LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS
The cultural trip of Lares Trek
Highlights
This tour takes us deep into the Andean culture, we will walk through the last remaining Inkas populations in our region, mixing history, folklore and archaeology in a tour that will make you travel back in time.
Trip overview
Machupicchu
Hiking
Challenging
4 days and 3 nights
What is Lares Trek?
Lares Trek is a unique trail that begins near the town of Lares, 40 miles north of Cuzco and 35 miles southeast of Machu Picchu. The hike takes place in the Lares Valley, east of the Urubamba mountain range, which passes through part of the Sacred Valley.
The walk is 4 days in its classic version, the last day is the visit to Machu Picchu.
No permit is required to use Lares Trek. This means that you can arrive in Cuzco in one or two days depending on the season (not from June to August).
Of course, you will have to book your train to Aguas Calientes as soon as possible in the middle of the season, as well as your admission to Machu Picchu.
As for the current route, there are a number of options for the Lares Trek route, most of which end in Ollantaytambo.
From here, tourists can take the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu or return to Cuzco. Next we will discuss in detail each of the options for the routes of Lares Trek.
There are a number of factors that make this trek a great alternative to the Classic Inca route.
First of all, and perhaps most importantly for some, it is that it is much quieter than the Inca Trail.
Second, the route may be easier than the Inca Trail as it is not necessary to take many steps.
The altitude above sea level is still a problem and in some variants of the route you will have to overcome 3 steps that exceed 4,200 meters (the highest, depending on your route – 4,400 meters or 4,600 meters). More information on acclimatisations and altitude sickness can be found here.
Finally, Lares Trek offers a true Andean culture. The Lares Valley is home to a number of traditional Andean communities that have changed little in the last 500 years.
You will probably see many local weavers and farmers dressed in traditional colorful clothing and depending on your tour you will have the opportunity to see or participate in some weaving activity.
The area is famous for its homemade textiles, so if you want to take home a genuine piece of Peruvian textiles, take home a few spare soles. Here you can buy the products by spending the day with the local weavers!
Best Time to do Lares Trek
The best time to do the Lares Trek is during the dry season (May-September). This is the busiest trekking time in the region, particularly on the Classic Inca Trail, where permits are sold out months in advance.
The Lares Trail is the third most popular trail to Machu Picchu, after the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, so during the peak of the high season the trail can be very crowded. That said, there are so many variations on the Lares Trail that in general the routes never feel crowded.
During the dry months (April and October), the Lares Trails are particularly quiet, and the climate is often very pleasant.
The months we do not suggest are from December to March, as the rain makes the trail really unpleasant and visibility is often low due to the strong morning and afternoon fog.
Temperatures throughout the year are moderate, at 20 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, and from cool to cold at night and in the early hours of the morning. Layered clothing is important (see packing list below).
Microclimates characterize the Andes, so it may rain all year round. Always wear rain gear.
Lares Trek Itinerary
The Lares Trek tour begins at 6:00 AM with a pick-up location that is set during your meeting with us in our office the day beforehand.
From the pick-up location, we will travel to Lorenzo’s lodge where we serve the first breakfast (buffet style) and from there, continue on to the small town of Lares (3,100 meters above sea level) with a travel time of about 3 hours.
Upon arrival, we will head directly to the medicinal thermal baths to enjoy some relaxation time. After lunch, a long walk of approximately 4 hours to the campsite of Huacawasi (3,900 meters above sea level) awaits us.
On the way, we will pass through incredibly beautiful Andean scenery and a few small towns where we will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about the High-Andean culture. Once we arrive at the campsite, we will eat dinner and receive an informational about ancestral knowledge related to Incan astronomy.
(B,L,S,D and camping).
After breakfast, we begin our longest and most difficult day of the entire trip (lares trek) with a hike lasting 7-8 hours. The first 3 hours will be a continuous ascent to the highest point of our journey – the Ipsay Pass at 4,490 meters above sea level.
During the entire ascent, you will have the opportunity to pass through truly indigenous Andean towns, learn about their culture and traditions, as well as see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas (Peruvian hares) and if we have luck, the occasional condor that passes through the area.
At the top of the pass, our guide will explain a bit more about the region and the importance that those mountains held within Incan religious practices.
