5-Day Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu

6 days / 5 nights

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Design your own adventure through ancient history, living culture and the magnificent landscapes of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Tailor your individual experience from a list of adventure activities and cultural exploration options, and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets that paint the Andean sky at the end of each exciting day, as you settle into luxurious mountain lodges with exceptional Peruvian cuisine.

Key sights to see

Cusco
Cusco

Cusco, often spelled as Cuzco, is located at an elevation of 3,400 meters or 11,200 feet in southeastern Peru. This historic city served as the capital of the Inca empire from the 13th century, until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Cusco is the gateway to the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu.

Pisac
Pisac

Pisac is a village in the Sacred Valley best known for its Incan ruins that are scattered over a hill above the village. It is also very famous for its large market which is held every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Lares Valley
Lares Valley

Traversing part of the Sacred Valley, the Lares Valley is home to several weavers and farmers and is famous for homemade textiles. It is also home to several towering peaks and turqoise blue lakes. The Lares trek, which goes through the valley, is one of the main alternatives to the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu.

Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a town and Inca archaelogical site that was once the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region. Dating back to the 15th century, it has some of the most important Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley including Temple Hill, the Terraces of Pumatallis and the Storehouses built into the hills.

Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

One of the seven wonders of the world, and the most iconic symbol of the Inca civilization, Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel that was constructed around 1450, but abandoned a century later. Until American archaeologist Hiram Bingham III located it in 1911, the citadel’s existence and location was a secret.

Exciting and memorable things to do

Day 2 Morning: Cultural option - Pisac Marketplace
Day 2 Morning: Cultural option - Pisac Marketplace
Visit the Awakancha textile center, followed by an exploration of the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisac. Get up close with friendly llamas, alpacas and vicunas, all camelids indigenous to this region and other high-altitude regions of Peru.
Day 2 Morning: Active option - Hike to Viacha (Moderate)
Day 2 Morning: Active option - Hike to Viacha (Moderate)
Enjoy an approximately 3 hour hike on a moderately strenuous route from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha.
Day 2 Afternoon: Visit Viacha & Pisac
Day 2 Afternoon: Visit Viacha & Pisac
Meet the locals in the village of Viacha and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices, followed by an optional hike (or drive) and guided exploration of the Inca Pisac archaelogical site.
Traditional Pachamanca dinner at Lamay Lodge
Traditional Pachamanca dinner at Lamay Lodge
Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca dinner at Lamay Lodge
Day 3 Morning: Visit Lamay and Ancasmarca
Day 3 Morning: Visit Lamay and Ancasmarca
Begin your day with a visit to the small town of Lamay, followed by a scenic drive to Ancasmarca, a seldom-visited archaeological site in the heart of Lares valley.
Day 3 Afternoon: Cultural option - Visit the traditional weavers of Choquecancha
Day 3 Afternoon: Cultural option - Visit the traditional weavers of Choquecancha
Visit a community of expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha to learn about traditional weaving and dyeing methods.
Day 3 Afternoon: Active option - Hike to Huacahuasi (Moderate)
Day 3 Afternoon: Active option - Hike to Huacahuasi (Moderate)
Hike from either Quelquena (~2.5 hours) or Cuncani (~4 hours) to the remote village of Huacahuasi on a moderately difficult trail that goes past turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks.
Day 4: Cultural Option - Visit Huilloc, Marcacocha and Pumamarka
Day 4: Cultural Option - Visit Huilloc, Marcacocha and Pumamarka
Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheep herding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth). Then, drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for a tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch. After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming town.
Day 4: Active Option - Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka and Ollantaytambo (Moderate)
Day 4: Active Option - Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka and Ollantaytambo (Moderate)
Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka (~3 hours) for a tour of the archaelogical site and picnic lunch. Then continue the hike to Ollantaytambo (~3 hours) and spend the afternoon exploring this charming town.
Day 5 Early Morning: Active Option - Hike up Pinkuyllna Mountain (Moderate to Challenging)
Day 5 Early Morning: Active Option - Hike up Pinkuyllna Mountain (Moderate to Challenging)
Hike up lower or upper Pinkuyllna mountain (1.5 - 2.5 hours) to the Inca storage houses high above the town of Ollantaytambo.
Day 5 Morning: Tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Day 5 Morning: Tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archeological site and the Inca storage houses.
Day 5 Afternoon: Train ride to Aguas Calientes (optional)
Day 5 Afternoon: Train ride to Aguas Calientes (optional)
Embark on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes.
Day 5 Afternoon: Visit to Machu Picchu (optional)
Day 5 Afternoon: Visit to Machu Picchu (optional)
Visit the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 5 All-Day: Hike to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the Inca Trail (optional)
Day 5 All-Day: Hike to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the Inca Trail (optional)
Hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca trail (optional, subject to additional cost and availability). The trek is moderate to challenging and takes approximately 6 hours.
Tour of Machu Picchu
Tour of Machu Picchu
Enjoy a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, then explore the citadel on your own or hike up Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain that looms over the citadel or Machu Picchu mountain for dramatic views. After the visit, have lunch at Aguas Calientes before returning by train to Ollantaytambo (~1.5 hours), and then driving back to Cusco around sunset (~1.5 hours).

