The Epic Andean Experience on The Lares Trek
The Lares Trek 4 Days is one of the less-traveled route to Machu Picchu, located through the Vilcanota mountain range, On the Lares Trek Tour, you will get three days of trekking through the remote Andean far off the beaten path, passing by remote communities, farms, and friendly faces. This is an excellent alternative trek to Machu picchu to offering more connection to the local people as their traditions go together with incredible lakes, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and herds of alpacas and lamas. It is a great experience that you will never forget.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Packing List
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a best alternative Peru trek when the Classic Inca Trail is sold out. What makes the Lares Trek stand out? The opportunity to experience authentic Andean culture while hiking through the mountains at a high altitude with breathtaking vistas. You will have a unique experience while sharing incredible moments with local children and their families who have been preserving their traditions, culture, and custum for hundreds of years. There is lots of opportunity to spot children tending herds of llamas and alpacas and women in colorful dresses spinning and weaving. At the end of your journey, after these days spent traveling, you will finally reach the iconic Machu Picchu, the fabled lost Inca city.
Highlights: Hot spring, Mountains & Machu PicchuHiking distance: 32km/20 milles
Considerations: Acclimatization is required
Season: April to November
Max. Altitude: 4720m/15620ft
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Cusco - Famous Thermal Baths - Quiswarani
Embark on an adventure in the Andes by exploring the most stunning landscapes in the Urubamba range near the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Day02
Quiswarani - Condor Pass - CanchaCancha Village
Hike through remote Andean communities and learn about their culture and traditions, which have been preserved for many years.
- Day03
Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Be amazed by the breathtaking vistas and embark on the best train ride journey in Peru.
- Day04
Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Have a guided tour of the most mystic Inca site, Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Cusco - Famous Thermal Baths - Kiswarani Waterfall Campsite
Trekking Distance: 8 km/ 4.9 miles
Camp Elevation: 3,700 meters / 12,139 ft
Weather: Cold
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Lunch, dinner and snacks
We will pick you up from your hotel at 5 a.m. to begin our adventure on Lares Trek. We will be heading for about 3 hours drive to reach Lares town where you will join the hot spring which has various pools of different temperatures, this thermal baths is natural and the water has different minerals which benifit for your skin and bones, help calm down the stress, relax the muscles, and headaches. After have relaxed in the baths for a while, you will drive 20 minutes to the trailhead, at 3,300 m (10,827 ft) above sea level. It is here that you will meet up with the rest of our trekking team. You will have a time to repack your items and be ready for your hike, following you will begin your expedition to Machu Picchu. The path will go gradual ascending for two hours to reach our first lunch spot next to the first village. During this section of hike you will appreciate different potatoes farming land supported by Quisuarani village, you guide will explain you the variety of potatoes that growds there, some local native plants that are used as medicine, you will enjoy your first delicious meal prepared by our trekking chef.
After lunch, we will enjoy a local ceremony made by our trekking team which will offer some local product to the Mother Earth (Pachamama) and they will showcasing these beautiful animals. Llamas were considered sacred to the Incas and fundamental to their economy. Nowadays a few families in a remote areas use these animals to transport their different products, however with Vidal Expeditions we designed different alternatives routes where we can reasses the ancient traditions and supporting the communities that helps protect them. Llamas are friendly and strong animals and are a nice companion to walk with. Just don't get too close; they might try to give you a kiss.
You will also have time to explore the village and visit some local homes, where you will learn about the lifestyle and ancient traditions of the local people. It will be another two hour, gradual, uphill hike until we arrive at the campsite, where you will be welcomed by our trekking staff, who will have your tents set up. After the dinner you will have option to keep star-gazing, you may stay up for a while longer or, if you’d rather, you can turn in to your tent.
Quiswarani - Condor Pass - Cancha Cancha Village
Trekking Distance: 11 km/6.8 miles
Camp Elevation: 3,700 meters / 12,139 feet
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty:Challenging
Weather: Cold
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner>
Today you will be woken up around 5 a.m. with our service of hot tea. You will have amazing views of the colorful lake and the Kiswarani Valley. Enjoy a Andean breakfast prepared by our chef using the local organic ingredients, Then we’ll fill up our water bottles, and packing our trekking items, and you will begin the most memorable day of your expedition to Machu Picchu. It will be a three- or four-hour climb to get to the Pachacute also known as Condor pass. We’ll walk up through the switchback trail. The views of the area are stunning. You will see lakes, waterfalls, llamas, and alpacas. Once you reached at the Condor Pass 4,680 m/ 15,354 ft high, you will be above the clouds and above the mountain peaks, and the surrounding 360-degree views are astounding. In front of you will be the majestic mountain of Pitusiray, which is at 5,700 m/ 18,700 ft high, and the Condor pass is at 4,680 m/ 15,354 ft high. Afterwards, Have a well deserved rest whiile the tranquility of the area involves you.
