Experience the beauty and culture of the Andes in solitude on the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with TreXperience Peru. This off-the-beaten-path trek takes you far from the crowds and into the heart of traditional Andean communities, where you'll have the chance to meet and interact with local villagers, learn about their culture and traditions, hike alongside llamas and alpacas, and even visit a local school.
As a 100% local tour operator based in Cusco, TreXperience Peru is dedicated to maximizing the positive effects of tourism on local communities and the environment. They offer unique, cultural experiences that add a special touch to iconic adventures around Peru, creating truly memorable experiences for travelers.
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is no exception. After 45 km (27 miles) of hiking, you'll finish your journey by spending an unforgettable day exploring the iconic site of Machu Picchu. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Andes and learn about the rich culture of the region. Book your trip with TreXperience Peru now and create memories that will last a lifetime.
You will depart Cusco at 4:30 am by van to the famous Lares thermo-medicinal baths – arriving around 8:00 am. You will have time to jump straight into the medicinal pools with different temperatures good for bones, muscles, stress, and relax with the mountain’s beautiful views. Then you will have an energizing breakfast prepared by your trekking chef.
The adventure starts with a 4-hour hike to Cuncani Village, where we enjoy a fresh lunch prepared with local products. After lunch, we continue hiking for 3 hours, passing beautiful Andean lakes, waterfalls, and amazing views of the mountains until we reach Kiswarani village. Upon reaching our campsite, your tents and a hot cup of tea will be waiting for you.
Campsite Altitude: 3880 m/ 12730 ft
Trekking distance: 17 km/10 miles
Duration: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping under million stars
Difficulty: Moderate
Wake up bright and early with a cup of coffee or tea, then start packing for the most challenging day of the Lares trek. After breakfast, you will begin a 4-hour hike uphill to the Condor Pass’s highest point (4700 m / 15354 ft). Along the way, you will be able to enjoy beautiful lakes where Wallatas (Andean geese or ‘lovebirds’) swim in crystal clear waters. Upon arrival at the summit of Condor Pass, we will serve you a well-deserved cup of coca-tea, and you can take some time to rest while your tour guide performs a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred mountains. Then, it’s a 2-hour descent from the top of the mountain down to the valley, where lunch is served.
After lunch, you will continue downhill for 2 more hours to Canchacancha village through the breathtaking scenery. Upon arrival, your tents will be ready with a hot drink to enjoy the view of the mountains. You will have time to interact and walk around the village, observe llamas and alpacas, visit a local school; you can even teach some English and learn Quechua from them as well.
Campsite Altitude: 3750 m / 12303 ft
Highest altitude: 4700 m / 15354 ft
Distance: 16 km/ 9.9 miles
Duration: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Start the day with a beautiful view of the mountains and a delicious breakfast, then prepare yourself for the final 4-hour downhill into the Sacred Valley from the highlands. First, you will say goodbye to the last remaining village, still practicing Inca traditions, isolated from modern technologies. Along the way, you can observe different types of ecosystems – from the colder highlands, where only potatoes are grown, to the fertile soils of the sacred valley, where maize is the main product.
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu concludes in a small town called Huaran (2700 m / 8856 ft), and from here, a private bus will drive you to Salineras and Ollantaytambo; “Last Living Incan City.” Or as it is sometimes known, the “World Capital of the Native American.” You will take some time to explore these ancient streets and the water channel that has been in use since Inca time. Dinner in a local restaurant in Ollantaytambo before catching the 7:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
Campsite Altitude: 2700m / 8856 ft
Highest altitude: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft
Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
Duration: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Difficulty: Easy
Enjoy the final day by waking early in your hotel, having breakfast, and taking the first buses up to Machu Picchu to watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. The tour guide will offer an extra hike before starting the citadel’s 2-3 hours guided tour.
The guide will take you to the most important places and explain the history, mysteries, and incredible Inca technology used to build Machu Picchu. Later you will have time to Explore by yourself or take the extra hikes like Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu both mountains have to be booked in advance. Once you are done with the citadel, you need to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the exclusive panoramic trains to return to Ollantaytambo and private van to Cusco. Drop is back at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft
Distance: 6km / 3 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy
Orientation briefing the day before the tour at 6:00 pm in our office
Pick up from your hotel on the morning of the tour.
