Our Lares Trek and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu merges two memorable Andean trails into one unforgettable journey.
Begin your adventure on the Lares Trail, the most cultural trek we offer, where hikers will spend 2.5 days experiencing the lifestyle and customs of traditional Peruvian villages. Then, you will begin your adventure on the iconic Inca Trail for a day of hiking and camping overlooking the backside of Machu Picchu.
This hike through Lares and the Inca Trail is the perfect balance between connecting with the local people of Peru, connecting with the nature of the Andes, and hiking the famous Inca Trail to historic Machu Picchu.
This trip is for intrepid adventurers who prefer to get away from the big crowds and live the best possible experience in the mountains. You will feel in harmony with nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You can enjoy this trip alone, with your partner or as part of a group.
The Lares leg of this incredible route will take you through rural Andean communities, where you can spend time with the locals and learn more about their customs and traditions. After spending time among the glaciers and cold mountain peaks, you will embark on the short Inca Trail. You will pass through the warm climate of the Peruvian jungle edge and visit enigmatic archaeological sites to learn all about this amazing ancient culture.
Finally, your trip concludes with a visit to Machu Picchu, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a dream destination for many travelers from around the world. You will have a guided tour and discover the secrets of this mystical place. Don’t forget to buy your Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain tickets in advance to get the best views of the Inca citadel. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? Don’t miss it and book your trip today.
HIGHLIGHTS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – CALCA – THERMAL BATHS OF LARES – CUNCANI – ABRA WILLLIKASA – QUISWARANI
Start your trip with a visit to the Lares Hot Springs to relax and begin your hike. You will visit the Pacchayocc waterfall and the Willkikasa pass before heading to our campsite in Quishuarani. There, you will spend time with the locals and then go to dinner and rest.
DAY 02: QUISWARANI – QOYALAY LAGOON – ABRA PACHACUTEC – CANCHA CANCHA
Walk to the highest point of the route, Abra Pachacutec, before descending to the Cancha Cancha camp. There, you will learn all about local customs and traditions and spend the night.
DAY 03: CANCHA CANCHA – HUARAN – SALT MINES OF MARAS – OLLANTAYTAMBO
Enjoy the last stretch of the trek from Lares to Huaran before boarding our transport to the salt mines of Maras. In the afternoon, we will go to Ollantaytambo for dinner and overnight in a comfortable hotel.
DAY 04. OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – CHACHABAMBA – WIÑAYWAYNA – GATE OF THE SUN – MACHU PICCHU
Today begins your journey along the Inca Trail. We will visit the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. Then, you will have your first look at Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. Finally, you will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
DAY 05: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
In the morning, we will explore the magical citadel of Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch. From there, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Relax in the hot springs and hike through the breathtaking high Andean landscapes.
Immerse yourself in the thermal baths and start your exciting hike.
Today we will begin the epic adventure leaving Cusco early in our private transportation to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After an hour and a half drive, we will stop in Calca to visit the local market and do some last minute shopping. Later, we will continue for two and a half hours more until we reach the thermal baths of Lares (3,200 m / 10,499 ft), where we will have an energizing breakfast.
Before the hike, you can take a relaxing bath in its warm medicinal hot springs. The complex contains pools of different sizes and temperatures whose volcanic waters have therapeutic properties. This will be the perfect start before the hike. Afterwards, we will return to the transport to head to the starting point of the hike, Cuncani (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). There, we will meet the rest of the trekking team: cooks and muleteers.
On the first trail we will find the impressive Pacchayocc waterfall. From there, we will continue until we reach an area full of small lagoons to enjoy our first delicious lunch prepared by our chef in the mountains. Afterwards, we will continue until we reach the Willkikasa pass, the highest point of the day (4,400 m / 14,436 ft).
From here, we will descend for an hour and a half to the Quishuarani camp, where you will have time to explore the small village and visit some of the quaint houses to learn about the lifestyle of the locals.
Later, we will visit the school where the local children speak Quechua, their mother tongue and the language spoken by the Incas. If you wish, you can bring toys, notebooks or other school supplies to share; they will be very welcome given their remote location. You will sip hot drinks while the sky darkens and the stars begin to appear. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before heading to your campsite to rest.
Highlight of the day: Spend time with rural Andean people and learn about their way of life.
