Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 4 DAYS
PRICE FROM:
$ 450,00 USD
Per person
- GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Most of the trails that lead to Aguas Calientes tend to be crowded, especially during the high season. That’s why we believe the new Lares route fits perfectly with your hiking expectations in the mountains. We offer you this trek because it is the most beautiful trail among all the trekking options in Lares. We know there are various routes in the Lares Valley, each with different starting and ending points, but we present you with the best one.
During this journey, you will enjoy the stunning beauty of the Andean landscapes, which include numerous colorful lagoons, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and rocky valleys. You will also have the opportunity to observe Andean wildlife in the Lares Valley, such as chinchillas, Andean foxes, and condors. Additionally, it’s likely you’ll see many alpacas and llamas almost every day, and what’s most interesting is that you’ll be able to appreciate the daily life of the local inhabitants. They still preserve traditional farming practices, wear colorful clothing, live in stone houses with thatched roofs, and their animals, such as alpacas, llamas, and sheep, graze in the mountains. Some llamas are even used as a means of transport.
The new Lares trek offers you the chance to enjoy the best of the Andes while hiking this route, and you will have a full day to explore Machu Picchu. Few people choose these options, allowing you to make the most of your trekking vacation. Lares Trek via Pachacutec.
- ITINERARY
Day 1: CUSCO - CALCA - HUARAN - CANCHACANCHA
We begin your hike on a trail that will slowly lead us to the community of Canchacancha. After 3 hours of hiking, we will stop at a strategic point for lunch prepared by our cooks. After a delicious lunch, we will walk for another 2 hours until we reach the community of Canchacancha, where you will have the opportunity to interact with the locals and be part of their way of life. We also offer tea before dinner to warm your body, as well as dinner and accommodations for a night of camping. If you wish, you can learn a little Quechua, the Inca language. While we visit the community, our support staff will set up the camp for sleeping around 5:00 PM. We will enjoy a hot tea or “happy hour,” and have dinner around 7:00 PM, after which you can enjoy the beauty of the typically star-filled sky.
Day 2: CANCHACANCHA - PACHATUTEC PASS - LAGO COYALAYO - QUISWARANI
The second day of the trek is considered difficult as we hike from 3,700 m (12,139 ft) to 4,700 m (15,420 ft), the highest point of all the Lares treks. This will involve approximately 4 hours of uphill hiking, but the scenery is stunning and unique, filled with small lagoons, rocky mountains, snow-capped peaks, and fascinating animals like llamas and alpacas grazing everywhere, tended to by their Andean shepherds who often weave as they watch over them.
At 5:00 AM, our support staff will come by your tents to wake you up with a warm drink, either coca tea or coffee. After repacking your personal belongings, we will enjoy a breakfast prepared by our expert chefs to fuel our hike, starting around 6:30 AM.
After 4 hours of uphill trekking, we will arrive at the Pachacutec Pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) to take in the panoramic views of this beautiful area and admire Pachacutec Mountain up close. Here, we will organize an offering to the mountain gods, and after completing the ritual, we will continue our trek for 1 hour downhill to Coyalago, which is the lunch spot located on the shores of a stunning lagoon.
After lunch, we will hike for another 1.5 hours to reach our campsite. Along the way, we will enjoy beautiful waterfalls and observe local people preparing for the evening. Finally, we will arrive at the campsite in the community of Quiswarani, situated at 3,700 m (12,139 ft), where we will have tea, dinner, and set up camp for the night.
Day 3: QUISWARANI - TERMAS DE LARES - MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO
Today, we need to reach the town of Aguas Calientes, and it will be a wonderful day filled with various activities for mountain and nature lovers. We will wake up at 5:00 AM with a cup of coca tea, followed by breakfast to kickstart our hike around 6:00 AM. This will mark the final stretch of our trek.
We will hike for approximately 2 hours uphill to the Cuncani Pass at 4,200 m (13,779 ft). From this height, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Cuncani Valley, adorned with its incredible colorful lagoons surrounded by mountains. If you’re lucky, you may spot chinchillas, Andean foxes, and plenty of alpacas and llamas, allowing for some close-up photography opportunities.
After reaching the summit, we will descend for about 2 hours to the community of Cuncani, where we will have lunch. Afterward, a company vehicle will take us to the Lares Hot Springs, where you will have time to enjoy a soak and relax in the medicinal thermal waters.
Following our time at the hot springs, we will continue by car for another 2.5 hours to Ollantaytambo for dinner before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. We will spend the night in a hotel, preparing for our visit to Machupicchu the next day.
Day 4: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
Most visitors to Machu Picchu arrive by train, and the primary reason for their journey is, of course, to explore Machu Picchu. However, after completing the Lares trek, you will not only visit this iconic site but also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Incan civilizations.