You'll begin the one-hour downhill descent towards El Mirador (view point), where you will enjoy lunch. There will perhaps be some llamas grazing nearby. After lunch, you will hike the last three hours downhill, with fantastic views of many lakes and llamas and alpacas, before arriving at your campsite, the village of Cancha Cancha (3,750 m/ 12,303 ft), which is the only village that does not have modern technology. Here, you will not only enjoy the wilderness, but your porters will also set up your tents. You will have some time to meet with the local children. We provide them with food and school supplies, so we invite our travelers to share this support for the education and health of this native village. You can join us and bring anything you would like to supplement the lives of these Quechuan-speaking children. Following this, your guide will take you to one of the local family’s houses, where you will learn about the lifestyle of the locals. You can see how they raise their guinea pigs, and you will learn about the traditional, hand-woven textiles made of llama and alpaca wool.
Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Walking Distance: 9 km /5.5 miles
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Moderate
Aguas Calientes Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 feet
Weather: Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Our trekking team will wake you up with a hot tea and you will have a breathtaking views and enjoy the chilly morning wake up. After breakfast, you guide will share some experience with the local children and their school where the ancient Inca language, Quechua, is still taught. Once you are ready, you’ll begin the last leg of your Lares trek. We will hike for about four hourd through a lovely path, where you will pass by more heards of llamas and alpacas. also you will be able to se some fava beans, potatoes, and many other traditional tubers farms in the traditional Incan style. This is a great opportunity to learn about Peruvian agriculture because people still farm by hand with traditional Inca farming tools. Now, we will start to descend to the Sacred Valley. You will begin to feel the micro-climate changes and start seeing crops that are different from those in the high mountains. You will end the tour at the little village of Huaran, in the Sacred Valley, at 2,700 meters (8,858 feet), where you will say goodbye to your horses, horsemen, chef, and porters, as they will be going back to their homes.
From Huaran, we will catch a van and make the short drive into the valley to visit Ollantaytambois the only living, intact Inca village. It still has many Inca water channels, houses and walls. Your guide will take you around to view this small town until it is time for dinner, which will be at a local restaurant. We’ll then catch the 7 p.m. train for AguasCalientes, the town below Machu Picchu (train times may vary, depending on availability). Upon your arrival to AguasCalientes, you will check-in to your hotel and relax.
Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Walking Distance: No
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
After have been hiking in the Andes mountain we will embark in a tour to explore this iconic Machu Picchu. You will wake up early in order to beat the crowds and visit this magical Inca site with many people. You will also have chance see the sunrise over the ruins. After taking the post card photos your guide will take you on an informative two-hour tour. Afterwards, you will have time to explore on your own and hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain if you choose to (this is a separate entrance ticket and costs $75 per person). In the afternoon, you’ll catch a two-hour train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus back to Cusco, where we will transfer you to your hotel.
At Vidal Expeditions, we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded in our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your Machu Picchu trek.
WE INCLUDE
Vidal Expeditions Team Provide
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Machu Picchu hike. During this briefing, you will receive important details about what to pack for Lares trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will stay with our porter while you are hiking.
Professional Trekking Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service, and they have been leading different groups to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides have graduated with a tourism career from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English at a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the magical Andes and Machu Picchu.
Permits to Machu Picchu
Once we receive your details and the deposit for the tour, we will purchase all the necessary tickets for your Lares trek. These permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information can’t be modified under any circumstance once confirmed.
Porters Team
At Vidal Expeditions, we include horses and a porter who will be carrying your personal belongings in a duffle bag that we provide during this tour. This duffle bag cannot exceed 7 kg (14 lb). This weight includes the sleeping bag and mattress. You will be responsible for packing your duffle bag with your personal items (including your sleeping bag and mattress) that you will not be using during the day before breakfast. Items that are packed will not be accessible until we reach the final camp for the evening.
Transportations
Private Transport
We include all the transportation during your trek. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to Lares town (the trail head). At the end of the trek, the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
Train Ticket
For the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, we include the return train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be for one of the available trains scheduled for 14:20 hrs., 14:55 hrs., or 16:20 hrs.
Bus Ticket
The Bus ticket round trip to Machu Picchu early morning
Equipment
Camping equipment
Vidal Expeditions leads tours to Machu Picchu with suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of a lifetime. Our tents are Eureka or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only with 2 people to ensure your comfort and enough space for your luggage. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal on this tour.
Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 4-day Lares trek. You will get this duffle bag at Vidal Expeditions office during your pre-departure briefing the night before your trek. This bag will be carried by our porters during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon when you arrive at the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag, and mattress, but the maximum allowable weight is 7 kg (17 lb). The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides at Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in first aid. They received training courses every six months on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained on how to supply balloon oxygen if someone requires it.
Meals
Meals
At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. For your trek, we include 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. We cater to all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others—just let us know your dietary restrictions at the time of your booking. Our team is well-trained to prepare the best food you've ever had with local and organic ingredients.
