Adventurer's Route to Machu Picchu
Active adventures and cultural exploration off the beaten path
Uncover the hidden gems of the Lares region with a daily selection of hikes and cultural adventures
Welcome to the Sacred Valley and Lares
Explore the very heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley. The less-traveled Lares route to Machu Picchu provides a stunning alternative to the well-trodden Inca Trail. Along this route, travelers are treated to awe-inspiring vistas as well as exclusive visits to ancient archaeological sites and traditional villages.
Our lodge-to-lodge adventure is perfect for trekkers and non-trekkers alike, combining hiking options for all levels with authentic cultural experiences. Walk the bustling stone streets of Cusco, and delve into Incan history at archaeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ancasmarca, and Ollantaytambo. Hike to turquoise Andean lakes, waterfalls, and remote villages. Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of the Peruvian highlands, and learn from renowned indigenous artisans. For the grand finale, spend two days taking in the majesty of Machu Picchu.
Daily exploration
Each day you will have a choice of cultural encounters and active hikes
A variety of hikes and cultural activities are designed to appeal to a wide range of travelers. Travel companions may choose to participate in different activities and meet up later to compare experiences.
Your Lodges
Accommodations for this adventure are a combination of comfortable lodges in remote communities and charming hotels.
Your accommodations throughout this adventure combine authentic character while supporting the local indigenous communities of the Lares region and Sacred Valley. Delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients are served fresh daily, while comfortable beds and modern amenities guarantee a refreshing night’s sleep, More about your accommodations »
Your Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in Cusco, Peru
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Day 1 | Cusco arrival and orientation
Arrive in Cuzco in the mid-morning. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for checkin. An afternoon privately guided tour orients you in this legendary city of stone and sky. Visit the Plaza de Armas and cathedral before making your way to the Temple of the Sun and the Inca Museum.
Overnight: Andenes or similar
Day 2 | Cusco Market and Cooking Class
A morning visit to San Pedro market starts the preparation for your cooking class in which you’ll learn about Peru's rich culinary heritage and try your hand at crafting local flavors. You'll then enjoy the fruits of your labor at lunch.
The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the city at your own leisurely pace.
Overnight: Andenes or similar
Day 3 | Cusco - Chinchero - Lamay
You'll depart early for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop will be the market town of Chinchero for a visit to the market square and Spanish church built atop Incan foundations. You will then have two optional activities:
Cultural: Spend a little longer exploring Chinchero before continuing to the unusual ancient circular-terraced agricultural site of Moray. Visit the interesting Maras Salt Mines and have an easy walk to the village of Pichingoto.
Moderate Hike: Enjoy a 5-mile guided hike downhill from Chinchero to the village of Urquillos, where you’ll meet your ride to Lamay Lodge for the evening.
Enjoy your overnight at Lamay Lodge (alt 9,705')
Day 4 | Lamay - Pisac - Viacha
Today you have a choice of three optional morning activities, followed by a whole group cultural excursion.
Cultural: Drive to the market town of Pisac. Tour the town and market and then continue by vehicle up to the village of Viacha.
Moderate Hike: Drive to the town of Amaru for a 2.5- to 3-hour, 5-mile moderate hike to Viacha, crossing Challwaccasa Pass (alt. 14,200').
Optional scenic bike ride upstream along the Urubamba River from Lamay Lodge to Pisac town
(available for additional cost)
In Viacha, you will learn about artisanal potato farming practices, including some hands-on activities, and enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch, cooked under hot stones. Following lunch, a 40-minute easy and scenic downhill walk brings you to the nearby Pisac archeological complex for a tour of the site free from crowds.
Return to Lamay Lodge by vehicle in time for dinner and a good night's sleep.
Day 5 | Lamay - Lares - Huacahuasi
Start with exploring the village of Lamay before continuing to the archeological site of Ancasmarca for a guided tour of these impressive and seldom-visited ruins. You'll continue to the town of Lares for lunch, after which you will have a choice of three activities.
Cultural: Drive to the village of Choquecancha, known for its intricate weaving techniques and use of traditional dyes. Enjoy a guided tour of the ancient Incan ruins found in and around the village. After your visit, continue to Huacahuasi Lodge.
