cuncani, our private transport takes us through the valley to the Lares Hot Springs. Here, you can relax in the natural thermal pools before enjoying lunch.

After lunch, we say goodbye to our trekking chef and horsemen. We then travel approximately 2.5 hours to Ollantaytambo, where we enjoy dinner and spend the night at a hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
• Distance: 10 km / 5.5 mi
• Hiking time: 5–6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
• Day temperature: 15–22°C / 59–71°F
• Night temperature: 1–7°C / 34–45°F

Day 7: Ollantaytambo, Wiñay Wayna, Sun Gate and Aguas Calientes

Your guide will pick you up early in the morning and accompany you to the Ollantaytambo train station. Before boarding, you will receive a packed lunch to carry in your daypack.

After a scenic train journey, we arrive at Km 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River, you will present your passport at the checkpoint and visit the first nearby Inca site.

The first section is a gradual ascent through the cloud forest, with beautiful views of the Urubamba River. The trail then becomes steeper before reaching a waterfall and the impressive archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna.

Your guide will explain the history of Wiñay Wayna and the flora and fauna found within this subtropical environment. After exploring the site, we take a short walk to the lunch area.

Following lunch, we continue toward Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here, you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. We then descend for approximately one hour toward the archaeological site, stopping at several viewpoints along the way.

Upon reaching Machu Picchu, you will have time to take the classic postcard photographs from the House of the Guardian. In the afternoon, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes, check into the hotel and enjoy dinner.

• Starting point: Km 104
• Wiñay Wayna altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
• Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,050 m / 6,726 ft
• Meals included: Box breakfast and box lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Distance: 12 km / 7 mi
• Hiking time: 6–7 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Day temperature: 20–26°C / 68–79°F
• Night temperature: 12–15°C / 54–59°F

Day 8: Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu – Return to Cusco

We return to Machu Picchu early in the morning for a guided tour of the archaeological complex. Your professional guide will explain the history and significance of its principal temples, plazas and structures.

If your Huayna Picchu ticket has been reserved in advance, you will also have the opportunity to climb this famous mountain and enjoy spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding landscape.

After completing the visit, we take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch. Later, we board the train to Ollantaytambo and continue by private transport to Cusco.

• Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,693 m / 8,835 ft
• Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Activity time: Approximately 3–4 hours
• Huayna Picchu hike: Approximately 2.5 hours round trip
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Day 9: Rainbow Mountain

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:00 a.m. and begin the drive toward Rainbow Mountain. After approximately two hours, we stop for breakfast.

We then continue driving for another hour to reach the trailhead, located at approximately 4,800 meters above sea level.

The hike involves a gradual ascent of approximately two hours. Upon reaching the viewpoint, you will have time to admire Rainbow Mountain and take photographs of its colorful landscape.

Afterward, we descend for approximately 1.5 hours to the parking area. Our transport will take us to lunch before returning to Cusco. Arrival at the hotel is expected between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

• Meals included: Breakfast and buffet lunch
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Walking distance: Approximately 6 km / 3.7 mi
• Total duration: Approximately 8–9 hours, including transportation
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult