HUARAN- LARES- MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Starting the hike in the Huaran community provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about the traditions and customs of the indigenous communities that still inhabit the region. This trek allows visitors to connect closely with traditional Andean life, enjoying picturesque valleys, mountains, glaciers, and lakes. It takes you into a timeless world where farmers plant their crops on ancestral lands, tending to them with herds of llamas and alpacas beneath sacred, snow-capped mountains that the Quechua people worship as gods, known as “Apus.”
People also refer to this route as the “Weavers Circuit” because it preserves ancestral techniques, resulting in high-quality textiles. The trek through the Huaran community follows a path with little tourist traffic and avoids commercial routes, offering a special and unique experience.
Language
English or Spanish Tour
Altitude
3,400 m.s.n.m
Transportation
Car
Difficulty
Easy
Itinerary
- Pick-up: 06:00 AM from the hotel
- Transport: Drive to Calca for breakfast, then to Huaran to start the trek.
- Trekking: 5-hour ascent through the valley to the Andean village of Canchacancha, where we will set up camp.
- Landscapes: The trek includes various Andean landscapes with lush forests, mountains, and lagoons, as well as an immersion in the local culture.
- Trekking: After breakfast, we will start the hike toward “Pachacútec Pass” along the snow-capped Ccolque Cruz Mountain, then descend to Ccomerchocha Lagoon and the village of Quishuarani.
- Views: We will climb again to Cuncani, passing by the beautiful Pata Ccocha Lagoon, before reaching our camp in Cuncani.
- Trekking: After breakfast, we continue the hike from Cuncani through the Lares Valley, stopping at the hot springs (optional), where we will have lunch.
- Transport: In the afternoon, we will take a transport to Ollantaytambo, then board the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will stay overnight in a hotel.
- Visit: After breakfast at the hotel, we will take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu for a 2-hour guided tour.
- Free Time: After the tour, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.
- Return: We will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there, travel by bus to Cusco.
Include
- Transport to Huaran (starting point of the trek) and return to Cusco.
- Train tickets Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo.
- Transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
- Camping equipment: tents, mattresses, dining tent, kitchen, tables, chairs.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Bus ticket up and down to Machu Picchu.
- First aid kit with oxygen.
- Professional guide.
- Horses or mules to carry equipment.
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Not Include
- First breakfast and last lunch.
- Sleeping bag.
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
Recommendation
- Documents: Passport or ID.
- Clothing: Rain jacket, hiking shoes, rain poncho, sunglasses.
- Additional Equipment: Flashlight, walking stick (optional), sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars (optional).
- Extras: Extra money, small backpack, personal kit.
This trip offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and a deep connection with nature. It’s ideal for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, immersing themselves in the ancestral Andean life and exploring the majesty of Machu Picchu
Prices
Extras
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip visits places at high altitudes, and as a result, some people may experience altitude sickness regardless of age or physical condition. Please refer to the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- This journey involves extensive walking to visit the sites, and if you choose to trek the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, you will face strenuous hikes. We recommend this trip for those with a good level of fitness. It is important to bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the “Packing” section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- For those trekking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, accommodation will be in campsites with basic facilities. Undoubtedly, this experience is not just about reaching the final destination (Machu Picchu) but about the incredible journey itself.
- According to Machu Picchu’s visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site in a single direction. Once the guided tour begins, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. After the guided visit concludes, visitors must leave the site, and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not allowed. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
- Travelers who choose different ways to reach Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Train) will not follow the same routes within the site. This means that you may not be able to take photos together overlooking Machu Picchu, whether traveling on the same booking or separate bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 4-day, 3-night Traditional Inca Trail Tour includes daily hikes and overnight stays in camps, with a total duration of approximately 4 full days. It includes transportation from Cusco, a professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English), porters for the collective team, full meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks), tents and camping equipment, entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, and return train transportation from Aguas Calientes to Cusco. It does not include personal expenses, tips, or personal equipment such as trekking boots, but we will provide you with a detailed list to prepare you.
The Traditional Inca Trail Tour 04D/03N has a moderate to high level of difficulty, with daily hikes lasting between 6 and 8 hours, including mountainous terrain, stone stairs, and altitudes of up to 4,200 meters (at the Warmiwañusca Pass). Good physical condition, previous trekking experience, and acclimatization to the altitude of Cusco (3,400 meters) are required. We recommend training in backpacking before the tour, and our team will give you advice on how to adapt. If you have concerns about your health, please consult with us to customize your experience.
The cost of the Traditional Inca Trail Tour 04D/03N varies by season and group, but generally ranges from $550 to $750 USD per person for international tourists, and from 1,800 to 2,500 Peruvian soles for nationals, with possible discounts for students or minors. It includes everything mentioned, except personal equipment. We accept payments by credit/debit card, bank transfers, and in some cases cash at our office in Cusco. We recommend booking in advance, as permits for the Inca Trail are limited and sell out quickly.
We recommend that you bring comfortable hiking boots, thermal and rain gear, a sleeping bag, sunscreen, a hat, drinking water, identification documents (passport for internationals, DNI for nationals), a flashlight, and a day pack. It is also useful to bring cash for purchases in local communities or tips. Our team will provide you with a complete list of equipment and tips to acclimatize and enjoy the adventure. If you need to rent equipment, we can help.
It is not necessary, but it is an advantage. Our guides are bilingual and offer explanations in both Spanish and English, ensuring that both national and international tourists understand the history, culture and details of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. If you speak another language, you can let us know in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate or provide materials in other languages. The experience is designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.
TALK TO AN SPECIALIST
One of our specialists will respond to your travel request as soon as possible.