After descending from the pass for the following 40 minutes, we will arrive at the Ipsaycocha Laguna and eat lunch. After lunch and a well-deserved break, we will continue our walk to the second campsite.
This part of the trek will be completely downhill. At the campsite, we will have the option to visit a house belonging to a local family and learn about their day-to-day life.
We will then eat dinner and our guide will hold an informational meeting about the next day of the tour.
(B,L,S,D and camping).
After breakfast, we will begin to walk to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This day will be much easier than the two days before, primarily because the entire trek is downhill.
Throughout the journey, we will pass through Willoq and Pumamarca – two communities that are very well known for their textile work and colorful dress that originate from ancestral traditions.
Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will spend some time familiarizing ourselves with the small city that is so famous for maintaining its ancient Incan structures and using them currently as homes for the local population.
We will also lunch in Ollantaytambo and later take a train from the local station to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. here we will eat dinner and stay for a night in a local hotel.
(B,L,D and Hotel).
This is the most important day of the tour – the day that we arrive to one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Our last day of the tour begins very early in the morning in order to be able to watch the sun rise over the Incan citadel of Machupicchu.
We begin the ascent from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu with the option of hiking the 1,500 Inkas steps or paying a $12 bus fare to reach the citadel.
Once inside the park, your guide will provide a 2-hour tour of the ruins and most important temples within the ancient city. Afterwards, you will be free to explore Machupicchu yourself and maybe even hike Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (previous reservations are needed with two months of anticipation, plus a fee of $15.
There are only 400 entrance tickets per day to climb these two mountains). On your own time, you will need to return to Aguas Calientes (via stairs or bus) You will then take a return train from the Aguas Calientes train stop to Ollantaytambo.
Private transportation will be waiting at the Ollantaytambo station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Inclusions
What is included?
- Transfer to Lorenzo Lodge (breakfast point).
- Private car from Cusco to Lares.
- Private car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Train Round Trip from Ollantaytambo / Machupicchu / Ollantaytambo.
- Cook Tents and camping mattresses.
- Mules and the equipment, duffle bag to carry 5 kg of your things.
- First Aid Kit.
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (Day 3).
- 02 nights camping: EUREKA K2-XT tents.
- Guided tour in Machupichu 02 hours.
- Admission to Machupichu.
- Entry to hot spring in Lares.
- An experienced, bilingual Adventure Guide
- Snacks during the 2 days.
- Specific meals:
- 03 Breakfasts = B
- 03 Lunches = L
- 03 Dinner = D
- (Vegetarian Food upon request)
- Support equipment:
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen.
- Communication radios.
- * Train schedules will be confirmed at the time of payment.
Not included
- Last meals on the last day.
- Drinks.
- Tips.
- Travel health insurance.
UPCOMING OPEN GROUP TREKS
- Information not available.
Join a guaranteed tour or request your own date!
By Lorenzo Expeditions
Packing List
- We recommend carrying only the necessary luggage for the four days of the tour. Large backpacks with equipment that are not needed for the expedition should be left in the city of Cusco (at your hotel or in our main office).
- Small backpack from 30 to 60 liters.
- Light T-shirts, shorts and / or leggings.
- Hiking shoes.
- Pants and thermal pole (first layer).
- Waterproof clothing.
- Warm clothing.
- Hat or cap.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Canteen.
- Original passport.
- Personal hygiene items: Wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush.
- Personal medicines.
- Flashlight.
- The most friendly and positive attitude possible.
Travel Information
A day before the tour, Lorenzo Expeditions holds a meeting where we will give you all the details of our trip. We will also meet our guides and all the participants of the expedition. Our meeting will take place at the Estancia Imperial restaurant, located on Calle Suecia 320, where we will also offer welcome snacks.
Rest is essential for an expedition of this type for which Lorenzo Expeditions fully committed to your safety and comfort to choose the best and most complete camping equipment, all of the highest range.
- Tent: Eureka K2-XT brand 4 stations designed for 04 people where only 02 passengers will sleep for greater comfort, all are thermal and waterproof.
- Mattresses: Lorenzo Expeditions unlike other operators includes 02 types of mats, one of foam that serves to isolate the passenger from the ground and the other is an inflatable mattress brand Therm-a-rest (neo air trekker).
