The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a breathtaking 4-day, 3-night journey through the scenic highlands of Huaran, offering a truly authentic Andean experience. Unlike the more popular Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek, this lesser-traveled route takes you through remote villages, where you’ll witness traditional Andean culture untouched by modern tourism.
This trek provides a deep connection to the Andean way of life, allowing you to experience local customs, centuries-old farming techniques, and the warm hospitality of the indigenous communities. As you hike through terraced valleys, past snow-capped peaks, and alongside crystal-clear lakes, you’ll be immersed in the breathtaking beauty of the Peruvian Andes.
Following the paths of the Inca descendants, you’ll visit the villages of Cancha Cancha, Quishuarani, Cuncani, and Lares, known for its therapeutic hot springs. Throughout the journey, you’ll see local farmers tending their land with traditional tools, herding llamas and alpacas under the watchful gaze of the sacred Apus—the revered mountain gods of the Andes.
The final leg of your adventure takes you by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, a scenic ride lasting approximately two hours. After a restful night at your hotel, you’ll wake up for the highlight of your journey: Machu Picchu. Explore this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site before returning to Cusco in the afternoon, completing an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Andes.
Your Are Our Priority: you invest your valuable time, your hard-hearned money, and much more. in return, Machupicchu Trekking rewards you with precious memories, cross-cultural sharing, an expanded Inca world vision and much more.
Enjoy Peace Of Mind With The Experts: we bring 8 years of expertise to the fore, and when you choose Machupicchu Trekking, you can rest assured knowing that you are traveling with the leader in treks to Machu Picchu.
Experienced Guides: All of our guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience. They are professional, each is well-versed in local history and culture, and all have a deep love and respect for mother nature and her mountains. Most importantly they are caring people who put your safety, comfort and needs above all.
Personal Safety: All of our guides are certified in high mountain first aid training. They always carry a first aid kit on our treks (including pills for altitude sickness, diarrhea, vomiting, cuts, and cream for muscle aches). They also carry extra oxygen in cases of emergency.
We Provide: an oxygen tank & a first aid kit.
Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with most issues clients have on the mountain. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe.
Food During The Walk: Our chefs are trained and use fresh products to provide the best Peruvian food. We have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Door to Door Service: We pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or Airbnb, ensuring you are never stranded before or after your hike.
Punctual payment: our staff such as guides, porters, muleteers, drivers and cooks receive their salary as soon as they finish their work, our staff are obviously well cared for with Machupicchu Trekking.
Direct Operators: We are a 100% locally owned tour company and a licensed direct operator of the Inca Trail. Our office is two blocks from Cusco's Central Plaza.
Your Andean mountain adventure through the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu begins early with a 5:00 AM hotel pickup. In just 1 hour and 20 minutes, we’ll arrive at the breathtaking Pisac Inca Citadel, one of the most significant archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. Enjoy an exclusive, crowd-free visit as the morning sun illuminates these ancient ruins. Your expert guide will share the rich history of Pisac, highlighting its importance before and during the Inca Empire.
After exploring the citadel, we’ll experience an authentic cultural immersion with a home-hosted breakfast at a local Andean family’s home. Savor a delicious, traditional breakfast while engaging in a lively exchange about Andean traditions and daily life. This nourishing meal will prepare you for the adventure ahead.
We’ll then drive 45 minutes to Huaran, where you’ll meet your horsemen and pack horses, who will accompany us on this unforgettable journey. After gearing up, we’ll begin a 3-hour ascent towards Cancha Cancha, one of the most remote and traditional villages in the Andes. Along the way, we’ll stop beside a picturesque river for a well-deserved lunch prepared by our trekking chef, replenishing your energy with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Arriving at Cancha Cancha (3,900m / 12,800ft), you’ll step into a world untouched by modern roads, where the community continues to live as their ancestors did for centuries. After settling into your tents and enjoying afternoon tea, you’ll visit a local family to learn about traditional Andean life, with your guide serving as an interpreter. In the evening, after a delicious home-cooked dinner, your guide will introduce you to the Inca constellations, which the locals still use for agricultural guidance—a timeless tradition passed down through generations.
Wake up to a warm cup of coca tea or coffee, delivered to your tent for a refreshing start to the day. After a nourishing Andean breakfast, we embark on a 7-hour trek northeast, ascending through breathtaking high-altitude landscapes.
The day begins with a challenging climb towards the highest point of our journey: Pachacutec Pass (4,500m / 14,800ft). As you conquer this summit, take a moment to soak in the sense of achievement and admire the spectacular panoramic views of the Andean glaciers, alpine lakes, and rugged valleys. Along the way, you’ll pass herds of alpacas and llamas, while majestic Caracara falcons and Andean geese soar above.
After celebrating the summit, we begin a 3-hour descent towards our campsite near the Quiswarani community (3,700m / 12,139ft). This secluded trail takes us through untouched Andean villages, where locals in traditional Quechua attire can be seen herding their llamas and alpacas. Here, you’ll experience an authentic cultural exchange as the indigenous highland people welcome you with open hearts. With your guide as an interpreter, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn basic Quechua phrases, connecting with the locals in their ancestral language.
Just before reaching the campsite, you’ll pass the stunning Seven Waterfalls, a mesmerizing natural wonder that signals you’re almost there!
