LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS
Classic Service
from $579.00 USD per person
- The trek to Choquequirao offers a unique experience in the middle of the impressive nature of Cusco, with landscapes of valleys and snow-capped mountains.
- Choquequirao, known as "The last refuge of the Inca Empire", reveals a complex hydraulic system and a rich religious history.
- The Road to Choquequirao was a ceremonial pilgrimage that honored the mountains and peaks along the route, such as the sacred Salkantay Mountain.
Overview
Exploring the Lares Hike as an alternative to the conventional Inka Trail to Machu Picchu offers a unique experience. The company Peru Travel provides an experimental trip that fuses adventure with nature, escaping conventional tourist routes to immerse yourself in an authentic cultural environment. Travelers can enjoy the comfort of Luxury Glamping Service, delight in innovative gourmet cuisine, experience the warmth of the local people and retreat daily to a paradisiacal retreat to revitalize mind and body.
The starting point of the walk is located at the hot springs of Lares, three hours away from Cusco. The route crosses the Huacawasi pass at 4,300 meters above sea level, finally descending towards Yanahuara or Ollantaytambo, gateway to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
Although less known than the Inca Trail, many find the Lares Trek equally impressive. Ideal for those looking for alternatives, this trek, also known as Trek de Lares, takes travelers through rural communities in the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas.
During the walk, participants witness a spectacular Andean landscape, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and hot springs. We visit highland towns where daily life resembles that of past centuries, and where locals preserve the Inka traditions of their ancestors. In addition, you can see the breeding of llamas and alpacas, which contribute to the production of high-quality corn and potatoes in the region. The trip culminates with the amazing experience of witnessing the sunrise at the famous "lost city."
- DAY 1 | Cusco – Lares – Blue Lagoon.
- DAY 2 | Blue Lagoon - PASO DEL CONDOR – Cancha Cancha.
- DAY 3 | Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu.
- DAY 4 | Full day in Machu Picchu.
Day 1 | Cusco – Lares – Quishuarani.
Your hike from Lares to Machu Picchu begins at your hotel in Cusco at 05:00 a.m., where a bus will transport you to the town of Calca for 45 minutes. After a short break, the bus ride continues for 2 hours to the Lares hot springs where we will enjoy a nice Picnic lunch before our hike begins, you can swim in the natural thermal pools that have beautiful surroundings with the surroundings of mountain. The day's walk is uphill, it lasts 4 hours, then you will arrive at Quishuarani, here we will have free time to discover some of the typical places and appreciate the ancestral weaving techniques, then tea time and a delicious dinner await us.
- Meals: Lunch, Water, Snacks, tea time and Dinner.
- Accommodation: Glamping camp and hot showers
- Hiking and Terrain: Walk, on open roads, some steep ascending trails.
- Duration of the Walk: Approximately 4 hours.
- Distance: 8km.
- Difficulty: Easy / moderate
DIA 2 | Quishuarani – Cancha Cancha.
After a delicious breakfast we leave for Quishuarani. This is going to be our longest day on the Camino as we continue northeast through the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After half an hour the path continues horizontally before climbing towards our approx. 2 hrs 30 min to the highest peak with a dream landscape, called Pachacutec Pass and the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray We continue on a 1-hour walk along a narrow path until we descend to a beautiful isolated area full of lakes of glacial origin. We have lunch in this beautiful place and then continue along the path and thus descend to the next valley where we can appreciate a series of waterfalls until we reach the town of Cancha Cancha where our camping site awaits us.
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, tea time and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging.
- Distance: 13 km.
DAY 3 | Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu.
After a delicious breakfast we began our walk towards the small river of Cancha Cancha. It is a 3 hour walk to the small town called Huaran. From here we take local transportation to the town of Ollantaytambo, a wonderfully preserved Andean town. Here we will give you some time to explore the site before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes (12:55am). Arriving we will spend the night in a hotel. in Machu Picchu town.
- Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks and dinner.
- Walk and Terrain: Walk, on open roads, some uphill trails.
- Duration of the Walk: Approximately 2 hours.
- Distance: 13 km.
Day 4 | Full day in Machu Picchu.
