5 Days - 4 Night

5-DAY LARES TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

ALTERNATIVE TREKS - LARES TREK

5 Days - 4 Night Duration

Maximum 15 paxs Group size

Hike - Cultural Tipo de servicio

Bus - Walk Transporte

Cusco Altitude: 3400 masl | Altitude Machu Picchu: 2430 masl Maximum altitude

Lugares a visitar: Lares Trek

The 5-Day Lares Trek from Cusco is a trekking experience that allows us to discover the landscapes of the Andes through mountains, Andean communities, and trails surrounded by nature. Over five days, we’ll explore different areas of the Lares Valley, cross high-altitude passes, and enjoy breathtaking views of the high-Andean landscapes before reaching Machu Picchu.

The adventure begins in Cusco and continues toward Huaran, where we’ll begin our hike after meeting the support team. The route will take us to Canchacancha and then to Acopata, where we’ll spend our first night at an elevation of over 4,000 m.a.s.l. The following day, we’ll take on one of the route’s greatest challenges: the ascent to Pachacútec Pass, located at 4,700 m.a.s.l.

The experience will continue toward Quishuarani, Kallaqasa Pass, and Cuncani, crossing different mountain landscapes and visiting Andean communities along the way. Finally, we’ll reach the Lares hot springs to enjoy some time to relax before continuing toward Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. The journey will culminate with a visit to Machu Picchu and our return to Cusco.

Hospedaje: CAMPING

Horario de partida: 04:30 AM

Dificultad: Moderate / Hard

Horario de retorno: 6:30 PM

5-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu: An Adventure Through Mountains, Andean Communities, and Hot Springs

The 5-Day Lares Trek is an excellent alternative for travelers who want to enjoy a trekking experience through the Andes before visiting one of Peru’s most important wonders. The route combines hikes through high-altitude areas, natural landscapes, and opportunities to connect with different aspects of traditional Andean life.

One of the most challenging moments will be the ascent to Pachacútec Pass, at 4,700 m.a.s.l., where we’ll enjoy expansive views of the surrounding mountains. The route will also take us across Kallaqasa Pass, at 4,450 m.a.s.l., before descending toward Cuncani.

In addition to the mountain adventure, this experience includes a visit to the Lares hot springs, where we’ll have time to relax. We’ll then continue toward Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, preparing for the highlight of the journey: visiting Machu Picchu.

Tour Highlights

Trekking through the natural landscapes of the Lares Valley.
Ascend to Pachacútec Pass, located at 4,700 m.a.s.l.
Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and high-Andean landscapes.
Visit Kallaqasa Pass at 4,450 m.a.s.l.
Explore traditional Andean communities and landscapes.
Experience hiking through different ecological zones.
Visit the Lares hot springs.
Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Visit the Machu Picchu citadel.
Return to Cusco after completing the experience.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Cusco – Huaran – Canchacancha – Acopata

We’ll depart early from Cusco by tourist transportation toward Calca, where we’ll have the opportunity to purchase any necessary items before continuing to Huaran, located at 3,000 m.a.s.l. From here, we’ll begin our hike and meet the support team that will accompany us throughout the route. We’ll ascend toward Canchacancha, enjoying the Andean flora, fauna, and landscapes, until reaching Acopata in the afternoon, where we’ll set up our campsite at 4,150 m.a.s.l.

Day 2: Acopata – Pachacútec Pass – Quishuarani

After breakfast, prepared with local ingredients, we’ll begin one of the most challenging days of the journey. We’ll gradually ascend until reaching Pachacútec Pass, at 4,700 m.a.s.l., where we’ll enjoy impressive panoramic views of Qolqe Cruz. After completing the hike and having lunch, we’ll continue our descent toward Quishuarani, located at 3,950 m.a.s.l., where we’ll spend the night at our campsite.

Day 3: Quishuarani – Kallaqasa Pass – Cuncani

After breakfast, we’ll resume our adventure through the Andean landscapes along the route. We’ll ascend to Kallaqasa Pass, at 4,450 m.a.s.l., where we’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Cuncani Valley. We’ll then continue toward the community of Cuncani, located at 3,900 m.a.s.l., where we’ll set up our campsite. During the night, we’ll be able to admire the Andean sky and enjoy the beauty of the constellations and the Milky Way.

