Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a popular alternative to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Although Lares Valley Trek seldom has Inca ruins as Inca Trail Hike, this high altitude trek offers an extensive insight into the cultural elements in the Peruvian Andes.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is dotted with sights of highland villages snuggled between the snow-capped Andean peaks and shimmering high altitude lakes.
Local people living here are untouched by modernity. They maintain their years-old traditions. Infact they still converse in Quechua.
Women here are known for their handicrafts. So spare a little change to buy some souvenirs, if you want.
The trail is comparatively shorter than Inca Trail but it’s quite higher in altitude. The highest point is at 4500 meters above sea level (14763 ft). We highly recommend that you spend a few days in Cusco before hiking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu and acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.
Why hike Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with us?
This is one of our signature treks. We have carefully curated this itinerary to offer you the best and the most of the hike. Our trek takes you far deeper into the heart of the Peruvian Andes. You will be hiking through remote villages with captivating views at every turn.
We have an excellent team of local crew dedicated to Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. They have years of experience hiking the trail Our local tour guides are fluent in English and have intense knowledge about the Inca history and Andean traditions.
Our crew is also trained in first aid and providing assistance in case of altitude sickness.
Although you can hike Lares Valley Trek round the year, the best time to hike is during the dry season – between March and November. You will have clearer views of the mountains and will be ideal to capture these sights with your camera.
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| PROGRAM | LARES VALLEY TREK & MACHU PICCHU |
|---|---|
| LENGTH | 4 Days /3 Nights |
| AVAILABILITY | March to December |
| ACTIVITY TYPE | CULTURAL/ECOLOGICAL/ADVENTURE |
| DIFFICULTY | EASY – MODERATE. |
| CODE | APMS 009 |
DAY 1 CUSCO – QUISHUARANI – CUNCANI.
We will be picking you up in the morning from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private transport, we will embark on a drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to an Andean town called Calca.
Here we will be stopping for breakfast. Since this is the last major town before the trailhead, you can also buy some last-minute things that you may need for the following three days.
We will then continue to the trailhead. You can take a refreshing dip in the Lares Hot Springs while we will et your gears organized.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
After a short safety briefing, we will begin our four days Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. We will be visiting the community of Ancasmarca.
Here you will have the opportunity of spotting the Andean Condors. Our guide will explain the prominence of the bird.
After a short introduction to the Andean traditions, we will hike to a more remote community of Quishuarani (3859 meters/12660ft).
From here, we up hike up the hill to our first high mountain pass, Cruzqasa Pass at 4150 meters/13615 feet. You will get a panoramic view of Lares Valley below. Here we will stop for lunch.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
After contemplating the view and relishing an Andesn meal, we will continue to another pass at the same altitude. The route to Huchuy Qasa Pass 4150 meters/13615 feet, will take you through the sight of Lares Valley on one side and snow-capped peaks on the other.
Our guide will explain the traditions and culture of Andean communities while you take a short rest here. We will then descend to our campsite in Cuncani (3850m/1239ft). Our chef will welcome you with a cup of coca tea. We will then serve dinner under the clear Andean sky.
MEALS: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: CUNCANI – CHULLACOCHA
Our crew will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea this will be followed by a delicious Andean breakfast.
All set, we will begin our second day of our Machu Picchu Lares Trek with an uphill hike to the second pass, Huilloq (4100 meters/ 13451 feet). The route is dotted with views of highland lakes. We will be passing through different communities and farmlands where you can easily spot kids grazing their Alpacas and Llamas.
Women here are known for their woven arts. You can get some souvenirs at a good bargain here.
From Huilloq, we will hike up to the third pass of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Chaullacocha Pass (4300 metres/14107ft). After enjoying the panoramic views, we will descend to the community of Chaullacocha (4100 meters/13451 ft). We will be camping here for the night.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: CHAULLACOCHA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – MACHU PICCHU.
We will begin the third day of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with an Andean breakfast. We will then visit a local school here. You will be introduced to life in the Peruvian Andes.
We will then hike up to the fourth and the last pass of our trek and then descend to a town named Pallqa. Here we will meet our transport. Our driver will drive us to Ollantaytambo. Here we will be stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.
Later in the evening, where we will board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes town. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
The epic day of Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. We will be leaving quite early in the morning from your hotel in Aguas Calientes and embark on a bus ride up the hill to Machu Picchu.
