Camino Inca 3-Day Lares Trek - Short Inca Trail
Embark on an exciting adventure from Cusco to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu. Begin your journey in the Andean community of Wakawasi, where you'll begin a hike through Lares, ascending to the Ipsay Pass at 4,410 meters and descending to the Ipsa Cocha Lagoon. Then, explore the Short Inca Trail, visiting the ruins of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, before reaching the 'Sun Gate' and finally Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the Inca citadel, discovering its rich history and architecture, and culminate your experience with a return to Cusco, taking with you unforgettable memories of the Peruvian Andes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Lares Trek to Patacancha
At 5:00 p.m., we begin the journey by vehicle from Cusco to Calca and continue to the Andean community of Wakawasi. From Huacawasi, we begin the day hike through Lares until we reach the Ipsay Pass, at 4,410 meters (15,431 feet). We descend to the Ipsa Cocha lagoon, at 4,200 meters. We continue the hike until we reach Patacancha, the neighboring community of Rumira. In Rumira, our tour vehicle awaits us to complete the journey to our destination. Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo.
Information note: The hiking route passes through two attractive textile communities in Huacahuasi and Patacancha. We will be able to observe alpacas grazing in their natural habitat.
Included in the day:
- Cusco – Lares Transportation
- Official Bilingual Guide
- Box lunch for the route
Statistics of the day:
- The Lares Route is easily accessible from Cusco.
- Travel distance from Cusco to Huaca Wasi: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Hiking route: From Huacahuasi to Rumira (Patacancha)
- Walking distance: 14 km (9 miles)
- Starting elevation of hike: 3,750 meters (12,303 feet)
- Elevation of Ipsay Pass: 4,440 meters (14,435 feet)
- Elevation at the end of the hike: 3,800 meters (12,467 feet).
- Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfying.
Day 2: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Departure: 05:40. We start the journey by train. At the station: 06:10; otherwise, you may not be allowed to board.
On board, at km 104, you will find our starting point for the hike, SERNANP MACHU PICCHU, where you must register and show your permits and passports. Just past the first checkpoint are the Chachabamba ruins.
The trail ascends gradually and takes three hours to reach the Wiñay Wayna complex. The hike offers stunning views of the Choquesuysuy ruins and the valley of Urubamba.
Wiñay Wayna was primarily agricultural, and the curved terraces on the steep hillside are impressive. Given the importance of water, this seems to indicate a religious preference.
After a packed lunch, continue the trail and walk from Wiñay Wayna to Intipunku, the 'Gate of the Sun', in two hours. The walk to the ruins takes approximately half an hour. Descent by CONSETUR bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in our hotel.
Included in the day:
- Inca Trail Entrance
- Round-trip train ticket
- Box lunch on the second day
- Consetur bus 1 drop
Statistics of the day:
- Trek start altitude: 2,100 m/6,900 ft (Chachabamba, km 104)
- The highest point of the trek is 2,730 m/8,792 ft (Inti Punku).
- Trekking distance: 10 km/6.3 miles (Chachabamba to Machu Picchu)
- Trekking difficulty: Moderate.
Day 3: Guided tour of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Finally, we have the main day of the entire vacation in the Peruvian Andes: the visit to Machu Picchu.
At the time chosen by the group, organized with our guide, we begin the tour by tourist bus that takes us to the entrance gates of Machu Picchu. We enter the Inca citadel, ascending on a walk of approximately 15 minutes to get the best panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
We explore the Inca citadel thoroughly from above to cover all the important sites such as the Inca quarry area, the Temple of the Sun, the sundial, the Temple of the Condor, etc.
After the spectacular visit to Machu Picchu, we can place the stamp of the Machu Picchu logo 'optional stamp'; it's free; It is interesting to put it in the passport (the true proof that we visited Machu Picchu)”.
At noon or early afternoon, we begin the return to the city of Cusco. The trip takes three and a half hours by train and land transportation. Thank you for exploring the Andes and the Cusco jungle.
Included in the day:
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes
- 01 night in Aguas Calientes
- 01 night in Ollantaytambo
- Consetur bus 1 pick-up and drop-off
- Poroy – Cusco Transportation
Statistics of the day:
- Return train will be at 3:20 PM
Places to visit
Not included
Not mentioned in the program.
Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day.
Recommendations
You will need to bring a passport valid for no more than 6 months.
Appropriate clothing for the weather (this information will be provided once your reservation is confirmed).
Bring a medium-sized backpack for each day.
Bring hiking shoes.
Sunglasses.
Sunscreen.
Mosquito repellent.
Extra money for shopping or souvenirs.
Bring a water bottle.
01 hat for the cold.
Sunglasses.
Snacks for the tour.