Day 4: Cuncani – Lares Hot Springs – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

After a restful night, we’ll begin our descent from Cuncani toward the Lares hot springs, located at 3,120 m.a.s.l. We’ll have free time to relax and enjoy this peaceful setting before continuing our journey. We’ll then take transportation to Ollantaytambo, located at 2,792 m.a.s.l., where we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes, located at 2,040 m.a.s.l. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our hotel and rest before visiting Machu Picchu.

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

In the morning, we’ll take the bus to the Machu Picchu citadel. After passing through the entrance checkpoint, we’ll begin our visit by ascending to the upper section of the archaeological site to reach the Guardhouse, one of the most famous viewpoints for capturing the classic Machu Picchu photograph. During the tour, we’ll explore important areas of the citadel, including the Main Plaza, Sundial, Royal Quarters, Intihuatana, Temple of the Three Windows, and Temple of the Condor, among others. We’ll then return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo and continue by tourist transportation to Cusco.

Why Book with Us?

At Peru Top Experience, we focus on providing an organized experience with support throughout every stage of the journey. Our team is prepared to guide you during the trek and help you enjoy the different landscapes, communities, and attractions along the route.

The 5-Day Lares Trek from Cusco combines adventure, nature, and Andean culture in a single journey, taking you through high-altitude areas and unique landscapes before reaching the Lares hot springs, Aguas Calientes, and finally Machu Picchu.

With Peru Top Experience, you can enjoy this experience in an organized way, making the most of every stage of the journey and ending your adventure with a visit to one of the most breathtaking wonders in the world.

Day 1: Cusco to Quishuarani

A two-hour panoramic trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas will take you to the beginning of this lares trail peru, in the small town of Totora. You follow an ancient Inca trail in a narrow canyon, where the Inca tombs perch on the cliffs. Leaving the canyon, you will pass through small rural communities before leaving for a delicious country lunch. Then, your bus will take you to the small and very traditional community of Quishuarani, your overnight camp (3700 m / 12,140 feet).

Day 2: Quishuarani to Huacahuasi

This is an awesome day of hiking. You leave the camp and pass by colored dressed locals, to the native forests where Andean deers, vizcachas and several rare bird species live; they are essential for the future of this area.

One more effort and you will reach the breathtaking views from the highest spot of the hike, the Huchayccasa pass (4450 m / 14600 feet). A chain of emerald blue lakes fills the hillside below you, and in the distance the snow-capped mountains of Urubamba rise. Going down through hand-turned potato fields, you reach the old community of Cuncani (3800m / 12.4600ft).

After a tasty lunch, continue along the valley floor until you reach the notorious town of Huacahuasi. Once home to bandits and cattle thieves, it is now a quiet place to spend the night. Surely they will be visited by local women who sell hand-woven fabrics for which the area is famous and entertained by the cheerful local children who accompany it while walking.

Day 3: Huacahuasi to Patacancha

Another great day awaits you on this 5-Day Lares Trail to Machu Picchu. After a good breakfast, you begin to climb gently towards your last step. This is a day full of encounters with the locals. Men with strong legs are heading to work in potato fields, with wooden plows hanging on their shoulders. Hard-handed women sit; extended legs weaving their traditional clothes on wooden looms. And young children sit still watching herds of alpaca and llama, with their always faithful dog by their side.

From your camp you start towards the final step. Located at 4,200 m / 13,780 feet, the Ipsaycocha Pass marks the border between Lares and the Patacancha Valley. You start carefully and then climb a last steep section to win the top. If you are lucky, you will have spectacular views of Mount Veronica. Have lunch next to the beautiful Ipsay Lake and then follow an old path to the Patacancha Valley and its final camp.

Day 4: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

It begins with a short but sharp climb to the impressive and little known ruins of Pumamarca. After visiting this extensive site, take an Inca trail along ancient terraces, before touring the eucalyptus forests to the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo.

Enjoy lunch before exploring this charming town. This was the site of the last battle between the Incas and the Spanish before the remaining Inca rebels fled to the jungles of Vilcabamba. The presence of the Incas is still evident, since most of the houses still contain Inca stone and local women still wash their clothes in the old Inca canals that cross the town. In the afternoon, you will take the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo and your hotel for the night.