Our tour guide will assist you in clearing the security control. Once inside, you will witness the golden rays of the rising sun shimmering on the Inca walls. We will be giving you an immersive guided tour of the citadel for two hours.
We will be visiting the remains of the plaza, ceremonial site, remains of Royal Quarters, and more. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.
If you have booked to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our tour guide will direct you to the respective trailhead.
Please note that you need permits to hike any of these mountains. Often permits are sold out six months in advance. So if you intend to hike, do let us know at the time of booking your Short Inca Trail hike.
Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate. This is the point of entry to the citadel for those hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is free and requires no permit.
After the Machu Picchu tour, we will exit the citadel and take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have some free time here to check out the town or have lunch (not included in the price)
Later in the evening, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our representative will meet you on arrival and drive you back to Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 0900 PM.
MEALS: Breakfast in the hotel.
IMPORTANT NOTES.
The briefing will be 2 days before the group departs, where you will first meet with your guide, and have an explanation about the tour.
The time of hiking will depend on the group. The guide can change the places for having lunch and camping according to the physical condition of the group.
Each guide has his own way of leading his groups but always his decisions will be for the benefit of the tourists.
LARES. This is an adventure tour that we must enjoy, to the maximum with good weather or, if not, always we must have an open mind, a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.
INCLUDED:
- An explanation two days before departing
- Tranport in private bus to the start of the trek
- Transfer to your hotel on return
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Meals according to the program (Vegetarian available)
- Boiled water on all days for your bottles
- Snacks before trekking
- Camping tents for 2 and 4 persons depending on the requirements
- Camping equipment, dining tents, kitchen, tables, chairs
- Cook and assistant cook
- Kitchen/eating utensils
- Pack animals (mules and horses) to carry the baggage and equipment.
- Emergency horse
- Wranglers to care for the pack animals
- Professional guide who speaks English, Spanish, and Quechua
- Assistant guide for groups larger than 8 people
- First aid equipment and oxygen tank
- Last night’s celebration dinner in Aguas Calientes in a restaurant.
- Entrance into Machu Picchu
- Transport from Pallqa to Ollantaytambo.
- Bus up to and back down from Machupicchu.
- Return train ticket to Cusco
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water
NOT INCLUDED.
- Breakfast on the first day
- Dinner on the last day
- Tips for personnel: guide, cook, wranglers (according to their job)
- Sleeping bags (they can be rented in the office)
- If you would like to rent an additional horse, it is $10 per day
WHAT TO BRING ON THE TREK
- 1 small nylon reinforced backpack to carry the things you need for the trek (camera, drinks, etc.)
- 1 large backpack or suitcase to keep the things you don‘t need in your hotel in Cusco until you return from your trek
- Sleeping bag good for -5°C (which can be rented in Cusco)
- Small flashlight and extra batteries
- 1 water bottle (1 liter) or a small plastic throw-away bottle
- Hiking boots
- Tennis shoes
- 1 jacket (of nylon with hood and water and wind resistant)
- 1 Fleece Jacket
- 1 pair of gloves and a woolen hat (they can be bought during your trip)
- 3 or 4 short-sleeved shirts (preferably “dry fit” that don’t retain water)
- 2 pairs of shorts such as the Bermudas.
- Socks: 4 pairs of wool and 4 of fiber (Coolmax) for the trek (avoid cotton as these can retain water)
- 1 sun hat and sunglasses
- Personal medications and toiletries in small containers
- Sunscreen for your skin and lips
- Insect repellent
- Moisturizer lotion to avoid the drying out of the skin
- Bathing suit for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
OPTIONAL
- Heated sleeping mat
- Sleeping bags which can be rented in the office for $5 per day and good for – 10°C.
- Professional walking sticks can be rented in the office for $2 per day
- Energy foods: chocolates, granola bars, dried fruits, etc. (they can be purchased in Cusco.
2022 Prices. LARES VALLEY TREK & MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
| Number of People | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person in $ | $ 895 | $ 850 | $ 815 | $ 785 | $ 755 |
If you wish to travel alone, you need to ask for a private tour, letting us know which date you wish to leave, and you must make your reservation a week ahead of time so that we can organize your tour.
If you wish to go with other people, we can let you know what dates are available and you can join an existing group.
Write to us to make your reservation and we will send you the form and the payment conditions
DISCOUNTS
Students: $20 U.S. (only for students who have a current international student card (ISIC card)
Children: $20 U.S. (minors of 16 years with proof of passport)
