Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

We invite you to live an unparalleled experience in the Lares Trek, an alternative option to the traditional Inca Trail to reach the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu! This trek starts at the relaxing hot springs of Lares, just 3 hours away from the city of Cusco. During the hike, you will cross the Huacawasi pass, located at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level, and then descend until you reach Yanahuara or Ollantaytambo. There, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs and take the tour to Machu Picchu. Although it is not as well known as the Inca Trail, many travelers find this trek just as impressive and unique. It is also an excellent opportunity to get to know the rural communities of the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incas as you make your way to the archaeological jewel of Machu Picchu. Make sure you don’t miss this unparalleled experience during your trip to Peru!

Day: 01: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Lares – Huacawasi

We will pick you up early in the morning and drive to the village of Lares, from where we start our hike to Huacawasi, our first camping site.

Day 02: Huacawasi – Patacancha “Qelcanca” (3,750 m/12, 377ft)

After breakfast, we begin the longest and most challenging hike of the entire journey, ascending to the highest point of our trek (Sacsayllame at 4,400 meters above sea level). Afterwards, we will continue hiking to our second campsite in Patacancha.

Day 03: Patacancha “Qelcanca” – Pumamarka – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes “Machu Picchu”.

We start the day with the hike, during which we will pass through Willoq and Pumamarca, two villages recognized for their outstanding textile craftsmanship and colorful costumes. We will then arrive in Ollantaytambo, where we will enjoy lunch and board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Full Day

This day is the highlight of the tour, as we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Our last day of the tour starts early in the morning. After that, we will embark on a tour with our guide, who will accompany us for 2 hours to show us the most outstanding buildings and temples of this city.

Day: 01: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Lares – Huacawasi

Cusco (3,400 masl): The day starts early, with the guide picking you up at your hotel at 6:00 am. From there, we will drive through the Sacred Valley to the village of Lares, the starting point of our trek. Throughout the trek, you will be able to enjoy the scenery and breathtaking views of the mountains, so it is important that you have your camera ready to capture those moments.

Sacred Valley – Calca (2,920 masl): According to the itinerary, we head towards the town of Calca, where we make a brief detour to start climbing towards the village of Lares, which is the starting point for our hike.

Lares (3150 masl): The duration of the trip is approximately 3 hours. Once we reach the village, we ascend to the hot springs, where we can rest and delight in the beauty of these relaxing outdoor hot springs. Lunch is offered here.

Afterwards, our bus awaits us, and then we continue our journey for approximately 20 minutes until we reach the starting point of the trail known as Pascana. Here we meet our muleteers and prepare the horses and llamas. We are ready to start our hike through the mountains of the Sacred Valley, which will last about 6 hours. This day offers us a beautiful experience full of breathtaking landscapes and the opportunity to visit various Andean villages, where we can appreciate their costumes and learn how the Andean people live in these areas.

Huacawasi (3, 800 masl): After finishing our walk, we arrive at the tiny village of Huacawasi, where everything is prepared to enjoy an exquisite dinner and a well-deserved rest. It is essential to have the proper equipment because the nights are extremely cold.

• Time: 6 Hours Approx. of trekking.
• Distance:
• Climate: Temperate, Cold
• Maximum Altitude: between 2, 920 – 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Huacawasi
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 02: Huacawasi – Patacancha “Qelcanca” (3,750 m/12, 377 ft)

Huacawasi (3,800 masl): Early in the morning, we will be greeted by local children, who will show off their traditional costumes as they head to school. After enjoying a nutritious breakfast, we will begin our hike to the highest point, known as the Sacsayllame pass, which is located at an altitude of 4400 meters or 14435 feet. This hike will be steep and will take us approximately 4 hours to reach the top. Of course, we will have an emergency horse to make sure that everyone can reach the summit safely.

During this hike, you will be able to marvel at the majestic mountains, a mosaic of cultivated land and breathtaking views. It is important to keep in mind that we will be reaching high altitudes and the weather can be extremely cold. After reaching the highest point, we will descend and pass a beautiful lagoon before stopping for lunch by the river.