Day 5: Machu Picchu Tour and Return to Cusco

This day you are going to explore Machu Picchu with your tour guide before the crowds arrive. Then there is time to walk to the Inca Bridge, or just wander through the ruins soaking up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon, you will take the train to Ollantaytambo and then have a car ride back to Cusco. End of our 5-Day Lares Trail to Machu Picchu

Transport.
Transportation from the hotel to the Lares Valley.
Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Tourist train Aguas Calientes-Cusco / Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
Entrance to the thermal baths in the Lares valley.
Entrance to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Hotel room with private bathroom in Aguas Calientes (Tourist Category).
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish / English).
High quality camping equipment (professional tents: Doite Cima 4, extralight-4,5kg for 2 people), mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, bath tent.
Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks / vegetarian option).
Cooking and cooking equipment.
Rider and mules, for all camping and personal equipment (up to 7 kg).
Emergency horse (minimum 2 people).
First aid kit, including oxygen bottle.

Breakfast on the first day and last lunch of the day in Aguas Calientes.
Sleeping bag (if you don’t have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting it).
Lodging in Cusco.
Entrance to Huaynapicchu
Tips

HUAYNAPICCHU MOUNTAIN: Spaces are just as special and limited ($80.00 dollars).
PAIR OF POLES: Will help during the hike for support points ($15.00 dollars)
SLEEPING BAG: Lighten the weight in our luggage from home ($25.00 dollars)
ADDITIONAL CARRIER: Can carry the personal luggage we designate ($150.00 dollars - 7kg)
VISTADOME SERVICE: In case we are looking for a more complete experience, this is the ideal option. The Vistadome service has a panoramic view on the train ride section that is a fact that we will enjoy 200%.
Additional price:
- Return only: $40.00 dollars per participant.
LUNCH SERVICE: We can also add this service and schedule it for after the guided tour in Machupicchu. It has a price of $10.00 dollars per person (Tourist Menu).

Tickets issued by the agency (Entrance ticket, buses, trains and others).
Identity document (ID card or passport).
Daypack and personal equipment:
Hat and sunglasses.
Mosquito repellent.
Light clothing during the day
Warm clothes for the night.
Water in canteen
Cash for personal purchases.
Camera
Rain poncho (Recommended for rainy season).

What are the best months to do the 5-Day Lares Trail to Machu Picchu?

The best months to visit lares peru are during the dry season, from April to October. Outside these months, it is possible that some of the high steps along the walk are blocked by snow, so we only offer this walk from April to October.

Can I have vegetarian meals in the lares trail to machu picchu?

Our chefs can provide vegetarian meals without problem. Just let us know your dietary needs when you book your trek.

What do I need to take on the lares peru?

Backpack, sleeping bag, double thick foam mattress (we will provide it), raincoat, sturdy footwear, a complete change of clothes, sweater, jacket (somewhat warm), water bottle and sterilizing tablets. (Micropur is recommended and can be purchased at local pharmacies in Cusco), flashlight and batteries, wide-brimmed or capped cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries and toilet paper, selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruits , cookies, etc., camera and spare batteries (nowhere to charge your camera during the walk). For your own personal hygiene, we also recommend that you bring a small bottle of antiseptic / antibacterial hand gel to clean your hands every time you use camp bathrooms and before eating snacks or meals. You also have to bring your original passport with you on the walk, with the same passport number with which you originally made your reservation, otherwise you will not be able to continue the walk.

Can I use trekking poles / walking sticks for lares trail peru?

Yes, many people like to walk with trekking poles or canes. Unlike the Inca Trail, there are no restrictions on the use of trekking poles. Metal trekking poles and wooden poles can be purchased in Cusco. Metal poles can also be rented at many equipment rental stores in Cusco for approximately US3 per day or you can rent it with us.

Are there bathrooms on the 5-Day Lares Trail to Machu Picchu?

We will take a bath tent with us on the walk.

If I travel alone, can I have my own tent?

If you travel alone and are willing to share a tent with a member of the same sex, then there is no additional cost. However, if you want your own tent, then there is an additional supplement of US $ 25.