Easy to Moderate Hike: Enjoy a 2- to 2.5- hour, 2-mile hike from Quelquena via Quelquena Pass (alt. 12,595') to Huacahuasi Lodge.
Moderate Hike: Enjoy a 3.5- to 4- hour. 3.4-mile hike from the village of Cuncani via Cruzcasa pass (alt. 13,838') to Huacahuasi Lodge.
Your stop for the night is Huacahuasi Lodge (alt. 12,585'), created and operated in joint venture with the local community to protect the cultural heritage and environment of the region.
Day 6 | Huacahuasi
Today is an all-day outing and you have a choice of three activities. You return to Huacahuasi Lodge for overnight.
Cultural: Visit the local community of Huacahuasi and join villagers in their homes to learn about village life and local traditions. Return to the lodge for a cooking class and lunch. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at your leisure.
Easy Hike: Enjoy an easy walk to a nearby waterfall. Return to the lodge for lunch, with the balance of the afternoon at your leisure.
Moderately Strenuous Hike: Drive to the village of Quiswarani and enjoy a 5.4-mile hike via Huchuyccasa Pass (alt. 14,505') and Phoñoccasa Pass (alt. 14,475') down to Qeywaqocha Lake for a picnic lunch. Continue hiking down to the village of Quelquena for the drive back to the lodge.
Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge, BLD
Day 7 | Huacahuasi - Ollantaytambo
Following breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to the remote village of Huilloc, where you will have a choice of a cultural or active adventure before lunch, and another choice of cultural or active adventures after lunch as you descend into Ollantaytambo.
Cultural: Explore the village of Huilloc and nearby sheep herding community of Marcacocha. After lunch, you’ll explore the Pumamarka archaeological site, then drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring the maze-like alleys and passageways.
Moderate Hike: A morning hike from Huilloc (alt. 11,587') for a moderate, undulating, 5-mile hike to Pumamarka (alt. 11,187’). Following lunch, enjoy another moderate, 3.7-mile hike down to Ollantaytambo (alt. 9,356’).
Optional late afternoon visit to a locally-sourced craft brewery in the Sacred Valley
(available for additional cost)
Overnight: Kuychi Rumi Lodge, BLD
Day 8 | Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
Early risers have an option of two active hikes up the slopes of Pinkuylluna Mountain that looks across the valley to Ollantaytambo. Later risers will join the hikers for a guided tour of the archeological site of Ollantaytambo.
Early morning moderate hike up the lower slopes of Pinkuylluna Mountain
Early morning moderate-challenging hike up the higher slopes of Pinkuylluna Mountain
You may have some free time to explore the town and market before your mid-day rail journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo. After arriving in the afternoon, the rest of your day is free to explore the town and hotel gardens.
Optional hike along the classic Inca Trail from Km 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu
(subject to availability and additional cost)
Overnight: Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo, BLD
Day 9 | Machu Picchu
An early start gets you up the winding road to the magnificent Machu Picchu archeological site. You'll have a guided tour of the Inca citadel before choosing between two activity options.
Free time to explore the ruins on your own, possibly including a walk up to the Sun Gate.
A guided hike up Huayna Picchu peak from where you will enjoy amazing views of the sanctuary below.
Enjoy lunch back at your hotel, then return to the site for to explore on your own. You're free to take the bus back down the hill to your hotel at your leisure or stay at the site until closing.
Overnight: Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo, BLD
Day 10 | Cusco
You’ll have one last opportunity to explore the citadel this morning before your afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, and transfer into Cusco, arriving in the early evening.
Overnight: Andenes or similar
Day 11 | Cusco and onward journey
Transfer to Cusco Airport to coincide with your flight schedule.
Dates & Prices
The Adventurer’s Route to Machu Picchu operates from March through December. All prices are per person, double occupancy unless otherwise specified.
