overview
This trek is an unforgettable trekking experience in the remote Andes. The trek provides the opportunity for insight into the local Quechua farming and weaving communities who live in the stone houses much like our ancestors. The trail passes through the amazing mountain scenery, glacier, lagoons, valley cloud-forest, herds of Alpacas and Llamas. On the third day arriving to Yanahuara for our lunch and in the early afternoon we board the train from Ollantantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to spend a night in the hotel and the last day we go up to Machu Picchu for the sunrise and the guiding tour.
Lares Trek Highlights:
- Beautiful landscapes and snow-capped peaks
- Local Quechua highland communities
- Beautiful lakes
- Alpaca and llama herds
- Enjoying the magical Machu Picchu citadel
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO- QUISHUARANI-CUNCANI-YANACOCHA
We will pick you up at the hotel in the early morning and travel by private transportation to Calca where we will stop for breakfast. Afterward, we will drive to the trailhead at Quishuarani community (3750m. /12,303ft) the trail ascends gradually through the valley until to reach one of the beautiful lake. From here, we will start the challenging part of the trail to the highest point for the day Hullquiqasa (4200m/13,779ft).After enjoying the spectacular views of the beautiful lakes, we will continue down to the waterfall where we will have lunch. After lunch we will reach the traditional Quechua community of Cuncani (3700m/12,139ft).After passing the village we will set up camp for the night by the beautiful lake Yanacocha.
Trekking distance: 13km/8.07miles
Campsite altitude: 3800m/12,467ft
DAY 2: YANACOCHA-WACAHUASI-MANTANAY-MISKYUNO
It´s an early start this morning as we have quite a bit distance to cover. The trail will lead us to the highest point of the trek Wacahuasi pass (4600m/15,091ft). Passing through the Wacahuasi valley. Most of the houses that we will see in the area are built from stone as it was in the Inca time. Local people from the community make colorful textiles and we will be able to admire some of their high quality handmade blankets and scarfs. From here we will start to climb up until to reach the highest point of our trek Wacahuasi pass (4600m/15,091ft).We will decent toward the Auroray lake to have lunch, then continue our descent by the Yuraq lake to arrive at the Misky Uno(3680m/12,073) campsite in the late afternoon.
Trekking distance: 14km/8.69miles
Campsite altitude: 3680m/12,073ft
DAY 3: MISKYUNO-YANAHUARA- OLLANTAYTAMBO-AGUAS CALIENTES
We will follow and easy trail in the Mantanay valley where we will enjoying beautiful vegetation and streams fed by the glacial waterfalls, arriving at Yanahuara(3050m/ 10,006ft) for early lunch and to drive to Ollantaytambo to board the train in the early afternoon to Aguas Calientes(2040m/6,692ft) to spend the night.
Trekking distance: 7km/4.34miles
Aguas Calientes altitude: 2040m/6,692ft
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO
After an early breakfast at the hotel a half-hour bus ride to the entrance of Machu Picchu (2400m/7,874ft), we start our walking tour of the amazing Inca citadel. Then we will have free time to stay or to climb Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains, which offers spectacular views from the top. Later we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the train to Ollantaytambo. From there our private transportation will take us to the hotel in Cusco.
Included
Items that are included in the tour price to Lares Trek
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Private transportation from Cusco to the starting point of the trek
- Lares and Machu Picchu entrance fees
- Professionally licensed bilingual tour guides
- Personal tents: two person capacity with plenty of room for personal gear
- One inflatable sleeping pad per person
- A duffle bag for personal belongings provided at the briefing
- Dining tent with table and chairs
- Kitchen tent and cooking equipment
- Pack horses to carry tents, food, and cooking equipment
- Pack horses to carry up to 7 kg of personal gear per traveler
- Saddled horses for emergency in case someone is not able to keep hiking
- Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners), daily snack, and hot drinks (vegetarian and special diets are available)
- Warm water every morning and afternoon for bathing
- Filtered boiled water for drinking from the second day on
- Biodegradable hand soap
- Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transfer from train station to hotel in Cusco
Items that are not included in the tour price:
- Breakfast on the first day
- Lunch on the last day after Machu Picchu
- Sleeping bag (you can rent one from our company for $25)
- Wayna Picchu entrance fee (entrance fee is available for $25)
- Tips and extra spending
Price
Group Tour
- Price from 675 USD per person
Private Tour
Private tours are available and priced by party size.
- Price for 2-3 guests: 1135 USD per person
- Price for 4-5 guests: 820 USD per person
- Price for 6-7 guests: 755 USD per person
- Price for 8 or more guests: 675 USD per person
PACKING LIST
WHAT WE RECOMMEND BRINGING:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting your tour, bring both the old and new passports!
- Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece, thermals, wool socks, lightweight pants, warm hat
- Small pack to carry things that you will need during the day
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, film and batteries (batteries die faster in cold conditions)
- Hydrating face and body lotion
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Water bottles (Nalgene or metal ones are required, plastic bottles are not allowed)
- Toilet paper and tissues
