Lares Trek to Machu Pichu in 4 Days


Lares Trek - Hot Springs

A trek through dramatic Andean scenery and a rich variety of cultures, centered on the magnificent Lares surrounded by magnificent snowy peaks and many hot springs. You are going to visit highland villages where life goes on much as it did centuries ago and local inhabitants perpetuate the Inca customs of their ancestors: original clothing and traditional farming, alongside llamas and alpacas helping to produce the best qualities of corn and potatoes around the world.

From those elevated, open spaces we descend into the lush forests around Machu Picchu, enjoying a wide variety of flora, fauna, wildlife and spectacular panorama, our trip ending with a magnificent sunrise and visit to the famous 'lost city'.

This trek is ideal for travellers in search of alternatives taking you through rural communities in the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas.


Itinerary

Lares Trek - Hot Springs

At 5:00 am our guide picks you up from your hotels and we drive through the Sacred Valley turning at the town of Calca to head to Lares village – the drive takes around 3 hours. Once we arrive in town we go up to the Hot Springs where we can relax and enjoy these beautiful outdoor hot waters. Lunch is provided here. Our bus waits for us during this time and we then continue our journey for around 20 minutes to the start of the trail known as Pascana.

Here we meet up with our horsemen and pack the horses and llamas. We are ready to start our hike to Quishuarani for around 3 hours. When we get to our campsite everything has already been set up for us. In the free time we can come across some of the locals and appreciate their weaving techniques.

This is a lovely day filled with great landscapes and the opportunity to visit several Andean villages. Beware as the temperature drops at night so you should be ready with warm outfit.

Meals: Lunch - Tea Time – Dinner

Lares Trek - Huacawasi

After a delicious breakfast we leave Huacawasi. This is going to be our longest day on the trail as we continue north east up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After ½ hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2½ hour trek to the highest passage, called Auroray Pass (4758m). From here you are rewarded with superb views of Auroray Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray.

The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes. We have lunch in that beautiful lake. We then keep on following the lip of the corrie descending into the next valley, and we pass by a series of cascading waterfalls until we reach the village of Mantanay. We are camping here for the night.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

After a delicious breakfast we start our easier hike of the day following the small River. It's a 4 hour trek to our destination, the small village named Yanahuara. From here we take a local transport to the town of Ollantaytambo, a beautifully well preserved Andean town you have some time to explore before boarding on the 3:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes. We spend the night in a nice hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Optional: you can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes' Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

We have breakfast and then take the 6:00 am bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. A walking tour of approximately 2 hours is then given by your tour guide, after which you can explore the mysterious city all by yourselves.

If you got your Waynapicchu entrance ticket (entry limited to 400 people daily for an additional cost of US $ 15.00 so you should better get it when you book your tour) you can also climb the neighbour mountain Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft). Keep in mind that it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top so you might seriously reduce your time on the prestigious site.

Once you are filled with those mystical vibes, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to get on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco. We are in Cusco at around 10:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast.


More Information

The itinerary and campsites are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.

  • Transfers In / Out
  • Transportation from Cusco to Lares where we start walking
  • Professional bilingual tour guide
  • Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machupicchu
  • Bus tickets to Machupicchu Inca City and Machupicchu town
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 3 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day; the first breakfast and every meals after the breakfast on day 4 are not included
  • Professional cook: all our fresh vegetables are washed in iodine water prior to serving and we provide only boiled, filtered or iodized water for drinking. Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost! All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip
  • Drinking water for every meal
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • First aid kit
  • 1 oxygen tank
  • Horses and llamas (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
  • Duffle bag (in which you can put up to 6 kilos of your personal belongings - your sleeping bag included)
  • Horse men
  • Quadruple & waterproof Camping tent (cap. 4 fitting 2)
  • 1 sleeping mattress per person
  • 1 night in a touristic hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
  • Sleeping Bag Rental U.S. $ 25.00 for entire trip
  • Metal walking sticks US$ 15.00 for the entire trip
  • Extra Horses for carrying your personal equipment $ 60.00 dollars for 04 days.
  • Supplemental single Tent for camping nights U.S. $ 35.00.
  • Tourist train Class Vistadome (a "1st Class train with panoramic windows to enjoy the view of Machu Picchu Valley") is an additional U.S. $ 80.00 per person

Hotel in Lima, Cusco or other cities in Peru can be booked for the kind you prefer (Standard, Economy, First Class, Luxury). Ask us about this service! We have confidential rates of each hotel in Cusco to be able to get you a good deal.

  • Original passport and *Valid student identity card if applicable
  • Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
  • Warm jacket, hat and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sun glasses
  • Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
  • Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
  • Water, water purification tablets r money to buy water along the way
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and films
  • Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)

DISCOUNTS

  • 18 - 24 years old: We offer a $20 discount per student. To qualify as a student, you must have a valid student identity card and be under 25 years of age at the time of your trip. Scan and email us the copy at the time of booking.
  • Under 17 years old: We offer a $20 discount per child. you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trip (you will need to scan and email us a copy of the passports).
  • Train Included in all tours is Expedition Service (from and to Ollantaytambo). Train times will be confirmed close to the time of the trek. If you join a group late in the day we can't guarantee you will travel on the same train as the rest of the group.
  • Train times are subject to change depending on Peru Rail time table and availability

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