4 Days / 3 Nights
Difficult
From $915
LARES LLAMA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU $597 USD Per Person
Cusco Trekking

LARES LLAMA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU $597 USD Per Person

Real Sustainable Trekking In The Andean Communities 4 Days - 3 Nights

Real Sustainable Trekking In The Andean Communities 4 Days - 3 Nights

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.

Day by Day Itinerary

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

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 - 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).

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 COMPLETE GUIDED TOUR - CUSCO

Today we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Usually we use to get Machu Picchu by 7am, so from this time we will be able to visit Machu Picchu before others hikers arrive here. Completely guide tour of this complex and then you will have plenty of time to explore by yourself the whole site for about 3 hours and there is time as well to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain and get the best view over Machu Picchu.

Around 2PM 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 8pmyou will be arriving to your hotel in Cusco and end of the tour (B).

Pricing

Private Service

2 people
$1097 USD
4 people
$915 USD

Prices are per person in USD. Contact us for group discounts and custom itineraries.

What's Included & Not Included

Included

  • Official English-speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
  • Transfer by private van from Cusco to Lares valley
  • Entrance to the ruins along the way and Machu Picchu (one time)
  • Horses to carry the camping gear and food
  • 1 Llama to carry your personal items (Private Service only)
  • Emergency horses to be ridded in case someone feels sick or tired during the trekking tour
  • 2 Experienced cook
  • Cooking equipment
  • Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
  • 3 capacity tent ( four season tent ) - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
  • Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
  • All meals on the trail (3 breakfasts - 3 lunches - 3 dinners)
  • Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast
  • 1 night of hotel in Aguas Calientes (double/matrimonial or triple room with private bath and hot shower), the hotel is rated with 3 stars
  • Bus up and down from Machu Picchu (Last day)
  • Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (backpacker train)
  • Kitchen and dining tent with camp tables and chairs
  • Tents and food for our camp staff
  • First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and 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 your personal backpack when is carrying by the Llamas
Personal horse for ride ($30 USD per day, include the food for horse and handler)
Sleeping bag -15ºC (can be hired from our office for $5 USD per day)
Rain jacket or poncho (December - April)
Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
One complete change of clothing
Sweater and jacket (something warm)
Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
Flashlight and batteries
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
Sun block (sun protection cream)
Insect repellent
Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
You also need to bring your original passport on the trek because you well need to show before enter to Machu Picchu
Walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

Recommendations

IMPORTANT

Every night keep everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with dogs, fox or strange people.

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.

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.

You Might Also Like

2 DAYS INCA TRAIL AND CLIMBING TO PUTUCUSI MOUNTAIN $618 USD Per Person cusco

2 DAYS INCA TRAIL AND CLIMBING TO PUTUCUSI MOUNTAIN $618 USD Per Person

2 Days challenging

Hike The Short Inca Trail And Climb To The Sacred And Mysterious Mount Of Putucusi In 3 Days

View Details
AUSANGATE TREKKING - REAL ANDEAN MOUNTAIN TREK $898 USD Per Person - Group Service cusco

AUSANGATE TREKKING - REAL ANDEAN MOUNTAIN TREK $898 USD Per Person - Group Service

6 Days / 5 Nights challenging

AUSANGATE TREKKING ITINERARY

View Details
TREKKING TO CHOQUEQUIRAO FORTRESS AND TO MACHU PICCHU $1688 USD Per Person cusco

TREKKING TO CHOQUEQUIRAO FORTRESS AND TO MACHU PICCHU $1688 USD Per Person

8 Days / 7 Nights difficult

Camping And Hiking To The Lost Inca City 8 Days - 7 Nights

View Details
Start Planning

Ready for Your
Peru Adventure?

Contact us today and let's craft your dream trip. Every itinerary is personally designed to match your interests, schedule and budget.

Request a Free Quote