Lares trek to Machu Picchu: a particularly special adventure, the Lares route takes the road less traveled to Machu Picchu.
The Lares trek offers a unique and rare insight into the true Andean lifestyle, as hikers walk through Andean communities and visit family homes to learn about the culture and customs of the locals.
Hikers will also be able to soak in famous natural hot springs, hike alongside waterfalls and visit the salt mines that are an important part of the local economy – and, of course, witness the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas!
Our Classic Lares trek is the perfect option for those who want to get away from the big crowds, walk through stunning Andean scenery and witness rural Andean life up close. You can choose this trek if you are traveling alone, as a couple or in a group.
The trail is intense, but not as extreme as the others. Along the way, the rivers will roar by your side, and in front of you will appear impressive waterfalls that will surprise you and help you relax in the turbulent waters. In addition, we will observe teardrop-shaped ice of different colors: blue, green and turquoise.
We will stop in different small Andean communities sharing special moments with their inhabitants. You will witness Andean life and the daily activities that take place in these parts of the world, learning about some of their customs and traditions.
After these magical days in the mountains, you will finish your trek with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Explore this amazing place with your guide as you discover its secrets and feel its amazing energy – don’t miss this epic hike!
REFLECTS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – CALCA – LARES HOT SPRINGS – CUNCANI – WILLKIKASA – QUISWARANI
Visit the thermal baths of Lares and then begin our hike. Rest at the Pacchayoc waterfall before heading to our campsite in the community of Quiswarani, where you will spend the night.
DAY 02: QUISWARANI – QOYALAY LAGOON – ABRA PACHACUTEC – CANCHA CANCHA
Hike to the highest point at Abra Pachacutec before heading to our campsite in Cancha Cancha. Spend time with local families and learn about their customs and traditions.
DAY 03: CANCHA CANCHA – HUARAN – SALT MINES OF MARAS – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
In the morning, hike to Huaran before visiting the salt mines of Maras. Enjoy dinner in Ollantaytambo and finish the day with the train ride to Aguas Calientes for the night.
DAY 04: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
Explore the Inca fortress of Machu Picchu and then board the train to Ollantaytambo. Our transportation will take you back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Relax in the hot springs and visit local families.
A relaxing start before the adventure
You will be picked up at your hotel at 5 a.m. to begin the long awaited trek from Lares to Machu Picchu. Pick up places will be from any indicated point such as hotel, condo or apartment located in the city of Cusco, Urubamba, Huaran or Pisaq.
It will be a three-hour drive along the wonderful landscape of the Sacred Valley and through the Andes. Once we arrive at the Lares – hot springs site, you will have your first breakfast, accompanied by breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains.
Then you will enjoy the thermal waters that are distributed in different pools, ranging from cold water to the hottest. These thermal baths are composed of volcanic water, so it is considered medicinal, excellent for bones, stress, muscles, headaches, chronic rheumatic diseases and also increases the hydrostatic pressure of the body, thus increasing blood circulation and oxygenation. This increase in temperature helps to dissolve and eliminate toxins from the body.
After enjoying the thermal baths, we will continue with our tour, so we will take the transportation for about 20 minutes approximately to the beginning of the trekking, which is located at a road point that is at 3,30 m.a.s.l / 10,827 feet above sea level.
Here you will meet the muleteers and their mules who will be given your duffle bag to carry to the camp.
Then you will begin your expedition to Machu Picchu with a gradual uphill hike of two hours, until you reach our lunch spot in the first village called Kiswarani. This section of the hike is considered the potato valley area, where people grow a variety of organic potatoes. Your guide will also point out some indigenous medicinal plants that grow along the way, after which we will arrive at our lunch spot, where you can enjoy your first meal prepared by our trekking chef.
After lunch our muleteers (llameros) will perform a ceremony with the llamas, showing these beautiful animals. Llamas were considered sacred for the Incas and fundamental for their economy. Our llameros will present these animals and explain the importance and why owning these animals was a sign of privilege.
It is unfortunate that to date these animals have become extinct due to lack of proper care. We hope to continue with this tradition that the Incas inherited from us, which is why we take these services of the llameros, in order to support the protection of the llamas and their community. It is worth noting that llamas are friendly animals, but do not get too close as they may try to kiss you.
You will also have time to explore the village and visit some local houses. There you will learn about the lifestyle and ancient traditions of the local people.
If there is time left, we will visit the school where the children still speak Quechua, their mother tongue (it is appreciated if you can bring toys, notebooks and school supplies to distribute in that school, maybe you can even teach them some English words).
It will be another two hours of gradual climbing until we reach the camp, where you will be welcomed by our trekking staff who will set up the tents.
We will enjoy some hot drinks while the sky darkens and the stars begin to appear, and finally you will enjoy a lovely dinner prepared on site.
If you want to continue stargazing you can stay up a little longer or if you prefer you can move to your private tent.
Highlights of the day: Witness the beautiful scenery and learn about local customs and traditions.
A day of breathtaking views and local Andean culture
Today you will wake up around 5 am with hot drinks in your private tent. You will have spectacular views of the colorful lake and valley of Kiswarani. You will see that the local people are already awake and will take their llamas and alpacas to graze.
