Embark on a unique adventure through Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes with our Lares to Machu Picchu Tour. This 4-day tour will take you to explore traditional Andean communities, soak in relaxing hot springs, and hike among majestic mountains, all culminating at the impressive citadel of Machu Picchu.
Tour Highlights:
- Lares Hot Springs: Relax in therapeutic waters surrounded by mountains.
- Laguna Azul and Paso del Condor: Marvel at panoramic views and perform ancestral ceremonies.
- Cultural Interaction: Meet local communities, learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
- Visit Machu Picchu: Explore the mystical Lost City of the Incas with an exclusive guided tour.
This trek is ideal for those seeking a combination of adventure, culture and nature. With an all-inclusive service, including transportation, expert guides, delicious meals and accommodation in camps and hotels, your only concern will be to enjoy every moment of this unforgettable experience.
Reserve your place and live the adventure of a lifetime in the Peruvian Andes!
Location
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Lares Hot Springs - Blue Lagoon
At 4:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you in a vehicle to the famous thermal baths of Lares. Whether you are in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley near Urubamba or Pisac, we can pick you up from a hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or other location. From Cusco, we will travel 1 hour to Calca, in the Sacred Valley, where we will tour the market and buy local products. Then, we will drive for another 2 hours to the Lares Hot Springs, where you can soak in the therapeutic pools of varying temperatures, ideal for bones, muscles, and stress relief, while enjoying the breathtaking mountain views. Afterwards, your trekking chef will prepare an energizing breakfast.
After breakfast, we will take a 30-minute drive to Pampacorral and begin a 2-hour hike to the village of Kiswarani, where we will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch with local ingredients by our talented chefs. We will then hike for 2 hours to our first campsite on the shores of a beautiful Andean lake, passing potato fields, waterfalls and breathtaking mountain views, until we reach the Blue Lagoon at 3900 m (12795 ft). Once we arrive at the camp, your tents will be ready and a hot cup of coca tea or coffee will be waiting for you.
During the day, you will enjoy the fantastic views of the Sacred Valley, explore the Lares District, enjoy the hot springs and take a short hike along the beautiful valley. You will also walk through potato fields, visit the village of Kiswarani, interact with the locals, walk alongside llamas and alpacas, and enjoy the Kiswarani waterfalls.At the camp, you will have hot water for washing, time for tea and stargazing before sleeping in our comfortable tents.
- Altitude of the camp: 3900 m (12795 ft)
- Trekking distance: 10 km/6 miles (10 km/6 miles)
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
- Lodging: Camp under a million stars
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Blue Lagoon - Condor Pass - Canchacancha Community
Start the day with a cup of coffee or hot coca tea in your tent, then get ready for the most challenging day of the trek from Lares to Machu Picchu. After breakfast, you will receive snacks from our chef and begin a 4-hour hike to the highest point of the trek; the Condor Pass at 4750 m (15583 ft). Along the way, you will enjoy lakes full of Wallatas, known as Andean geese or “love birds”, mountain caracaras, llamas, alpacas and unobstructed views of the Andes.
Once we reach the summit, you will enjoy a 360° view of the mountains and lakes while your guide performs a spiritual ceremony of offering to the sacred mountains at the top of the Condor Pass; we will offer you a cup of coca tea to reward your effort. From there, you will have a two-hour descent down the mountain to Acopata, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch.
After lunch, you will have another 2 hours of descent through breathtaking scenery until you reach the village of Canchacancha (3750 m - 12303 ft), where you can relax in your tents with hot drinks and enjoy the mountain scenery as soon as you arrive. You will be able to interact with the locals as you walk through the village, chase llamas and alpacas, play soccer with the children, teach a few words in English or learn a few words in Quechua.
Camp altitude: 3750 m / 12303 ft
Maximum altitude: 4700 m / 15354 ft
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Duration: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Day 3: Canchacancha - Salineras - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Our trekking team will wake you up in your tent with a cup of coffee or coca tea, then get ready for the day and enjoy a healthy breakfast with a breathtaking view of the mountains. You will have time to relax and explore the village before descending from the highlands into the Sacred Valley on a hike of at least 4 hours. First, we will visit the homes of the local villagers, learn about their lifestyle and visit the local elementary school, where you can donate educational supplies such as notebooks, pencils and toys. Canchacancha is one of the last villages without access to electricity and roads, and the locals only speak the Quechua language of the Incas.
Today's trekking route is mainly downhill from the high mountain area, where locals grow organic potatoes and beans, and we will descend into the Sacred Valley, where locals grow corn and avocados, and the climate is warmer. Along the way, you will experience a variety of habitats, from the cold highlands to the fertile soils of the Sacred Valley. The end of the trek is in the village of Huaran (2700 m / 8856 ft) in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and say goodbye to the chef and muleteers.
