A specially designed trek for those adventure seekers who desire something different from the other treks on offer in Peru. The 4-day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu offers majestic glaciers, shocking blue lakes, waterfalls and you can get up close and personal with llamas and alpacas. Trek through local communities and spend some time chatting and experiencing their way of life. Soak away your tired muscles in the magnificent hot springs with the guaranteed best views in the Andes. What better to finish this tour with a visit to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu with an informative tour of the site to learn about the Inca and their history.

Itinerary for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.

Day 1. Cusco – Huaran – Cancha Cancha

Start the day early with a 5am pickup from your hotel. Drive through the Andes Mountains and the Lares Valley to the Huaran where it will be time to have a delicious breakfast. Be sure to eat as much as you can to provide energy for the day ahead. Our horseman and horses will be waiting to take the duffel bags which they will carry on the Lares section of the trek. The first part of the trek will involve a gradual hike to Cancha Cancha. Enjoy a wonderful lunch on the banks of the river, freshly prepared by the trekking chef.

Discover the community of Cancha Cancha, a traditional community that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. So isolated in fact that it wasnt until 2019 the town was connected to electricity. Settle into your tent and have afternoon tea. Before dinner is served visit the community and one of the local families. The people are only too happy to show you their village, if you have any questions your guides will translate. Settle in for the night while your guide shows you the constellations explaining the meaning in Inca times and also today.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 9kms / 5.6 miles
• Time: 3.5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2. Cancha Cancha – Pachacutec Pass – Kiswarani

This morning wake up to a hot cuppa in your tent before you get up and face the day. After a wonderful filling breakfast, begin our second day with a massive 7-hour hike north. Start with an intense walk to the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass at 4500 meters. To keep you motivated you will be passing glaciers, lakes, rugged valleys and uncomparable views. There are also plenty of birds to see such as Caracara falcons and Andean Geese.

Take the time to enjoy the summit, the views are spectacular, later descend for around 3 hours to the campsite at Quiswarani community. Before arriving, trek an isolated trail and see the highland people in traditional clothing tending to their animals. Interact with the locals, ask questions, the guide will translate for you. Enjoy the spectacular seven waterfalls before arriving at the campsite. Enjoy hot drinks and appetizers before dinner, then snuggle in for a comfortable night’s sleep.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles
• Time: 7hrs approximately
• Difficulty: challenging

Day 3. Kiswarani – Cuncani – Hot Springs – Aguas Calientes

For most this is the most scenic day on the trek. A long ascent to the Willqaqasa Pass at 4200 meters. Get a great view of the glacial lakes with their spectacular reflections. From the pass enjoy views of the majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains. Trek through grasslands and agricultural sites. On our descent we hike to the Cucani community, spend time with the children and have the opportunity to see their school.

Our driver will meet us and we will take ride through the lush valley. See large agricultural areas of fruit trees, flora and native flowers. Reach our destination of the Lares Hot Springs where we have time to soak in the natural volcanic hot springs.

Here we will have lunch and bid farewell to our trekking crew. Travel to Ollantaytambo for dinner before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes the town below Machu Picchu where we will spend the night in a hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Ferre Hotel Machu Picchu
• Distance: 15kms / 9.3 miles
• Time: 6 hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4. Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the day, have breakfast early and take the first bus to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. Don’t miss out this is a once in a lifetime experience. Your experienced Inca Trail guide will give you an informative tour of the citadel. See all the important sections of the ruin. Learn about the different sections and their uses.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. 

The Expedition train will take you on a spectacular ride back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Look up and see Wiñay Wayna from the train. Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station for a spectacular journey through the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

• Meal included: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain this tour will be done without a guide.

Important information about the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55 or 3:20, 4:22, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done by booking time
• The trek will include Circuit 3 at Machu Picchu, if you require a different ticket for different circuit or one of the many treks you will need to purchase another ticket, the cost is US$75 per person.

What is Included for Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

• Transfer from the Airport to Hotel (on any date)
• Private transportation from the hotel to trailhead
• Local Licensed guide, fluent in English 
• Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a transfer back to Cusco
• 2 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes 
• Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archeological Complex
• Private guided tour in Machu Picchu for 2 hours
• 3* hotel with private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, storage and buffet breakfast included
• 4 person EUREKA TIMBERLINE TENT
• Comfortable foam mattress
• Delicious gourmet meals during the 4 days, as indicated in the itinerary
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)
• Provision of a horse in case of emergency – In case of illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Boiled water to fill in your bottles
• Transfer back to Cusco only for our group
• Interaction with the local kids and community people
• Backpack rain cover

What is Not Included for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

• Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent -$30 USD – (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade -$67 USD per person (Return Only)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain -$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes

Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

Upgrades

• VISTADOME TRAIN: $67 USD per person (Return Only)
• La Cabaña Hotel: $40 USD per person
• Tierra Viva Hotel: $70 USD per person
• El Mapi Hotel: $120 USD
• Additional Night in hotel in Aguas Calientes – From $60 USD (depending on choice and availability)