Lares Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights
The Lares Trek 5 Days 4 Nights offers an extraordinary blend of stunning Andean landscapes and immersive cultural experiences. This lesser-known route to Machu Picchu leads you through high-altitude valleys, serene glacial lakes, and traditional Quechua villages untouched by time.
As you hike, you’ll witness the daily lives of local farmers and weavers who still practice age-old traditions—building stone houses like the Incas and creating colorful textiles using ancestral techniques. One of the highlights is a full day spent alongside a local community, where you’ll take part in farming, daily tasks, and hands-on weaving demonstrations.
Ideal for travelers seeking a quieter, more authentic alternative to the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek 5 Days 4 Nights combines breathtaking scenery with meaningful cultural connection, culminating in a visit to the iconic Machu Picchu.
Begin with a Cusco City Tour to explore the city’s Incan and colonial history. Visit key sites like Sacsayhuamán, the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Cusco Cathedral, and the San Blas neighborhood, along with nearby Inca ruins like Qenqo and Tambomachay. Then, set off on the Lares Trek 5 Days 4 Nights, a scenic hike through the Andean mountains, visiting traditional Quechua villages. Highlights include the Lares Hot Springs, Ipsaycocha Pass, and stunning landscapes with views of snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. End the trek with a visit to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic sites. This combined journey offers the perfect mix of cultural exploration, stunning landscapes, and authentic experiences, capped off by the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu.
Discover the fascinating historical and cultural legacy of the Incas in the capital of the Inca Empire on this 4-hour Cuzco city tour. Visit Qorikancha, known as the Temple of the Sun during Inca times in the 13th-15th centuries, and the site of the Spanish Convent of Santo Domingo. See the Cathedral, facing the Plaza de Armas in the heart of downtown Cuzco. Tour the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, located above the city, and enjoy spectacular views of the city. Follow the road up to several other Inca stone ruins, including Q’enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. At the end of your tour, your guide will give you options of restaurants where you can have lunch, shop or visit museums according to your personal interests. In the evening, you’ll be taken out on the town for a night of Andean culture and entertainment including dinner and a folklore show. Dine on traditional Andean food while you are serenaded by a troupe of musicians and dancers wearing traditional garb and performing tunes andean. Optional: Enjoy an authentic buffet dinner with a folkloric show for an additional $39 per person, a perfect way to end your day in Cusco. Our staff will pick you up from your hotel in our private transportation for approximately 1 hour and a half, we will arrive in Calca, which is located in the Sacred Valley. Here we will make a stop of approximately 45 minutes to visit the local market or you can have a delicious breakfast (not included), then we will board our transportation for another 30 minutes and we will arrive at the Huaran Community located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, it is located (3,000 m / 9,840 ft). Here, we will meet our muleteer and pack up the horses and begin walking north. The trail ascends gently following the Cancha Cancha River towards the community of the same name for almost 3 hours. On this walk along the river we will see crop fields and pass through the ancient Polylepis forests. This type of vegetation is very interesting for a wide variety of birds, and the valley itself is very impressive. We will have lunch in the community of Cachacancha (3,956 m / 12,976 ft). After lunch, we continue our walk for approximately 1 hour and a half to Acopata (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), in this place it will be our first camp. Our team will wake you up with a hot cup of tea or coffee to enjoy in your sleeping bag before getting up for breakfast. We’ll enjoy a breakfast to give us the energy we need for the day before we begin our ascent to the highest point of the whole trek, Pachacutec Pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ). We’ll take things slowly and get there after two-and-a-half hours of hiking. The views from this height are stunning, and you’ll spot the snowy peaks of Sahuasiray and Chicon sacred mountains right in front of you. After enjoying the scenery and resting our legs, we’ll head downhill for two hours to the lunch spot by the beautiful Qoyalay Lake (4,140 m / 13,583 ). Once we’re full and rested, we’ll descend for another hour and a half toward the valley. On this stretch, you’ll see several astounding glacial lakes and herds of alpaca, llamas, and sheep calmly grazing. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of deer, vizcachas, geese, hawks, and the immense Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world. We will arrive at our campsite in the community of Quishuarani (3,850 m / 12,631 ); this is a small and picturesque place with typical houses built of stone. In the evening, we will enjoy another tasty dinner before going to rest. After enjoying our breakfast, we begin our walk with an ascent for 3 hours until we reach the Willqaqasa pass (4,200 m/13,779 feet), where we can observe the Vilcanota mountain range and the snow-capped mountains of Colquecruz and Pitusiray. After that, We continue our walk through the Puna grasslands, productive agricultural sites and pristine natural lakes for 2 hours to the community of Cucani. In this community we will try to visit and interact with local indigenous children, you may have the opportunity to visit a local school and share some quality time with the students. From Cuncani we meet our driver and descend through a lush valley with extensive agricultural areas, fruit trees and native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. Finally, we arrive at our destination, Termas de Lares (3,100 m/10,170 ft), where we will soak in the natural volcanic hot springs for an hour, have lunch, and relax. It’s time to say goodbye to our notable chef and muleteer. After lunch in Lares, we take our 2.5-hour private transportation to Ollantaytambo, where we have dinner. Then we take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night. On our last day, you will get up very early to visit one of the 7 wonders of the World – ¨Machu Picchu¨. At 5:30 am. We will go directly to the line to wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu. We will arrive at the gate when the sky lights up and ascend to the top of Machu Picchu, while taking in the impressive views of the city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is magnificent; This moment is unforgettable. Our tour guide will take you on a 2-3 hour guided tour, where we will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience. If you have booked Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price). Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.
