LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

This trek will start in the village of Huaran, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and after 3 days finishes at the hot springs of Lares. during the hike the group will see the beautiful snow capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range, lakes, native forests of the queuna tree and different peasant communities who even today preserve their traditional lifestyle of sheperding alpacas and cultivating potatoes. The people in this area are known as "huayruros" for their predominantely red clothes which are easily visible from the distance as the seeds of the jungle plant "huayruro" which people associate with magical powers. This trek finishes, as the cherry on the cake, at the hot springs of Lares where we enjoy a relaxing hot bath after the long walk. Then the group will travel to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Huaran-Cancha Cancha

Early in the morning we leave Cusco and go to the village of Huaran (2900 masl) where we start our hike. On the first day the group will climb and meet the Cancha Cancha community (3900 m) where we spend the night.

We will follow an old Inca Trail which goes through an u shaped icy valley. Along the valley we will see the native forests where the Queuña (Polylepis) tree dominates the area. This tree is able to grow up to the altitude of 4700 m and is the natural habitat for different endangered animal and plant species. At the end of the day we arrive at the Cancha Cancha peasant community who raises alpacas, llamas and cultivates potatoes. The name of the community refers to the great number of corrals they have where they keep American camels, hence Cancha Cancha in quechua means corrals.

Day 2: Cancha Cancha-Quishurani (12km)

At dawn we will leave Cancha Cancha heading towards the Pachacutec pass(4700 m), the highest point of our trek. On this day due to the altitude, the landscape will be predominantly the high tundra of the Andes and the vegetation is the most common Ichu, a type of grass typical of high altitudes, and cacti. By midday we will get close to the pass where we can see lakes, glaciers and as we go ahead we can marvel at the beautiful snowy peaks of Sirhuani (5300 masl), Chicon (5400 masl) y Colquecruz (5700 masl). To crown our efforts after the climbing we arrive at the Pachaqutec pass from where we can enjoy a most beautiful view of the Urubamba mountain range. After having a rest and spending some time to enjoy the incredible view of the snowy mountains, the group will descend to meet the Quishurani peasant community (4100 masl). From here we will continue to the Queuñua Cocha lake (4100 masl) where we spend the night.

Day 3: Quishuarani - Hot Springs of Lares )

At dawn we start the climb to the Hatun Kasa pass (4400 masl) from where we can appreciate a breathtaking view of the snowy Urubamba mountain range. Also we can see the beautiful Cocha Lakes (white, green and blue) after which we start our descent to the Cuncani community (3700 masl).

During the hike we will see the Fauce waterfall and amongst the rocks a small rodent called Vizcacha. Reaching again the Cuncani community, the path will gently descend towards the hot springs of Lares (3100 masl) where we will enjoy a relaxing hot bath. Here our private transportation will wait and take us to the Ollantaytambo train train station (2700 masl) where we take a train to the village of Aguas Calientes (2100 masl). Here we spend the night and next day we will visit the famous Inca citadel Machu Picchu (2400 masl).

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu

Very early in the morning we take the bus that ascends to the citadel of Machu Picchu – a World Heritage Archeological Site. We will visit the different sectors of this city: the house of the guards, the agricultural zone, the urban area, the temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the workshop area, the square of temples among other places. The tour will take approximately 3 hours, after which in the afternoon we will take the train to Poroy station (30 min car ride from Cusco). Here our private transportation will wait for the group and take us back to the hotel in Cusco.

What is Included?

• Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the starting point of the trek


• Pick-up from the final point of the trek and return to your hotel.


• Accommodation in tents for 2 people – individual tents can be arranged upon request


• Roll-up mattresses


• Dining tent, bathroom tent, tables, chairs and kitchen, cutleries


• English speaking guide, specialized in first aid and CPR


• Support staff consisting of a cook and carriers for handling pack animals


• Five meals a day: breakfast, snacks, lunch, hot drinks and dinner. We can also provide special diets upon request without any additional extra cost. The meals in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are not included.


• Boiled and filtered water throughout the trek, you can fill your bottles after every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner


• First aid kit including oxygen bottle


• Mules to transport the equipment and food


• A horse in cases of emergencies

¿What´s Not Included?

• Food and drink in Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu


• Tips for the personnell


• Accomodation in Aguas Calientes, all guests need to pay for his/her accommodation, however upon request our team can present a number of quality choices you can choose from.


• Any other activity or unexpected event must be paid by the guest himself. In case of medical emergency the guest needs to cover the costs of medical transportation from the mountain to the hospital. Our company is well-prepared to deal with such events in a fast and professional way.

What to take?

• Trekking Boots - rain poncho or waterproof jacket


• Sufficient clothing for the entire trip including warm clothing


• Sandals for use in the camps


• Sleeping bag


• Torch/Flash light with batteries


• Camera with charger.


• Hat or cap - Sunscreen - Insect repellent


• Tissues - Anti-bacterial gel


• Water bottle


• Walking sticks/canes


• Extra money is advisable - to take Soles - the local currency - rather than dollars, as there are no facilities to change dollars along the road, ATMs are only available in the town of Aguas Calientes.