Great places to stay

El Mercado, Cusco
El Mercado, Cusco

El Mercado is a 4 star property located three and a half blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the heart of picturesque Cisco. Formerly part of the city’s old farmer’s market, the hotel has 32 rooms with eye-catching interiors, massage service, an original breakfast lounge and restaurant, and a cozy courtyard with live music.

Lamay Lodge, Sacred Valley
Lamay Lodge, Sacred Valley

Lamay Lodge is an idyllic hideaway in the Sacred Valley town of Lamay, at a height of 2,963 m (9,721 ft). Resplendent sun, and flower-dotted gardens, create a calming sensation from the moment you arrive. The outdoor hot tub and firepit in the center garden allow guests to relax while enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Huacahuasi Lodge, Sacred Valley
Huacahuasi Lodge, Sacred Valley

At an altitude of 3,840 m (12,599 ft), Huacahuasi Lodge is an imposing structure with dramatic views of the valley and beyond, with its soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Each luxury guest room is equipped with a private outdoor jacuzzi for guests to relax while taking in dramatic sunsets and star-filled evening skies.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Aguas Calientes
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Aguas Calientes

A member of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village on a 12 acre property with terraced hills, waterfalls, 83 whitewashed adobe casitas, a classic Andean spa, and a first-class restaurant.

What’s Included
  • Ground transportation
  • Local guides
  • Lodging
  • Meals during the trek
What’s Not Included
  • Flights in and out of Peru
  • Ground transportation to and from Cusco airport
  1. WEATHER IN CUSCO The weather in Cusco is defined by two seasons: green (rainy) and dry. The Green season typically runs from November through March, with the heaviest rains in January and February and an average daytime temperature of 56 F, 13 C. During the dry season, the daytime average termperature is 62-68 F or 17-20 C. Temperatures are lower during the early morning and evenings.
  2. ACCLIMATIZATION TO HIGH ALTITUDES Altitude sickness is common at elevations above 1,900 m (6,500 ft) as the body needs to adjust to a decreased amount of oxygen. Symptoms can include lightheadedness, nausea, headaches and dehydration. As the Salkantay trek goes as high as 4,600 m, we recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before your departure for optimal altitude acclimitization.
  3. PREPARATION The Salkantay trek can be quite strenuous at times, so we recommend beginning an intensive cardio-intensive fitness regimen that includes vigorous walking or hiking three months before your trip. Wear broken-in hiking shoes or boots with adequate ankle supports and use hiking poles or walking sticks during the hikes for greater agility and ankle support.
  4. ARRIVING IN PERU All international flights arrive at the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, where travelers must go through immigration and customs before continuing on to Cusco. There are two airlines that fly round-trip between Lima and Cusco: LATAM and Avianca.
  5. BAGGAGE LIMITATIONS There is a baggage weight limit of 22 lbs/10 kg on the train to and from Machu Picchu. If your bag exceeds this weight, extra luggage can be stored in Cusco.
  6. TRAVEL INSURANCE All guests are required to provide valid proof of travel insurance, including specific coverage for adventure travel activities in Peru.
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