Breakfast will be served once you have finished packing your gear. Then we will fill our water bottles, organize snacks and begin your expedition to Machu Picchu. It will be a three to four hour climb to reach the top of the mountain. This pass is called Pachacute or Condor Pass.
We will zigzag to compensate for the steep slope. The views of the area are breathtaking, you will see lakes, waterfalls, llamas and alpacas. We will have an emergency horse to ride in case you get tired and can’t walk anymore. Once you reach the Condor Pass, you will be above the clouds and mountain peaks.
Then you will enjoy a spectacular 360 degree view. In front of you will be the beautiful Pitusiray mountain, which is located at 5,700 m/ 18,700 ft. Then there is the Condor Pass at 4,680 m/ 15,354 ft. Afterwards, we will enjoy a hot beverage service that your porters will bring with you. We will take advantage of some phenomenal photo opportunities and then begin our descent.
Then you will begin the one-hour descent to El Mirador, where you will enjoy lunch.
There will be some llamas grazing nearby. After lunch, you will walk the last three hours downhill. There will be fantastic views of many lakes, llamas and alpacas, before reaching your campsite.
Which is the village of Cancha Cancha, the only village that has no modern technology. Located at (3,750 m / 12,303 ft), where people still practice the original Inca traditions. In this Inca village, 85 percent of the houses are still built with ancient construction methods. Including houses made of stone and thatched roofs.
Unlike any other village in the Lares Valley, this village has no electricity or cars. Here, not only will you enjoy nature, but your porters will also set up their tents. You will have some time to meet with the local children. We provide them with food and school supplies.
We invite our travelers to share this support in the education and health of this native people. You can bring anything you want to give to these Quechua-speaking children that they can use for school or home. When you are finished, your guide will take you to one of the local family’s homes.
Here you will learn about the lifestyle of the locals. You will learn about the traditional hand-woven textiles made from llama and alpaca wool. In the evening you will enjoy hot drinks and delicious dinner.
Highlight of the day: Descend from the cold altitude to the warm Sacred Valley and visit the salt mines of Maras.
Enjoy the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Our porters will wake you up with a hot drink and you will have time to pack your bags and enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, you will have time to explore the village and visit the local elementary school.
Here they still teach the ancient Inca language, Quechua. Once you are ready, you will begin the last stage of your hike through Lares. It will be a four hour hike downhill on this beautiful trail. You will pass more llamas and alpacas.
We will pass by farms where they grow potatoes, beans and many other traditional crops in the traditional Inca style. You will have the opportunity to learn about Peruvian agriculture. You will learn from people who still farm by hand with traditional Inca farming tools. Now, we will begin to descend to the warmer area of the Sacred Valley.
You will begin to feel the changes in the microclimate and begin to see crops that are different. Around the Sacred Valley, people grow corn, quinoa, kiwi, peaches, avocados and other types of fruit. This area has a lot of Inca history and we will end your tour in the Sacred Valley village of Huaran, which is located at 2,700 m / 8,858 ft. Here you will say goodbye to your horses, riders, chef and porters.
From Huaran, we will take private transportation from Tunqui Expeditions and make a short drive down into the valley to visit Salineras de Maras, in the town of Maras. Here, at 11,000 feet above sea level, a saltwater spring gushes and spills down the mountainside. More than 3,000 small evaporation chambers have been created and appear to be tumbling down the mountainside.
These have been in use since pre-Inca times. The salt is said to have healing properties because it is full of natural minerals, some of it even comes out pink. Every local family owns one of these salt pans and makes a living supplying salt to the surrounding villages. There is a small store on site if you wish to take some salt home with you.
After visiting Salineras, we will board our private Tunqui Expeditions for a 45 minute ride. We will drive along the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo.
Ollantaytambo is the only intact Inca village that is still alive. It still has many water channels, Inca houses and walls. Your guide will take you to see this small town until dinner time, which will be at a local restaurant. Then we will take the train at 7:00 p.m. to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu (train schedules may vary, depending on availability).
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and relax.
Highlight of the day: Visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for the first time.
Tour the world wonder Machu Picchu
Today is reserved for the glorious Machu Picchu. You will visit this magnificent feat of humanity, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a World Heritage Site.
After an excellent night’s rest, we will wake up for a quick breakfast while it is still dark outside and set off to avoid the large crowds. This way, you can enjoy the serenity of the place in the warm morning light. The entrance opens at 6:00 a.m. and we want to be among the first visitors of the day.
You will take a guided tour of approximately two hours to see the magnificent architectural feats of the Incas. The guide will lead you through several key points of the citadel, including stops to enjoy the spectacular views of the citadel and hear curious facts about its history and construction. You will undoubtedly feel their deep connection with nature and be amazed at how they sustained an entire city with incredible planning.
If you have bought your tickets in advance, it will be a good time to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Otherwise. Around noon, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch at a restaurant of your choice.
Then, we will take a train to Ollantaytambo, which takes about an hour and forty minutes, and board our private Tunqui Expeditions transportation back to Cusco. We will take you to your accommodation so you can rest your legs and later share with your family and friends this amazing experience in the Andes.
