Highlights
Nowadays, this trek is getting evermore popular, because there is too much demand for the Traditional Incan Trail hike and it also is very good for people who want to enjoy thermal baths on the way and see Machupicchu, at the end of the tour.
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco – Calca – Lares
We’ll have an early start in Cusco and after picking you up at your hotel, the van will take you to the Sacred Valley, to get to the quiet locality of Calca, where we´ll stop for half an hour, as it is the last village where our trekking staff will be able to get some last minute supplies for the next days and we´ll have time enough to walk around the local market and get involved with local inhabitants and their selling and buying customs.
Upon leaving Calca, the road winds up the valley´s Northern slope, to get to the Palcay Mountain Pass (4,420 m./14,498 ft.), nearby which it is possible to sight some llamas and alpacas, as well as many native communities spread around on both sides of the road.
On the other side of the mountain pass, the descent will be very beautiful, as we´ll be going down into another valley called Lares, as is the town where we will be camping, just a few steps away from the local hot water springs. But, before we go there, we´ll visit the community of Choquecancha, where we´ll meet some traditional local textile weavers at work.
After a short visit in Choquecancha, we´ll return to our campsite, to later on, relax in the hot water springs and have a great evening. Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2
Huacahuasi – Ipsaycocha
This morning we´ll wake you up with hot tea to start the day and around our tents, there will be some horses which belong to the horsemen who will help us on the hike, as they will start to pack everything, while we´ll be having breakfast and afterwards, all together, we´ll be gradually ascending towards a nice valley, to get to the community of Huacahuasi, where lunch will be served. Then, we will keep ascending through herds of llamas and alpacas, all the way to the Ipsaycocha Mountain Pass (4,400 m. / 14,520 ft.). With good weather conditions, it is possible to appreciate Mounts Ipsaykasa, Patacancha and Chuapasonco from there, as these mountains are part of the Urubamba Mountain Range and we´ll be camping near a nice lake, at a short distance from the pass. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3
Huilloq – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
If yesterday seemed strenuous, climbing to Ipsaycocha, today will make you feel more relaxed, as the hike will be all downhill. We will walk by some communities on the way, such as Patacancha and Huilloq, where the locals are still using their traditional clothes, like very colorful ponchos, hats, blankets and pants. Our hike will end in Huilloq, where our van will transfer us to Ollantaytambo, visit the archaeological complex and later on in the afternoon, we´ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes, where we´ll spend the night at a hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 4
Machupicchu – Cusco.
This morning, we´ll have our earliest start of the trek and there is a good reason for it. We will try to see Machu Picchu at sunrise. So, we´ll take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and once there, we´ll go on a morning guided tour. For lunch we will go back to Aguas Calientes and in the mild afternoon we will catch the train to Ollantaytambo and then, a van ride to Cusco. Breakfast.
