4-day Lares Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu
A local certified guide from our team takes you on an amazing and wondrous 4-day trek in and amongst the incredible and mystical natural beauty of Peru, starting in the town of Cusco and winding along the classic Lares Trek to the world famous and truly special Machu Picchu.
Private
Andes
4 Days
All year
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Hike the awesome Lares Trek to the world famous Machu Picchu!
- Admire some of the epic and amazing views over the Peruvian countryside
- Learn about the history, customs and traditions of the Andean people
- Be amazed by the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu
Description
I will guide you on this magnificent and superb 4-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Lares Trek, an absolutely stunning and gorgeous trekking route that takes in towering and majestic mountains and high passes, huge tracts of valleys and fields, mesmerizing lakes and waterways, a wide array of flora and fauna, and ample opportunities to learn about the ancient culture, customs and traditions of the local people.
The Lares Trek is a high altitude trek to Machu Picchu in the region of Cusco, Peru, and is popular as an alternative trek to the immensely more famous, but much busier and more populated Inca Trail. It is home to many local farmers and traditional weavers specializing in textiles, and many exotic bird species such as Andean ibises, Andean geese and flamingos inhabit the area.
Our journey begins on the 1st morning in Cusco, and from there we drive to the starting point of the trek, the village of Cuncani. This day is spent hiking up to our campsite in Huacawasi via some tranquil lakes and countryside, and that night we will learn more about the local Andean culture, and how the people live.
Day 2 is the most strenuous day of the trip, with plenty of uphill hiking, and along the way we will be exposed to some epic views of the mountains and scenery, before stopping at a nearby lagoon and heading in to a forest containing much of the beautiful flora and fauna of the region.
The penultimate day is a slightly more gentle affair, as we walk through many of the farmlands the Andean people still work in, before visiting a couple of archaeological sites and then heading onwards to our hotel near Machu Picchu.
The final day is spent exploring the world famous and truly splendid Machu Picchu, a place that takes the breath away and lets you marvel at the magic of the Incan culture and region.
Taking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a truly special and beautiful trip – book now to tick this off the list!
For those who want a little extra time trekking to Machu Picchu, try our 5-day Lares Trek option, here!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Porters
- Luggage transfer
Price details
- Price does not include: Sleeping bag, bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Cuncani – Yanacocha – Huacawasi
At approximately 6am we will pick you up at your hotel to Lares Trek – Wacawasiset course to the village of Lares where we take a beautiful route to go to Cuncani village where will be Our starting point of the Lares trek we can his journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you forgot. Your guide might advise you to buy some bread to hand out to the children you will meet during the trek. In our first day we are going to appreciate de llamas, alpacas, vigognes and Guanacos all the famous Andean camelides, also we can appreciate de typical Andean communities as Cuncani After the first pass we are going to arrive to Yanacocha we have our lunch around this beautiful lake after lunch we will start our hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3600m/11811f). During 5 or 6 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get a good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek. The first night we will spend the night in our campsites where our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. This is the perfect opportunity to know this little town a little better, as well as its Andean culture. At arrival your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot thee before having dinner.
Day 2: Huacawasi – Sondor – Huacawasi C’asa Pass – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Mantanay – Pucara
After a nutritious breakfast we will start hiking towards the highestLares Trekking Pass – Cusco Peru point, the pass of Huacawasi at 4500m or 14763 feet. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be very steep uphill. Of course an emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone will certainly be able to reach the top. During this trek you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. Be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold. After reaching the highest point we will descend and pass beautiful lagoons and we’ll stop for having lunch. You will be able to recuperate while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch for you. Next we will descend further through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis – a typical three from Peru), flora and fauna of this wonderful park. Thereafter we will continue descending until we got our camping spot at Pucara (3000m/9842f), a private camping place where you will have tea time and some snacks upon arrival before having dinner.
Day 3: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today will be another spectacular day we take the channel to continue walking to the Yanahuara Inka terraces where we can see the agriculture places where the Andean people still work in the famous corn of giant grains of the sacred valley called MAIZ PARCAY. from there we continue to Pachar where we are going to take the Inka trail to Ollantaytambo over the Inka terraces but in the way we are going to see one small archeological site call it Choccana to our lunch in from of the Ollantaytambo Inka town , where we visit the town. Before to take our train at 13:00 to Machupicchu town in the afternoon you will have time to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am.Machu Picchu by Lares Trek and head for Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, including information about life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750m/9022f) on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55 pm or at 6:10 pm. Until then, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.
About the guide
Peru
4.6
(20)
Guide Agency
Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.
It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.
We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.
Languages
| English
Certificates
AGMP | IFMGA
What people are saying about Peru
He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.
We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.
Marcela
The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.
5 star guide. Nothing but the best.
A very, very sympathic guide, who knows all the secrets of the places and itinerarys the most beautiful ; organization top ; food excellent too ; marvellous souvenirs.
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