Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Strenuous

Lares Hot Springs + Cultural Experience +Llamas, Alpacas + Inca Textiles and more
Lares trek is a great alternative to the Inca Trail. For trekkers wanting to get off the beaten touristy path and escape to a part of Peru that has changed little over the last 500 years, the Lares trek is a must. This remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insight into the real lives of Andean farmers, dressed in their traditional brightly-colored ponchos. You will have the opportunity to see thatched stone houses surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. Inside the houses’ kitchens, you’ll see guinea pigs running loose. The trek itself is about as difficult as the Inca Trail. There are, however, two passes over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude before beginning the trek.

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Springs – Huacahuasi
DAY 2: Huacahuasi – Patacancha
Day 3: Patacancha - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu picchu - Cusco

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Springs – Huacahuasi
We leave Cusco early in the morning and travel by bus through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Calca.  From Calca we ascend up for about 4 ½ hours to the village of Lares.  Once in Lares we will enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot springs and unwind after a long drive. Before the start of our hike of approximately 31/2 hours we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Then we ascend to the highland village of Huacahuasi (3,600m/11,800ft), where we camp for the night. This is an authentic Andean Community where you observe their colorful distinct and colorful weavings. (L, D)

• (6 miles hiking, 3 - 4 hours) – Camping

DAY 2: Huacahuasi – Patacancha
Today we climb steadily, traversing through a treeless landscape of beautiful plants and flowers with roaming herds of llamas and alpacas. After about 21/2 hours we will reach the Ipsayccasa Pass (4,500m/ 14,760ft) and take in the breathtaking views of Mount Veronica (5,750m/18,864ft) and the surrounding snow-capped peaks.  Then we will descend to the Ipsaycocha Lake and enjoy the Andean Geese, Puna Ibis and other water birds. We will relax and eat a delicious lunch. Afterwards, we continue to the village of Patacancha (3,700m/ 12,139ft), a well-known textile community and where the people still preserve their ancient Quechua customs. This will be our campsite. (B, L, D)

• (10 miles hiking, 7 -9 hours) – Camping

Day 3: Patacancha - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Today, our trail will lead downhill to an outlook facing a wide valley. We will take in the scenery and your guide will point out different plants and animals along the way, including llamas and alpacas. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by huge mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. It is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and bird species. We will then take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in the evening and spend the night there in a comfortable hostel. (B, L, D)

• (6 miles hiking, 4 – 5 hours). Overnight in Aguas Calientes – Hotel   

DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu - Cusco
We will wake up very early to take a bus to the city of Machupicchu, where we will be one of the first visitors of the day to enjoy the magic and mystery of one of the wonders of the world. The tour with your guide will take around 2-3 hours. After, you will have free time to explore the entire city on your own. In the afternoon, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Cusco. (B)

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Private transportation from your hotel to the start point of the trail.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu (Does not include the Huaynapicchu Mountain).
• Professional English speaking Tour Guide
• Professional chef and his assistant
• Horses to carry all the equipment, food, cooking gear, etc.
• Mule-handlers (for our camping equipment)
• All the camping equipment: including dining tents, cooking tents, cooking stuff, sleeping tents, camping table with camping chairs
• Sleeping pad
• Complete meals during the trip (you’ll never be hungry!): 3 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 3 lunches, 3 happy hours, and 3 dinners. All of these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant.
• Coca tea served each morning in your tent. When you wake up in the morning, you will be greeted at your tent with a selection of teas.
• Boiled water after breakfast, lunch and dinner to refill your water bottles.
• Snacks every morning.
• Oxygen tank and first aid kit.
• Vegetarian food and specialized diets on request at no extra cost.
• Tents (4 man tents for every 2 people - very comfortable)
• Hotel at Aguas Calientes
• One way bus ticket (to or from Machu Picchu)
• Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Expedition Train back to Ollantaytambo at the end of your journey
•  Transfer back to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag (can be rented at CHAT office)
• Walking stick (can be rented at CHAT office)
• Entrance ticket to the hot springs (10 soles)
• Bus ticket one way back from Machu Picchu or you can walk down a set of stairs for one hour
• Last lunch at Aguas Calientes
• Tips for your field staff are appreciated