Is this trip for me?

Fitness LevelGood physical donditions required.
Max Altitude4480M.
Best SeasonMay - Nov.

The Lares valley is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Cusco. Lares Valley is particularly well known for its very high-quality, brightly colored weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish.

The 4 days Lares Llama Trek is a great alternative ending at Machu Picchu. The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, one pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. This 4-day newly developed itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain scenery in a remote area and visits to authentic Quechua communities such as Wacawasi, Willog, Patacancha and reaches Aguas Calientes on the third day. The last day is devoted to the visit of the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

To have the best experience we combine interaction with the local people and use their Llamas to carry all the camping gear and our backpacks, how ancient Andean people did.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE OFFERING THE BEAUTY OF THE ANDES WITH FEWER CROWDS THAN INCA TRAIL OR SALKANTAY TREK.

Trekking through Lares and surrounding mountains to Machu Pichu.

Day by Day Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO - LARES VALLEY - HOT SPRING - WACAWASI VILLAGE

At 6AM private vehicle will pick you from your hotel, transfer through the sacred valley, archaeological remains, Andean markets, cultivated Inca terraces, small villages, and then pass the highest point of this trek know Huacacasi (4450m), from here downhill to Lares valley (3250m), where we have time to enjoy the thermals baths. Lunch is provided there as well. Here will meet the rest of our trek team, Cook and the Llameros (Llama handlers), Llamas to carry all food, our backpacks, and the camping gear.

Three hours of uphill trekking to Wacawasi, there we will set up, our campsite, here there is nice chance to meet the locals and they will show their artisan weaving exhibition and lessons about its ancient techniques (L - D).

DAY 2: WACAWASI - ABRA IPSAY 4480M - PATACANCHA

Today you must need to wake up at 6AM to have breakfast with scenic view of the Andes. Today is the largest and hardest day of this entire Llama trek, will hike between 7 to 8 hours, on the beginning will be uphill to the Abra Ipsay (4480M). The climb is pretty hard with indescribable panoramic view of snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Chicon and surrounding by stunning landscape. Half way stop for lunch break. While hiking will pass Andean communities, they have a large knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textile so that their colorful clothes, unique from this region. After the pass we'll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3720m). Set up the tents and time to explore around on your own (B - L - D).

Horse trek at Lares valley to Ollantaytambo by PAT.

DAY 3: PATACANCHA - PUMAMARKA - OLLANTAYTAMBO (Sacred Valley) - AGUAS CALIENTES

Today will be 5 hours of downhill hike where we'll pass local communities such as Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m) and many others. From Patacancha through the landscape, crossing these villages we can taste the traditions and habits passed on by our ancestors throughout the times of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (the Inca-culture and traditions). Then we continue walking and arrive to Ollantaytambo (2850m) that speaks from its archaeological sites a wide story of Andean history. From Ollantaytambo we will take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the tourist town build beneath the ruins of Machu Picchu. Spend the night at the selected hotel (B - L - D).

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR - OLLANTAYTAMBO - CUSCO

Today we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu (6AM), the lost city of the Incas. Usually we use to get Machu Picchu before 7AM, so from this time we will be able to visit Machu Picchu before others visitors arrive here. Completely guide tour of this amazing Inca heritage and free time to explore by yourself the whole site for about 2 hours.

If you have purchase the entire ticket to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain you will be inside the complex for about 6hrs and get the best view over Machu Picchu. ASK YOUR ENTIRE TICKET AT BOOKING TIME.

Around 12M (midday) we will all meet at the main exit of the ruins and then catch the tourist bus included to go down to Aguas Calientes (2050M) where you can take lunch before take train back to Cusco. Around 8PM you will be drop-off at your hotel in Cusco and end of service (B).

Window to experience the amazing Machu Pichu complex.

Pricing

Group Service

1+ Participants.
$796 USD.

Private Service

2 Participants.
$2294 USD. ($1147 USD/person)
3 Participants.
$2800 USD. ($933 USD/person)
4 Participants.
$3350 USD. ($838 USD/person)
5 Participants.
$3850 USD. ($770 USD/person)
6 Participants.
$4350 USD. ($725 USD/person)
7 Participants.
$4800 USD. ($686 USD/person)

Organized Groups.

8+ Participants.
Price under request only.

Group Service prices are per person. Private Service shows total group price — per-person rate is indicated. Contact us for group discounts and custom itineraries.

What's Included & Not Included

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.
  • English-speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons).
  • Transfer by private van from Cusco to Lares valley.
  • Horses to carry the camping gear and food.
  • Emergency horses to be ridded in case someone feels sick or tired during the trekking time.
  • 1 Llama to carry your personal items (Private Service only).
  • Cooks, cooking gear, kitchen tent, chairs and camp table.
  • Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit).
  • 3 capacity tent ( four season tent ) per 2 people with plenty space for backpacks.
  • Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
  • Meals; 3 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 3 dinners (Available vegetarian food).
  • Tents and food for our camp staff.
  • Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast.
  • 1 night of hotel in Aguas Calientes (3*).
  • Bus tickets up and down from/to Machu Picchu (Last day).
  • Entrance ticket to visit Machu Picchu on the laast day (one time).
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition train).
  • First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff.

Not Included

  • Breakfast on the first day.
  • Personal trekking gear (Backpacks, sleeping bag, headlamp, and others).
  • Porter or horse to help you to carry your personal items.
  • 1 Llama per person to carry backpacks on 1st and 2nd day only (Private Service only).
  • Drinking water, snacks, soft or alcholic drinks.
  • Entrance tickets to hot spring in Lares or Aguas Calientes.
  • Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes before the train back to Cusco.
  • Optional night in Aguas Calientes, this can be arranged at booking time.
  • Inflate air mattress can be hired for $25 US Dollars for whole trek.
  • Sleeping bag (+10°C) can be hired for $30 US Dollars for whole trek.
  • Tipping and gratuities for our camp staff.

How to Reserve

Contact us to book this tour or ask any questions:

What to Bring

Backpack 65Lt, we advice to take a big plastic bag to cover it when is carrying by horses.
Personal horse for ride ($75 USD per day, include the food for horse and handler).
Sleeping bag -10ºC (can be hired from our office).
Persona rain gear as waterproof boots, poncho, etc (December - April).
One complete change of clothing (Sweater, jacket, etc).
Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco).
Headlamp and batteries
Hat, sunglass and sunblock to protect you from intense sun.
Insect repellent for your stay and visit Machu Pichu ruins (almost high jungle).
Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and towel for hot spring.
Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc.
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries.
Swimsuit if you decide to enjoy the hot springs in Lares or in Aguas Calientes.
Original passport to show at check point in Machu Picchu and aboard the train.
Walking sticks (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail).

Recommendations

ADVICE FOR HIKERS

Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared.

It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.

RAIN SEASON

The rain is between Decemeber to March, hard rain and same days are completely cloudy. Same days rain start late afternoon around 3-4pm or maybe night rain.

Schedule

Every day between May and Nov.