Ukumari Expeditions prioritizes community-based tourism, where local families directly benefit from sharing their culture. Along this unique route we stay in family-run lodges, enjoying the most intimate connection with Andean culture. In the villages of Wakawasi and Patakancha we have partnered directly with local families to build the Inka Lodges, rustic but comfortable lodges which are the perfect cozy homes out in the extreme landscape. These lodges provide extra comforts such as private bathrooms, improved hot showers and hotel quality beds. This important initiative allows local families to remain together in their villages, receiving visitors and sharing their culture. Our Inka Lodges project promotes equality in tourism and provides the best opportunity for authentic experiences and holistic cultural exchanges. Maintaining tradition we use llamas as pack animals throughout the route.
Early in the morning you will be pick up from your hotel and have car transportation (1:30 hrs.) to Ankashmarka archeological site, the largest Inka warehouse in the area. After exploring and strolling through this fascinating place the journey continues for another 1 hour towards Lares town, the beginning of the trek. Before start the expedition meet all the crew that will look after you very well making sure you have an unforgettable experience and immerse in the local culture. The trek starts in a beautiful valley called Lares, and you will trek on a pre-Hispanic trail that once connected the sacred valley of the Inkas with the amazon jungle, where according the history is located the lost city of the Inkas “El dorado”. Lunch is in a local family house, located in a small picturesque valley. After lunch continue your trek walking on an original Inka trail until Wakawasi Community village where the first Inka lodge is located
Difficulty: Moderate / Total distance: 08 km. /5 mi. – 6 hrs. Approx. / Elevation: Starting Point: 3,270 m. – 10,791 ft. Highest point: 3,770 m. – 12,441 ft. / Overnight: Wakawasi Inka Lodge (Altitude: 3,770 m. – 12,441 ft.)
Start your day with a delicious Andean breakfast prepared by our chef and the local family. The hike starts with a gentle climb to the first pass from where the view of the valleys, snow-capped mountains and tranquil Andean lakes and lagoons are just amazing. Along the way it will be an opportunity to visit a local family house and witness their daily lives which didn´t changed much through centuries, also see the locals pasturing their llamas and alpacas and weaving flat textiles. The ascent has some short sections of steep parts (10-15 min approx.) and also inclined flat parts which in general makes not very difficult to summit this mountain, you might find hard mostly because the high altitude.
Trekking details:
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous / Total distance: 13 km. – 8.1 mi. / 8 hr. Approx. / Elevation: Starting Point: 3,820 m. – 12,606 ft. / Highest point: 4,420 m. – 14,586 ft. / Overnight: Patakancha Inka Lodge (Altitude: 3,920 m. – 12,936 ft.)
This morning, after a tasty breakfast, you start the expeditions towards the great Ollantaytambo, considered the last alive Inka town. After 20 min. hike, you will take a local transportation from Patakancha to Willoq town from where you trek will start. On the way visit and get amazed by ancient villages, that guards the Inka traditions, and the Inka site of Pumamarka and its incredible system of farming terraces that still are being used by local farmers. The trail is in its 90 % downhill and the landscape is just great for supreme photographic opportunities. Lunch will be on a beautiful platform with a spectacular view of the valleys around in a local family house. After a nice rest and visit the Inka site you continue through a downhill Inka trail to the great town of Ollantaytambo.
Difficulty: Moderate / Total distance: 13 km. / 8 mi. – 8 hrs. Approx. / Elevation: Starting Point: 3,920 m. – 12,606 ft. / Lowest Point: 2,750 m. – 9,075 ft. / Overnight: Your hotel
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