Lares Trek To Machu Picchu
Lares Trek To Machu Picchu
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Package Type
Adventure
Activity Level
Moderate
Travel specialist
Lares trek to Machu Picchu - Trip Overview
The Lares Trek is one of the most popular alternative treks to the classic Inca Trail. It doesn’t include as many Inca ruins as the Inca Trail, but it more than makes up for that by offering a fascinating hike through magical landscapes and a far more in-depth look at local life in the Andean region of Peru (a cultural element not found on the classic Inca Trail trek). It’s also slightly shorter – but higher – than the Inca Trail, and you’ll see far fewer trekkers along the route.
Our seven-day Lares Trail to Machu Picchu takes you deep into the heart of the Andes, to a remote landscape of towering mountains, shimmering mountain lakes and staggering views. You’ll also experience the living traditions of the local people as we pass through ancient villages of agricultural and alpaca farmlands, meeting friendly Quechua people who will be happy to share their culture with you. Try and book off season, there are fewer people in Cusco! This Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu is also much greener and the valleys more stunning in January for example, after a few showers of rain!
And then, of course, there’s our final destination: Machu Picchu. We’ll get there on Day 4 and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the magnificent Inca citadel, one of the seven new wonders of the world. As Lares Trek tour operators, we’ll ensure your experience is fun and unforgettable.
Special features of our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
- Type of Tourism: Hiking, Cultural, Nature and Ecotourism
- Places to Visit: Cusco, Lares, & Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 7 Days and 6 Nights.
- Type of Service: some tours are small group service tours and other tours are private.
- Accommodation: 4 star hotels at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and pampered.
PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
Lares trek to Machu Picchu - Day by day schedule
Arrival to Cusco with a transfer to your hotel; a welcome meeting will be organized by your guide for a quick briefing of the tour. The rest of the day can be spent exploring Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, set in the Andes Mountains. Discover Spanish churches and mansions that sit alongside Inca remains, visit the local market of San Pedro and their array of products from handicrafts to vegetable products, fresh juices and items for traditional Andean ceremonies. ...
- Meals Included: Not Included
- Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.
View all photosAfter breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at your ease. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. You may visit the local archaeological sites of Saqsaywaman, Tambomachay and Qenqo or you can take part in a Peruvian cooking class or chocolate making class, depending on how you want to spend your free day. We can help arrange and suggest all activities a...
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.
View all photosThe first day begins early in the morning when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will then drive to Calca, a small town in the Sacred Valley. Here you’ll have your last chance to buy any last-minute supplies. Continuing on, we’ll drive for about three hours in the direction of Lares, passing the highest point for the day at 4,265 meters above sea level (13,992 ft), where the Sawasiray and Pitusiray mountains rise up. This is alpaca region and you will appreciate ...
- Meals Included: All Included
- Camps: Huacawasi area
View all photosWe’ll start the day early in the morning with a hearty breakfast, to get our energy levels up for what is probably the toughest day of our trek. Setting off, it’s a steep uphill climb to a mountain pass at about 4,500 meters above sea level – the highest point reached on our Lares trek. The view from up here is sublime, looking out across the surrounding mountains and down to the beautiful Aruraycocha Lake below us. We’ll then head downhill towards the lake, st...
- Meals Included: All Included
- Camps: Mantanay area
View all photosOur final day of trekking will be a relatively easy walk of between four and five hours. We will leave Mantanay after breakfast and head towards the pretty colonial town of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley, passing through more spectacular scenery where the Incas once roamed. The weather should be warmer as we descend towards Yanahuara, passing near fields of white corn, typical of this region. Once we reach Yanahuara, we’ll have our last meal together. At this point, our cooks an...
- Meals Included: All Included
- Accommodations: Hatun Inti Boutique. Accommodation in Suite Room with private bath.
View all photosTo best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided wa...
- Meals Included: Breakfast
- Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath.
View all photosAfter breakfast enjoy your last day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your return flight home via Lima.
- Meals Included: Breakfast
Lares Trek - Wat's included
Accommodation
- 3 Nights in Cusco. Alternatives:
3* – Prisma Hotel. Standard Room with private bath.
4* – Jose Antonio Hotel. Standard Room with private bath.
5* – Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Superior Room with private bath.
