Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu

Itinerary Highlights

Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu
Cultural experiences such as weaving in the Sacred Valley
Option to trek in the Andes
Feast on a traditional 'Pachamanca' meal cooked in hot stones
Colonial architectural charm in Cuzco

What's Included

Flights
Accommodation Throughout
Transfers

10 nights from £4,950 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

This itinerary showcases some of the lesser visited areas in the Sacred Valley, allowing you to get under the skin of this magical region of the world. Part of the trip is to take the 5-day Mountain Lodges of Peru Upper Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure, a trekking route that takes you through some of the most beautiful trails of the Cuzco region, whilst staying in comfortable, remote lodges in the Lares Valley.

Start your trip acclimatising in the beautiful city of Cuzco with time to see the sites and get used to the altitude of almost 3400m above sea level. You then begin your 'Alternative Inca Trail' adventure, as you travel through the remote passes of the stunning Lares Valley. During your 5 days you have the option to walk or be driven any seciton of the journey, and you can encounter traditional weavers in colourful Peruvian dress, local farmers and herds of alpacas and llamas. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and meet the Andean highland communities, which have remarkably remained the same for centuries. Your expert guide shares with you the knowledge of natural history, culture and local traditions as they take you to sites steeped in fascinating history. You visit the Inca sites of Pisac, home to remarkable stone structures, Ollantaytambo fortress, where the rebel leader Manco Inca defeated the Spanish before arriving at Machu Picchu, and finally the crowning glory of the ancient Citadel of Machu Picchu itself, and the archaeological wonder of South America.

All of the mountain lodges have a dramatic Andean backdrop and provide the perfect base to explore this remote part of Peru, whilst still ensuring you visit the main highlights of the Sacred Valley and Cuzco region.

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK for your overnight flight to Cuzco, via Lima.

Day 2 Cuzco

Arrival to the Peruvian Highlands and Inca capital of Cuzco. You are collected from the airport and driven to your hotel in the centre of the city, and located just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas main square. You have the remainder of the day at leisure, to acclimatise to the altitude and explore some of the city independently on foot.

Staying at

Day 3 Cuzco

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuzco is a labyrinthine of cobblestone streets. Explore the city with your local guide who will introduce you to the main sites, bringing them alive with Incan history. At the heart of the city is the Plaza de Armas, flanked with colonial buildings such as the imposing Cathedral and the beautiful Church of la Compania de Jesus. Koricancha Temple is an old Incan palace and the the main centre for the worship of the sun god, Inti. Overlooking the city is the majestic Sacsayhuaman Fortress, built of enormous stone blocks, all shaped and carved by the Incas.

Day 4 Cuzco

Delve deeper into the Inca history, at the historic sites of Qenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachy or at the Regional History Museum. Wander to the San Blas neighbourhood, atmospheric, picturesque and lined with artists' studios and artisans' workshops. Many of the streets are pedestrian only featuring typical cafes for a soothing cup of coca tea. Walk to the plaza at the highest point of the neighbourhood for fantastic views over the city. At the right of Cuesta San Blas is the little white Templo de San Blas, said to be the oldest in the city. This evening you are met by your guide who gives you additional information on the start of your trek tomorrow, and a full briefing on the route and as a chance for you to ask any questions before starting the lodge-to-lodge hike.

Day 5 Lares Adventure - Sacred Valley of the Incas and Pisaq

Begin your journey from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Start your day with either a hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the Awanakancha textile centre followed by an exploration of the lively town and colourful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Continue in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming techniques before then either hiking or being driven to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour, followed by a traditional Pachamanca dinner back at Lamay Lodge and your comfortable base for the night.

Staying at

Day 6 The Lares Valley

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 is at Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archaeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in a remote settlement or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where you spend the night in another comfortable lodge.

Day 7 Huacahuasi to Ollantaytambo

Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloq. From here, choose a morning hike from Huilloq to Pumamarka, or explore some more of Huilloq and a nearby sheepherding community before lunch and then an exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. Next, you can choose between a hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or take the transportation option and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways. Overnight in Ollantaytambo town this evening.

Day 8 Exploring Ollantaytambo and on to Machu Picchu

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, you meet at the entrance of the site for a more in depth guided tour. Later on this afternoon, after lunch you board a scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu and enjoy a free afternoon. Alternatively, you can opt to take an earlier train this morning and get off at the last stop before Machu Picchu village, at KM 104. This allows you to hike the final section of the traditional Inca Trail ending at the Sun Gate for iconic views down on the citadel of Machu Picchu. You overnight in Machu Picchu Village this evening prior to your visit to the site tomorrow.

Day 9 Machu Picchu Citadel

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning uphill bus ride. As you enter the ‘sanctuary’ (as locals refer to it), prepare to be awed by the imposing, skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among others. You have an in depth guided tour along one of the set routes around the ruins, before then returning down to the village via bus, for lunch. You then make your way back to the train station for the scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours) where you stay for the night.

Staying at

Day 10 Cuzco - Lima - UK

You have the morning at leisure to explore Cuzco and perhaps take in a final few market stalls for souvenirs before at the agreed time returning to the airport for you flights back to Lima, and then connecting on to the UK. Please note that this itinerary can be extended to include any other region of Peru should you wish to explore some of the Amazon Rainforest, Lake Titicaca or perhaps just have some days in the capital Lima where some of the best restaurants in the continent are located. Alternatively, if you prefer the idea of a longer trek, this Mountain Lodges of Peru itinerary can also be expanded out to 7 days to incorporate even more areas of the Sacred Valley.

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Pricing Information & Dates

10 nights from £4,950 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Price Includes

Return International Flights as per the itinerary
All airport taxes and security charges
Accommodation and meals as specified
Transfers as specified
Activities and excursions as specified
All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance
Any meals not specified in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions

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