Immerse yourself in the Andean culture while appreciating wild landscapes.
We will wake you up around 5:30 a.m. with a hot drink. As soon as we finish packing, we will have an energizing breakfast, bring our snacks and fill our water bottles to start today’s hike with lots of energy.
We will ascend for approximately four to five hours to the highest point of the hike, the Pachacutec pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ft). We will zig zag upwards appreciating the amazing scenery of the area, so be sure to have your camera ready. From this point, you will also be able to appreciate the beautiful Qoyalay Lagoon and the impressive Qanchispaccha (seven waterfalls).
Once we reach the Pachacutec pass, you will have the feeling of being in the clouds, where the view of the majestic glaciers of Pitusiray and Qolqe Cruz in front of you is really impressive. Here, you can take some pictures. Then, we will descend half an hour down the slope to the lunch point. Be sure to eat well to recover your energy, as there are still another two hours left for this afternoon.
We will continue walking until we reach the village of Cancha Cancha (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), where you will spend the night. Our team will set up the campsites, so you can spend time with the local people and immerse yourself in their culture while learning more about their way of life. Afterwards, our guide will take you to one of the community’s houses to learn how they live and observe their traditional weaving with alpaca and llama wool.
In the evening, you will enjoy hot drinks and a refreshing dinner before going to rest.
Highlight of the day: Explore the fascinating salt mines of Maras and enjoy the change of scenery.
Explore incredible sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
As every morning, we will wake you up with a hot drink to start the day off right. After breakfast, we will hike the last stretch of Lares; we will descend for four hours where you will be able to observe herds of sheep, llamas and alpacas. We will also pass through fields of potatoes, beans and other regional products; it is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Andean agricultural techniques.
We will descend into the warmer climate of the Sacred Valley. You will feel the drastic changes between the microclimates from the cold mountains to the warm valley. Corn, quinoa, kiwi, peach, avocado and many other fruits are grown here, making it extremely important for the Incas. You will also be amazed by its history. We will finish the Lares trek in the small village of Huaran (2,920 m / 9,580 ft), where we will say goodbye to the trekking team and have lunch before continuing through the valley.
We will arrive at the Salineras de Maras (3,000 m / 9,843 ft), where you can observe its more than 3,000 small salt pools, which are formed thanks to a mountain spring. This salt has been used since pre-Inca times and is still extracted by the locals. It has healing properties and thanks to its minerals it acquires a beautiful pink color. If you are interested, there is a small store to buy some pink salt. It is perfect for cooking and an excellent souvenir.
Later, our private transportation from Tunqui Expeditions will take us to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft), considered the last inhabited Inca village in Peru. In this picturesque place, you will have enough time to enjoy an excellent dinner at a local restaurant and rest in a hotel.
Remember to get an early night’s sleep, as in the morning our Inca Trail journey will begin at dawn.
Note: Depending on the time of arrival at Ollantaytambo and if time permits, we may visit the archaeological site (entrance ticket not included).
Highlight of the day: Travel part of the original Inca Trail and visit some of the most important sites of their empire.
Travel back in time and follow the footsteps of the Incas through historical sites.
After breakfast, we will head to the station to board the train and travel along the mighty Urubamba River. Our destination will be KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail, watching the sunlight gradually illuminating the shadows of the mountains. Once there, we will descend and go to the checkpoint to enter the trail.
From the checkpoint in Chachabamba, we will begin the trek along the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for approximately 6 to 7 hours. You will visit the most outstanding sites such as Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna, and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our chef with spectacular views and a variety of flora and fauna.
You will arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) where you will get your first glimpse of this impressive archaeological site. After arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to see the wonder with fewer people when everyone is leaving.
Then you will take the bus to Puente Ruinas, where the chef and porters will be waiting for you to have dinner, spend the night and enjoy this camping experience.
Upon arrival at the camp, the tents will be ready; you can take a refreshing hot shower, enjoy tea time with the guide, and have dinner before sleeping in the comfortable private tents.
Highlight of the day: Enter the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, and explore its ancient streets and incredible architecture.
Discover the amazing Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
The most important day of this adventure is to visit Machu Picchu. We will wake you up very early from your private tent with a cup of coffee; after a nutritious breakfast, we will take the first buses to Machu Picchu to contemplate the sunrise. This will make this trip a unique experience, as it will allow you to arrive twice to Machu Picchu, for sunset and sunrise on this day.
