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4-day Lares Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Lars
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, Peru

A local certified guide from our team takes you on an amazing and wondrous 4-day trek in and amongst the incredible and mystical natural beauty of Peru, starting in the town of Cusco and winding along the classic Lares Trek to the world famous and truly special Machu Picchu.

Private

Andes

4 Days

All year

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Hike the awesome Lares Trek to the world famous Machu Picchu!
  • Admire some of the epic and amazing views over the Peruvian countryside
  • Learn about the history, customs and traditions of the Andean people
  • Be amazed by the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu

Description

I will guide you on this magnificent and superb 4-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Lares Trek, an absolutely stunning and gorgeous trekking route that takes in towering and majestic mountains and high passes, huge tracts of valleys and fields, mesmerizing lakes and waterways, a wide array of flora and fauna, and ample opportunities to learn about the ancient culture, customs and traditions of the local people.

The Lares Trek is a high altitude trek to Machu Picchu in the region of Cusco, Peru, and is popular as an alternative trek to the immensely more famous, but much busier and more populated Inca Trail. It is home to many local farmers and traditional weavers specializing in textiles, and many exotic bird species such as Andean ibises, Andean geese and flamingos inhabit the area.

Our journey begins on the 1st morning in Cusco, and from there we drive to the starting point of the trek, the village of Cuncani. This day is spent hiking up to our campsite in Huacawasi via some tranquil lakes and countryside, and that night we will learn more about the local Andean culture, and how the people live.

Day 2 is the most strenuous day of the trip, with plenty of uphill hiking, and along the way we will be exposed to some epic views of the mountains and scenery, before stopping at a nearby lagoon and heading in to a forest containing much of the beautiful flora and fauna of the region.

The penultimate day is a slightly more gentle affair, as we walk through many of the farmlands the Andean people still work in, before visiting a couple of archaeological sites and then heading onwards to our hotel near Machu Picchu.

The final day is spent exploring the world famous and truly splendid Machu Picchu, a place that takes the breath away and lets you marvel at the magic of the Incan culture and region.

Taking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a truly special and beautiful trip – book now to tick this off the list!

For those who want a little extra time trekking to Machu Picchu, try our 5-day Lares Trek option, here!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transportation start and back

- Transport during the trip

- Luggage transfer

- Permit and entrance fees

- Group porters

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Price does not include: Sleeping bag, bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.


Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Cuncani – Yanacocha – Huacawasi

At approximately 6am we will pick you up at your hotel to Lares Trek – Wacawasiset course to the village of Lares where we take a beautiful route to go to Cuncani village where will be Our starting point of the Lares trek we can his journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you forgot. Your guide might advise you to buy some bread to hand out to the children you will meet during the trek. In our first day we are going to appreciate de llamas, alpacas, vigognes and Guanacos all the famous Andean camelides, also we can appreciate de typical Andean communities as Cuncani After the first pass we are going to arrive to Yanacocha we have our lunch around this beautiful lake after lunch we will start our hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3600m/11811f). During 5 or 6 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get a good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek. The first night we will spend the night in our campsites where our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. This is the perfect opportunity to know this little town a little better, as well as its Andean culture. At arrival your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot thee before having dinner.

Day 2: Huacawasi – Sondor – Huacawasi C’asa Pass – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Mantanay – Pucara

After a nutritious breakfast we will start hiking towards the highestLares Trekking Pass – Cusco Peru point, the pass of Huacawasi at 4500m or 14763 feet. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be very steep uphill. Of course an emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone will certainly be able to reach the top. During this trek you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. Be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold. After reaching the highest point we will descend and pass beautiful lagoons and we’ll stop for having lunch. You will be able to recuperate while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch for you. Next we will descend further through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis – a typical three from Peru), flora and fauna of this wonderful park. Thereafter we will continue descending until we got our camping spot at Pucara (3000m/9842f), a private camping place where you will have tea time and some snacks upon arrival before having dinner.

Day 3: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today will be another spectacular day we take the channel to continue walking to the Yanahuara Inka terraces where we can see the agriculture places where the Andean people still work in the famous corn of giant grains of the sacred valley called MAIZ PARCAY. from there we continue to Pachar where we are going to take the Inka trail to Ollantaytambo over the Inka terraces but in the way we are going to see one small archeological site call it Choccana to our lunch in from of the Ollantaytambo Inka town , where we visit the town. Before to take our train at 13:00 to Machupicchu town in the afternoon you will have time to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am.Machu Picchu by Lares Trek and head for Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, including information about life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750m/9022f) on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55 pm or at 6:10 pm. Until then, you will have time to have lunch in one of the nice restaurants. Moreover, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax a bit.

 

Details

Accommodation

Camping for first 2 nights, hotel for the 3rd night.

Meeting point

Cusco, Peru

About the guide

Peru Expeditions is a Guide Agency and Tour Operator based in Huaraz, Peru.

It's a family-owned travel agency, which was founded more than 35 years ago, and is now managed by IFMGA-guide Juventino and his son, Eric.

We organize trekkings and mountain expeditions in Cordillera Blanca, and all around Peru.

Languages

| English

Certificates

AGMP | IFMGA


What people are saying about Peru Expeditions

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

William was such a knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient guide! He brought books and support materials to further explain the history of the sites we were seeing, was always ready with an answer to any questions, and had great suggestions of where to take photos. He chose a truly remarkable cook for our trek, who kept us well fed with a huge variety of foods (and an ample supply of it!) and filled with hot beverages at all hours of the day and night. He allowed us to set the pace each day, and was cheerful and helpful and relaxed throughout-he absolutely enhanced a wonderful experience! Many thanks to you, William!

Bad Hetterscheid

5.00

September, 2022

Eric from Peru Expeditions is a fabulous, safe, and conscientious Tour Operator. He chose an incredible guide for us (Darwin) who was highly esteemed by every guide we met at every point along the journey-the respect of one’s peers speaks for itself! We were very well supported, always had perfect timing with seeing sunrises, beating “the crowd” to our destinations, and had ample food. The Peruvian mountains are stunningly beautiful- I’m ready to go back again already! Book with Eric - he’s going to take good care of you.

Connor White

5.00

September, 2022

Great service and trip!

Johannes Besmehn

3.00

August, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Alexey Volegov

5.00

July, 2022

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Matt LAIRD

5.00

November, 2021

Our guide was William and he is the one that really made the trip great!

Juliusz Zulauf

5.00

September, 2021

It was really good climbing expedition. The company put good effort to accommodate our needs and requests. Lima Central Office support was outstanding. Edgar, our climbing guide was top notch. Supporting staff during the climb was very helpful and friendly as well. For my personal needs, some modification of an acclimatisation scheme would be beneficial. First week of the trip consisted of various day trips to destinations of increasing altitudes, but all nights were at Huaraz, at 3100 m altitude. For me, to be fully acclimatized I need to sleep at the altitude. My first night at the higher altitude was at Pisco refuge (4800 m) and resulted with mild altitude sickness preventing me from successful climbing the following day. I would prefer spending two nights at high altitude before first high climb. It might not be the case for some other people, but it was for me. If not for this, I would had awarded straight five stars.

Marcela Hronesova

2.00

July, 2021

Disappointed with the whole experience. Didn't climb with Juventino, never met him. Got a different guide. Booked Pisco and Chopicalcui as separate climbs with one day off in between to rest. Agency combined the climbs. They told me to of go from Pisco BC directly to Chopicalcui moraine camp. Got a different guide who didn't tell me that we'll get snowed in at moraine camp. Only found out about the snow once we reached Chopicalcui moraine camp. Spent the night there, next day had to go down. Disappointed rebooked my flight and left Peru. Waste of my time and money.

Marcela Hronesova

4.00

July, 2021

The agency gave me a guide Darwin, not Juventino. Climb was good, easy just walking. There is one dangerous section near the moraine area with very loose gravel. So make sure you don't slip there or you are dead. I stayed in refugio at the base camp which was much more comfy than camping. Darwin was good but give clients some breaks once in a while, not rush too much. It's a high altitude climbing after all.

Tony Hoffman

5.00

September, 2020

The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.

Flormila Pineda Villanueva

5.00

May, 2020

My visit to Huaraz was one of the most beautiful trips of my life. Our days of adventure began with the visit of lagoons in the white mountain range; wilcacocha, churup, paron, lagoon 69 and we finish with the most beautiful Santa Cruz trek. Our trip was a complete success, during the stay in Huaraz we stayed at the ALPAMAYO GUEST HOUSE hotel, an excellent place in the center of Huaraz. I recommend Mr. Juventino to make his trip and his hotel the and if nice family People.

Koseth Saenz

5.00

May, 2020

He was very kind, patient and helped me to reach my goal the citadel of Machupicchu. One day I wanted to quit but he encouraged me to continue and waited for my step.

Pietro Garanzini

5.00

May, 2020

Our experience in Peru was an unforgettable journey, we started a journey in this country to visit Machu Picchu and the surroundings of Cusco as a sacred valley, etc. Afterwards, our next destination was to arrive in the beautiful land of Huaraz, where our main goal was the trekking of Santa Cruz and a not very difficult base climb and after the trekking of Huayhuash. We will be back next year with more customers, friends of our mountain club, thanks for everything and see you soon in Huaraz!

Michael W English

5.00

March, 2020

From the very first emails communication which was dealt with efficiently and provide all the required information and other options for myself to consider. When I arrived the communication was excellent and very well organised. When I return later this year I will without doubt be using Eric and the team. When we arrive at the start point to getting back the local guide was excellent. I have nothing but praise for the set up.

Wolfgang Gratz

5.00

September, 2019

We did the MTB-Huarascan-Circuit (Crossing Punta Olimpica Pass and Portachuelo de Llanganuco Pass) with Eric Albinos „Peru Expedition“. All, the transfers, the hotel stays, the acclimatization tours and the circuit itself, was well organized. Eric and his staff were flexible to our wishes and very helpful. Our Guide Joni is an excellent mountain bike-guide and good tailor too if something is torn. The cook prepared delicious meals during the circuit. The camping equipment was in very good condition. We (Karin, Franz. Wolfgang) can fully recommend „Eric´s Peru Expeditions“.


 

 

 

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