Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Tour Details
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is the best alternative to the esteemed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It offers the best of nature, adventure and history.
This high altitude trek is considered to be one of the most beautiful treks to Machu Picchu. Unlike Inca Trail which requires trail permits which tend to sell six months in advance, Lares trek can be booked even weeks before.
Dotted with many highland Andean lakes and farms, the 4 day Lares trek offers a closer contact with the untouched Andean communities who have preserved the age-old traditions and customs.
The highest point of Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is at 4600 metres above sea level. It is highly recommended that you spend a few days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.
Accompanied by our local tour guide you will be introduced to the Inca civilization and Andean flora and fauna before you visit Machu Picchu.
Why Heidi Travel Peru?
Heidi Travel Peru, is a fully locally owned tour operator in the city of Cusco. We are certified local guides with an excellent knowledge of Incas history and culture. As natives, our guides will be sharing some of the astonishing facts on this Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
We offer the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, both as a small group tour and as a private tour. We invite you to take a moment to check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Departure & Return Location
Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time
0500 AM
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Lares Trek Packing List
Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco - Calca - Quiswarani - Yanacocha
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private transport we will embark on a journey along the Sacred Valley of Incas to Calca. We will have a brief stop in a small town named Calca. Here you can pick up some last minute essentials from the shop.
We will then continue to Quiswarani. This is the starting point of our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Here we will be meeting our muleteers and chef. After organising our trekking gears and equipment, we will begin the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
We will begin with a gradual hike up the hill to a pass at 4200 metres above sea level. Here, we will have a brief stop so you can enjoy the jaw dropping views of the Andes. We will then continue hiking further up the hill to 4225 metres above sea level to Hualcacassa Pass.
From here, you will be able to see the seven lagoons and snow capped Andean peaks. The view is simply out worldly.
We will then hike down to the lunch camp. Here our Andean chef will be serving a typical Andean meal for lunch. We will then continue the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu by hiking to our second pass in Qolqecasa at 4200 metres above sea level. We will then hike down the hill for thirty minutes to our campsite in Yanacocha at 3800 metres above sea level.
Day 2Yanacocha - Huacahuasi - Mantanay
We will be serving a traditional Andean breakfast to start the day. After breakfast, we will begin with a downhill hike. You will be able to see the traditional Andean houses along the way. As farming is the main profession here, we will be showing you different farms.
You will also get to see different Andean Camelids – Alpacas, Llamas and Vicunas. We will then hike to the highest point of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, Aururocassa Pass at 4600 metres.
Here we will stop to immerse in the tranquility of nature and enjoy the pristine view of the Lares valley below. We will then hike down the hill to Mantanay Campsite.
Day 3Mantanay - Yanahuara - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
This is the easiest day of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. We will be descending through Quinoa fields. Then we will be crossing potato farms before reaching Yanahuara. Here we will be stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we will bid goodbye to the muleteers and chef.
We will then drive you to Ollantaytambo train station. Here you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes.
You will be having some free time to spend the evening by enjoying a stroll through this rustic town. Aguas Calientes is also popular for hot springs so you can spend the evening by taking a rejuvenating dip.
Our local guide will be meeting you that evening at your hotel and will be briefing you on the following day’s trip .
Day 4Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Early in the morning, the hotel crew will be handing you over a snack box. You will then be boarding a bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel. It takes 25 minutes to reach. Here our tour guide will assist you in clearing the security and entering the citadel.
Once inside, you will be rewarded with a sight of the golden rays of sun shimmering on the walls of the Incan citadel. Our guide will be giving you a detailed tour of the citadel for two hours. On this tour, you will be visiting some of the prime sites which will give you an in-depth information of the citadel.
After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked to climb Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain our guide will be directing you to the entrance. If you intend to hike one of these mountains do advise us at the time of booking.
Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel. Sungate is the point of entrance to the citadel for those on Inca Trail.
Once you have had your fill of the Inca citadel, you will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.
Our representative will be meeting you and will be transferring you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco. We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 09:00 PM.
