4 Days
Daily Tour
9 people
English, Espanol, Francais
This 4-day trek from the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu offers an unforgettable adventure. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks of the Andean mountain range.
You’ll have the opportunity to visit various local communities, sharing unique moments with the villagers, learning about their traditions and customs, and witnessing firsthand how they live in rural parts of the world. After this enriching journey, you’ll reach your ultimate destination, the world-renowned wonder, Machu Picchu. Here, you’ll explore the historic sanctuary, bringing your incredible journey to a memorable close.
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM to begin our journey toward the Sacred Valley. After an hour of travel, we’ll stop at a viewpoint to capture panoramic photos of the valley, where your guide will provide a brief overview of the area. We will then continue to the town of Calca, where we’ll make a short stop to visit the local market, known for its traditional products. Afterward, we’ll resume our journey, driving for another two hours until we reach the town of Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), the starting point of our trek. Here, we’ll introduce you to our team members, including our chef and muleteer, who will accompany us on this adventure. Before beginning the trek, we have the chance to visit the Lares thermal baths, where you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm waters, which range in temperature from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F). After enjoying the thermal baths, we will embark on our trek, starting with a gentle two-hour walk across flat terrain, allowing us to acclimate to the altitude. We’ll arrive at the Vilcabamba Bridge, where our team will have prepared a delicious lunch for us. After lunch, we’ll take a short break before continuing the hike for another three hours until we reach the village of Wacahuasi (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Along the way, you’ll encounter children from nearby communities dressed in traditional clothing, warmly welcoming us to the Lares Valley. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with and support the local people. Wacahuasi will be our first campsite, where temperatures can drop as low as -5°C (23°F) at night. We recommend bringing warm clothing to stay comfortable. After settling into our tents and exploring the village, we’ll have tea time, an ideal moment to share experiences and hear from our guide about the customs and traditions of this small community. Later, we will enjoy dinner before heading to bed, ready for the next day’s adventure. Estimated walking time: 4 to 5 hours. Total distance: 11 km Camp altitude: 3,750 meters above sea level.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will start our hike at 7:00 AM, offering spectacular views of the Andes Mountains. We will ascend for about 3 hours to reach Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m / 15,242 ft.), which provides a rewarding panorama of the valleys, snow-capped peaks, and the Aruray Cocha Lake. Along the way, we might spot native bird species like Cara Cara and ducks, as well as local wildlife such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. From Sacsallaully Pass, we will descend to the two lakes known as Aruraycocha and Yuraccocha, surrounded by the Queuña forests (a tree species revered by the Incas). Near one of the lakes, we will have our Andean lunch with stunning views. During the next two hours of our hike, as we make our way to Mantanay, our second campsite (3,850 m / 12,631 ft.), we will experience a dramatic change in the landscape. The descent takes us through a picturesque Queuña valley, offering ample opportunities to photograph the Andean flora. Upon reaching our campsite, we can relax and share stories from the day. We will conclude with tea time and a delicious dinner. Estimated Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours Total Distance: 15 km Campsite Altitude: 3,850 m above sea level
This day will be the easiest of the trek. We’ll start the day a bit later, packing our belongings at a leisurely pace before having breakfast. After saying goodbye to our support team (chef and muleteer), we will begin our descent, which takes about 1 hour, reaching the village of Yanahuara (2,850 m / 9,350 ft). This village has a temperate climate and supplies food products to Cusco. From here, we’ll take a 15-minute drive to Ollantaytambo (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), a living Inca town known for its well-preserved Inca architecture and narrow, picturesque streets. We will also have the chance to visit the local artisan market and learn about the customs and traditions of this community. After lunch, we will board the train at 12:58 PM for a journey of approximately 2 hours to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 7,000 ft). Upon arrival, our guide will take you to your hotel and provide information about afternoon activities, such as visiting the thermal baths or exploring the local artisan market. In the evening, we will enjoy our final dinner together and review the details and recommendations for our tour to Machu Picchu the next day. Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour Total Distance: 3 km Altitude of Accommodation: 2,000 m above sea level
Early in the morning, after breakfast (around 5:00 AM), we will start our ascent with a 1-hour hike to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This early start allows us to be among the first groups to enter the Inca city, providing an opportunity to experience the majestic sunrise. Afterward, we will have a guided tour of the most important temples and palaces within Machu Picchu for approximately 2 hours. Following the tour, you will have time to explore the mysterious Inca city on your own. (Optionally, you can hike Huayna Picchu for an additional fee of $70 USD per person.) At the appropriate time, we will descend from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to catch our train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a vehicle will take us back to Cusco. We expect to arrive in Cusco around 8:00 PM, at which point we will provide transfers to your respective hotels.
The Lares to Machu Picchu tour is a 4-day trekking adventure that begins in the Lares Valley and ends at the iconic Machu Picchu. It includes hiking through diverse landscapes, visiting local communities, and exploring the ancient Incan city.
The tour package includes transportation from Cusco to Lares, professional bilingual guides, meals throughout the trek, camping equipment, entrance fees to Machu Picchu, and train transport from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back to Cusco.
The trek is moderately challenging. While no prior trekking experience is required, it is recommended to have a basic level of physical fitness due to daily hikes and varying altitudes.
Bring comfortable trekking shoes, layered clothing, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle. A small daypack is also useful for carrying essentials.
There are no specific age restrictions, but participants should be in good health and able to handle physical activity. Children and seniors are welcome if they are physically prepared for the trek.
Yes, you can visit the thermal baths in Lares as part of the tour. The thermal baths provide a relaxing break and are a great way to unwind after the day’s hike.
The tour includes nutritious and varied meals, such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, prepared by a professional chef. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.
You will camp in double tents with capacity for 3 people. The campsites are equipped with sleeping mats, chairs, and dining tents. A porter will carry your gear, so you only need to carry a small daypack.
InkaNet Adventure offers expert-guided treks with a focus on safety, comfort, and cultural immersion. Our experienced team, quality equipment, and personalized service ensure a memorable and hassle-free experience.
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