Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
$690
per person
This remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insider´s view into traditional Andean life – a timeless world where farmers plant their crops on the lands their ancestors tended and watch over herds of llama and alpaca beneath the sacred snow-covered peaks they worshipped as gods. The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the Inca trails from the time of the Inca Empire. Today, the trail is still in use by farmers, who are Inca descendants. The Lares Trek connects the communities of Cancha Cancha, Quisuarani, Cuncani and Lares with life in the Sacred Valley. On the third day, we’ll take the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, having a full day to explore the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and climb Huayna Picchu mountain the last day.
We offer this alternative route to the classic Lares trek to Machu Picchu. We think it is superior because we visit the hot springs on day 3 instead of day 1. On day 3 it is a much deserved reward for completing the hiking portion of the Lares trek.
Additionally our standard package includes a very nice bed and breakfast in Aguas Calientes as well as your ticket to climb Huayna Picchu mountain.
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- Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Fondo Huaran – Cancha Cancha – Acopata
- Day 2: Acopata – Pachacutec Pass – Quishuarani
- Day 3: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares – Aguas Calientes
- Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
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You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Lares trek to Machu Picchu. Your guide will meet you at our office in Cusco and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations
What is Included?
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- Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your Lares trek to Machu Picchu.
- Entrance ticket to Lares hot springs
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Huaran
- Four-person tent for every 2 people.
- Thermarest Mattress
- Pillow
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent.
- Chef
- Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
- Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
- Duffle bag for your personal gear
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Four breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners
- Hot water for washing
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu mountain ticket
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
What is not included?
- Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
- Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
We recommend that you bring?
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
- Binoculars
- Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Bug repellent
Optional
Rentals
- Hiking poles – US $20.00 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – US $25.00
- Private Tent – US $30.00
Upgrades
- Vistadome train – USD 50
- Hiram Bingham train– USD 380
- Belmond sanctuary lodge (5-star hotel) – USD 490 Per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD 245 Per person
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD 50 Per person
- Private Tent – US$30.00
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Reviews
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Departure/Return Location
Lima, Perú -
Included
Professional licensed guide fluent in English -
Not Included
private van to trailhead at km 82
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Tour Plan
1
Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Fondo Huaran – Cancha Cancha – Acopata
We will pick you up early from your hotel to take you to the beginning of the trek at Huaran (3,000 m/9,840 ft) in the Sacred Valley; it is 1 ½ hours by private bus. We will pack the horses and start to walk northward. The trail climbs gently following the Cancha Cancha river towards the community of the same name. On this walk along the river we will see cultivated fields and pass through old Polylepis forests. This type of vegetation is very interesting for a wide assortment of bird life, and the valley itself is very impressive. We will have lunch half way through the hike.
We will pass by the village of Cancha Cancha (3,956 m/12,976 ft). on the way to our camp. After a total hike today of around 6 hours we will reach our campsite for the night at Acopata.
- Meals: Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude.: 3,956 m/12,976 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 3,000 m/9,840 ft
- Distance to walk: 12 km
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
2
Day 2: Acopata – Pachacutec Pass – Quishuarani
After an early breakfast we will continue up hill. After 2 ½ hours we will reach the highest point of the trek: Pachacutec Pass is at 4,780 m/15,678 ft. The view from here is overwhelming. The Pitusiray and Sahuasiray snowcapped mountains will be right in front of us.
Now we will hike downhill for 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot, next to a captivating lake.
After lunch we will descend for another 1 ½ hours into the valley. We will pass by several glacial lakes along the way. Also we can see herds of alpacas, llamas and sheep. It is also possible to see Gray Brocket Deer, Viscachas, Andean Geese, the rare Giant Coot, Puna Hawks and the impressive Andean Condor. Tonight we camp at 3,870 m/12,694 ft close to Quishuarani village, which has typical stone houses
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Maximum altitude.: 4,780 m/15,678 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 3,870 m/12,694 ft
- Distance to walk: 12 km
- Approximate walking time: 7 hours
3
Day 3: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares Hot spring – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today we follow another valley and climb up to the second pass at Willcaccasa mountain (4,458 m/14,622 ft) , for 2 to 3 hours. Again the view of the Andes, turquoise lakes and its beautiful valleys are impressive.
After the pass we walk downhill for 1 ½ to 2 hours, passing many gourgeous lakes. This takes us to Cuncani village (3,900 m/12,792 ft).
We then continue downhill for 2 to 3 hours towards the Lares Valley and its hot springs, where we can have a well deserved soak. This is also our lunch spot.
Now that we are fully relaxed, we will get in our private van, which will be waiting for us, for the 3 hour drive to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft). We will have dinner in Ollantaytambo. After dinner, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival you will check in to your room at the bed and breakfast.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodations: Hotel
- Maximum altitude: 4,458 m/14,622 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 2,792 m/9,158 ft
- Distance to walk: 13 km
- Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours
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DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Once there you will be given at 2 hour walking tour of the site.
You will begin your Huayna Picchu hike at 10 AM.
After your hike, you will have free time to explore the site, hike to the Sun Gate, or hike to the Inca Bridge before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
- Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
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