Peru - Day 4: Ollantaytambo to Cusco
On Sunday, June 16, 2024, we checked out of Apu Lodge in Ollantaytambo and headed back to Cusco, where we would spend the night before beginning the Lares Trek the following day.
Ollantaytambo to Cusco
The front desk at Apu Lodge was nice enough to help us arrange for a driver to take us back to Cusco. Once we arrived, we checked into Union Hotel, dropped off our bags, and headed back out to explore the city.
We chose to stay at Union Hotel because it’s located in the historic center of Cusco.
L’atelier Cafe Concept
Our first stop was L’atelier Cafe Concept, where we grabbed some snacks and coffee while enjoying beautiful views over the historic streets of Cusco. The small, two-story space combines a boutique selling clothing and accessories with a tiny cafe upstairs. There are only a few tables, including two set on very small balconies overlooking the street below. We arrived around 11:30am and spent about an hour there.
Saqsaywaman
From there, we walked to Saqsaywaman, a massive 15th-century Inca citadel and ceremonial complex overlooking Cusco. Sitting on a hill at an elevation of roughly 12,142 feet, the site is known for its enormous stone walls and impressive construction. Saqsaywaman is believed to have served both religious and military purposes and is also an important part of the traditional puma-shaped layout associated with ancient Cusco. Today, it is one of the main locations used for the annual Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun, celebration.
We hired a guide to take us around Saqsaywaman, which was helpful for understanding more of the history and significance of the site.
Briefing with Our SAM Travel Peru Guide for the Lares Trek
We returned to Union Hotel around 4:00pm to meet with our guide from SAM Travel Peru for a pre-trek briefing.
Before the trip, we had decided to hike the Lares Trek because we wanted the experience of completing a multi-day hike before visiting Machu Picchu. The route also appealed to us because it would take us farther into the mountains and through remote Andean communities in the Sacred Valley along the way.
Until this trip, I had mostly done day hikes, so the Lares Trek would be my first experience with a multi-day hike and overnight camping. I was incredibly excited, although I was also a little nervous about how I would handle several consecutive days of hiking at high elevation.
We chose SAM Travel Peru for our Lares Trek because [your reason for choosing them]. They would be guiding us throughout the trek and handling the transportation, meals, camping arrangements, and other logistics along the way.
During the briefing, we went over what to expect during the trek and made sure we had everything we needed for the next several days.
Limbus Restobar
After the briefing, we stopped at a nearby market to pick up a few extra hats and gloves after realizing we might need some additional warm layers for the trek.
Once we were finished, we headed to Limbus Restobar for dinner. We arrived around 6:30pm and spent about an hour and a half there.
Located above the San Blas neighborhood, the restaurant is known for its panoramic views overlooking Cusco. By the time we arrived, the city was beginning to light up below us, which made for a really pretty setting for our last dinner before starting the Lares Trek.
Limbus also has a lively, casual atmosphere with creative cocktails and a menu of shareable dishes and entrees. It was a nice place to relax for the evening before heading back to the hotel and getting some rest for the early start the next morning.