2024 Departures
| Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| Mar 2 - Mar 12 | $4,885 |
| Mar 10 - Mar 20 | $4,885 |
| Mar 17 - Mar 27 | $4,885 |
| Mar 18 - Mar 28 | $4,885 |
| Mar 26 - Apr 5 | $4,885 |
| Apr 2 - Apr 12 | $5,815 |
| Apr 14 - Apr 24 | $5,815 |
| Apr 21 - May 1 | $5,815 |
| Apr 28 - May 8 | $5,815 |
| May 2 - May 12 | $5,815 |
| May 4 - May 14 | $5,815 |
| May 12 - May 22 | $5,815 |
| May 23 - Jun 2 | $5,815 |
| Jun 2 - Jun 12 | $5,815 |
| Jun 8 - Jun 18 | $5,815 |
| Jun 15 - Jun 25 | $5,815 |
| Jun 25 - Jul 5 | $5,815 |
| Jul 2 - Jul 12 | $5,815 |
| Jul 6 - Jul 16 | $5,815 |
| Dates | Price |
|---|---|
| Jul 14 - Jul 22 | $5,815 |
| Jul 21 - Jul 31 | $5,815 |
| Aug 1 - Jul 12 | $5,815 |
| Aug 10 - Aug 20 | $5,815 |
| Aug 20 - Aug 30 | $5,815 |
| Aug 25 - Sep 4 | $5,815 |
| Aug 30 - Sep 9 | $5,815 |
| Sep 11 - Sep 21 | $5,815 |
| Sep 19 - Sep 29 | $5,815 |
| Sep 25 - Oct 5 | $5,815 |
| Sep 29 - Oct 9 | $5,815 |
| Oct 5 - Oct 15 | $5,815 |
| Oct 25 - Nov 4 | $5,815 |
| Nov 2 - Nov 12 | $4,885 |
| Nov 9 - Nov 19 | $4,885 |
| Nov 22 - Dec 2 | $4,885 |
| Nov 30 - Dec 10 | $4,885 |
| Dec 8 - Dec 18 | $4,885 |
| Dec 24 - Jan 3 | $5,815 |
Supplements, inclusions and exclusions
Single Guests
Requested single: 50% surcharge
Willing to share: no surcharge, subject to availability
Children
This trip is not recommended for children under 8 years of age
Children under 12: 50% discount sharing room with adult
Children 13 - 16: 25% discount when sharing room with adult.
Included
Roundtrip airport transfers as specified in itinerary
All hotel/lodge accommodations (double occupancy, unless Single purchased) as specified in itinerary
All meals as specified in itinerary
All non-alcoholic beverages
All guides, activities, tours, entry fees and sightseeing arrangements as specified in itinerary.
Additional costs (subject to change without notice)
Not included are any airfare, airport taxes and fees
Tips for guides (at your discretion)
Alcoholic beverages
Laundry
Other items of a personal nature
Insurance coverage for trip cancellation-interruption, travel accident, travel delay, baggage delay or baggage theft (we recommend you obtain coverage for these items), medical or hospitalization expenses.
Deposit, Payment & Cancellation Schedule
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of $800 per person is due at time of booking
Copy of passports for all participants are required at time of booking
Payment
The balance is due 90 days before departure
Any additional arrangements may incur further deposits, due at time of booking those services
Cancellation
Up to 91 days before departure – deposit is non-refundable.
90-31 days before departure – 50% of full trip price is forfeited
30-0 days before departure – 100% of full trip price is forfeited
Cancellation due to force majeure (circumstances outside your control, including medical illness) must be covered by travel insurance. INCA/Inca Floats, Inc. will not be responsible.
See additional Terms & Conditions »
Video
A taste of what to expect
For more videos, click here
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I go?
Peru's winter season (May to October) brings mild temperatures to the coast, and clear skies to the highlands, although it gets quite chilly in the evenings in June and July.
What will I see?
The Adventurer's Route to Machu Picchu takes you away from the main tourist route into small indigenous communities and wilderness not seen by most visitors. Hidden Incan ruins dot the remote countryside of the Lares region, and small villages practice ancient weaving and traditinal farming techniques handed down from ancient times. You'll also have ample time to take in the iconic treasures of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
How can I be sure this trip is right for me?
The Adventurer's Route offers a daily choice of cultural and active exploration to suit most abilities and interests. Cusco and the Lares region are at significant elevation (up to 12,000'), so we recommend a moderate level of fitness. For those choosing the more active walks and treks, we recommend additional preparedness. Good balance, health and proper footwear are essential for the most enjoyable adventure.