Travel Information & Frequently Asked Questions
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 one of the best alternative treks to the Inca Trail, perfect for travelers looking for a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path adventure. Unlike the crowded Inca Trail, the Lares Valley Trek takes you through remote Andean villages, stunning valleys, crystal-clear lagoons, and natural Lares Hot Springs, offering a genuine cultural immersion with the Quechua communities.
This trek is ideal for adventurous hikers who can handle high altitudes and varied terrain. The highest point of the Lares Trek 4 Days is the Siclla Qasa Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft), which rewards trekkers with panoramic views of snowcapped peaks and traditional Andean farmlands. While the climb is gradual and less steep compared to other routes, it does require stamina and a good level of fitness.
We highly recommend spending a few days in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft) before starting the trek to properly acclimatize to the altitude. This will ensure you enjoy the journey and fully experience the beauty of trekking in Peru.
Choosing the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with Tunqui Expeditions means enjoying a unique combination of spectacular mountain landscapes, cultural encounters, and the ultimate reward—arriving at Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Plastic-Free Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
At Tunqui Expeditions, we are proud to be pioneers of the Plastic-Free Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, promoting sustainable trekking in Peru. This unique adventure not only connects you with the breathtaking landscapes of the Lares Valley Trek, but also with the ancestral traditions of Andean communities—without leaving a negative footprint on our environment.
During this 4-day Lares Trek itinerary, we avoid the use of single-use plastics by providing:
- Reusable water bottles refilled daily with boiled water.
- Eco-friendly containers for meals instead of plastic packaging.
- Biodegradable bags for waste management on the trail.
- Support from local communities who share our commitment to protecting the Andes.
By choosing the Plastic-Free Lares Trek, you support responsible tourism, help reduce waste in the Andes, and contribute directly to the Quechua families of Cuncani, who collaborate with us to make this trek truly sustainable.
This eco-conscious alternative to the Inca Trail is more than just trekking from Cusco to Machu Picchu—it is an opportunity to travel responsibly, honor Pachamama (Mother Earth), and experience the Andes in the most authentic and respectful way.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Lares trek?
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:
- All pick-ups are within the city of Cusco, but we recommend that you book a hotel in the historic centre for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pick up time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions the pick up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city with many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets that are inaccessible by car or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu
Returning from Machu Picchu requires some logistics, but don’t worry. It is all included in your tour!
- In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that will take you 25 minutes to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Buses are boarded in order of arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes you’ll take the train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets, which will show you the boarding time.
- Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Once you arrive at the train station, our representative, wearing Tunqui Expeditions clothing, will be waiting to take you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- Once in Cusco, depending on the location of your hotel, we’ll transfer you to a smaller company car (Hyundai H1) to get you to your hotel faster.
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.
Special Dietary Needs? No Problem.
Safe Drinking Water Throughout the Trek
What’s Included?
