Design your own adventure! Both our 5- and 7-day Sacred Valley and Lares itineraries will lead you on expeditions through the bustling towns and marketplaces of the Sacred Valley, along seldom-traveled highland trails to fascinating archaeological sites, and to hidden Andean villages for a first-hand glimpse into the culture and daily life of communities that still maintain the traditions of their Inca forebears. Each day our expert guides will help you tailor your trip from an exciting list of both cultural encounters and active excursions.
Location: El Mercado - one of our signature hotels located just 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main town square.
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
Hike
-From the local community of Amaru to the local community of Viacha
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate to challenging
-Highest elevation: 14,200’ / 4,328 m
GROUP ACTIVITY:
/ Visit to the community of Viacha
/ Traditional Pachamanca lunch in town
/ Exploration of the Pisaq archaeological site
/ Optional hike from Viacha to the Pisaq archaeological site
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
EXCURSION
/ Explore the textile center of Awanacancha
/ Visit the town and marketplace in Pisaq
/ Short drive to the village of Viacha
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the community of Viacha
/ Traditional Pachamanca lunch in town
/ Exploration of the Pisaq archaeological site
TIPS
/ Sunscreen is key in the Sacred Valley
/ Pisaq market: make sure to negotiate prices with the vendors—they expect it!
/ The temperature in the Sacred Valley will decrease dramatically as the sun goes down. We recommend that you take an extra layer for your afternoon excursion
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (el. 9,705’ / 2,958 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the small town of Lamay
/ Scenic drive to Ancasmarca
/ Guided tour of the Ancasmarca archaeological site
ACTIVITY
HIKE
Option A)
-From Quelquena to Huacahuasi
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Easy to Moderate
-Highest elevation 12,595’ / 3,839 m
Option B)
-From Cuncani to Huacahuasi
-Approximately 4 hours
-Moderate
-Highest elevation 13,838’ / 4,219 m
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the small town of Lamay
/ Scenic drive to Ancasmarca
/ Guided tour of the Ancasmarca archaeological site
EXCURSION
/ Scenic drive to the small town of Choquecancha
/ Afternoon arrival at Huacahuasi Lodge
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
HIKE
In the morning:
-From Huilloc to Pumamarka, stopping by the Ayar Orcco Inca Cemetery
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate
GROUP ACTIVITY
Visit the archaeological site of Pumamarka
In the afternoon:
-From Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Enjoy a visit to an artisanal brewery that uses all locally sourced products for their beers. (subject to additional cost)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (el. 9,284’ / 2,830 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
EXCURSION
/ Scenic drive from Huacahuasi Lodge to Huilloc
/ Visit to a local trout farm and ceviche tasting
/ Participate in a ceremony for the good health of the community’s flock
/ Visit the archaeological site of Pumamarka
/ Visit to the “Half-Moon” terraces
/ Explore the town of Ollantaytambo
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Enjoy a visit to an artisanal brewery that uses all locally sourced products for their beers. (subject to additional cost)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (el. 9,284’ / 2,830 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
HIKE
Option A)
-Lower Pinkuylluna mountain above Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 1.5 hours
-Moderate
Option B)
-Higher Pinkuylluna mountain above Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Moderate to challenging
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
/ Free time to explore the town and market on your own
/ Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
/ Hotel check-in and afternoon at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town (el. 6,232’ / 1,900 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
/ Free time to explore the town and market on your own
/ Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
/ Hotel check-in and afternoon at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town (el. 6,232’ / 1,900 m)
Early morning guided tour of Machu Picchu followed by free time for further exploration or a hike up Huayna Picchu *. Lunch in Aguas Calientes and afternoon journey back to Cusco.
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Early morning bus ride to Machu Picchu (Approximately 30 mins)
/ Two-hour guided tour of the Inca Citadel
/ Lunch at Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
/ Train ride to Ollantaytambo
/ Scenic drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
HIKE
-Guided hike to Huayna Picchu mountain
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Moderate to challenging
-Highest elevation: 8,924’ / 2,720 m
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Early morning bus ride to Machu Picchu (Approximately 30 mins)
/ Two-hour guided tour of the Inca Citadel
/ Lunch at Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
/ Train ride to Ollantaytambo
/ Scenic drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
EXCURSION
/ After the guided tour, choose to stay and explore more of Machu Picchu on your own or take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Aguas Calientes artisanal market
/ If you opt to spend more time in Machu Picchu, consider a short hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge
Location: El Mercado - one of our signature hotels located just 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main town square.
