Lares Trek

USD 960 4 days 3 nights

Difficulty
Moderate to Challenging

Maximum group size
6 people

Total distance
33 km / 20.5 mi

Height difference
2.7 to 4.5k m / 8.8 to 14.7k ft asl

Lares Trek

Official local tour operator of the Inca Trail

Lares Trek

4 days

3 nights

This 4-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu offers an exciting experience. Begin with a journey to the Lares Valley, where you will enjoy panoramic views of mountains and glaciers, relaxing in hot springs before a 4-hour hike to Huaca Wasi for camping. The next day, wake up to a scenic hike to Miski Unuyoc, with lunch by the majestic Lake Auroray and camping at Manantay. On the third day, explore the Urubamba Valley and the Queñua forest before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. Finally, visit Machu Picchu, with free time to explore before returning to Cusco.

* Altitude sickness is a common experience for all visitors in Cusco. To minimize symptoms, it is advisable to spend one or two days in the city before starting the hike.

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Maximum group size: 6 people

Total distance: 33 km / 20.5 mi

Height difference: 2.7 to 4.5k m / 8.8 to 14.7k ft asl

Price

USD 960

per person based on 2 people

DAY 1

Cusco – Baños termales de Lares – Huacahuasi

Distance

12 km – 7.5 mi / approx. 4 to 5 h

Altitude

3,100 to 3,800 m / 10,170 to 12,467 ft asl

Difficulty

Moderate

Lunch: Lares Hot Springs 3,200 m / 10,500 ft asl

Campsite: Huacahuasi 3,750 m / 12,303 ft asl

Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the exciting journey to the Lares Valley. Along the way, you will be enveloped by the beauty of the landscapes, with towering snow-capped mountains and peaks rising up to 4,265 m asl. The Sawasiray and Pitusiray glaciers will be the highlights of the scenery.

Upon arrivial at the Lares Valley, at an altitude of 3,200 m asl, you will find a warm climate. Here, you will stop to enjoy a comforting lunch and the opportunity to relax in the hot springs.

The first stage of the trek will consist in a gentle four-hour ascent until reaching Huacahuasi, situated at 3,800 m asl. During the journey, you will observe farmers working in the fields using traditional methods, and you will also admire herds of llamas and cows grazing in the area.

Huacahuasi is a charming village where most of the houses are built with mud and thatched roofs. The camp will be set up here for the night.

DAY 2

Huacahuasi – Pucará

Distance

14 km – 8.7 mi / approx. 7 to 8 h

Altitude

3,700 to 4,500 m / 12,139 to 14,764 ft asl

Difficulty

Challenging

Lunch: Auroray Lake 4,300 m / 14,108 ft asl

Campsite: Pucará 3,400 m / 11,155 ft asl

The day begins with an early morning breakfast, preparing you for an 11-kilometer hike to Huacahuasi, at an altitude of 4,500 m (14,763 ft). Along the way, you will enjoy one of the highlights of the trek, with views of ancient pre-Hispanic paths, picturesque mud huts, Andean high-altitude vegetation, and the presence of llamas and alpacas.

Lunch will be served near the majestic Auroray Lake. After this break, you will continue walking for a couple more hours to reach the community of Mantanay, where the campsite will be set up for the second night.

DAY 3

Pucará – Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Distance

9 km – 5.59 mi / approx. 3 to 4 h

Altitude

2,040 to 2,950 m / 6,692 to 9,678 ft asl

Difficulty

Moderate

Lunch: Yanahuara 2,900 m / 9,514 ft asl

Campsite: Aguas Calientes 2,040 m / 6,692 ft asl

After an early wake-up call and a nutritious breakfast, you will embark on a hike towards the Urubamba Valley, at 2,950 m or 9,678 ft above sea level. During this stretch, you will marvel at the famous Queñua forest, whose rare Andean trees are protected by the Peruvian government. Then, you will continue with a 3 to 4-hour descent until reaching Yanahuara, where lunch will be served.

Continuing the trek, you will head towards Ollantaytambo, from where you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. After this iconic train journey, you will arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in a hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. It is in Aguas Calientes where you will begin to perceive the mystical atmosphere that surrounds Machu Picchu.

DAY 4

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Distance

5km – 3.1 mi / approx. 3 h

Altitude

2,040 to 2,430 m / 6,692 to 7,972 ft asl

Difficulty

Easy

In the early morning, you will depart on one of the first buses to the historic Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After a two-hour guided tour, you will have free time to explore the lost city of the Incas. It is suggested to consider an optional hike to Huayna Picchu or alternatively, a hike to Machu Picchu Mountain (not included). It’s important to note that tickets for either option are limited, so you should book well in advance.

In the afternoon, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and then board the train bound for Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you will be transferred back to Cusco, where you will arrive in the evening.

Included

Private transfers from the hotel to Pampa Corral / train station – hotel – train station
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Bus ticket: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Round-trip train tickets: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
Pre-trek briefing
Tent with space for 4 people, but only with 2 occupants
Bathing tent
Foam mattress
Our professional chefs prepare meals that incorporate elements of the Western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies
Porters (for equipment and items) carry camping equipment, food, and kitchen equipment. If desired, you can hire a porter.
Dining tent with field tables and chairs and a kitchen tent for the cook
Cook and kitchen equipment
Oxygen bottle (one per group)
First aid kit
Snacks: Nutritious and energy bars, assorted nuts, and chocolates
Seasonal fruit
Water to fill bottles every morning
03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, and 03 dinners (optional vegetarian or vegan food upon request)

Not included

Sleeping bag (20 USD)
Walking sticks (10 USD)
Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day
Optional personal horse
Entrance to the hot springs
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Other meals
Insurance
Tips
Personal expenses
Other unspecified extras

Notes

What to bring on the Lares Trek 4-day:

A lightweight backpack for the trip
Flashlight and batteries
Rain gear (jacket and pants) or rain poncho
Special trekking footwear, waterproof boots recommended
Warm clothing, including jacket, fleece liners, gloves, scarf, and beanie. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Camera, films, and batteries (batteries deplete faster in cold weather conditions).
Hat or cap to protect from sun, rain, and cold
Sunscreen and after-sun cream or moisturizer for face and body
Insect repellent containing a minimum of 20% DEET
Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolates, raw fruits, etc.
Water bottle for the first morning
Personal first aid kit with any special medication you may need
Small towel or sarong
Swimsuit (if you intend to swim in the hot springs)
Cash – enough for snacks, tips, and souvenirs
Original passport and ISIC (International Student Identity Card)
Walking sticks (we can rent them for you)

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