Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Famous Thermal Baths – Kiswarani Waterfall Campsite

We are thrilled to have you join us for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu! We’ll begin our adventure by picking you up from your hotel at 5 a.m. Whether you’re staying at a hotel, condo, or apartment in Cusco, Urubamba, Huaran, or Pisaq, we’ll pick you up from your location. Our journey will take us on a three-hour drive through the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the Andes. The breathtaking views will astonish you.

We’ll arrive at the Lares Hot Springs site where you’ll have your first breakfast while enjoying the stunning views of the Andes Mountains. The hot springs divide into various pools ranging from freezing to hot water, all composed of pure volcanic water that is medicinal and considered to be good for your bones, stress, muscles, and headaches. After a relaxing time in the hot springs, we’ll drive 20 minutes to the trailhead at Punta Carretera at 3,300m / 10,827 ft above sea level.

This is where you’ll meet our horses and riders who will carry your duffle bags, and then we’ll begin our expedition to Machu Picchu with a two-hour gradual uphill hike. Our first stop will be Kiswarani, where you’ll enjoy your first homemade meal prepared by our trekking chef. The area is famous as the potato valley because of the many varieties of organic potatoes that are available there. Your guide will also point out some indigenous medicinal plants growing along the way.

We’ll also introduce you to llamas, which the Incas considered sacred for the fundamental to their economy. Our llaneros will discuss the importance of llamas and why owning one was a sign of privilege. Llamas are pleasant to walk with and are friendly animals, but they might try to kiss you if you get too close. Afterward, you’ll have time to explore the village, visit some local homes, and learn about the lifestyle and ancient traditions of the local people.

We’ll also visit the schoolhouse where the kids still speak their native language, Quechua. If you wish, you can bring toys, notebooks, or school supplies to distribute, or even teach them a few words in English. It’ll be another two hours of gradually uphill hiking until we arrive at the campsite. There, our trekking staff will have your tents set up, and you’ll enjoy some hot drinks as the sky darkens and the stars start appearing. Finally, you’ll enjoy a lovely dinner prepared on-site. If you want to keep star-gazing, you may stay up for a while longer, or if you’d rather, you can retire to your tent.

Trekking Distance: 10 km/ 6.21371 miles
Camp Elevation: 3,850 meters / 1,2631 ft
Weather: Cold

Day 2: Quiswarani – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha Village

Good morning! You’ll be gently awakened at around 5 a.m. with a hot drink service. As you open your eyes, stunning views of the colorful lake and valley of Kiswarani will be there to greet YOU. You’ll witness the local people bustling about, already taking their llamas and alpacas out to graze. Once you’re ready, we’ll serve breakfast before you pack up your gear and fill up your water bottles. Then we’ll start our journey to Machu Picchu, beginning with a three or four-hour climb to the summit of Pachacute or Condor Pass. We’ll zigzag our way up the steep incline, taking breaks to enjoy breathtaking views of the lakes, waterfalls, llamas, and alpacas that surround us. But don’t worry, we’ll have an emergency horse available in case you need a break from walking.

Once we reach the summit of the Condor Pass, we’ll be above the clouds and surrounded by panoramic 360-degree views. You’ll be in awe of the magnificent Pitusiray mountain towering at 5,700 m/ 18,700 ft high, as well as the Condor Pass at 4,680 m/ 15,354 ft. We’ll take a moment to enjoy the views and have a hot drink service before we begin our descent toward El Mirador. There, we’ll enjoy lunch while watching llamas grazing nearby. After lunch, we’ll hike downhill for three more hours, taking in fantastic views of many lakes, llamas, and alpacas before arriving at our campsite in the village of Cancha Cancha.

This village is the only one in the Lares Valley that doesn’t have modern technology. It’s located at 3,750 m/ 12,303 ft, and 85% of the houses still use ancient construction methods, including stone houses with grass-thatched roofs. Cancha Cancha has no electricity or cars, providing a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the wilderness. Your porters will set up your tents, and you’ll have the chance to meet local children during your itinerary. We encourage our travelers to support the education and health of the village by providing food and school supplies or bringing any other items that may be useful for the children. Your guide will also take you to visit one of the local families and learn about traditional hand-woven textiles made of llama and alpaca wool.

Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Maras Salt Mine – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

When you wake up on the last day of your Lares trek, our porters will be there with a hot drink to start your day. After breakfast, you’ll have time to explore the local village and visit the elementary school, where they still teach the ancient Inca language, Quechua. The history and culture will amaze you.

Once you’re ready to continue your journey, we’ll begin the last leg of your trek. You’ll be walking downhill for four hours along a beautiful path, passing by more llamas and alpacas. You’ll also see traditional Incan farming methods and crops, like potatoes and fava beans, which will give you a chance to learn about Peruvian agriculture from the locals who still farm by hand with traditional Inca tools. As we descend to the warmer area of the Sacred Valley, you’ll feel the changes in the microclimate and start seeing different crops like corn, quinoa, kiwi, peaches, avocados, and other types of fruit. Finally, we’ll end our tour at the Sacred Valley village of Huaran where you’ll say goodbye to your horses, horse riders, chef, and porters.

After Huaran, we’ll take an Apple Travel Peru van for a short drive to visit the Salineras salt pans in Maras. At 11,000 feet above sea level, a saltwater spring spills down the side of the mountain into over 3,000 small evaporation chambers. These are in use since pre-Incan times, and some say that the salt has healing properties because it has natural minerals, some of which even come out pink. Local families own each of these salt pans and make their living by supplying salt to the towns around the area. You can even purchase some of the salt at the small on-site shop.

Next, we’ll take a 45-minute drive along the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, the only living intact Inca village. Your guide will take you around to view this small town until it’s time for dinner at a local restaurant. We’ll then catch the 7 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu (train times may vary depending on availability). Upon your arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll check into your hotel and relax.

Walking Distance: 9 km /6.2 miles
Aguas Calientes Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 ft
Weather: Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon. Watch out for mosquitoes this day.
Accommodations: inti punku (or similar)

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

On day four of your adventure, you will finally get the chance to witness the most magical experience of all – Machu Picchu. Starting early, around 5:30 am, you will board one of the first buses that will take you on a 30-minute ride up to the ruins. Witnessing the stunning sunrise over the site is an awe-inspiring experience that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Once you arrive, your friendly guide will take you on an informative two-hour tour of the site, where you will learn about its history and significance. After the tour, you will have ample time to explore the site on your own and even hike Huayna Picchu, which is an additional ticket that costs $75 per person.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a two-hour train ride back to Ollantaytambo. From there, you will take a bus back to Cusco, where we will make sure that you will have a safe journey to your hotel. It’s been an incredible journey, and we hope that you will cherish these memories forever.

Weather: Warm and humid

Note:

• If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, please let us know in advance. We can adjust your train tickets and arrange for a hotel if you would like us to help.
• Rangers do not allow people to carry large backpacks inside Machu Picchu. Only day packs are allowed inside.
• No trekking poles are allowed in Machu Picchu.
• Snacks and water are allowed, but they must be inside your backpack.