All transportation during the duration of the Trek
Duffle bag up to 7 kilos for your stuff carried by horses
Professional, highly trained mountain tour guides
Experienced chefs, porters, and horsemen
Pachamanca Cooking demonstration
Two nights camping in the mountains with comfortable equipment
One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
All meals during the Trek with local organic ingredients
Entrance ticket to Lares, Salineras, and Machu Picchu
Buses up and down to Machu Picchu
Panoramic train on the way back to Cusco
Sleeping bags, air mattresses, or trekking poles
Last day Lunch
Huayna Picchu Mountain or Montaña Machu Picchu entrances
Tips for porters, chefs, guides
There is a $200 non-refundable and non-transferable fee; however, in case of travel restrictions that might prevent you from traveling, you will be able to transfer those funds to a future date with no fees. All date changes or cancellations must be requested until 48 hours before the tour departure date without fees.
Please note that this benefit is only applicable when travel restrictions related to Covid 19 or similar force majeure events prevent you from traveling to Peru.
Our flexibility policy allows all bookings to cancel and change the departure dates with no added costs for tours scheduled at any time in the future. Please note that with this policy, $200 is non-refundable; however, you can change the travel dates and even pass this credit on to a friend or relatives when travel restrictions exist. This wayyou don't lose your deposit.
To benefit from this policy, you must change your departure dates or advice the cancellation 48 hours before the tour departure date. After 48 hours, the full payment is non-refundable.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
All rooms are standard twin (two single beds) rooms with private facilities. We can arrange double-bed rooms on request. Hotel upgrades are available. Please let us know in advance of any upgrades / special requests so we can arrange this for you. A single supplement is applicable for single occupancy.
GROUP SIZE.
For group tours, we have 8 travelers with 1 tour guide; if there are 9 travelers or more, we will assign a second tour guide. The maximum group size is 16 people per group on the Inca Trail. We require a minimum of 2 travelers to depart. We can accommodate the group size as per guest requirements for private tours.
TIPPING:
Tipping in Peru is entirely voluntary. Tipping guidelines are provided with your final travel documents during your tour briefing, held the day before your tour.
OUR GUESTS DURING THE TOURS
Return Train tickets from Machu Picchu are subject to availability. After the tour, the arrival time back to your hotel depends on train availability. We reserve the right to book the most convenient trains for the group. If you must take earlier or later specific trains, please advise via email in advance, and extra charges might apply.
While on the tours, you must strictly follow the tour guides' instructions. All Inca sites and places we visit have restrictions and need to be followed. If you have issues with the tours, please report to your guide or office staff to solve any problems.
If you cannot continue your trekking trips due to illness or injuries, we will help you return to the nearest medical center or your hotel. The traveler must cover helicopter airlifts, transportation, and medical expenses. However, we will provide you with a certificate to help you with your insurance company. Travel insurance is not mandatory, but we recommend buying one for your trip.
We reserve the right to cancel, modify or reschedule the tour in case of bad weather conditions, catastrophes, strikes, or injuries during the trips. In this case, the standard terms and conditions will apply.
Our Group tours start with 2 people and a maximum of 16 people with 2 tour guides. A third guide will be provided if the groups are bigger than 16. Group tours are open to everybody. By booking a group tour, you agree to travel with other travelers of different ages, countries, and speeds. Tours can be canceled if the minimum of 2 is not met.
All our tour guides are fluent in English and native Spanish speakers. All our tours are done in English unless special requests are in advance.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
Embarking on an adventure, such as the tours we offer, may involve the risk of illness or injury caused by forces of nature, animals, insects, and flora. By booking your trip, you acknowledge these risks and apply to participate voluntarily.
LIABILITY:
Liability to the Guests is limited to the guest's total amount of money paid. We will be in no way liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage suffered by the Guest except as expressly provided in these erms.
Locally Owned Business
Discover the unparalleled beauty of Peru with TreXperience, a visionary tour operator handpicked by Lokal for its extraordinary blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and commitment to sustainability. Established in 2016 in the heart of Cusco, TreXperience se