Water
Vidal Expeditions will provide you with water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled, and cooled by our chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle, or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
Snacks
Our team will provide a snack every morning before leaving each campsite, so you can enjoy it during your hike throughout the day. There will be many breaks when you can enjoy the delicious local fruits, biscuits, and caramels.
WE NOT INCLUDED
Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Lares trek needs a proper sleeping bag, which has to be for -15°C or 5°F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits—protect your knees while you are hiking downhill. Especially on ancient paths, where there are many stairs up and down, trekking poles help you during the ascent and increase stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
Breakfast on the First day
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near Calca town where you will be able to purchase breakfast.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes is not included in the trek. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together at a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.
Travel Insurance
We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, and although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team's hard work.
Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a really famous hike that normally takes 45 minutes to hike up the narrow, steep steps to the top with a great view of Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu, there is an extra cost of USD 75.00. Also, this booking must be done at least 3 months in advance due to its popularity.
LARES TREK PACKING LIST
At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Porters or horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). From our perspective, these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves
- Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
A daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25 liters will not be allowed. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside the citadel gates. But don´t worry; they have a secure storage facility. Water: We supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning's water only, as we won't have time to filter it until your first lunch.
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Some snacks (Chocolate, fruits, energy bars, etc.)
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Small towel
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
PREPARING FOR YOUR LARES TREK
At Vidal Expeditions, we try to make the booking system as easy as possible for you. Once you decide to do this trek, we will send you a booking form where you need to complete all the required details that are important to book your tickets. We need a previous deposit of 50% per person. As soon as you pay it, we immediately book a spot for this tour. Once we are done with it, we will send you your invoice and a confirmation form that all the booking processes have been satisfactorily set up.
Lares Trek is an alternative tour to the Classic Inca Trail, and it offers a different experience in the Andes mountains with the option to visit some remote Quechua communities, learn their culture, share moments with their children, and be amazed by the snow-capped mountains in the Urubamba range. Perfect for these, you love to learn about local traditions.
This Lares trek is particularly challenging, especially for people who do not have experience hiking in the mountains. We recommend training with some exercises a few times per week to avoid problems, and it is also recommended to spend some days in Cusco to acclimatate the altitude because part of the segments along this trek are located over 3,500 m/11,482 ft
No, because this trek is located in a remote place where there is no electricity. Some local villages located along the trek have solar panels, and your guide can talk with some of them in extreme cases to recharge your cellphone. We recommend that you bring an extra power bank for the days you are in the mountains.
The Lares trek includes a visit to Machu Picchu on the last day of the trip; for this, you need to book the entrance ticket in advance, and Vidal Expeditions will be in charge of organizing all the details for your adventure trip.
Definitely, hiking in the mountains in Cusco never disappoints. This Lares Trek will take you to a truly Andean experience with some of the most remote Quechua communities. Be amazed by their lifestyle, weave weaving techniques, hike between herds of alpacas, and enjoy the magical landscapes where tranquility and harmony involve you.
The higest point that you will reach during the Lares trek will be 4,680 m/ 15,354 feet above sea level, this is located at Condor pass.
No worries, all our guides and team are well prepared for any altitude issus can happen during your hike. Your guide will always have a first aid kit and oxygen ballon during the different excursions and there will also be an extra emergency horse to take you to the best place where you can recover.
Experience hiking 28km (17 miles) in the Andes mountains, where time stopped and beautiful landscapes were created for all these adventure lovers.
Yes. Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, especially if is raining along the trek. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing some portion of the trek. Plus they will help you get up the mountain as well.
Yes. You can hike through this trail on your own with no problems; however, to make your journey more comfortable and don't miss anything, an organized tour is highly recommended. Join as much as possible in every corner of this fantastic trek.
A sleeping bag is not included during our different excursions; you need to bring your own sleeping bag. If you don't have one, you can hire one from us for $20 USD for the entire trek.
The high altitude means it can get quite chilly, especially during the Andean winter (May–September), when the temperature can drop to below zero degrees Celsius at night. It can still be cool at other times of the year, so we recommend bringing thermal underwear and a warm sleeping bag. You can purchase warm, inexpensive, and locally made hand-woven hats and gloves in Cuzco.
Both are incredible treks to Machu Picchu, while Lares will offer you stunning views in the high altitude mountain. The Inca Trail crosses some of the most incredible Inca sites. History and culture are what make the Inca Trail unique, and Andean authentic traditions are what you will find along the Lares Trek.
The weather along the Lares and parts of the Andes is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up, you should be comfortable hiking in short sleeves. Long pants (for yoga or hiking) are encouraged to protect against the mosquitoes, which can be a nuisance in some parts of the trail.
From: USD 560.00 per person
USD 545.00: from 4 people to more
*Upgrade the returning train to Vistadome service( with larger windows and more confortable seats $60US per person
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4 Days / 3 Nights
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
What's it like
Lares Trek 4 Days 3 Nights Map
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a 3 stars hotel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Bus to Machu Picchu: To enjoy Machu Picchu, we provide a round trip ticket on the bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the archaeological site.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.
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Best Trekking team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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