ABOUT THE ITINERARY
Unlike Mountain Lodges of Peru’s Salkantay Trek, the Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure combines picturesque Andean scenery with historic towns and seldom-visited Inca archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. It has been designed for those looking to mix an active holiday, with the history and culture of Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Every day different activities are offered and you will have the chance to design your own adventure, based on your interests and how active you want to be. One morning you may be hiking on a remote highland trail and in the afternoon you might find yourself learning to weave with a local family. Each day you will have a choice of activities, but everyone’s adventure ends at the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, where you will have a full day to explore the ruins before returning to Cusco by train.
Rather than camping you will stay in two purpose built mountain lodges (as well as a couple of hotels), where you will be greeted each evening to a hot shower and a comfortable bed. The lodges have been designed to fit in with the environment and actually have been built using traditional Inca methods, but have modern comforts like Wi-Fi and even a hot-tub!
During the day you will only need to carry a day pack, as your main luggage is moved by MLP from one lodge to the next. Snacks are provided, but along route you will have lunch in local restaurants or special picnics are setup (often in remarkable locations!) Dinner is normally at the lodge or hotel and menus have been designed to show off traditional Andean cuisine (with a touch of flair!) with locally sourced ingredients. You will never go hungry!
Is this for me?
The flexibility of Mountain Lodges of Peru’s Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure means it is ideal for families or couples who may have slightly different interests or not sure how active they want to be. It’s also a great option for single travellers as group sizes are large enough for you to meet other travellers (normally up to 16, but often a lot smaller).
Unlike some walking itineraries in Peru, where there is often no alternative to trekking 6+ hours each day and the emphasis is very much on the scenery, the Mountain Lodges of Peru Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure, has been designed to offer a flexible itinerary, allowing guests to choose between active and cultural activities. Famous historical attractions are included along the way, but guests will also have the chance to explore relatively untouched areas and see the daily life of the remote communities in the area.
Note: The Mountain Lodges of Peru Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure has set departure dates and is in small groups (normally up to 16). It operates all year round, except for January and February.
For those short on time, Mountain Lodges of Peru also offer a shorter 5 day / 4 night Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure, which only includes one night at Lamay and Huacahuasi Lodges.
DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS
Bear in mind, these are just a starting point as all holidays are customised to the specific requirements of our guests. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular interest or to go to a different destination all together, every itinerary is created individually around your preferences.
CUSCO
On day 1 you will arrive into the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, where you will be met and driven to your charming B&B on the outskirts of the historic centre.
Note: Most international flights to Peru will arrive into Lima and then it is a 1 1/2 hour connecting flight to Cusco. There are some airlines which fly directly into Cusco though.
Cusco is over 3,300m above altitude and it is important to acclimatise before starting the Mountain Lodges of Peru, Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure. We have included three nights for you to adjust to the altitude and on your second full day in the city, you will be taken on a private tour of the Cusco’s main attractions.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Cusco is nestled in a green valley high in the Andean mountains and is home to some truly remarkable colonial architecture and relics left over from the Inca Empire. A private tour will show you the spectacular Inca ruins in the surrounding countryside, including the temple of Kenko, the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara and the mighty Sacsayhuaman fortress.
In the evening of day 3 you will meet the trip leaders at the hotel El Mercado in Cusco, for a pre-trek briefing.
Stay: Three nights at El Retablo – bed & breakfast
MOUNTAIN LODGES OF PERU – SACRED VALLEY AND LARES ADVENTURE
Day 4 – Treasures of the Sacred Valley
Your journey begins from the busy streets of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, full of lush green fields surrounded by striking mountain peaks. Your first step will be Chinchero, a small Andean village and Inca archaeological site. From there, choose an inspiring downhill hike from Chinchero to the town of Urquillos along historic Inca trails, or an afternoon exploring the circular agricultural terraces in Moray and natural salt mines in Maras.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
All-Group Activity: Visit to Chinchero.
Afternoon
Cultural: Guided exploration of the Moray agricultural complex and the natural salt mines in Maras.
Active: Hike from Chincheros to Urquillos
Stay: Two nights at Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
Day 5 – Exploring Pisac
Start your day with either an invigorating hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha, or a visit to the lively town and colorful artisan marketplace of Pisaq. Midday, both cultural explorers and hikers will reunite in the village of Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming before a hike or drive to the Pisaq archaeological site for a guided tour.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
Cultural: Excursion to Pisaq for a guided tour and free time to explore its celebrated marketplace, followed a visit to the community of Viacha.
Semi-active: Bike ride from Lamay Lodge to Pisaq (subject to additional cost). Approximately 3 hours – Easy to Moderate
Active: Hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate, 14,200’ / 4,328 m
Midday
All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices.
