(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...2750m / 8920ft.
45km / 29 miles
4215m / 13,780ft.
Days 2 and 3 around 0º Celsius
Overall Difficulty
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most picturesque treks in Peru crossing passes over 4,000mt with breathtaking view of surrounding snow-capped peaks along the way. Lares lies to the east of the Urubamba range traversing part of the Sacred Valley. This alternative trek to the Inca Trail is highly recommended as the best trek after the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Lares Trek is rated moderate and similar to the Inca Trail.
Enjoy trekking this exciting route with hardly any tourist around visiting remote villages of many traditional weavers and farmers dressed in their colorful traditional wear, living every day in the extreme geography and altitude conditions of the Andes. Visit their thatched stone homes surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. Intermingle with them sharing their ancient culture and lifestyle as you pick up some words of Quechua.
We guarantee a unique and wonderful experience on the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.
At 5:00 am will pick you up from your hotel to transfer the group over to the sacred valley of the Incas to the beginning of the trek. On the way, we will pass by archaeological remains, Andean markets, cultivated Inca terraces and various small villages. Eventually we will arrive to the high point at Huacawasi (4450m), from that point it is all downhill to the beautiful Lares Valley (3250m), where we have time to enjoy the thermal hot springs. That is also where we will have our Lunch for the day meet the rest of our trek team- the team cook and the Llameros (Llama handlers), and the horses that will carry all the food, our backpacks, and the camping gear.
We will start the hike with a three hour uphill trek to Wacawasi, where we will set up our campsite. That afternoon we will have a good chance to meet some of the locals and see some of their typical artisan weaving on exhibition. We can even participate in some lessons about the ancient technique of their special textiles.
Early wake up and breakfast. Today is the longest and hardest day of the entire trek and we will be hiking between 7 to 8 hours. The first portion of the trekking will be uphill towards the immense pass, Abra Epsay (4480m). The climb is pretty hard with indescribable panoramic view of snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Chicon and surrounding by stunning landscape all around. At about the halfway point, we will stop for a lunch break. After resting for a bit we will continue, hiking past a number of small Andean communities. We will learn about their vast knowledge of natural agricultural techniques. After the pass we’ll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3720m). Set up the tents and time to explore around on your own.
Today is a much easier day. After an early breakfast we’ll walk downhill through a wide-open valley until we arrive at the village of willoc. The people from this area are known locally as “Huayruros” – the name of a red and black seed reminiscent of the colour of their ponchos. We’ll have a chance to view some textiles made by the people of this community – the high quality weavings are famous for their intricate designs reflecting aspects of their everyday lives and culture.. Our transport will be waiting for us to take us further down the valley to Inca town of Ollantaytambo where we will rest and have lunch. In the early afternoon we will catch a train to Aguas Calientes. This is a spectacular journey that starts in the Quechua highlands and slowly descends to lush tropical vegetation as we near Aguas Calientes. Total journey time about 1½ hours. We’ll spend the night in a hostal in Aguas Calientes where you’ll enjoy the opportunity to soak under the hot showers!! Early night.
Today we will wake up early to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Usually we use to get to Machu Picchu by 6am, so from this time we will be able to visit Machu Picchu before other hikers arrive here. Complete guided tour of this complex and then you have plenty of time to explore by yourself the whole site for about 3 hours and there is time as well to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain and get the best view over Machu Picchu.
We’ll all meet afterwards down in Aguas Calientes (2050m) where you can have lunch before taking the train back to Cusco. Arrival to your Hotel at 9 pm approx.
The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office or in your hotel (exact time will be confirmed on arrival to Cusco).
If you are interested in this tour or do you have any questions about it.
To reserve your spot on the trail with travel one expeditions, each person must pay a deposit of $200.00 and then pay the rest at our office in Cusco two days before your trek beings. To get the student discount, please send us a scan of both sides of your student card through email at the time you wish to reserve your spot. The only one Accepted by Peruvian Government is the International ISIC card.
To make your deposit, please pay through our Paypal account by clicking the “Pay Now” button below.
Instructions to send the warranty payment
Send your payment by:
1. Western Union you must send the payment with the name of our Agency Manager, please do not send the payment with other name.
With Western Union, you can send and get money quickly at any of our 117.000 agents or offices all over the world. Check on internet www.westernunion.com look for the nearest office of Western Union, ask for International sendings cashier, then you will get a form and you have to fill it in.
Complete the form.
Ensure you get the form to fill it in.
The payement is in american dollars and write the amount in letters.
Then write in numbers the amount you will send.
Copy the receptionist information as follows:
Do not forget to fill in your personal information. Pay to the cashier the amount you will send plus the charge of sending. You will be asked to display your identification. Once the deposit is done you will be given a bill that includes your MTCN: (Money Transfer Control Number).
Send us a mail indicating the amount you are sending and the MTCN, we will confirm the transference by e-mail info@traveloneexpeditions.com, traveloneexpeditions@gmail.com
Or by phone. (051-084-261631) then we will proceed to make all the payments.
We send an e-mail confirm the transference and re-confirm your reserves.
Huaynapicchu Climbing. – You need to book in advance too as the Inca trail because it has a limit capacity of 400 people per day which is divided in to 2 shifts. The first shift is at 7 am, and the second one at 10 am, each shift allows 200 people.
The climb is 50 minutes to an hour, it is a bit narrow but safe, the view of Machu picchu is breathtaking,The sun gate, Urubamaba valley and river.The Price is $70 us dollars.
