Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel a 5 am. We will then embark on a 3-hour drive to the Hot spring of Lares. Along the way, we will be making a brief stop in Calca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you can buy some last-minute items and snacks.

At Lares, we will have free time to enjoy the hot springs that are divided into different pools ranging from cold to hot water.
Once you have had your fill of the hot springs, we will be serving our first breakfast of the Lares Trek prepared by our local Andean chef.

We will then drive for another 40 minutes to Quishuarani (3300m/10827ft). This is the trailhead of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will be introducing you to our support crew. After a short briefing, we will begin the trek with cultural immersion.

We will be stopping at a local family house. Here you will get to witness the traditional dance. They will then give you an insight into their farming techniques including the harvesting of potatoes. They will also demonstrate how they build traditional houses.
Once you have had your fill of the Andean traditions, we will be serving lunch here. After lunch, we will begin our hike to the first campsite for three hours. It will be a gradual uphill hike.

This full-day hike will take you through highland Andean farms where you will get to see Alpacas and Llamas. We will also be passing through Glacier Waterfalls.

On reaching the campsite, our chef will serve an exclusive traditional Andean dinner. We will be camping on the shores of a blue water lagoon.

• Campsite Altitude: 3880 m/12735 ft
• Distance: 8 km/ 4.9 miles
• Hiking time: Around 3 hours
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping under million stars
• Considered: Moderate

We will be waking you up to a cup of freshly brewed infusion or Peruvian Coffee. After relishing a typical breakfast, we will begin hiking for four hours, up the hill through the Lares Valley.

This section of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is somewhat challenging as we will be hiking to the highest point of Lares Trek Peru. Condor Pass or Pachacutec Pass (4680m/15350ft).

To compensate for the hike, you will be getting stunning views of highland lagoons dotted with snow-capped peaks.
From the summit of the pass, you will get a panoramic view of the valley below. Our chef will serve a cup of freshly brewed coca tea which you will be sipping in with a sight of Pitusaray’s snowcapped peak in front.

Our local expert will be explaining the significance of Apus (Mountain Peaks) which are Andean deities.
We will then descend on the opposite side of the Lares Valley to Accopata. It takes about an hour and a half to hike down. The route is dotted with sights of Llamas and Alpacas grazing on the banks of colorful lagoons. At Accopata, we will be stopping for lunch.

After lunch, we will be descending for another two hours through the valley to the last campsite of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, Cancha Canhca. It is a small Andean village. Here you will be able to see the life of the highland Andean farmers.
The village got its first electric connection in December 2019. Until then they used candles to illuminate their houses. Also, the village is not accessible by road.

After dinner, accompanied by a village chief, our guide will be talking to you about the prominence of the Andean Constellations and their importance in farming. Often here you will be able to witness different constellations like Andean Cross, and Virgo among others.

• Campsite Altitude: 3750 m/12303 ft
• Distance: 16 km/ 9.9 miles
• Hiking time: Around 8 hours
• Highest altitude: 4700 m / 15354 ft
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping under million stars
• Considered: Moderate to challenging

After relishing a typical breakfast, we will be visiting a local family house. They will demonstrate their skills in spinning and weaving. You can also buy some as souvenirs if you want to.

We will then commence our last descent to Huaran. It is a four hours hike along the valley beside the river. You will get to see different Llamas and Alpacas along the way. We will also be passing through potatoes and fava beans farms. The farmers will be happy to demonstrate their farming skills here.

Once in Huaran, our chef will serve a traditional local meal called Pachamanca for lunch. Pachamanca is a traditional Andean meal baked with the aid of hot stones. The earthen oven is called Huatia.

After lunch, we will bid goodbye to our support team. We will then begin our trip in our private transport to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This was the former administrative capital of the Incas.

Ollantaytambo is also a “living Inca town”. Here you will witness the advancement of Inca’s town planning as our guide will be giving you a tour.

After relishing an Andean meal for dinner here, we will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes town. Here we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.

• Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6561ft
• Distance: 12 km/ 7.4 miles
• Hiking time: Around 4 hours
• Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star basic hotel
  
• Considered: Easy

After early morning breakfast, we will be taking the tourist bus from our hotel to the entrance of Machu Picchu. It is a 25-minute ride up the hill to the entrance of the citadel. Our guide will be assisting you in clearing the security control and entering the citadel.
As you enter the citadel, you will witness the golden rays of morning sun shimmering on the walls of Machu Picchu.

We will be giving you a two hours tour of the citadel. You will be visiting prime sites like the main square, remains of royal quarters, and ceremonial center among others. After the guided tour of the complex, you will have some time to explore the citadel on your own.

If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will be directing you to the respective trailhead. Please note that to hike to the summit of one of these mountains, you will need a permit. Often permits are sold months in advance.

Alternatively, you can hike to the Sungate. You won’t need any permit to hike there. This is the point of entrance for those hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

We will then take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. Here we will be stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, you will have some free time to saunter through the narrow streets of the town.

Later in the evening, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo train station. Our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching by 0900 PM.