- Sleeping bag: Specially designed to withstand the climates of this route.
- Canes: These will be very helpful to complete the hike, the sticks that Lorenzo Expeditions provides are brand BLACK DIAMOND model TRAIL PRO SHOCK TREKKING POLES.
- A Duffle bag (walk briefcase): You will be given a duffle bag the day of our group meeting (day before the tour) in which you can pack up to 08 kg of your luggage with our team of Porters, this duffle bag is taken from camp to camp
- Dining tent: designed in waterproof fabric for the tranquility of our customers during all our meals.
- Carp bathroom with portable toilet: both for the exclusive use of our group, maximum 08 people per bathroom tent.
- Kitchen Tent: Used only by our professional chefs to prepare the most delicious foods.
- Tables and chairs.
- Complete kitchen utensils.
Rest is essential during a trip for which we have chosen comfortable, clean and safe Lodge of the route, it have private bathroom, hot water and towels.
This staff is carefully recruited and selected to be trained and adapted to the service culture of Lorenzo Expeditions.
Our guides are the most competitive in the area and they all work with us permanently (more than 8 years). They are certified and certified professionals by the government and are constantly trained by national and international entities for a better development in the different areas of action and situations. The maximum number of passengers per guide is 10.
In recent years, Peruvian cuisine has positioned itself among the best in the world. Thinking about it, our executive chef has designed a balanced menu. We have vegetarian menus, celiacs and menus with food restrictions.
- Private transportation to the start of the Inca Trail: KM82
- Bus descending from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train * from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Pick up from the Ollantaytambo station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- * The train schedule will be confirmed at the time of buying the tour
Our 2019 certifications:
- First Aid International Red Cross.
- First aid in remote locations American Safety & Health Institute.
In the event of contingencies and contingencies, Lorenzo Expeditions has aresponse plan and personnel trained in rescue work.
Faqs
Lares Trek is an alternative trekking to the Inca Trail, this tour is to live the experience with the local people and the end of our tour is in Machu Picchu.
Highlights
This tour takes us deep into the Andean culture, we will walk through the last remaining Inkas populations in our region, mixing history, folklore and archaeology in a tour that will make you travel back in time.
Trip overview
Machupicchu
Hiking
Challenging
4 days and 3 nights
What is Lares Trek?
Lares Trek is a unique trail that begins near the town of Lares, 40 miles north of Cuzco and 35 miles southeast of Machu Picchu. The hike takes place in the Lares Valley, east of the Urubamba mountain range, which passes through part of the Sacred Valley.
The walk is 4 days in its classic version, the last day is the visit to Machu Picchu.
No permit is required to use Lares Trek. This means that you can arrive in Cuzco in one or two days depending on the season (not from June to August).
Of course, you will have to book your train to Aguas Calientes as soon as possible in the middle of the season, as well as your admission to Machu Picchu.
As for the current route, there are a number of options for the Lares Trek route, most of which end in Ollantaytambo.
From here, tourists can take the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu or return to Cuzco. Next we will discuss in detail each of the options for the routes of Lares Trek.
There are a number of factors that make this trek a great alternative to the Classic Inca route.
First of all, and perhaps most importantly for some, it is that it is much quieter than the Inca Trail.
Second, the route may be easier than the Inca Trail as it is not necessary to take many steps.
The altitude above sea level is still a problem and in some variants of the route you will have to overcome 3 steps that exceed 4,200 meters (the highest, depending on your route – 4,400 meters or 4,600 meters). More information on acclimatisations and altitude sickness can be found here.
Finally, Lares Trek offers a true Andean culture. The Lares Valley is home to a number of traditional Andean communities that have changed little in the last 500 years.
You will probably see many local weavers and farmers dressed in traditional colorful clothing and depending on your tour you will have the opportunity to see or participate in some weaving activity.
The area is famous for its homemade textiles, so if you want to take home a genuine piece of Peruvian textiles, take home a few spare soles. Here you can buy the products by spending the day with the local weavers!
Best Time to do Lares Trek
The best time to do the Lares Trek is during the dry season (May-September). This is the busiest trekking time in the region, particularly on the Classic Inca Trail, where permits are sold out months in advance.
The Lares Trail is the third most popular trail to Machu Picchu, after the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, so during the peak of the high season the trail can be very crowded. That said, there are so many variations on the Lares Trail that in general the routes never feel crowded.
During the dry months (April and October), the Lares Trails are particularly quiet, and the climate is often very pleasant.
The months we do not suggest are from December to March, as the rain makes the trail really unpleasant and visibility is often low due to the strong morning and afternoon fog.
Temperatures throughout the year are moderate, at 20 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, and from cool to cold at night and in the early hours of the morning. Layered clothing is important (see packing list below).
Microclimates characterize the Andes, so it may rain all year round. Always wear rain gear.
Lares Trek Itinerary
The Lares Trek tour begins at 6:00 AM with a pick-up location that is set during your meeting with us in our office the day beforehand.
From the pick-up location, we will travel to Lorenzo’s lodge where we serve the first breakfast (buffet style) and from there, continue on to the small town of Lares (3,100 meters above sea level) with a travel time of about 3 hours.
Upon arrival, we will head directly to the medicinal thermal baths to enjoy some relaxation time. After lunch, a long walk of approximately 4 hours to the campsite of Huacawasi (3,900 meters above sea level) awaits us.
On the way, we will pass through incredibly beautiful Andean scenery and a few small towns where we will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about the High-Andean culture. Once we arrive at the campsite, we will eat dinner and receive an informational about ancestral knowledge related to Incan astronomy.
(B,L,S,D and camping).
After breakfast, we begin our longest and most difficult day of the entire trip (lares trek) with a hike lasting 7-8 hours. The first 3 hours will be a continuous ascent to the highest point of our journey – the Ipsay Pass at 4,490 meters above sea level.
During the entire ascent, you will have the opportunity to pass through truly indigenous Andean towns, learn about their culture and traditions, as well as see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas (Peruvian hares) and if we have luck, the occasional condor that passes through the area.
At the top of the pass, our guide will explain a bit more about the region and the importance that those mountains held within Incan religious practices.
After descending from the pass for the following 40 minutes, we will arrive at the Ipsaycocha Laguna and eat lunch. After lunch and a well-deserved break, we will continue our walk to the second campsite.
This part of the trek will be completely downhill. At the campsite, we will have the option to visit a house belonging to a local family and learn about their day-to-day life.
We will then eat dinner and our guide will hold an informational meeting about the next day of the tour.
(B,L,S,D and camping).
After breakfast, we will begin to walk to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This day will be much easier than the two days before, primarily because the entire trek is downhill.
Throughout the journey, we will pass through Willoq and Pumamarca – two communities that are very well known for their textile work and colorful dress that originate from ancestral traditions.
Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will spend some time familiarizing ourselves with the small city that is so famous for maintaining its ancient Incan structures and using them currently as homes for the local population.
We will also lunch in Ollantaytambo and later take a train from the local station to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. here we will eat dinner and stay for a night in a local hotel.
(B,L,D and Hotel).
This is the most important day of the tour – the day that we arrive to one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Our last day of the tour begins very early in the morning in order to be able to watch the sun rise over the Incan citadel of Machupicchu.
We begin the ascent from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu with the option of hiking the 1,500 Inkas steps or paying a $12 bus fare to reach the citadel.
Once inside the park, your guide will provide a 2-hour tour of the ruins and most important temples within the ancient city. Afterwards, you will be free to explore Machupicchu yourself and maybe even hike Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (previous reservations are needed with two months of anticipation, plus a fee of $15.
There are only 400 entrance tickets per day to climb these two mountains). On your own time, you will need to return to Aguas Calientes (via stairs or bus) You will then take a return train from the Aguas Calientes train stop to Ollantaytambo.
Private transportation will be waiting at the Ollantaytambo station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Inclusions
What is included?
- Transfer to Lorenzo Lodge (breakfast point).
- Private car from Cusco to Lares.
- Private car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Train Round Trip from Ollantaytambo / Machupicchu / Ollantaytambo.
- Cook Tents and camping mattresses.
- Mules and the equipment, duffle bag to carry 5 kg of your things.
