Trek to Machu Picchu: Lares Trek

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The spectacular Lares trek route is perfect for trekkers looking for an off the beaten path adventure in a part of Peru still appears as it did 500 years ago. This remote and rarely visited region offers the traveler exceptional insight into the lives of Andean villagers, who still dress in their traditional brightly-colored ponchos.

As you follow the trail through the picturesque Lares Valley, you will have the opportunity to see stone houses with straw-thatched roofs surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas, while inside the houses you’ll see guinea pigs running loose. The trek itself is rated at moderate difficulty, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, two passes over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), so it is important to be acclimated before starting the trek.

After the trek ends in Ollantaytambo, you will take the short train ride to Aguas Calientes to visit the spectacular and mysterious Machu Picchu citadel, the highlight of Peru and one of the Seven New World Wonders. The Lares trek to Machu Picchu is a spectacular way to see Peru’s historic and gorgeous landscapes.

Day 1 : Begin the Lares Trek - Lares
Day 2 : Lares Trek - Arurayccocha
Day 3 : Lares Trek - Aguas Calientes
Day 4 : Machu Picchu Tour & Return to Cusco

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Day 1 : Begin the Lares Trek - Lares

• After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel in Cusco and taken on a scenic drive into the beautiful Sacred Valley. You will pass the quaint villages of Pisac and Calca, both renowned for their bustling markets and historic importance during Inca times. You will follow the route as the valley begins to ascend into the mountains, passing indigenous communities that specialize in weaving. You’ll have the opportunity to stop and observe the local way of life and beautiful craft work.
• You will reach the Huaca pass, located at a towering height of 14,435 feet (4,400 meters) before descending toward the lovely town of Lares at 10,662 feet (3,250 meters). Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by the trek chef and soak in the town’s natural hot springs before retreating to your tent to rest before your next day’s hike.

Day 2 : Lares Trek - Arurayccocha

• After a filling breakfast early in the morning, you will start your trek with a hike uphill through the picturesque Lares Valley. The trail goes past several lovely villages where you can observe weaving communities. Your guide will be able to tell about the locals’ ways of life and you’ll be able to admire their exquisite handicrafts. The morning’s hike ends in Wacawasi, where you will have some time to rest and enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
• In the afternoon, you will continue up through small passes until you reach the highest pass of the Lares trek, located at a dizzying height of 14,100 feet (4,310 meters). Once you have had your fill of the magnificent view, you will start your descent toward your campsite, located next to beautiful Andean lakes. Enjoy a quiet evening and delicious dinner in the Lares Valley. 

Day 3 : Lares Trek - Aguas Calientes

• For your last hiking day, enjoy a hearty breakfast early in the morning before setting off on the trail that will take you downhill through a wide and scenic valley. Take some time to appreciate your gorgeous surroundings, dominated by massive snow-capped mountains and rocky slopes.
• In the afternoon, you will reach the Yanahuara community, where you will take the bus to Ollantaytambo. Located in the fertile Sacred Valley, this ancient Inca village is home to a fascinating archeological site. In the evening, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu, where you will be transferred to your confirmed hotel. You can spend the evening at your leisure in Aguas Calientes.

Day 4 : Machu Picchu Tour & Return to Cusco

• Rise early for your visit to the wonderful Machu Picchu citadel and head to the bus station for the 20-minute drive to the hidden ruins perched in the mountains above. Once you arrive in Machu Picchu, you will enjoy a guided tour of this world wonder.
• You will be able to appreciate the intricate stonework that strikes absolute harmony with the fantastic Andean scenery. Giant stones were hauled by hand to the top of the mountain and carefully positioned many centuries ago, and yet the walls of temples, buildings, and foundations still remain. You will have the chance to explore the 3 zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones, which include impressive sights such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, and the Principal Bath.
• After your Machu Picchu tour, you can wander the many Inca trails that lead to the main site or head into town for a late lunch. You will return to the station in the mid-afternoon to take the train back to Cusco and transfer back to your hotel.

See our Machu Picchu Guide for more information on what see and do, as well as Machu Picchu Restaurants that we recommend for tasty dining.

Check our Trekking & Adventure FAQs to help you prepare for your Lares Trek and contact your travel advisor for any additional questions.

	Group	Private
per person	$ 679	$ 1389
Prices may vary according to the season, availability, and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for more information.

	Group	Private
per person	$ 679	$ 1389
Prices may vary according to the season, availability, and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for more information.

Top Pick Machu Picchu Hotel

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Kilometer 110 Via Ferrea, Aguas Calientes

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a naturalist's haven. Taking full advantage of its gorgeous setting amidst verdant Andean cloud forests, this lovely hotel is the perfect place to experience the astonishing flora and fauna of the region. The eco-friendly hotel was built to resemble an Andean village. Its charming white-washed cottages are decorated with modern indigenous art as well as authentic pre-Columbian artifacts. Every effort is made to anticipate and serve the needs of guests. This luxury Machu Picchu hotel expertly combines nature and comfort to create a one-of-a-kind Peru travel experience.

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El MaPi Hotel 4*

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El MaPi Hotel in Aguas Calientes enjoys an ideal location in the bustling center of the small village, a short walking distance from both the Aguas Calientes train station and the bus station for transfers to the Inca citadel.. The recently renovated El MaPi Hotel is perfect for travelers who want to catch the sunrise over the ruins without skimping on style. The modern and chic hotel aims to be the best in its category and offers great value services and décor. It also boasts beautifully landscaped gardens and a hot tub where guests can relax at night with a cocktail after a delicious dinner.

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Andina Luxury Hotel

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Travelers in search of comfort and convenience on a trip to Machu Picchu will be more than pleased with this excellent hotel. Situated just 200 meters from the train station, Andina Luxury Hotel boasts 31 fully-equipped rooms, each with tasteful wood furnishings, large beds covered with comfortable linens, and views to the rushing Urubamba River. Walls alternate between immaculate white and exposed brick for an elegant but rustic appeal, finished off with carefully selected Andean art. All accommodations include Internet access, LCD screen cable TV, and air conditioning, while the hotel itself serves guests with a restaurant, bar, sauna, and gym. Enhance your Machu Picchu vacation with a good night’s rest at Andina Luxury.

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Included

• Private transportation from Cusco to Lares
• English-speaking professional guide
• All meals on trek & snacks (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
• Trek chef & cooking equipment
• Mules & mule handlers to carry equipment
• One emergency horse
• Transportation from Yanahuara to Ollantaytambo (3rd day)
• Roundtrip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• All trekking equipment (except sleeping bag)

Not Included

• Lunch on day four
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Train transportation from Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes & Ollantaytambo-Cusco
• Sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco)
• Optional tips for guide & trek team

Packing List

• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof clothing (poncho)
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Water bottles
• Any required medications
• Walking sticks
• Swimsuit and towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Original Passport