Gift for Andean children (Optional) We recommend bringing: Coloring books, crayons, pens, notebooks, pencils, stickers, clothes, toys, etc. but not candies or chemical products. Approved note books for the Peruvian school system can be purchased in school supply stores in Lima or Cusco. Children will love to receive these gifts when we pass through Andean communities which have schools.
Permits are needed for your chosen start date. The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2020 through January 2021. All prices quoted are $USD Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!). Hotel Upgrades: The hotel is 2-star and is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial, or triple. There is a single room surcharge of $30 if you are booking alone. Rooms all include private bathrooms, with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something fancier. Please remember that the service you receive in Aguas Calientes may not be comparable to that in Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, although we can usually work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes. Train Upgrades:
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights is 43 kms long and depending on which campsites are used the approximate hours hiked per day are: The Lares Trek is considered a moderate hike. It’s not a technical hike but the altitude may affect some individuals. We recommend purchasing a walking stick while in Peru as it will help with your balance and reduce the load on your knees. We ask that you not use a metal tipped walking stick as it can harm the fragile environment along the trail. It’s impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Your ability to adapt to high altitude is determined by your genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full day spent in Cuzco (3249m), taking it easy and drinking plenty of water, is usually enough for most people. The highest point you will reach while hiking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights is 4550 meters. You will sleep at 3600 meters for one or two nights. Yes! If you do not wish to hike the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights please advise us at the time of booking (it is very difficult to make these arrangements once you have already confirmed). If you choose not to hike the trail you will spend two nights in Cuzco and then take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes for the third night where you will rejoin your group and spend the night before touring Machu Picchu the following morning. You will reach Machu Picchu early in the morning on Day 5. You will be met by a local guide who will take you on an informative 2-hour tour of the ruins. After the tour you will have a few hours of free time to explore the area on your own before the group travels by bus to Aguas Calientes where we catch the train back to Cuzco. No, llamas, pack mules and/or horses will be provided to carry your personal items. You will still need to bring a day backpack to carry any essentials you might want or need, such as water, snacks, camera, sweater, rain jacket, etc. The high altitude means it can get quite chilly, especially during the Andean winter (May – September) when the temperature can drop to below zero degrees (Celsius) at night. It can still be cool at other times of the year and so we recommend bringing thermal underwear and a warm sleeping bag. You can purchase warm, inexpensive and locally made hand-woven hats and gloves in Cuzco. On the first night of the Lares Trek, we stay at a community-owned campsite established by the Accopata community that features composting toilets, solar showers, and a solid-waste management system that’s the first of it’s kind in the region. On the second night, we’ll spend the night in three-person tents designed to accommodate two same-sex travellers. Trekkers will be served a bowl of hot water (and a hot drink) in their tents during morning hours. On the third night, we’ll stay at a simple hotel in Aguas Calientes. Sleeping bags are not included and so we recommend bringing a compact three-season sleeping bag. If travelling between May and October a 4-season sleeping bag is recommended. These can be rented with us. For approximately $20 for the length of the trek. Foam mats are provided however some travellers also bring their own self-inflating mat (i.e. a Thermarest). Yes, you can doing, But we recommend you buy water or rehydration drinks from local people, as it is a form of power these people support them. Our cooks prepare excellent high-energy meals appropriate for a trek of this nature. The menu usually includes pasta, rice, chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables and a variety of oatmeal, eggs and other breakfast foods. Vegetarian alternatives are available upon request at the time of booking. Tipping is at your discretion, but is always appreciated. If you enjoyed the service you enjoyed from your guides and porters or Horseman.
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions. Booking: Cancellations: ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE. Inca Trail Tours: Medical Information: Tours and Treks: Delays: Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!
Overview
Itinerary
Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco – Sacsayhuaman – Puca Pucara – Tambomachay.
Day 2: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Huaran – Cancha Cancha – Acopata.
Day 3: Acopata – Pachacutec Pass – Qoyalay Lake – Quishuarani.
Day 4: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares Hot Springs – Ollantaytambo.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Inclusions
Included:
Not Included:
Bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Prices
Prices:
Discounts:
Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):
Upgrades:
Rentals:
FAQ's
How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights and how many hours do we hike per a day?
How difficult is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights?
Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days 4 Nights?
Is it possible to skip the Lares Trek even if the tour includes it?
When do we reach Machu Picchu and how much time do we spend there?
Do porters carry our luggage while on the Lares Trek?
How cold does it get on the Lares Trek (will I need to bring hats and mitts)?
What type of accommodation is used on the Lares Trek?
Is a sleeping bag and mat included?
Is purified water available on the trek?
of course that we offer them every morning boiled water so you can take during the day.What type of food will we get on the Lares Trek?
What is the suggested amount that I should tip the guides and porters?
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation By
Terms
91 days or more before departure
we will retain 50% of your deposit.
90 – 30 days before departure
we will retain 75% of the total tour cost.
29 – 0 days before departure
we will retain 100% of the total tour cost.
You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
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