- First Aid Kit.
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (Day 3).
- 02 nights camping: EUREKA K2-XT tents.
- Guided tour in Machupichu 02 hours.
- Admission to Machupichu.
- Entry to hot spring in Lares.
- An experienced, bilingual Adventure Guide
- Snacks during the 2 days.
- Specific meals:
- 03 Breakfasts = B
- 03 Lunches = L
- 03 Dinner = D
- (Vegetarian Food upon request)
- Support equipment:
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen.
- Communication radios.
- * Train schedules will be confirmed at the time of payment.
Not included
- Last meals on the last day.
- Drinks.
- Tips.
- Travel health insurance.
UPCOMING OPEN GROUP TREKS
- Information not available.
Join a guaranteed tour or request your own date!
By Lorenzo Expeditions
Packing List
- We recommend carrying only the necessary luggage for the four days of the tour. Large backpacks with equipment that are not needed for the expedition should be left in the city of Cusco (at your hotel or in our main office).
- Small backpack from 30 to 60 liters.
- Light T-shirts, shorts and / or leggings.
- Hiking shoes.
- Pants and thermal pole (first layer).
- Waterproof clothing.
- Warm clothing.
- Hat or cap.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Canteen.
- Original passport.
- Personal hygiene items: Wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush.
- Personal medicines.
- Flashlight.
- The most friendly and positive attitude possible.
Travel Information
A day before the tour, Lorenzo Expeditions holds a meeting where we will give you all the details of our trip. We will also meet our guides and all the participants of the expedition. Our meeting will take place at the Estancia Imperial restaurant, located on Calle Suecia 320, where we will also offer welcome snacks.
Rest is essential for an expedition of this type for which Lorenzo Expeditions fully committed to your safety and comfort to choose the best and most complete camping equipment, all of the highest range.
- Tent: Eureka K2-XT brand 4 stations designed for 04 people where only 02 passengers will sleep for greater comfort, all are thermal and waterproof.
- Mattresses: Lorenzo Expeditions unlike other operators includes 02 types of mats, one of foam that serves to isolate the passenger from the ground and the other is an inflatable mattress brand Therm-a-rest (neo air trekker).
- Sleeping bag: Specially designed to withstand the climates of this route.
- Canes: These will be very helpful to complete the hike, the sticks that Lorenzo Expeditions provides are brand BLACK DIAMOND model TRAIL PRO SHOCK TREKKING POLES.
- A Duffle bag (walk briefcase): You will be given a duffle bag the day of our group meeting (day before the tour) in which you can pack up to 08 kg of your luggage with our team of Porters, this duffle bag is taken from camp to camp
- Dining tent: designed in waterproof fabric for the tranquility of our customers during all our meals.
- Carp bathroom with portable toilet: both for the exclusive use of our group, maximum 08 people per bathroom tent.
- Kitchen Tent: Used only by our professional chefs to prepare the most delicious foods.
- Tables and chairs.
- Complete kitchen utensils.
Rest is essential during a trip for which we have chosen comfortable, clean and safe Lodge of the route, it have private bathroom, hot water and towels.
This staff is carefully recruited and selected to be trained and adapted to the service culture of Lorenzo Expeditions.
Our guides are the most competitive in the area and they all work with us permanently (more than 8 years). They are certified and certified professionals by the government and are constantly trained by national and international entities for a better development in the different areas of action and situations. The maximum number of passengers per guide is 10.
In recent years, Peruvian cuisine has positioned itself among the best in the world. Thinking about it, our executive chef has designed a balanced menu. We have vegetarian menus, celiacs and menus with food restrictions.
- Private transportation to the start of the Inca Trail: KM82
- Bus descending from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train * from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Pick up from the Ollantaytambo station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
- * The train schedule will be confirmed at the time of buying the tour
Our 2019 certifications:
- First Aid International Red Cross.
- First aid in remote locations American Safety & Health Institute.
In the event of contingencies and contingencies, Lorenzo Expeditions has aresponse plan and personnel trained in rescue work.
Faqs
Lares Trek is an alternative trekking to the Inca Trail, this tour is to live the experience with the local people and the end of our tour is in Machu Picchu.
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Lares Trek Reviews
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