The guided tour lasts 2 to 3 hours; we will explore the most outstanding sites of the citadel: temples, palaces and enclosures. If you have reserved tickets, you will have the option to do the additional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (which is different from the citadel of Machu Picchu).
After the tour, we will show you how to return by bus to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included) and board the panoramic trains to Ollantaytambo and the transport back to Cusco. Tunqui Expeditions will drop you off directly at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
At Tunqui Expeditions we specify the included and non-included services for all the itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please check the details to make sure you do not miss anything. Some items may be different for certain programmes, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHAT IS INCLUIDED?
Permits & Tickets
We will secure all necessary permits once we receive your complete information and reservation deposit. Permits are subject to availability and are issued for a specific date and under your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Changes in passport number are only permitted for renewal reasons. In that case, you must provide both your old and new passports.
High Quality Service & Safety
You’ll meet your guide and group at our office for a pre trek briefing. There you’ll receive your duffle bags, which will be carried by our horses. The meeting is at 17:00 the evening before the trek.
Our official guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploration and pride in sharing our culture and history. On every experience they will keep you safe and comfortable, so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
All equipment is carried by our team of porters.
On the trek you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
All Tunqui Expeditions guides have received specialised first aid training. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit for basic emergencies (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, abrasions, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and get you to a clinic for treatment.
We believe that attention to detail is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your rucksack on the road and a rain poncho.
We have a telephone service available 24 hours a day for easy communication with Tunqui Expeditions prior to your trek.
Your comfort is our first priority. Although our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, calling a doctor, hospital or friend can make you feel more secure. For this reason, every Tunqui Expeditions guide carries a satellite phone to call anywhere in the world from anywhere on the mountain.
Accommodation
Tunqui Expeditions use the best tents to ensure your safety and comfort (e.g. Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Ware tents).
You will spend the last night of the trek in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, including luggage storage, while you visit Machu Picchu.
*Accommodation is in double, twin and triple rooms.
Meals
Our chef prepares the most amazing dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan or special menus are available at no extra cost), so please let us know on your booking form if you have any special allergies or restrictions and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks and snacks.
We’ll provide you with boiled, filtered and chilled water throughout the trek, from your first lunch to your last breakfast. You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 litres).
Every morning at the campsite you’ll be woken with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you are warm from the inside out before you start your day.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of trekking, you don’t have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up and enjoy a bite to eat!
Before you start your trek, your guide will provide you with a cloth bag containing local fruit, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We’ll refill it every morning so you can enjoy your snacks on the trail.
We’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks – perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout the walk!
Transportation
On days 1,2, and 3, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Muleteers and Porters (Tunquis)
During the Salkantay Trek, our muleteers and porters (tunquis) will carry all our camping equipment, from personal tents, clothes and sleeping bags to extra tents for eating and cooking, food, water, tables, chairs and a gas stove. We will include the personal service of a porter to carry your duffel bag and personal belongings.
They will be responsible for transporting all camping equipment and food, setting up and taking down each camp, and assisting the cook with food preparation. By law they can only carry a maximum of 20 kg, a rule we take very seriously.
Extras
We believe that it is the attention to detail that sets us apart from other tour operators. As we wrote above, each walker receives
Taxes and Fees
All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden charges.
The Tunqui Difference
The following list is less tangible, but equally important and part of everything we do and include at Tunqui Expeditions.
He started in the industry as a porter and understands your needs better than anyone. We are committed and promise a better life for every member of Team Tunqui.
This includes better wages that they can live on so they don’t have to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide them with all the equipment they need, including warm down jackets, proper walking boots, rucksacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and mats, and tents for them to sleep in.
We also help their families by supporting their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to the families and planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and the more than 300 porters on our team appreciate this.
While our porters trek to Machu Picchu dozens of times a year, they never enter our famous citadel. We make four trips a year to take our team inside and spend two days touring the important ruins, allowing them to touch and see the history of their ancestors.
Although the numbers are not yet equal, we look forward to the day when we have 50/50 men and women working in the mountains as part of the Tunqui Expeditions team.
We use local products that are biodegradable and organic wherever possible.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
You can hire one from us if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable, protecting you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-shaped and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after each use and have a maximum use of 30 trips.
