Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu offers trekkers a unique opportunity to hike their way through the Sacred Valley to the gates of the Inca Citadel, starting with a relaxing dip in the volcanic thermal baths in the mountain town of Lares.
Along the trail you will pass by shimmering glacial lakes, skyscraper mountains and herds of resident llamas and alpacas. Aswell as encountering some of the most isolated indigenous communities of the Valley that keep the ancient Inca traditions alive.
Book now for an Andean adventure of a lifetime, full of jaw-dropping views and native Peruvian culture!
Places to visit :
- Lares
- Huacahuasi
- Abra C'asa Pass
- Punta Toro
- Ollantaytambo
- Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu
Need Help To Book?
Our dedicated team of travel experts is here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey.
Itinerary
- Day 1 : Cusco – Calca – Lares – Huacahuasi
- Day 2 : Huacahuasi – Abra C’asa Pass – Punta Toro
- Day 3 : Punta Toro – Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Day 4 : Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
DAY 1 – CUSCO – CALCA – LARES – HUACAHUASI
The 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu begins with pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 5:30am.
After a 1-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you’ll briefly stop in the town of Calca to visit the local market and take breakfast. From there your private transport will drive you a further 2-hours through a picturesque Andean valley to the town of Lares at 3,100m / 10,170 ft. Here you’ll be greeted by our chef and horses man who will accompany you throughout the hike. You’ll also be treated to a relaxing dip in the hot springs of Lares, where the volcanic water reaches temperatures of 34 ° C. Allowing its therapeutic waters to rejuvenate your body & mind.
The first day of the trek will start with an opportunity to acclimatise along a 2-hour stretch of flat trail to the bridge of Vilcabamba. Delightfully, your chef will be waiting there with hot tea to warm your chilly bones and a delicious lunch to re-energise you for the afternoons’ trek.
After lunch you will continue along the trail for a further 3-hours, gradually ascending to camp in Huacahuasi at 3,750 m / 12,303 ft. Along the way, you will encounter a number of local communities and herds of their resident alpacas. The local Andean residents will be wearing the traditional clothing of the mountains and will speak in the native Quechua dialect, offering you a rare insight into the native way of life in the Andes.
In late afternoon you will arrive in the majestic village of Huacahuasi to set up camp, enjoy a hearty dinner, and sleep under the starlit Andean sky.
- Food : Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 5 hours
- Total distance : 11 km
- Accommodation : Camping
- Altitude of accommodation : 3,750 m / 12,303 ft
DAY 2 – HUACAHUASI – ABRA C’ASA PASS – LAGUNA AURORAYCOCHA – PUNTA TORO
Day 2 of the tour to Machu Picchu is considered to be the most challenging. Therefore you will awake with the first light of dawn for a freshly cooked breakfast amidst the backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
The trail begins ascending through sweeping Andean landscapes, dotted with colourful native flora, and herds of grazing alpacas and llamas. The sacred creatures of the Inca empire, were once sacrificed in honour of the Inca Gods. However these days they tend to serve the local inhabitants of the region, who keep them for clothing, food, fuel and transportation.
After traversing up the valley for 4-hours, you’ll reach the highest point of the tour, the Abra C’asa Pass at 4,500 m / 14,763 ft, where the mountains seem to touch the sky. At the viewpoint on the summit, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the valley below and the glistening waters of Laguna Auroraycocha at 4,470 m / 14,665 ft. Here you can take the souvenir photos you have been waiting for, before descending for an hour to the shores of the Lagoon to appreciate a well earned lunch.
The afternoons’ hike will consist of a 4-hour descent through magical cloud forests, woodlands of Queuña (tree of the Incas), and alongside another breathtaking Lagoon by the name of Yuracocha. By late afternoon, you will gladly arrive at the settlement of Punta Toro at 3,100 m / 10,170 ft. Here, you will make camp and enjoy dinner, nestled beneath the shadow of the mountains.
- Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 9 hours
- Total distance : 15 km
- Accommodation : Camping
- Altitude of accommodation : 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
DAY 3 – PUNTA TORO – YANAHUARA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
Day 3 of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, will reward you will a well earned lie-in and a wholesome breakfast, before you say thank you and goodbye to the chef and horses man who will be parting ways with you as you continue on your journey to the Inca City.
Todays’ hike will be a steady 1-hour descent down the valley to the cosy settlement of Yanahuara at 2,780 m / 9,120 ft. Awaiting you there will be your driver and private transport, ready to transfer you to the town of Ollantaytambo. Here your guide will accompany you through the bustling local markets and picturesque Inca streets, aswell as joining you for lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, you’ll be guided to the local train station, to board the 1pm tourist train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The 1 hour 45 minute train ride will treat you to glorious scenes of snow-capped mountains, Inka farming terraces and of course remarkable Inka ruins. After which you will once again be greeted by your tour guide who will check you in to your hotel in the town, treat you to a delicious restaurant dinner, and leave you to sleep the night away in a comfortable hotel bed.
