A scenic two-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes you to the start of your Lares trek, at the small village of Totora. You follow an ancient Inca trail into a narrow canyon, where Inca tombs perch in the cliffs. Emerging from the canyon you pass through tiny rural communities before emerging to a delicious picnic lunch. Your bus then takes you to the small and very traditional community of Quishuarani, your camp for the night (3700m/12,140ft).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

This is a stunning day of hiking. You leave camp behind and climb past colorfully dressed locals, towards the native forests that Amazonas Explorer has been heavily involved in re-planting. These forests harbor Andean deer, vizcachas, and several rare species of birds and are essential to the future of this area. A further push and you reach the stunning views from your highest pass of the trek, the Huchayccasa pass (4450 m/14600 ft.). A chain of emerald blue lakes fills the hillside below you, and in the distance rise the snow-clad Urubamba Mountains. Descending through hand-turned potato fields you come to the upper reaches of the ancient community of Cuncani at (3800m/12,4600 ft). From here our bus takes you twenty minutes to your camp at Chancachaca (3440m/ 11286ft). There is an option to visit the Lares hot-springs after lunch.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

This is a day filled with encounters with locals. Men head off to work in the potato fields, wooden plows slung over their shoulders. Women sit; legs outstretched weaving their traditional clothes on wooden looms. And small children sit motionless guarding herds of alpaca and llama, their ever faithful dog by their side. From your camp, you begin towards the final pass. Lying at 4,200m/13,780ft the Ipsaycocha pass marks the border between Lares and the Patacancha Valley. You start gently and then climb one final steep section to gain the summit. If you are lucky, you will have spectacular views of Mount Veronica. You take lunch by the beautiful Ipsay Lake then follow an ancient trail to the Patacancha Valley where your Lares trek ends. Your waiting vehicle takes you to your hotel for the night

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 of the train tracks, you pass through the control point and begin your 1 Day Inca Trail trek. First, you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features. Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song. Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gateway, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos, you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower. Total hiking distance: 11 km Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your overnight luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Relaxed after a comfortable night, you head back up to explore Machu Picchu with your guide before the crowds arrive. There is time afterward to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s hut, or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the atmosphere. In the afternoon you descend to the waiting train to enjoy one of the great train journeys of the world back towards Cusco.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks