Machu Picchu Trek via Lares 7 days
“When permits for the Classic Inca Trail sell out, the Lares Trek is a perfect option to hike to Machu Picchu…”BOOK NOW
Starting point : Cusco
Ending point : Cusco
Duration : 7 days
Trip style : Active Hiking Tour – Lares Valley Trek
Activities : Archaeological, Cultural, Camping, Ecological, Hiking
Airfares : Not included, available upon request
Highlights : 2 nights in Cusco before the trek, 2 nights camping Lares Trek,1 night by Machu Picchu, 1 last night in Cusco
Trip Code : 7LAR
Accommodation in Cusco and Machu Picchu included, Price includes all credit card transaction and fees
When Permits for the Classic Inca Trail are sold out, the Lares trek to Machu Picchu becomes a great alternative. The Valley of Lares is located at about 40 miles northwest Cuzco. Lares is an Andean town which connects different areas of Cuzco through several trails. Most of these trails will allow you to observe a few native communities, a huge variety of flora and fauna, and the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo.
The Valley of Lares has several ecological attractions. Varied nature and the medicinal hot springs of Lares are just a couple of examples of what you can find in Lares. Our package has been designed to let you enjoy the hot springs of Lares before eating lunch during the first day of hike.
During the hike, you will visit several Andean communities. The first night your campsite will be located at the Quishuarani community where you will be able to interact with locals. In addition, the second night your campsite will be located next to the Ipsaycocha Lake and the very small Andean community of the area. Temperature during these two nights can be as low as 20ºF. Please make sure that you bring a sleeping bag designed for low temperatures.
The Lares trek is considered a moderate trek. In order to complete the Lares Trek, you need to have a reasonable level of fitness, and age shouldn’t be a barrier. Before starting the trek, you should be well acclimatized to the altitude. The highest mountain pass on the Lares Trek is located at the ‘Pachacutec pass’ at about 4400 m(14436 ft). Our package includes 2 days in Cuzco before the trek starts because this period is ideal to let you acclimatize to the altitude of Cuzco. These two days will also let you walk around the city of Cuzco, the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
This great adventure includes two nights of acclimatization in Cusco before the Trek, the complete Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, an overnight nearby Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes and a last night in Cuzco. Please take a look at our itinerary for further details.
Since the Lares trek will take you to Ollantaytambo town, you will have the option to visit the beautiful Ruins of the town before taking the train that will take you to Aguas Calientes.
Lares Valley Trek Itinerary
7 Days
Day 1 : Cusco
Assistance at your arrival to Velazco Astete Airport (CUZ) and transfer to your Hotel after a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2 : Cusco (B)
Today you are free to relax, acclimatize to the altitude (3309masl/10856 ft) and get ready for next day’s LARES TREK. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 3 : Cusco – Lares – Huacahuasi (B)(L)(D)
We leave early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and drive you to the town of Calca, located in the Sacred Valley. You will head northward to a spectacular high pass before dropping down to the village of Lares (3100masl/1,168ft) on the east slope of the Andes. Here you will enjoy the hot springs in the meadows outside of town, followed by a delicious picnic lunch. Then begin a leisurely half-day hike up the valley of the rushing Trapiche River, before reaching the highland village of Huacahuasi, where the camp site is located. Huacahuasi (3,800 m / 12,000 ft) is an authentic Andean community located in an impressive valley. Typical house constructions of the Quechua communities living at high altitude can be observed here.
Day 4 : Huacahuasi – Patacancha (B)(L)(D)
Climb steadily, traversing an open, treeless landscape of ground-hugging plants and flowers among pastures of Andean bunch-grass scattered with roaming herds of alpacas and llamas. Reaching an altitude of 4,500masl (14,760 ft) we cross the pass of Ipsayccasa. The pass offers breathtaking views of Mount Veronica (5,750m/ 18,864 ft) and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Then descend to Ipsaycocha or Ipsay Lake.(4200m/13,776 ft ) We may see Andean Geese, Puna Ibis or other water birds in the wetlands as we journey through the heartland of these Quechua people, who are locally nicknamed “Huayruros”. Huayruros are two colors seeds from the jungle: black and red; similar to those of the villagers dresses. We reach the village of Patacancha(3700masl/12136 ft), a well known textile Andean community that still preserves ancient Quechua traditions and dressing code. We set our camp nearby and spend a quite Andean night.