Afternoon
All-Group Activity: Guided tour of the Pisaq archaeological site.
Day 6 – Into the heart of the Lares
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 will be Ancasmarca for a guided tour of this seldom-visited archeological site. Afterwards, choose a visit with the expert textile weavers in the remote village of Choquecancha or a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes and towering peaks to the remote village of Huacahuasi, where both groups meet again to spend the night.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
All-Group Activity: Explore the town of Lamay and visit the Ancasmarca archeological site.
Afternoon
Cultural: Visit to the remote village of Choquecancha where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community’s expert textile weavers.
Active:
Option A: Hike from Quelquena to Huacahuasi. Approximately 2.5 hours – Easy to moderate, 14,200’ / 4,328 m
Option B: Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi. Approximately 4 hours – Moderate, 13,838´ / 4,219m
Stay: Two nights at Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)
Day 7 – Exploring Huacahuasi
For a cultural morning experience, you will visit the village of Huacahuasi and learn more about its heritage and daily life of the locals. Afterwards, return to the lodge for a Peruvian cooking class with the lodge staff or take a short hike to the nearby waterfalls. Alternately, challenge yourself with an all-day hike from the community of Quiswarani to Quelquena along the ‘Trail of 1,000 Lakes’ for majestic views of the lakes, valleys, and mountains.
Morning
Cultural: Visit the village of Huacahuasi followed by a cooking class and lunch at the lodge.
Active: Hike to the the waterfalls near Huacahuasi and lunch at the lodge. Approximately 1.5 hours – Easy
All-day
Active: Hike from Quiswarani to Quelquena (lunch en route). Approximately 6.5 hours – Challenging, 14,505’ / 4,421 m
Day 8 – The road to Ollantaytambo
Begin the day with a scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc. From there, choose a morning hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka, or explore the village and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha before regrouping for lunch and a midday exploration of the Pumamarka archaeological site. After lunch, choose to hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo or drive and spend the afternoon exploring Ollantaytambo’s maze-like alleys and passageways.
Note: Afternoon hikers will meet the rest of the group at the hotel upon arrival in the Sacred Valley.
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Morning
Cultural: Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community of Marcacocha to participate in a traditional Andean ceremony to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth) and her blessings for the health of the community livestock. Drive from Marcacocha to Pumamarka for an all-group tour of the archaeological site and picnic lunch.
Active Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate
Afternoon
Cultural: After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring this charming Sacred Valley town.
Active: Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo. Approximately 3 hours – Moderate
Optional All-Group Activity (late afternoon): Visit a locally-sourced Sacred Valley craft brewery (subject to additional cost).
Stay: One night at a hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (9,284’ / 2,830 m)
Day 9 – Discovering Ollantaytambo
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, the entire group will meet at the entrance of the site for a guided tour before embarking on a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Alternately, opt for an all-day hike from train marker KM 104 to the Machu Picchu Sun Gate on the classic Inca Trail (subject to additional cost).
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
Early morning
Active:
Option A:Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo. Approximately 1.5 hours – Moderate
Option B: Hike up Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo. Approximately 2.5 hours – Moderate to challenging
Morning
All-Group Cultural Activity: Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site.
Afternoon
Train ride: Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to the charming town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Approximately 1.5 hours
All-day activity (subject to additional cost)
*Active: Hike on the classic Inca Trail, from KM 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. Approximately 6 hours – Moderate to challenging
*Note: This is a full-day hike that replaces the standard program day itinerary. Permits are required and must be purchased in advance.
Stay: One night at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel (6,232’ / 1,900m)
MACHU PICCHU
Now it’s time for some sea, sun and splendid relaxation. An hours drive from Philipkutty’s Farm brings you to the coast and a beach resort that combines traditional style – including palm thatched cottages that resemble traditional fisherman’s dwellings – with modern facilities. Plus a warm and inviting sea and an irresistible beach. Expect lazy days followed by nights highlighted by candlelit dinners and local musicians.
Stay: Three nights in a garden villa at The Marari Beach Resort.
FLY HOME
Arrangements end after breakfast on day 11 and you’re free to either return to Cusco airport for your onward flight connections, or continue your journey through Peru and South America.
PRICE INCLUDES
- All transfers
- Bed & breakfast at El Retablo
- All meals whilst with Mountain Lodges of Peru (from lunch on day 4 to dinner on day 10)
- Beverages including soft drinks and a house selection of beer, wine and spirits at the MLP lodges
- Service of an English speaking guide
- Entrance fees and permits to points of interest and archeological sites (including Machu Picchu)
PRICE EXCLUDES
- International and domestic flights
- Additional activities which aren’t included (e.g 1 day Inca Trail)
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP WITH US
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