Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek

Day 1: Cusco – Thermal Baths of lares – Huaca Wasi (6 hours)

We leave very early in the morning by bus from Cusco to the village of Calca (1 hour drive). There we do a stop for half an hour. After this, we continue driving for three hours to Lares, a high pass of 4265 meters. From there, you will have a nice view of the glacier and the Sawasiray Pitusiray. Then we will arrive in the warm valley of Lares (3200 meters), where we have enough time to visit the thermal baths. After that we begin our trek, climbing up to 3800 meters to our first campsite located in Huaca Wasi. The climb is not so difficult. We walk through beautiful valleys with small villages where people still walk around in traditional clothing and speak Quechua. While walking we will see wild orchids and begonias.

Once we arrive in Huaca Wasi, the tents are already set up and the cook is going to provide the meal. You will get a cup of coca tea together with your meal and you will spend the night in a spacious two-person tent.
Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Huaca Wasi – Miski Unuyoc (6 hours)

After a good breakfast we start our climb which will take an hour. It has a difficulty of 4-5, because we climb up the highest part of the trek: the Huaca Wasi pass (4500 meters). From here you have breathtaking and unobstructed views of both sides of the pass and you can overlook the blue lagoon (Auroray). This lake is created by the melt water from the glacier Pumahuanca. During the rest of our hike we cross herds of llamas and alpacas and traditional houses made of adobe. Here we can also see the Andean Ibis and mallards.

After lunch we walk another 1.5 hours, until we arrive at our second campsite, Miski Unuyoc. It is located at 3800 meters and is close to the village of Manatnay.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Miski Unuyoc – Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (5 hours)

After your breakfast we leave early in the morning to walk down to Yanahuara (4 hours), which is located 2280 meters above sea level. On the way we pass a bunch of Queñua-trees, an almost extinct specie. Yanahuara is a beautiful village in the Sacred Valley. It is also the largest food provider for Cusco. Here we will have our lunch and after this we take a local bus to Ollantaytambo. The ride takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

You can visit the village of Ollantaytambo, while we are waiting for the train. This train takes us in about half an hour to Aguas Calientes. This is the village near Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes you will spend one night in a hotel in a double bedroom with private bathroom. Depending on the departure of our train, we will have dinner in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

The next morning we enjoy a very early breakfast and we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. We will see Machu Picchu with only a few tourists because we are going to see the first sunlight over Machu Picchu, which is a magical moment. At Machu Picchu you get a guided tour. In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes, where we take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there it is back by bus to Cusco and back to your accommodation.
Meals: breakfast

The 4-day Lares trek to Machu Picchu

Included:

• Transportation from Cusco to Lares
• Professional English speaking guide
• Carriers or horses for tents and food ( max 6 kg of baggage)
• Kitchen equipment
• Food (3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner)
• Camping equipment: tents and mattresses
• Train ticket Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes, based on a double room
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or ollantaytambo
• Medical assistance, first aid kit, oxygen

Not included:

• Breakfast on day 1, lunch on day 4
• Extra horse for emergency
• Entrance to the thermal baths
• Sleeping bag (you can rent it for $15)
• Not included and optional: entrance fee to peak Wayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu. Please notice: If you want to visit one of them, you need to book far in advance.
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
• Hiking stick
• Optional single room in Aguas Calientes
• Personal Insurance
• Tips for guides and cooks

The prices of tours tend to vary due to circumstances like changing regulations, lack of availability or changing entry fees or permits. We don´t want to make any promises we can´t keep so please contact us to request a price quote and you will find out how competitive our prices are!

Or check out the other treks and trails to Machu Picchu:

Or check the opening hours, access rules, restrictions and entrance prices of Machu Picchu here: