Lares Trek is one of the best options to hike to Machu Picchu! The 4-day-trek gives you great opportunities to get an authentic insight of local people’s daily life and culture, to see alpaca and llamas shepherds, and to enjoy
great landscapes like the amazing mountains and beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas and Lares Valley. You will enjoy a bath in the natural hot springs of Lares, and be amazed by the color of the natural lagoons formed by the melting of the ice pick of the Andean Cordillera.
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Tour Details - Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days
Overview:
- Tour Type: Hiking, camping, adventure, history, culture.
- Total Distance : 34KM/21.1 Miles
- Good For: Those in moderate shape, families.
- Difficulty: Moderate. It's not a technical hike but the altitude may affect some individuals.
- Considerations: This is one of our coldest treks. Please be prepared with lots of warm layers.
- Season: Open all year - January through December.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco - Lares Aguas Termales - Huacahuasi
After breakfast we will start with our trip in a private van that will take us through the Sacred Valley until the town of Calca (2,925 m.a.s.l), where we will make a brief stop to buy some products that we might need for the trek.
Later we will go through the Amparaes pass (4,580 m.a.s.l.) from where we will see the mountain chain and beautiful valley of this area. We will descend into this valley passing through Andean communities, groups of llamas and alpacas. Close to the town of Lares we will find the Hot Springs where we can enjoy a relaxing swim and rest after a long trip.
We will also have lunch here and later in the afternoon we will start with our trek. We will ascend until the mountain town of Huacahuasi (3,750 m.a.s.l). This is a real Andean community where you will be able to see textiles full of color and traditional clothes. We will set our campsite for the night here.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 8kms / 5Miles
- Time: 4hrs approximately
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Huacahuasi - Ipsayccasa pass - Patacancha - Pumamarka
Today we will ascend gradually going through a beautiful landscape with beautiful herds of llamas and alpacas. Groups of llamas and alpacas are usually found in this area. After 2 ½ hours we will reach the Ipsayccasa pass (4,450 m.a.s.l.) with its impressive views of the snowy mountain Verónica (5,750 m.a.s.l.) and the snowy mountain chain that surrounds it.
Afterwards we will descend to the Ipsaycocha lake (4, 350 m.a.s.l.). This Andean lake hosts Andean birds such as Andean goose, Andean ibis, and other types of aquatic birds that live around the area. Here we will rest and have lunch.
Later we will continue descending until the town of Patacancha (3,750 m.a.s.l.). This is another Andean town that still shows their traditional clothes and Andean textiles. From this point we will take a local bus to Pumamarka (3,450 m.a.s.l.). which is an archeological site located strategically between two mountains. Here we will set our campsite for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 13kms / 8.1Miles
- Time:7hrs approximately
- Difficulty: challenge
Day 3: Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast we will visit the archeological site of Pumamarka “Puma Town” (3, 750 m.a.s.l.). Afterwards we will descend to Ollantaytambo (2, 850 m.a.s.l.) through a beautiful valley and we will be able to see part of the Inca Trail. There are smaller archeological rests along the way as well as flora and fauna typical to the area. Once we reach Ollantaytambo, the town that is known as the Inca’s Living Town, you will see the streets, houses, and different constructions in the city that belong to the Inca’s time and are still being used by the local people.
After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will get ready to take our train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m.a.s.l.) where we will spend one night in a hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Distance: 13kms / 8.1Miles
- Time: 7hrs approximately
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu- Cusco
An early morning will reward you with another momentous day of exploring the “Lost City of the Incas”. Your tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction as you absorb the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin.
Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Machu Piccchu Inca City and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.This will give the tourist free time to take photos, scroll on their own wherever your interests take you.
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 train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.
***IMPORTANT:
- You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
- Early trains can be organized by requeste and it has to be done by booking time.
- The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
- Our trip package include circuit 2A or Circuit 2B (If the tickets are available, for it, please book in advance).
INCLUSION
What Is Included
What Is Not Included
Added Values For Free
PRICES
Price & Availability
“The best Lares Trek Machu Picchu around is available on any date that is best suited for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers”
Prices:
Group Service
- US$ 545 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)
Private Service
- US$ 655 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)
***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.
Discounts
- 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Group of 5 or more: US$30. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
Extras
- Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
- Walking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
- Personal Tent – US$30 – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From US $60 (depending on availability)
- Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$57 per person (For the return to Cusco (Poroy) at 4:43pm )
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Machu Picchu Mountain – US$70 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Single Supplement – US$30 2* for single travelers
TRIP NOTES
Essentials
- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
For Your Duffel
Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
- Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
- Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
- Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Handsanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toiletpaper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
Inside Your Daypacks
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.
- Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (IPhone)
- Handsanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs