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Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, 5 days from Cusco
Your IFMGA-certified guide, Juventino, will lead you on this incredible 5-day trek among the stunning and raw natural beauty of Peru, starting in Cusco and traipsing along the Lares Trek, and then culminating in a visit to the world famous and breathtaking Machu Picchu.
Highlights
Trek along the Lares Trail - a less-crowded alternative to the Inca Trail
See the absolutely wondrous and world famous Machu Picchu!
Hike along several spectacular high passes and valleys
Meet the local farmers and weavers and learn about their traditions
Description
Join me on this truly special, epic, amazing and awesome 5-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Lares Trek, and I promise you will see and experience memories to last a lifetime, as we witness majestic mountains over high passes, vast open valleys, picturesque and tranquil lakes and richly diverse flora and fauna, all while learning about the ancient culture of the local people and areas.
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.
We meet on the first morning at your hotel in Cusco, before driving 2 hours to the starting point, the village of Huaran. We then trek through the Sacred Valley, meeting the llama’s that will accompany us along the way, before winding our way along the Cancha Cancha River, before setting up camp in the idyllic village of Cancha Cancha.
The subsequent 3 days are spent trekking on some of the amazing high-altitude passes such as Pachacuteq (4458m), Qasa Cruz (4100m) and Ipsaycocha (4350m), taking in the stunning variety of lakes, waterfalls and snowcapped peaks along the way.
There will be ample time to visit the many villages that dot the landscape such as Quishuarani, Huacahuasi and Patacancha, learning about the local customs and traditions in each one via talking and interacting with the farmers and weavers.
The final day is spent marveling at and exploring the glorious Machu Picchu, one of the most famous tourist spots on earth and a fantastic place to bask in the magnificence of Peru.
Trek to Machu Picchu the different way and experience something truly unique – book now to try!
For those who want a shorter experience around the Cusco region, try our 2-day Helamcoma ascent in the Cusco region, here!
Details
Accommodation Tent accommodation for 3 nights and hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes for 1 night. |
More info Bilingual Spanish-English professional guide (for a French-speaking guide, contact us in advance!, At no extra charge) |
Meeting point Pick up from your hotel in Cusco |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Huaran - Cancha Cancha
We will pick you up at your hotel at 6:00 am, then drive for approximately 2 hours until we get to Huaran (2900 m). It is a small village in the Sacred Valley, and it will be our starting point for the trek. We will join at this time the rest of the team, including the llamas! We will start our magnificent trek through this fascinating valley, following the tranquil route of the high hills along the Cancha Cancha River. It will take us 5 hours to reach the picturesque village of Cancha Cancha, where we will set up our first camp.
Day 2: Cancha Cancha - Pachacuteq Pass - Quishuarani
After breakfast, we will start the climb to the Pachacuteq Pass (4458 m), the highest point of the trek. From up there you will be treated to a spectacular view of the snowy peaks, Pitusiray, Lac Pachacuteq and all around the Valley. After the Pass, we will continue walking down, this time, to the next valley to arrive at the village of Quishuarani (3700 m) where we will spend the night. Along the way, the landscapes will be breathtaking – with frozen lakes, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. This region is also rich in bird species and it is possible to see the Andean ibises, Andean geese and flamingos among others.
Day 3: Quishuarani - Huillquijasa Pass - Cuncani - Huacahuacasi
We will have breakfast and leave for an ascent of about 3 hours to reach the Huillquijasa Pass (4200 m), the second highest point of the trek. The view is impressive and worth it! After that, we will descend to the village of Cuncani (3860 m) through beautiful turquoise lakes along the way. We will continue to cross several lands and we will meet Andean local families, where agriculture and textile expertise inspired by Andean gods and symbols is very famous in this region. Once the Qasa Cruz Pass (4100 m) past we will go to the community of Huacahuasi (3800 m). With this community you will have the opportunity to share a unique and authentic moment by learning more about their culture, customs, traditions and their daily lives. We will set up the camp near the community where you can explore the surroundings if the desire and time allow you.
Day 4: Huaca Wasi - Ipsaycocha pass - Patacancha - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Another beautiful day thanks to the different biodiversity that we will encounter on the Ipsaycocha Pass (4350 m), which will take us 4 hours to reach. To join it, we will pass by several communities, where we will be able to observe the Andean farmers and their experience in the culture of the land and their rustic and authentically Andean house. Farmers have a great deal of knowledge about nature and old farming habits, as well as expertise on old textile methods filled with colors inspired by Andean gods and symbols. After this pass, we will go to the village of Patacancha (3750 m), where our bus will be waiting to take us to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo (2700 m). From there you will experience the incredible train experience to Aguas Calientes with an outstanding panoramic view. The night will be in a hotel, comfortable, in the city of Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
We will leave the hotel, after breakfast, at 5:30 to go to Machu Picchu (2400 m) with a tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour around the archaeological site, about the life and culture of the Incas, you will have enough free time to explore Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750 m) at your own pace. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train. In the meantime you will have time to have a lunch at Machu Picchu in the Sanctuary Lodge restaurant (optional) and enjoy the hot baths of the city of Aguas Calientes to relax and give you a 5-day walk.
About the guide
IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide from Peru.
He was born in 1960 in Huaraz / Peru. With his 15th Age he learned the world of trekking and mountaineering know by he accompanied his father on trips with his clients.
To this day he is still working as a mountain guide and tour operator. For many years he was able to acquire a lot of knowledge about the mountains, making it one of the most experienced certified mountain guides.
He runs a family travel agency based in Huaraz, which was founded by his father, and is now managed by Juventino and his son, Eric.
What people are saying about Juventino Martin Albino Caldua
Tony Hoffman
5.00
September 2020
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Norbert from Austria
5.00
June 2019
There were bad conditions for the first mountain we wanted to climb, so we had to search for other mountain, which was possible to climb with the bad conditions. NO PROBLEM for Eric and his team. Eric made within 1 day another program for the following 2 weeks. I really want to say \"thank you for this expedition\". I enjoyed the whole trip/expedition, because of his professional competence. Hope we see us soon!
Emmet
5.00
June 2019
Eric and Juventino are family and they treat each one of their clients as family. It\'s truly a fun time being out in the mountains with them! I did with them many tours throughout Cordillera Blanca, Including Pisco, Chopicalqui and all of the lakes.
Veronika
5.00
June 2018
I can warmly recommend Eric and his company Peru Expeditions Tours. Eric and his team are very professional. They speak fluent English and Eric speaks German. They answered very quickly to questions before the trip. Eric helped me to organize an excursion to the high camp of Alpamayo. He also helped me to rent the right equipment. I also enjoyed ten fantastic days trekking Cordillera Huayhuash and climbing Nevado Pumarinri (5465 m) and Nevado Diablo Mudo (5350 m) with Eric and his team. The organization and the equipment (tents etc.) of the trekking were perfect and the team surprised me with a birthday cake at the Cashpapampau Camp (at 4500 meters) and they also prepared delicious vegetarian food for me on the hike. After Huayhuash we climbed Mount Tocllaraju (6034 HM), organized by Eric and Peru Expeditions Tours. All the guides who work for Eric are local people with a lot of experience and education in the mountains, they speak perfect English and try to do everything to make the clients happy! Thanks to Peru Expeditions Tours I really enjoyed the time in the mountains around Huaraz. I am looking forward to more treks and climbing with you in the future!
John Farris
5.00
May 2018
5 star guide. Nothing but the best.
Nicole et Catherine
5.00
April 2017
A very, very sympathic guide, who knows all the secrets of the places and itinerarys the most beautiful ; organization top ; food excellent too ; marvellous souvenirs.
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The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.