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Morning visit to the Chinchero archaeological site
HIKE
-From Chinchero to Urquillos (Afternoon hike)
-Approximately 3 hours
-Easy to Moderate
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Morning visit to the Chincheros archaeological site
EXCURSION
/ Extended visit to Chincheros
/ Guided tour of the Moray agricultural terraces
/ Tour of the Maras natural salt mines
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
HIKE
-From the local community of Amaru to the local community of Viacha
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate to challenging
-Highest elevation: 14,200’ / 4,328 m
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the community of Viacha
/ Traditional Pachamanca lunch in town
/ Exploration of the Pisaq archaeological site
/ Optional hike from Viacha to the Pisaq archaeological site
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
EXCURSION
/ Explore the textile center of Awanacancha
/ Visit the town and marketplace in Pisaq
/ Short drive to the village of Viacha
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the community of Viacha
/ Traditional Pachamanca lunch in town
/ Exploration of the Pisaq archaeological site
OVERNIGHT: Lamay Lodge (el. 9,705’ / 2,958 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the small town of Lamay
/ Scenic drive to Ancasmarca
/ Guided tour of the Ancasmarca archaeological site
ACTIVITY
HIKE
OPTION A)
-From Quelquena to Huacahuasi
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Easy to Moderate
-Highest elevation 12,595’ / 3,839 m
OPTION B)
-From Cuncani to Huacahuasi
-Approximately 4 hours
-Moderate
-Highest elevation 13,838’ / 4,219 m
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the small town of Lamay
/ Scenic drive to Ancasmarca
/ Guided tour of the Ancasmarca archaeological site
EXCURSION
/ Scenic drive to the small town of Choquecancha
/ Afternoon arrival at Huacahuasi Lodge
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the community of Huacahuasi
ACTIVITY
HIKE
OPTION A)
-Leisurely walk to the Huacahuasi waterfalls
-Approximately 2 hours
-Easy
OPTION B)
-From Quiswarani to Huacahuasi
-Approximately 7 hours
-Challenging
-Highest elevation: 14,505’ / 4,421 m
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Visit to the community of Huacahuasi
EXCURSION
/ Spend extra time in Huacahuasi meeting the local people and visiting their homes
/ Cooking class at Huacahuasi Lodge
/ Lunch and afternoon at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 12,585’ / 3,835 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
HIKE
In the morning:
-From Huilloc to Pumamarka, stopping by the Ayar Orcco Inca Cemetery
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate
GROUP ACTIVITY
Visit the archaeological site of Pumamarka
In the afternoon:
-From Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 3 hours
-Moderate
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Enjoy a visit to an artisanal brewery that uses all locally sourced products for their beers. (subject to additional cost)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (el. 9,284’ / 2,830 m)
CULTURE EXCURSION:
EXCURSION
/ Scenic drive from Huacahuasi Lodge to Huilloc
/ Visit to a local trout farm and ceviche tasting
/ Participate in a ceremony for the good health of the community’s flock
/ Visit the archaeological site of Pumamarka
/ Visit to the “Half-Moon” terraces
/ Explore the town of Ollantaytambo
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
Enjoy a visit to an artisanal brewery that uses all locally sourced products for their beers. (subject to additional cost)
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (el. 9,284’ / 2,830 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:
ACTIVITY
HIKE
-Lower Pinkuylluna mountain above Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 1.5 hours
-Moderate
Option B)
-Higher Pinkuylluna mountain above Ollantaytambo
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Moderate to challenging
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
/ Free time to explore the town and market on your own
/ Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
/ Hotel check-in and afternoon at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town (el. 6,232’ / 1,900 m)
CULTURE
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
/ Free time to explore the town and market on your own
/ Train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
/ Hotel check-in and afternoon at leisure
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Aguas Calientes town (el. 6,232’ / 1,900 m)
ACTIVE EXCURSION:<
ACTIVITY
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Early morning bus ride to Machu Picchu (Approximately 30 mins)
/ Two-hour guided tour of the Inca Citadel
/ Lunch at Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
/ Train ride to Ollantaytambo
/ Scenic drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
HIKE
-Guided hike to Huayna Picchu mountain
(subject to availability)
-Approximately 2.5 hours
-Moderate to challenging
-Highest elevation: 8,924’ / 2,720 m
CULTURE EXCURSION:
GROUP ACTIVITY
/ Early morning bus ride to Machu Picchu (Approximately 30 mins)
/ Two-hour guided tour of the Inca Citadel
/ Lunch at Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel
/ Train ride to Ollantaytambo
/ Scenic drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
EXCURSION
/ After the guided tour, choose to stay and explore more of Machu Picchu on your own or take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for some last-minute souvenir shopping at the Aguas Calientes artisanal market
/ If you opt to spend more time in Machu Picchu, consider a short hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge
MAP
