We are a 100% Peruvian agency specialized in small groups with experienced guides for all our tours and treks to Machu Picchu, and we have the best prices of the market because we do not subcontract, we are a direct tour operato. Guarantee a magical and headache-free trip with our team.
Tour plan
Day 1: Thermal Baths – Cultural Immersion in Quishuarani – Blue Lagoon Camp
Day 2: Conquer the Condor or Pachatuq Pass – Accopata – Cancha Cancha Village
Day 3: Weaving Process – Pachamanca Food – Fundo Huran – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Day 4: Visit to Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Included
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is often recognized as a popular alternative to the Classic Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek. Lares Trek Peru is a high altitude and off the beaten track trek dotted with jaw-dropping sights at every turn. The trek is less crowded so you will have most sites to yourself.
The four days Lares Trek Peru takes you through many small towns and remote Andean villages along the Lares Valley. This will be a perfect introduction to life in the Andes. Accompanied by our English-speaking local tour guide, you will get a detailed insight into the life and culture of local people living in the highland.
You will also be hiking through different hot springs and highland Andean lagoons snuggled between snow-capped peaks. Most of these regions are home to different Andean camelids, Alpacas, Llamas, and Andean Rabbits – Vizcacha.
Lares Trail is a high-altitude experience. The highest point that you will be reaching on this four-day trek is 4850 meters above sea level (15912ft). To avoid altitude sickness, we highly recommend that you spend at least 3 to 4 days acclimatizing in Cusco.
We are a fully locally owned and certified Lares Trek to Machu Picchu tour operator based in Cusco. This is one of our signature treks. We have a dedicated team for the Lares Trek tour with years of experience guiding this trek.
Do take a moment to check our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel a 5 am. We will then embark on a 3-hour drive to the Hot Spring of Lares. Along the way, we will be making a brief stop in Calca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you can buy some last-minute items and snacks.
At Lares, we will have free time to enjoy the hot springs that are divided into different pools ranging from cold to hot water. Later we will be serving our first breakfast of the Lares Trek prepared by our local Andean chef.
We will then drive for another 40 minutes to Quishuarani (3300m/10827ft). This is the trailhead of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will be introducing you to our support crew. After a short briefing, we will begin the trek with cultural immersion.
We will stop at a local family’s home, where you can witness traditional dances, and also learn about their farming techniques, including harvesting potatoes. They will also show you how they build their traditional houses.
Next we will enjoy a lunch served by the local family, and after a rest, we will begin our three hour hike to the first campsite on the bank of a lagoon. It will be a gradual ascent.
When we arrive at the camp, our chef will serve us coca tea, chocolates or coffee, and finally we will have the Andean dinner.
This hike will take you through mountainous Andean farms, where you will see alpacas and llamas. We will also pass waterfalls that come down from the mountains.
We will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed infusion or Peruvian Coffee. After relishing a typical breakfast, we will begin hiking for four hours, up the hill through the Lares Valley.
This section of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is somewhat challenging as we will be hiking to the highest point of Lares Trek, Condor Pass or Pachacutec Pass (4680m/15350ft).
On this Lares Trek hike, you will see stunning views of highland lagoons, dotted with snow-capped peaks.
At the summit of the pass, you will have free time to enjoy the panoramic view of the valley and the snow-capped mountains, enjoying a coca tea served by our chef. at the same time our guide will explain the meaning of the Apus (mountains), which are Andean deities.
Afterwards, we will descend for an hour and a half, accompanied by breathtaking views, to the community of Accopata, where we will have lunch. After lunch we will descend for another two hours through the valley to the last camp of the Lares Trail, the community of Cancha Cancha, where farmers grow only potatoes.
After or before dinner, depending on the weather, our guide will explain the importance of the Andean constellations for agriculture for the Andean man, and at the same time will show you the constellations in the sky.
After enjoying a typical breakfast, we will be visiting a local family house. They will demonstrate their skills in spinning and weaving. You can also buy some items as souvenirs if you wish.
We will then commence our last descent to Huaran. It is a four hours hike along the valley beside the river. You will get to see different Llamas and Alpacas along the way. We will also be passing through potatoes and fava beans farms. The farmers will be happy to demonstrate their farming skills here.
Once in Huaran, our chef will serve a traditional local meal called Pachamanca for lunch. Pachamanca is a traditional Andean meal baked with the aid of hot stones. The earthen oven is called Huatia.
After lunch, we will bid goodbye to our support team. We will then begin our trip in our private transport to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was the former administrative capital of the Incas.
Ollantaytambo is also a “living Inca town”. Here you will witness the advancement of the Inca’s town planning and our guide will be giving you a tour.
After having an Andean meal for dinner here, we will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes town where we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.
Considered: Easy
After early morning breakfast, we will be taking the tourist bus from our hotel to the entrance of Machu Picchu. It is a 25-minute ride up the hill to the entrance of the citadel. Our guide will be assisting you in clearing the security control and entering the citadel. As you enter the citadel, you will witness the golden rays of morning sun shimmering on the walls of Machu Picchu.
We will be giving you a two hours tour of the citadel. You will be visiting prime sites like the main square, remains of royal quarters, and ceremonial center among others. After the guided tour of the complex, you will have some time to explore the citadel on your own.
If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will be directing you to the respective trailhead. Please note that to hike to the summit of one of these mountains, you will need a permit. Often permits are sold months in advance.
We will then take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Here we will be stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, you will have some free time to explore the narrow streets of the town.
Later in the evening, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo train station. Our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. We should be there by 9 pm.
Here are some additional items that you can include in this tour.
Prices in shared service
Category and room type ↓ | Hotels Included ↓ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Without Hotel $ 440,00 per person | In this price, you will have to book the hotels by your self. | |||
Economic ***
| Águas Calientes: -Retama Inn, Hatun Samay or Similar | |||
Tourist ***
| Águas Calientes: -Tara Hotel, Waman Inn or Similar | |||
Superior ****
| Águas Calientes: -Casa Andina, Ferre Mapi, Tierra Viva or Similar | |||
Premium ****
| Águas Calientes: – Jaya, Hatun Inti or Similar | |||
Luxury *****
| Águas Calientes: -Sumaq Hotel, Inka Terra. |
Discount:
The Lares Trek is around 33 km long (20 miles). It usually takes 3 days to traverse it, while the 4th day consists on a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek reaches a maximum height of 4600 m.a.s.l at the Condor Pass.
The Lares Trek doesn’t directly end in Machu Picchu. The hiking trail ends in Huaran, and it’s followed by a car trip to Ollantaymbo, a train trip to Aguas Calientes, to finally end with a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek has a moderate difficulty due to its high altitude, similar to the Salkantay Trek.
The Lares Trek is definitely a worth experience. It allows hikers to visit the beautiful Andean landscapes and local communities, while trekking to Machu Picchu. Unlike the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek doesn’t require a special permit.