Lares trek is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail that offers us the opportunity to learn and experience Andean rural life, we will learn more about its art, traditions and Andean textiles. On the way we will have impressive panoramic views of different snow-capped mountains, as well as beautiful lagoons.
DAY 01: Cusco – Calca – Thermal Baths of Lares – Cuncani
At 05:00 a.m. We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco, to start our adventure through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the way we will be able to appreciate the majestic sacred valley with its fertile lands, then we will arrive at the small town of Calca (2940msnm) then we will pass through the small villages of Totora and Maucaupata. Finally after a journey of approx. 4 hours we arrive at Lares (3,200 masl) visit the thermal baths to take a refreshing bath. After lunch and after having contacted our muleteers, we started the trek arriving at our first camp in 4 hours (3750 masl).
DAY 02: Cuncani – Ipsaycocha
After breakfast we will continue our walk through the valley until we reach the community of Huacawasi, in this place the people produce fine fabrics and we will be able to observe their great skills and brilliant techniques in the manufacture of ponchos and clothing. Passing the town we will begin to ascend to the second Abra de Condorpasa pass (4450 masl). From this place we can see an amazing view of the snowy Veronica 5750 meters above sea level. We will descend approximately 1 hour until we reach the beautiful Ipsaycocha lagoon, where our camp will be at 3900 meters above sea level.
DAY 03: IPsaycocha – Patacancha – Huylloc – Pumamarka – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast we will descend through the valley until we reach the community of Willoc where we will have lunch, from here we will walk approximately 2 hours in the course of our walk we will be able to observe the archaeological remains of Qochapata, until we reach the community of Pumamarka from where we will be able to appreciate Inca terraces, finally we will arrive at Ollantaytambo located in a fertile valley and protected by huge mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. This is a perfect place to appreciate most of the archaeological remains left by our ancestors and a variety of flora and fauna. Then we will go to the Ollantaytambo station from where we will board the train which will take us to Aguas Calientes, we will make a train trip of approximately 02 hours.
Night in Aguas Calientes Hotel.
DAY 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
This day we will wake up very early and after breakfast we will board the first bus at 5:30 AM, we will make a 30-minute trip arriving at the citadel of Machu Picchu at 6:00 AM to appreciate the impetuous sunrise. Here we will have the guided tour of 2 hours and a half to visit the most important places of Machu Picchu. The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and impressive ancient sites in the world, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by the historian Hiram Bingham after it lay hidden for centuries over the Urubamba valley, it is surrounded by agricultural and irrigated terraces by natural springs. Machu Picchu has become the most important tourist attraction in Peru and Latin America.
After the guided tour you will have free time of 4 more hours to visit Machu Picchu on your own. (Optional Huayna Picchu for 15 USD).
Finally we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and in the afternoon we will take our return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport awaits to take you to the city of Cusco, transfer to the hotel.
• Transportation from Cusco to Lares (Starting place of the trek).
• An accredited trek guide to lead Lares trek adventure trips.
• Food (3 breakfasts / 3 lunches / 3 dinners).
• Cook and kitchen equipment.
• Muleteer and horse (who are responsible for carrying tents, food and kitchen equipment).
• Double tents with capacity for 3 people.
• Tents (matras, chairs), dining tent, kitchen tent.
• Oxygen balloon.
• First aid kit.
• Train ticket Ida/Return Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Guide and Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Bus ticket Ida / Return Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
• Transport train station of Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
• 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the fourth day.
• Sleeping bag (you can rent in our office $25 USD for the entire trip).
• Extra horse: You can hire one extra for your personal belongings.
• Entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain ($15 USD optional).