*If you wish to relax in Aguas Calientes hot springs, they are only a 10 minute walk from the town center and are open for visitors until 8pm. Entrance fee is 10 soles (optional extra).*
- Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 1 hour
- Total distance : 3 km
- Accommodation : Hotel
- Altitude of accommodation : 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
DAY 4 – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
After taking breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you at reception and escort you the bus station where you will board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu. The scenic route from Aguas Calientes takes you on a 30 minute bus ride up the mountainside to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once inside, you will be taken on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu, journeying through its rich history, as you make your way through the Inca city with your personal tour guide. Aswell as visiting the famous sites of the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the stepped terraces, you will have plenty opportunity to take the bucket list photos you came for atop the panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu.
Before boarding the bus back down the mountain, your guide will also allow you time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.
Once you have regrouped with your guide and taken the bus back to Aguas Calientes, there will be time to take lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants (optional extra), before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There you will be greeted by your guide and private transportation who will take you on the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 6.30pm.
*There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $70 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 8.30pm.*
What’s Included?
Included
- 6:00pm Briefing at your hotel in Cusco the night before the trek
- Private transport from hotel in Cusco to Lares
- Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide
- All camping equipment : 3 person tents (with enough space for belongings)
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Muleteers & horses to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment – 7kg per person
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners (All prepared by our chef)
- Vegetarian/vegan and special diets requested
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes 3***
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket : Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket : Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Private transport to Cusco from Ollantaytambo
- Oxygen and first aid kit
Not Included
- Food not included in the itinerary
- Breakfast in Calca on first day
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes on fourth day
- Sleeping Bag : Can rent from agency : $ 25 USD for entire trip
- Trekking Poles : Can rent from agency : $ 20 USD for entire trip
- Hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain : $ 70 USD (upon client request)
- Optional entrance to thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (S / .10 soles)
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide, porters and cook
Recommendations to bring
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Good quality walking boots or shoes
- Good quality sleeping bag for cold temperatures
- Trekking poles – can be rented at agency
- Sandals for down time (very important)
- Baselayers of varying temperatures, especially for the night
- Thermals, gloves, scarves, wooly hat
- Good quality trekking socks to avoid blisters
- Raincoat or long poncho (for rainy season)
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid on the trail
- Headlamp/Torch (very important)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
- Swimming suit for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (optional)
Packing List
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Original Passport
- VALID STUDENT ID CARD (if booked as a student)
- Immigration card (delivered on the airport upon entering Peru)
- Good quality backpack (medium sized)
- Water storage bottle or canteen: Camelbak bottles are recommended, but all need to be sufficient to hold 1-2 litres
- Comfortable shoes, preferably light with good soles (waterproof goretex for rainy seasons)
FOR YOUR BAGGAGE:
The horses and the train have a luggage limit of 7kg. We therefore recommend only bringing essentials with you to Machu Picchu.
- 4 Long sleeve shirts
- 4 Breathable t-shirts
- 4 Sets of underwear
- 4 Pairs of socks
- 2 Hiking trousers
- 2 Shorts (suitable for hiking)
- 2 Fleece
- 1 Waterproof coat and pants (for rainy seasons)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sandals – In case you want to visit the hot springs in Machu Picchu town
- Small quick-drying travel towel
- Portable battery charger for your phone and cameras
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Facial moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
ITEMS TO TAKE INSIDE MACHU PICCHU:
We recommend taking a backpack into the citadel, however please be aware that bags of more than 25 liters will not be allowed. Larger backpacks will need be stored outside the gates of the citadel.
- Water canteen
- Sun hat
- Rain clothes
- Camera or phone camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
Additional Information
- Extra tickets will need to be purchased to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain.
- There are limited number of spaces available per day, so we recommend requesting booking the tickets in advance.
- Once the mountain tickets are sold out for that day, there are no options available for extra tickets.
- The cost to climb the Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu mountain is $ 70 USD per person. This will be added to the total cost.
- Those hiking Inca Trail that wish to do Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, will also be charged an extra $ 70 USD.
- IMPORTANT: Before requesting tickets to the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, check availability by contacting us!
Important information:
- Departure dates: We have groups for the Lares trek every day of the year. But it is more advisable to make this trek between the months of April to December, since the months of January, February and March are the rainy season in Cusco.
What will you live in the Tour Lares, Machu Picchu 4 Days
- We delve into the local culture of the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a four-day route.
- We will meet Andean people dressed in their traditional costumes.
- We will enjoy the thermal baths of Lares in a de-stressing and relaxing experience.
- This place is perfect for photographers because you can meet local people and see amazing landscapes.
- You will paddle past local communities and see houses with thatched roofs made of stones and surrounded by llamas and alpacas.
Why choose "Machu Picchu Viajes Peru"?
Sustainable and Responsible
We have the highest social and environmental standards in the market of tour operators, which means that we practice a sustainable and responsible tourism with the environment.
Certificates and Authorizations
We are a tour operator company, which has all the authorizations from the Peruvian government, authorizations that certify us as a legally constituted company .
Certificate in TourCert
We are one of the few companies in Peru certified by TourCert, European certifier with a management system oriented to work on aspects of Business Social Responsibility (BSR).
Related Last Tours
Our Awards and Recommendations
Our awards and recommendations reflect our commitment to excellence and quality at every step.