The next day we woke up to enjoy a delicious breakfast and then take the bus at 06:00 am to the citadel of Machu Picchu and enjoy its wonderful sunrise. Then we will have a 2-hour tour of the citadel accompanied by our expert guide. After this, you will have time to visit the citadel and discover it for yourself. If you have your entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu (capacity limited to 400 people per day with an additional cost of US $ 15.00, it is better to book the entrance together with the purchased tour) you can then climb the Huayna Picchu mountain (2720m/8890 feet). Keep in mind that it will take approximately 45 minutes to reach the top, which could drastically reduce your stay at the Machu Picchu citadel. Once you are filled with those mystical vibes, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and thus take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus back to Cusco that will arrive at approximately 10:30 p.m.
- Walking time: 4 hours
- Walking distance: 8 km
- Lowest point: (3,250 m / 10,663 ft)
- Highest point: (3,700 m / 12,139 ft)
- Elevation at Huayna Picchu: 2720m / 8,924 feet
- Elevation at Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,000 m / 9,843 feet
- Pre-departure information: You will meet your “Lares Trek” guide at our office for an orientation before your hike. Here, we will provide you with the canvas bags that our Porters will carry. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the afternoon before the trip begins. In case you cannot come at this time "let us know" to coordinate another time.
- Tourist transportation: We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Lares Trek adventure tourism guide: English and Spanish speaking tourism guide, professional with tourism certification. Cultural tourist guide in Machu Picchu with experience: English and Spanish speaking, professional, with tourist certification. For when you visit the sacred city of Machu Picchu.
- Private camps: Each camp is carefully chosen so you have a very personalized experience.
- Night 1: Enjoy the first night in the town of Wacawasi on the Lares route and sleep in our tents.
- Night 2: Enjoy the second night in Yanahuara on the Lares route and sleep in our tents.
- Night 3: The third night at the hotel is not included, which is located in the town of Aguas Calientes; Hotel prices will vary depending on your expectations and budget. However, we can offer you the option of joining us at our local accommodation Hotel Casa de Luz in Aguas Calientes has double or triple rooms, private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, breakfast and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu .
- Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
- Entrance ticket to the Lares hot springs.
- Entrance ticket to the Inca site of Machu Picchu.
- 1 duffel bag: You can store your personal luggage, up to 7 kg (14.02 lb), including your sleeping bag; This bag will be carried by our horses for the first 3 days. Also on the last day your luggage can be stored at your hotel in Machu Picchu. It is not allowed to enter the Inca city of Machu Picchu with luggage.
- Professional trekking chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking, with an assistant, will prepare all your delicious meals throughout our journey on the way to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners (vegetarian, vegan or special menus available at no additional cost). Please note that the first breakfast and the last lunch are not included.
- Boiled water: From your first lunch to your last lunch, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water you need. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled before being distributed. You must supply your own water bottles. We recommend carrying around 3L worth. We will refill our waters at every meal.
- Wake up with tea: Every morning at camp, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent to warm up before you start your day.
- Tea time every day during the walk: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will give you our tea time.
- Medical kit and oxygen bottle: Our team will bring a first aid kit that includes an emergency oxygen bottle.
- Bus from Consettur to Machu Picchu: Up and down.
- Round trip train tickets:
- Transfer back to Cusco: Private tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (Day 4).
24-hour guest service: We will have a telephone service available 24 hours a day to facilitate communication and preparation with the agency in charge of your trip
NOT INCLUDED
- Day 1: Breakfast: approx. USD 5 to USD 10.00, price may vary depending on your selection.
- Last day: Lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. USD 20 to USD 25.00, price may vary depending on your selection.
- Clothing and personal equipment.
- Travel insurance.
- Additional costs or delays beyond the control of the administration: Bad weather, modification of the itinerary due to a security problem, illness, change in government policy, political instability/strike, etc.
NO ARTICLES AT THE MOMENT
PRICES
- Transfer from the Hotel to Cachora
- Entrance tickets to Choquequirao
- Tour guide; vegetarian meals, etc.
Essential elements
- Original passport (and valid student ID if applicable).
- Hiking boots/shoes.
- Hiking socks.
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
- Warm clothing, hat and gloves.
- Casual mountain clothing for the afternoons.
- Short or long sleeve shirts.
- Comfortable pants.
- Sun hat.
- Sunglasses.
- Sunscreen (SPF 35 recommended).
- Reusable plastic or metal bottles, or a hydration bladder.
- Insect repellent.
- Personal hygiene items or day backpack.
- Personal medication.
- Camera and video camera.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
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Don't miss this amazing hike! Permits are sold out at least 6 months in advance.
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