Following an early breakfast, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the main entrance. The goal is to arrive by 6:00 AM, allowing you to experience the site with fewer crowds and enjoy the breathtaking sunrise.
After about 20 to 30 minutes, a guided tour will commence, lasting approximately 2.5 hours, where you will learn about the history and significance of the site. After the tour, you will have free time to explore the Lost City of the Incas at your own pace. If you wish, you can hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge. If you booked tickets in advance for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can also climb one of those peaks.
Once you’ve completed all your activities, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes by bus for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Cusco, where we will drive you to your hotel.
- INCLUDES / EXCLUDED
- INCLUDED
Orientation/Briefing: One day or days before starting the Lares Trek, you will meet at our office in Cusco with your group and the tour leader, who will clarify any questions you may have before beginning the tour.
Door-to-Door Service: To kick off your journey, we will pick you up from any location or hotel in Cusco, and at the end of the tour, we will take you back to the same place.
Professional Guide: An English-speaking professional guide, specializing in the Lares Trek and Machu Picchu, will lead your adventure.
Transportation: All necessary transfers required to complete the Lares Trek are covered by our company from start to finish.
Park Entrance Tickets: Includes a ticket for the Inca Trail (permit to hike the Inca Trail) and a ticket to explore Machu Picchu.
Train Ticket: A luxury expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
Bus Ticket: After visiting Machu Picchu, you will take a bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, approximately a 25-minute ride.
Professional Cooking and Porter Team: Responsible for preparing meals along the trail and carrying all necessary equipment to ensure a successful Inca Trail experience.
- Meals:
- 4 healthy and energizing breakfasts
- 4 delicious and nutritious lunches
- 3 dinners at the campsite
- Special dietary needs such as vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request at no extra charge
- Snacks provided during the trek
- Meals:
Water: Drinking water will be available for refilling your water bottles at every meal stop, and hot water will be provided for washing hands and face at campsites.
Morning Wake-Up Drink: Each morning, one of the kitchen staff will bring a cup of coca tea or hot coffee to your tent at wake-up time.
Camping Equipment and Supplies: This includes inflatable sleeping pads, a dining tent, kitchen tent, and toilet tent.
Safety Equipment and First Aid: Emergency oxygen assistance, a first aid kit, radio communication, and other essential safety gear will be provided.
Free Storage: You can leave any extra belongings at our office in Cusco while you embark on the Lares Trek. After your hike, you can collect your items or have them delivered to your hotel in Cusco.
Exceptional Service and Support: Our professional team is dedicated to ensuring you have an unforgettable adventure with us.
- EXCLUDED
- Travel Insurance
- Additional Leisure Expenses
- Gratuities for the Support Team
- WHAT TO PACK
- A backpack
- A hat or ear warmer
- Sun hat
- Scarf
- Gloves
- A medium-weight sweater
- A long-sleeve shirt
- 1-2 t-shirts
- A light sweater or vest
- A pair of long pants
- Hiking shoes
- An extra pair of shoes
- 2-3 pairs of wool socks
- A jacket
- A small towel
- Rain gear
- 1-2 pairs of shorts
- Sunglasses
- A small headlamp
- Water bottle
- A toothbrush and other personal toiletries
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Important Documents to Bring
- Original passports
- Original International Student Identity Card (if you have applied for a student discount)
- PRICES
Price for Lares Group Service – Trekking Season 2024-2025
- Student: USD 430
- Adult: USD 450
Valid student ID required. Please send us a photo of your student card to request the student discount: a photo of both sides of the card.
Tour Options:
- Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu: USD 20
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 20
- Sleeping bag: USD 15.00 for the entire trek
- Walking poles: USD 10 per pair
Trip Details:
- Starting Point: Cusco (your hotel)
- Ending Point: Cusco (your hotel)
- Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
- Travel Style: Guided and supported tour
- Activities: Archaeological, Cultural, Ecological, Hiking, Hot Springs, Camping
- Total Trekking Distance: 45 km / 27 miles
- Maximum Altitude: 4700 m / 15420 ft
- Accommodations: 2 nights camping + 1 night in a hotel
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 2 snacks
Contact our travel advisor to use this itinerary (or others) as a basis for designing your perfect adventure in Peru together!
RELATED TOURS
We offer a variety of additional tours that maintain the same level of excellence and quality you expect. Discover new adventures and possibilities with us without compromising your experience! Our optional trips are designed to enrich your visit to Machu Picchu and other nearby destinations, always guaranteeing first-class service.
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Reservations on Our Website Are Individual
We do not request any upfront payment until we confirm the availability of your reservation on the selected dates.
Once availability is confirmed, we will send you an email from booking@exploreperu360.com with the link or payment methods available for your country. You can decide whether to cancel the full amount or just a deposit of $180 per person to confirm your reservation.
Once your reservation is confirmed, we will take care of everything. We will be waiting for you on the day of your arrival in Cusco. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
