Design your own adventure through the charming towns of the Sacred Valley, to seldom-visited Inca archaeological sites, along remote highland hiking trails with breathtaking views, and to hidden villages for a first-hand glimpse into the culture and daily life of these traditional Andean communities.
We offer guaranteed departures from Cusco several times per week from March 1st through December 31st along with lodging and other services for before and after your MLP journey.
ITINERARY
DAY 0 Evening briefing in Cusco
- Meet your MLP guide and fellow travelers for a general trip briefing and Q&A.
DAY 1 Exploring Pisaq
Activity options
- Cultural (morning): Excursion to Awanakancha, for an introduction to traditional Andean textile weaving techniques.
- Visit the town of Pisaq for a brief tour and time exploring the unique goods for sale in its colorful artisan marketplace
- Active (morning): Hike from the village of Amaru to the community of Viacha.
- All-Group Activity: Meet the Viacha locals and learn about their traditional Andean farming practices.
- Hike or drive and guided exploration of the Pisaq archaeological site.
Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
DAY 2 Into the heart of Lares
- All-group visit to the town of Lamay and the Ancasmarca archaeological site.
Activity options
- Cultural: Visit a remote village where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community.
- Active: Hike from Chinchero (Option A) to Urquillos or Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi (Option B).
Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)
DAY 3 The road to Ollantaytambo
- Scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc.
Activity options
- Cultural (morning): Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community 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 lunch.
- Cultural (afternoon): After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring the town.
- Active (morning): Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka.
- Active (afternoon): Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Partner hotel in Ollantaytambo (9,284’ / 2,830m)
DAY 4 Discovering Ollantaytambo
Activity options
- Active (early morning): Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo.
- All-Group Cultural Activity (morning): Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archeological site.
- Optional: Afternoon visit to the Machu Picchu citadel (subject to additional cost).
- Optional (Replaces the standard program day itinerary): Hike on the classic Inca Trail, from KM 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu (subject to availability and additional cost).
- Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu.
- Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 5 The citadel of Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Free time for further exploration or a hike up Huayna Picchu (subject to additional cost).
- Scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo.
- Vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 0 Evening briefing in Cusco
- Meet your MLP guide and fellow travelers for a general trip briefing and Q&A.
DAY 1 Treasures of the Sacred Valley
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
- All-group visit to Chinchero, a small Andean village and Inca archaeological site.
Activity options
- Cultural: Guided exploration of the Moray agricultural complex and the natural salt mines in Maras.
- Active: Hike from Chinchero to Urquillos.
Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
DAY 2 Exploring Pisaq
Activity options
- Cultural: Excursion to Pisaq for a guided tour. Free time to explore its celebrated marketplace. Visit to the community of Viacha.
- Active: Hike from Chinchero to Urquillos.
Overnight: Lamay Lodge (9,705’ / 2,958m)
DAY 3 Into the heart of Lares
- All-group visit to the town of Lamay and the Ancasmarca archaeological site.
Activity options
- Cultural: Visit a remote village where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn from the community.
- Active: Hike from Chinchero (Option A) to Urquillos or Hike from Cuncani to Huacahuasi (Option B).
Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)
DAY 4 Exploring Huacahuasi
Activity options
- Cultural: Visit the village of Huacahuasi followed by a cooking class and lunch at the lodge.
- Active: Hike to the waterfalls near Huacahuasi (Option A) or Hike from Quiswarani to Cuncani (Option B).
Overnight: Huacahuasi Lodge (12,585’ / 3,835m)
DAY 5 The road to Ollantaytambo
- Scenic drive from Huacahuasi to the remote village of Huilloc.
Activity options
- Cultural (morning): Visit the village of Huilloc and nearby sheepherding community 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 lunch.
- Cultural (afternoon): After lunch, take a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo and spend the afternoon exploring the town.
- Active (morning): Hike from Huilloc to Pumamarka.
- Active (afternoon): Hike from Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Partner hotel in Ollantaytambo (9,284’ / 2,830m)
DAY 6 Discovering Ollantaytambo
Activity options
- Active (early morning): Hike up Lower Pinkuylluna Mountain above Ollantaytambo.
- All-Group Cultural Activity (morning): Guided exploration of the Ollantaytambo archeological site.
- Optional: Afternoon visit to the Machu Picchu citadel (subject to additional cost).
- Optional (Replaces the standard program day itinerary): Hike on the classic Inca Trail, from KM 104 to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu (subject to availability and additional cost).
- Scenic train ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu
- Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Partner hotel in Aguas Calientes (6,232´ / 1,900m)
DAY 7 The citadel of Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- Free time for further exploration or a hike up Huayna Picchu (subject to additional cost).
- Scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo.
- Vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
MAP