After finishing the Lares trek, we will board our private vehicle to the Salineras de Maras to explore the incredible salt ponds, where locals have harvested salt since Inca times. The last place to visit is Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca Citadel”, recently named by the UNTWO as the Best Tourist Village in the world. Ollantaytambo is a unique place where the locals still use the same original Inca buildings, the water still runs in the original canals and you can walk through the original ancient narrow streets. You will explore the Inca citadel with your guide, dine at a local restaurant and board the 7:00 pm Expedition train to the town of Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.
Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 4: Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas)
You will enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel and then board the first bus to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise over the Inca citadel. You will pass the Machu Picchu checkpoint and walk to the viewpoints before beginning the 2-3 hour guided tour of the citadel.
Your guide will show you the highlights of Machu Picchu and enlighten you on the site's extraordinary history, secrets and engineering marvels. After the guided tour, you can explore on your own or arrange additional hikes to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included and must be booked well in advance). After visiting the Inca citadel, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (own expense) before boarding the Vistadome scenic train back to Ollantaytambo and the private vehicle to Cusco. Return to your hotel is scheduled for around 7:30 pm.
- Maximum altitude: 2430m / 7972 ft.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy
Included
- Safety briefing the day before the tour
- Pick up from your hotel for the tour
- All transportation during the trek
- Duffle bag up to 8 kilos for your stuff
- Free luggage storage in Cusco
- Professional tour guides
- Experienced chefs, porters
- Horses and muleteers to carry food & equipment
- 2 nights camping with comfortable equipment
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- All meals during the trek
- Entrance ticket to Lares Hot Springs
- Entrance ticket to Salineras of Maras
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Buses up and down to Machu Picchu
- Panoramic Vistadome to return
- All taxes and booking fees
Not Included
- Sleeping bags, air mattresses, or trekking poles
- Last day Lunch
- Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets
- Montaña Machu Picchu tickets
- Tips for porters, chefs, guides
Before you
- Prior acclimatization: Before embarking on this tour, it is essential that you take one or two days to acclimatize to the altitude in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley. This will help prevent altitude sickness, as you will be ascending to altitudes above 4,000 meters above sea level.
- Adequate Equipment: Take adequate clothing for mountain weather, including layers for warmth, a good waterproof coat and comfortable, sturdy trekking shoes. Don't forget a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect you from the intense Andean sun.
- Hydration and Snacks: Maintain good hydration throughout the tour and bring extra snacks such as energy bars or nuts. Although the tour includes food, having something extra is always useful, especially during the longer hikes.
- Trekking Poles: Trekking poles can be a great help, especially on the uphill and downhill sections. Make sure they are collapsible so you can easily carry them in your pack.
- Insect Protection: In some areas, especially in the lower, warmer areas, mosquitoes may be present. Bring a good insect repellent to avoid bites.
- Community Donations: If you wish to make donations to local communities, consider bringing school supplies, clothing or toys. This will be greatly appreciated, especially in villages like Canchacancha, which have limited access to resources.
- Camera and Extra Batteries: The views along the trail are breathtaking, so don't forget to bring a camera or a good phone with enough space for photos. Also, bring extra batteries, as you will not have access to electricity at the campsites.
- Cash: Carry some cash, preferably in soles, as you might want to buy local handicrafts or tip the guides and porters.
- Travel Insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that covers trekking and adventure sports activities. This will give you peace of mind in case of emergencies.
- Respect Nature and Local Cultures: Maintain a respectful behavior with the environment and local communities. Do not leave trash and follow the guides' indications at all times.
- High altitude options: Consider pre-booking additional tickets to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, if you wish to enjoy spectacular views from the top. These options should be booked well in advance due to high demand.
- Enjoy the Moment: Finally, remember to enjoy every moment of the trip. This tour offers a unique combination of natural landscapes, culture and adventure that will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty and mystery of the Andes and the Inca culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Lares Trek is an alternative route to the Inca Trail that takes you through traditional Andean communities, breathtaking mountain scenery and culminates at the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu. This trek offers a unique cultural experience and exceptional panoramic views.
The best time to do the Lares Trek is during the dry season, from May to September. During these months, the weather is more stable, with less chance of rain, which makes for more pleasant trekking conditions and clearer views.
Yes, it is recommended to be in good physical shape to do the Lares Trekking, as it includes several hours of hiking at high altitude. It is important to acclimatize beforehand in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley to avoid altitude sickness and enjoy the trek.
The Lares to Machu Picchu trek generally lasts 4 days and 3 nights, including time to visit Machu Picchu on the last day. The duration of the trek may vary depending on the specific route and tour itinerary.
It is essential to bring adequate clothing for the mountain climate, trekking boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera. It is also advisable to bring snacks, water and cash to buy handicrafts or give tips. Trekking poles can be useful for ascents and descents.
Yes, the Lares Trek is safe when done with a reliable tour agency and experienced guides. It is important to follow the guide’s indications, respect the environment and be physically prepared for high altitude treks.
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