- 1 Night in Aguas Calientes. Alternatives:
3* – Inti Punku Machupicchu Hotel & Suites. Standard Room with private bath.
4* – Hatun Inti Boutique. Suite Room with private bath.
5* – Machu Picchu Pueblo by Inkaterra. Superior Room with private
- 2 Nights camping in Wacawasi and Mantanay camps.
Services
- Transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice versa
- Briefing to the tour one day before the trek at 19h00.
- Shared transportation from Cusco to Wacawasi.
- Professional English-speaking guide service.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 afternoon snacks, 3 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day (if you would like vegetarian food or a special diet, please let us know in advance.).
- The 4 Day – Lares Trek and short Inca Trail trekking option is in standard services.
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and back from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. This train ticket is Expedition class, but can be upgraded to the Vistadome class for $ 50.00 per person. The train leaves Aguas Calientes station at 16h22.
- Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- First aid kit
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back
- Shared transportation from Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco
- 24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary
Lares Trek - Wat's not included
- Evacuation: in the event of a serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation.
- Meals and drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary (Please let us know if you would like any extra meals included.).
- Tips and gratuities.
- Optional excursions.
- Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and telephone calls.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal equipment such as trekking equipment.
- Damages caused by the client to the bus or to the camping equipment.
- Camping equipment such as sleeping bag or walking stick
- Personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. (You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite).
OPTIONAL FOR RENTING
Details:
Now featuring our exclusive Atmos Foam to further reduce weight and boost compressibility, the ProLite is the lightest and most compact three-season mattress available. Self-inflation keeps set-up super-easy and its die-cut foam packs small, easily fitting inside the most ultralight packs. It's ideal for high-mileage, high-speed journeys where every gram counts. Stuff sack included.
Specifications:
- Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available.
- Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth withlimited bulk.
- Highly Packable: Our exclusive Atmos Foam and a tapered shape keep the ProLite mattressextremely pack friendly.
- Self-Inflating: Expanding foam core self-inflates; top off with just a few breaths forpersonalized firmness.
- Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available
- Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth with
Dimensions:
- 20 x 72 x 1.5 in
Packed Size:
- 11 x 4.8 in
Claimed Weight:
- 1 lb 4 oz
Are you planning to hike the Lares Trek but worried about carrying too much weight? Renting horses can be a convenient option to lighten your load and make your trekking experience stress-free.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Extra Horses for Belongings:
If you want to rent extra horses to carry your belongings, it’s important to plan ahead and book them in advance, especially during peak trekking season when demand is high. Each horse can carry up to 10 kg (22 lbs) of gear, so make sure to pack carefully and within the weight limit to avoid overloading the horse.
Specifications:
- Size: LZ to RZ
- Total Weight: 1,8kg/65oz
- Fill Weight: 280g/10oz
- Packed Size: 16cm x 25cm
Temperature Specifications:
- Extreme: -15°C/5°F
- Comfort Limit: 2°C/36°F
- Comfort: 6°C/43°F
- Good Nights Sleep: 0°C/-5&32;F
Important Note:
Note that our sleeping bags are feather for those that are allergic
These poles are designed to help you endure long treks into rugged, remote areas with a heavy pack. If you need a little extra support when walking, an adjustable folding walking stick is ideal. It has an aluminium body with plastic handles and base, it folds away neatly for easy storage when not in use.
Features:
- Material: Aluminium
- Length: 67–135cm
- Shaft diameter: 16/14/12mm
- SpeedLock Adjustment System
- Flextip with interchangeable basket
- Weight: 528g-650g (Pair)
If you are an experienced rider and want to explore the Lares / Salkantay Trek on horseback, renting a personal horse can be a great option. However, there are a few things to consider before booking:
Availability: Just like with extra horses for belongings, it’s important to book personal horses in advance to ensure availability.
Weight Limits: Each personal horse can carry up to 110 kg (242 lbs) of weight, including your own weight and any gear you carry. Make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit to ensure the horse’s safety.
Riding Experience: The trails on the Lares / Salkantay Trek can be steep and challenging, so it’s important to have some horse riding experience and feel confident on a horse before renting a personal horse. Your safety and the horse’s well-being should always come first.
Local Culture: Horses are an important part of local Andean culture, and it’s essential to respect and care for them. Follow any instructions provided by your guide or local hosts and treat your horse with kindness and respect.
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