Day 5 : Patacancha – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (B)(L)(D)
Head down to the valley to Pallata where you will see the Inca ruins of the early-Inca site of Pumamarca (Puma town). After your arrival to Ollantaytambo, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 6 : Aguas Calientes – Machu picchu – Cusco (B)
Early in the morning a bus will take you to Machu Picchu. Once in Machu Picchu, you will have a guided tour for about two hours and after that you will be free to explore the Citadel and take pictures. In the afternoon you will take a bus towards Aguas Calientes where you will be taking a train to Ollantaytambo at 18:20 hrs. Once at Ollantaytmabo a bus will drive you to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 7 : Cusco (B)
Transfer from your hotel to the airport. This marks the end of our services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can be arranged.
Included in the Lares Trek Package
- Transfers in/out Cusco
- Accommodation in Cusco (3 nights)
- Accommodation in Machu Picchu | Aguas Calientes (1 night)
- Lares Trek 4 days/3 nights Package (2 nights camping)
- Weight Allowance: 8 Kilograms per trekker (weights to be carried by horses)
- Transportation to head of Lares trail.
- English/Spanish speaker professional guide
- Personal pad (double foam)
- Tents
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Horses (to carry the tents, toilet and cooking equipment)
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu (rt)
- Expedition train ticket Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes/Ollantaytambo (Vistadome upgrade available)
- Transfer Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco downtown
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
- First Aid equipment
Note: Horses will carry the heavy gear;
If you are considering bringing some photography equipment or other heavy accessories, please request an additional horse (US$ 95) to carry your belongings, this way you will freely enjoy the hike. (This is highly recommended if you have never hiked over 10000 feet). Cooks handle all the kitchen chores.
Excluded in tour cost
- Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips to guide and support staff, city services.
- Domestic air LIM/CUZ/LIM: around US$ 220 (subject to change)
- Single Tent supplement: US$ 25
- Sleeping bag (optional): US$ 25. All sleeping bags are laundered between each trek. Please request this rental well in advance.
†Vistadome train upgrade MaPi/Poroy: USD 70.00
Group Service Price (min 2) : 2023 trekking season
|
CUSCO |
AGUAS CALIENTES |
DOUBLE |
SINGLE |
| TOURIST: |
Antawasi |
Encanto Machu Picchu |
$ 999.00 |
$ 1095.00 |
| SUPERIOR: |
Tierra Viva Plaza |
Santuario |
$ 1119.00 |
$ 1345.00 |
| PREMIUM: |
Casa Andina Premium |
El Mapi |
$ 1319.00 |
$ 1775.00 |
| FIRST: |
Palacio del Inka |
Inkaterra |
$ 1815.00 |
$ 2655.00 |
NOTE:
We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes of the same category. We will endeavor to confirm final hotel bookings as soon as possible.
Upgrade to Vistadome or Hiram Bingham trains are available upon request
Student Discount: USD 30.00 off of group service price
To qualify for Student Discount, you have to email us a scanned copy or digital photo of a valid Student ID card after booking to info (at) incatrailreservations.com
*If any of the third party costs included on this package experiences an increment, we will immediately update the package price.
During the hike, you will visit several Andean communities. The first night your campsite will be located at the Quishuarani community where you will be able to interact with locals. In addition, the second night your campsite will be located next to the Ipsaycocha Lake and the very small Andean community of the area. Temperature during these two nights can be as low as 20ºF. Please make sure that you bring a sleeping bag designed for low temperatures.
Chat on WhatsApp