Patacancha (3,750 masl): We arrive at the village of Patacancha, a very emblematic place in Peru. The inhabitants of this village are direct descendants of the Incas and have remained unmixed with other communities.

The trail continues for an hour along a narrow ridge before descending into a beautiful isolated stream that is dotted with glacial lakes. There we enjoy our lunch next to the beautiful lake. Afterwards, we continue following the course of the stream, skirting its banks, descending into the next valley and passing a series of waterfalls until we reach the village of Qelcanca, where we will spend the night.

Qelcanca: If we continue going a little further, we will arrive at Qelcanca, which will be the site of our second camp and where we will have our dinner.

• Time: Approx. 8 hours of trekking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Weather: Cold
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Qelcanca
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03: Patacancha “Qelcanca” – Pumamarka – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes “Machu Picchu”

Patacancha (3, 800 masl): After enjoying a nutritious breakfast, we continue our adventure and meet the small settlements. Then, we will arrive at Pumamarka, a place that has impressive stone constructions that we will explore together with our guide. Later, we continue our journey and arrive at Ollantaytambo, a place of great importance in the Inca Empire.

Ollantaytambo (2,792 masl): The hike comes to an end at the Ollantaytambo Fortress and Citadel, which was built for the purpose of guarding access to this part of the valley. There, we will have the opportunity to walk through the narrow streets of the town and get a clear vision of what this military, religious and cultural center was like during the Inca Empire. Then, it is time to board the train to head to Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes (2,040 masl): The distance between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, a time in which we can enjoy the scenery. Upon arrival, we head to our hotel to take a bath and then go out for dinner, resting up for our next adventure. If we wish, we also visit the thermal baths, with a cost of $4.00.

• Time: 7 Hours Approx. of walking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Climate: Cold – Temperate
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl. – 2040 masl
• Difficulty: Moderate – Low
• Overnight stay: Aguas Calientes Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Full Day

Aguas Calientes (2040 masl): Without a doubt, this day is the highlight of our trip, as we will have the opportunity to explore Machu Picchu. After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will head to the bus stop to take the bus that will take us to Machu Picchu. It is advisable to do it early in the morning to make the most of this unique experience.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary:

Machu Picchu (2, 430 masl): Afterwards, we will line up to take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, following the “arrived first, served first” system as transportation service. The bus ride to the citadel of Machu Picchu usually takes between 25 and 30 minutes, and the gates open at 6:00 am. It is important to bring your original passport, the same one you used to book your trip, as the park rangers will require it (you can also get a Machu Picchu stamp in your passport if you wish). Your guide will be on hand to help you find the perfect spots from which to appreciate the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (the photos you take will become your new Facebook profile picture immediately!). We will present our entrance tickets and passports at Machu Picchu to begin our visit.

Our guide will be waiting for us to begin our tour of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, which will be a guided tour of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. We will explore different archaeological sites of the Machupicchu Sanctuary, such as the Agricultural Zone, Urban Zone, Temple of the Sun, Royal Residence, Sacred Plaza, Inti Huatana, Sacred Rock and many other places that will surely surprise us.

Then, at 14:30 p.m., 16:12 p.m. or 19:00 p.m., we will board our train bound for Ollantaytambo or Poroy.

Optional:

• Huayna Picchu: If you wish to add a visit to Huayna Picchu, with its breathtaking panoramic views, to your adventure, you must book it in advance and it has an additional cost of $25 per person. The climb to the top takes approximately 45 minutes and is quite a challenge.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: You can also choose to climb Machu Picchu Mountain, which takes 90 minutes up and is quite challenging. There is an additional cost of $15 per person. This option offers probably the most beautiful and spectacular views of all, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas.
• Buffet Lunch: We suggest you visit the MAPI Restaurant, with an additional cost of $20.00.
• Meals: Breakfast

Note for your trek:  

The itinerary and campsites for the 4-day/3-night Lares Trek to Machu Picchu are subject to change based on availability at the time of booking. They may also vary due to climatic factors or the health condition of the hikers. The train service (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in each tour is the Expedition Service. Train schedules are only confirmed close to the trekking date. If you join a group at a later date, we cannot guarantee that you will travel on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train schedules may also change depending on availability and train company schedules.