Walking sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can hire a set from us if you’d like.
You can climb the famous mountain that you always see in photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s a 45 minute climb and the descent can be scary if you’re afraid of heights. You can do this after your guided tour of Machu Picchu. Permission must be obtained at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Bear in mind that there may be changes to protect your safety, especially due to weather conditions.
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains surrounding the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket, which we can arrange for you if we have time in advance.
Tipping is the norm on any trip to Machu Picchu. Although we pay our entire team well, a little extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they put in. Typically, group members collect their tips to share with the drivers and cooks.
Landslides, bad weather, changes in itinerary due to safety concerns, illness, pandemics, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, acts of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and worry free as possible. In this section you’ll find the answers to all your questions about travelling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions you may have about our services.
Is it for me?
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail trek and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances.
Plastic-Free Lares Trek & Inca Trail
Join us on this journey toward a plastic-free Lares Trek & Inca Trail, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together we will pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Lares Trek & Inca Trail?
It’s very important to be well acclimatised to the altitude before embarking on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the start of the trek to help you acclimatise and avoid any problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
You may have been in another area of Peru at high altitude before arriving in Cusco. If this is the case, we still recommend that you spend a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from the journey and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before starting the trek.
Here are some suggestions for activities to do around Cusco before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or information meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held at our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 17:00 the night before the tour starts. These meetings last between 30 and 45 minutes. If you can’t make it, you will need to arrange another time by email, phone or in person at the Tunqui Expeditions office.
Trek balance payment (in Cusco)
If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 2 days before your trek. Otherwise your reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, we would appreciate it if you could pay the balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw money from several ATM’s along the Avenida Sol, which offer both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles.
Alternatively, you can pay by credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank drafts or traveller’s cheques as payment for the balance.
Duffle bag or canvas bag
You’ll be given a duffel bag or canvas bag during your briefing. Our team of porters will carry it with you throughout the trek and hand it to you at each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 6 kg / 13.2 lb is allowed for each duffel, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage in your office?
Of course you can! During the trip your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can arrange this with us on the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels offer this service. Don’t leave anything of value with your luggage; put it in the hotel safe and get a detailed receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require a copy of the receipt detailing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards in a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Collecting guests
Please note:
Returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu
Returning from Machu Picchu requires some logistics, but don’t worry. It is all included in your tour!
Note: Your tour includes a one way bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, so you can choose to use it from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. If you want a return bus ticket, you’ll have to pay an additional US$ 12.00.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, therefore physical conditions and ages may vary. By agreeing to join a group tour, you accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone will be able to move at their own pace.
There may be occasions when a group wishes to make changes to the tour, but it is up to the guide to decide, in consultation with all participants, whether such changes are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some of our tours. Roads may be blocked and railway lines may be occupied. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if this means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Tours may be cancelled in these circumstances. In the event of a change or cancellation, our Operations Department will liaise with you. Your safety is our number one priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost items
Please be careful where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything with you when you leave your transport, accommodation or restaurant. You are responsible for your belongings while you’re on the tour.
BASICS
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
The muleteers and porters will carry up to 7kg of your personal belongings. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you are bring/renting one). In our case these two items weigh 3.5kg.
RECOMMENDED
“Lares trek & Inca Trail 5 Days” is available any day of the week, from March to January. We do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and route maintenance. In addition, during this month, our Tunqui Expeditions team – guides, cooks, porters and muleteers – receive training and plan the year to ensure that you, our travelers, enjoy the trekking experience with us to the fullest.
Cost
Group Price: US$ 700.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment : US$ 200.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 500.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after briefing).
This small group tour is guaranteed to operate with just 2 people.
Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is due to the use of their service. This tax is only for online deposits so you will pay the rest in cash (on the day of the briefing in Cusco) without charge.
Extensions and Offers
There are several extensions that can be included in your Peru Adventure.
Additional Equipment
There are additional items that you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Add-ons and Upgrades
Complementary services and upgrades that you can include in this trip:
Price guarantee
Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So, before you book, please make sure you have read all our important information about the tour.
Student Discount
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years of age or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of your passport at the time of booking. It must be current and not expire within the dates of travel. Please send it to info@tunquiexpeditions.com.
