Trail lares to Machu Picchu

04 Days / 03 Nights

The Lares Valley Trek offers a combination of stunning scenery, you will make real contact with the andean farmers and how they live in an ancestral way with its customs and traditions in their cultivation fields.

The trek will take you through stunning mountain scenery, over high passes and you will spend two nights near traditional Peruvian villages. On day 4th you will see the treasures of Machu Picchu with your experienced guide.

Level of difficulty: Moderate to Difficult.

Itinerary:  

Day 1: Cusco – Huaca Casi pass – Cuncani – Huacawasi

At approximately 6:30am we will pick you up at your hotel to set course to the village of Lares where we will start the hiking.

During this journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you forgot. Your guide might advise you to buy some bread to hand out to the children you will meet during the trek.

When arriving at Lares town where we will take a dusty road to Cuncani for 25 minutes more between the lamas or alpacas. After that we will be going up for one hour to get to Cuncani pass where we find little pass and we can see beautiful views of Yanacocha lagoon and Huaca Hausi.

After walking around the lagoon we get to the typical town of Huaca Huasi where we make our first stop in Huacawasi (3600 m/11811 f). During 5 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek.

The first night we will spend at the house of our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. At arrival, your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot tea before having dinner.

Transport time: 4 hours

Hiking time: 4 hours

Climate during the day: Warm

Climate during the night: Cold

Day 2: Huacawasi – Sondor – Huacawasi C’asa Pass – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Mantanay – Pucara

After a nutritious breakfast we will start hiking towards the highest point, the pass of Huaca Wasi Casa at 4500 m. or 14763 feet. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be very steep uphill. Of course an emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone will certainly be able to reach the top. During this trek you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. Be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold.

After reaching the highest point we will descend and pass beautiful lagoons and there we’ll stop for lunch. You will be able to recuperate while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch for you. Next, we will descend further through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis – a typical three from Peru), flora and fauna of this wonderful park. Thereafter, we will continue descending until we got our camping spot at Pucara (3000 m./9842 f.), a private camping place where you will have tea time and some snacks upon arrival before having dinner.

Hiking time: 8 hours

Climate during day/night: cold and warm.

Day 3: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today will be another spectacular day when walking through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. A vehicle will bring us to Ollantaytambo (2850 m./ 9350 ft.) where we will discover the last Inca town and the great Inca’s site known as Pinkulluna (Lord of Tunupa).

After having lunch, we will take a tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (2050 m./ 6725 ft.) town where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours

Transport time: half an hour Climate: Warm

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am and head for Machu Picchu (2400 m./7874 ft.) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, including information about life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and the option of Wayna Picchu (2750 m./9022 ft.) on your own.

We will leave Aguas Calientes by train around 18:20 pm. Until then, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.

Climate: moderate warm

**Prices may vary depending on travel dates. For more information, fill in the form to get in contact with a Travel Advisor.

What’s included:

Transport from the hotel to Valle de Lares.
High quality camping equipment (professional tents Doite, Cima 4, extra light / 4.5kgs for 2 persons. Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent).
Meals during the excursion: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks or vegetarian option.
Professional guide (english or spanish).
Cook and cooking equipment. H
orseman and mules, for all camping and personal equipment (8 Kgs).
Emergency horse (for minimum of 2 persons).
Entrance to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Entrance to the thermal baths in the Valle de Lares.
Bus up, from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
First-aid kit, oxygen bottle and safety rope.
Hostel in the village of Aguas Calientes.

Not included:

Breakfast on the first excursion day.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes, 4th day.
Sleeping bag.
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

Important information:

When planning to do this trek, don’t forget to pack:

Backpack with rain shelter.
Sleeping bag.
Clothing for warm and cold climates like a waterproof jacket.
Rain pants and lightweight pants.
Trekking shoes.
Slippers or sandals (for showers).
Woollen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
Long- and short-sleeved T-Shirts.
Rain poncho and a hat.
Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel.
Water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
Camera (wrapped in plastic bag).
Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
Original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
Since the weather can be very cold and moistly, your clothes – once gotten wet – won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change.