This remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insider´s view into traditional Andean life – a timeless world where farmers plant their crops on the lands their ancestors tended and watch over herds of llama and alpaca beneath the sacred snow-covered peaks they worshipped as gods. The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the Inca trails from the time of the Inca Empire. Today, the trail is still in use by farmers, who are Inca descendants. The Lares Trek connects the communities of Cancha Cancha, Quisuarani, Cuncani and Lares with life in the Sacred Valley. On the third day, we’ll take the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, having a full day to explore the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and climb Huayna Picchu mountain the last day.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Private transportation
✔ Duffle bag for your personal gear
✔ Tour guide
✔ Dining tent with tables and chairs
✔ One night at one B&B accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
✔ Lunch
✔ Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
✔ Dinner
✔ Chef
✔ Breakfast
✔ Pillow
✔ Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
✔ Wranglers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
✔ Emergency horse in case we need it
✔ Kitchen tent
✔ Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
✔ Mattress
✔ Four-person tent for every 2 people.
✖ Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us - $30.00
✖ Day 4 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
✖ Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
Pickup Locations
1. Estancia San Pedro Hotel
2. Kaaro House Cusco
3. Yuyay Apartaments Cusco
4. New Day Hotel
5. Sol Andino
6. Ayenda San Cristobal Premium
7. Luna De Oro Hotel
8. Cusco City Lodge
9. Runa's Inn Cusco
10. Hotel Casa Faustina Boutique
11. Anahuarque Hotel Boutique
12. Katari Hotel at Plaza de Armas
13. Qori Cusco Inn
14. Katari Apart Hotel At Qorikancha
15. Sara Casa Boutique
16. Tayta Wasi Hotel
17. Hotel Sol Inka
18. Hotel Garcilaso I
19. Fiesta Inn Ceniza
20. Redy's House
Additional Info: We will pick up travelers from their hotels or airbnbs.
Itinerary
Cusco - Huaran - Accopate
1
Huaran
We will pick you up early from your hotel to take you to the beginning of the trek at Huaran (9,840 ft) in the Sacred Valley; it is 1 ½ hours by private bus. We will pack the horses and start to walk northward. The trail climbs gently following the Cancha Cancha river towards the community of the same name. On this walk along the river we will see cultivated fields and pass through old Polylepis forests. This type of vegetation is very interesting for a wide assortment of bird life, and the valley itself is very impressive. We will have lunch half way through the hike.
We will pass by the village of Cancha Cancha. on the way to our camp. After a total hike today of around 6 hours we will reach our campsite for the night at Acopata.
Duration: 8 hours
Accopata - Quishuarani
1
Day 2: After an early breakfast we will continue up hill. After 2 ½ hours we will reach the highest point of the trek: Pachacutec Pass is at 15,678 ft. The view from here is overwhelming. The Pitusiray and Sahuasiray snowcapped mountains will be right in front of us.
Now we will hike downhill for 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot, next to a captivating lake.
After lunch we will descend for another 1 ½ hours into the valley. We will pass by several glacial lakes along the way. Also we can see herds of alpacas, llamas and sheep. It is also possible to see Gray Brocket Deer, Viscachas, Andean Geese, the rare Giant Coot, Puna Hawks and the impressive Andean Condor. Tonight we camp at Quishuarani village, which has typical stone houses
Duration: 8 hours
Quishuarani - Lares Host Springs - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
1
Lares Hot Springs
Today we follow another valley and climb up to the second pass at Willcaccasa mountain for 2 to 3 hours. Again the view of the Andes, turquoise lakes and its beautiful valleys are impressive.
After the pass we walk downhill for 1 ½ to 2 hours, passing many gourgeous lakes. This takes us to Cuncani village. We then continue downhill for 2 to 3 hours towards the Lares Valley and its hot springs, where we can have a well deserved soak. This is also our lunch spot.
Now that we are fully relaxed, we will get in our private van, which will be waiting for us, for the 3 hour drive to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft). We will have dinner in Ollantaytambo. After dinner, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival you will check in to your room at the bed and breakfast.
Duration: 5 hours
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
1
Machu Picchu
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent citadel. Once there you will be given at 2 hour walking tour of the site.
After your Machu Picchu experience, you will have some time to explore before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Additional info
• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• What to bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
• Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
• Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
• Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
• Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
• Head lamp
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Camera with spare batteries – batteries run down faster at high altitudes
• Binoculars
• Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
• Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
• Bug repellent