Upon arrival, everything will be ready for you—hot drinks and appetizers await before dinner. After a hearty meal, settle into your tent for a peaceful night’s sleep, surrounded by the tranquility of the Andes.
Your adventure continues with what promises to be the most scenic day of the trek! We begin with a 3-hour ascent to the breathtaking Willqaqasa Pass (4,200m / 13,779ft), where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of glacial lakes reflecting the surrounding Andean peaks like a mirror. From this vantage point, you can admire the majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains, standing tall against the endless sky.
As we continue our trek, we pass through high-altitude Puna grasslands, fertile agricultural lands, and pristine mountain lakes, all while enjoying the fresh Andean air. We then begin a 2-hour descent to the Cuncani community, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to interact with local indigenous children. Depending on the timing, we may even visit their school, sharing a special moment of cultural exchange.
From Cuncani, we meet our driver and begin our descent through a lush Andean valley, passing fruit-bearing trees, vibrant flora, and beautiful native flowers like wild orchids and begonias. Our destination is the famous Lares Hot Springs (3,100m / 10,170ft)—the perfect place to relax and unwind. Soak in the therapeutic volcanic hot springs for an hour, easing your muscles while taking in the tranquil surroundings. Here, we’ll also enjoy a well-deserved lunch before saying goodbye to our amazing chef and horsemen, who have been an essential part of this journey.
After lunch, we take our private transport for 2.5 hours to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll have dinner before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and rest for the exciting final day ahead!
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After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, arriving just in time to witness the magical sunrise over this ancient Inca citadel. This is a truly extraordinary experience you won’t want to miss! Your expert guide will lead you through a comprehensive 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu, covering all of the most important and iconic sites, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of the Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry, and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about the three distinct sectors of the site—agricultural, residential, and religious—which made Machu Picchu a thriving Inca city.
After the tour, those who have pre-booked the extra hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can explore these trails and take in the spectacular views from above. Once you’ve soaked in all the incredible sights, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time to enjoy some shopping, sightseeing, or even a visit to the Machu Picchu Museum or the hot springs.
Next, we board the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo, following the winding path of the Urubamba River. The journey offers breathtaking views of the narrow canyon, where the river’s whitewater rapids create stunning scenery. Along the way, look up high on the steep canyon walls for a glimpse of Wiñay Wayna, another incredible Inca site!
Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, your private driver will meet you at the train station and take you back to your hotel in Cusco. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00 PM, marking the end of this unforgettable adventure.
Acclimatize min. 2 days to the altitude of Cusco city before doing the walk. Thus, the symptoms of altitude sickness will be avoided.
Packing List.
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Classic Inca Trail
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by one of our team and taken to your hotel (private services). Please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to your arrival. Look for our representative holding an dark blue board Machupicchu Trekking Peru at the arrival terminal. You must exit the terminal, in order, to find our representative (they cannot enter inside).
Of course! During the Classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please only pack what you will need for the trek!
FIRST, To book your Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to complete the tour date and then our reservation form by clicking on BOOK THIS TOUR on our home page, after completing the form click on SENT YOU RESERVATION.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase to Machu Picchu permits and entrance tickets without the following information:
Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
Gender
Passport number
D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
Nationality
*** We require clear photos of each participants’ passport at the booking.
SECOND, we require a deposit of 50% per person in order to purchase a permit for the Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu. the fastest ways to send and receive money with fairly low fees, are through:
machupicchutrekking.pe@gmail.com
50% balance, to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay IN CASH at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATM within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by your CREDIT CARD but you will have to pay a 5% service fee, to the iZipay collection company.
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number, you sent to us to book your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu , the Inca Trail and when you board the train. In case, you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permit and we can change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.
What age range is suitable for this tour?
Usually the minimum age is 10 years old. From there there is no specific age limit, but the idea is that adolescents, young people, adults are in the appropriate physical shape for this adventure. In the case of older adults, it would be advisable to do a prior self-evaluation.
What is the best season to do the Lares trek to Machu Picchu?
The best time to go for a walk in good weather is between the months of April-October, since we have clear skies and smaller-scale river rainfall. The driest months are between June - August, which is winter in the Andes. January to March is summer in Peru, which means that the rainy season for Cusco and especially the Inca Trail and it is not advisable to travel at this time of year.
Weather in Lares:
Lares has two seasons during the year, the rainy season and the dry season.
The rainy season: This season covers the months of October to March, when the maximum temperature reaches 20 ° C and the minimum reaches 5 ° C.
The dry season: It comprises the months from March to October, this time of year for Lares reaches a maximum temperature of 21 ° C and the minimum temperature of 1 ° C.
NOTE: Rains and cold are present throughout the year, especially in the high areas of Lares.
Duffle Bag & Small Backpack
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of porters will carry your duffel bag, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you will need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters and animals. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad (foam or air). This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear..
What Happens if i am unable to finish the Trail?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to health reasons, Machupicchu Trekking Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on our treks for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance is required and recommended). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey towards Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
Are we dropped off at our hotel after the classic inca trail to machu picchu trek?
Absolutely!! Hotel pick ups and drop offs are included with all of our packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.
at what time is the train’s departure?
It will depend on the train availability but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco while on the train. Therefore, you will take the train at 14:55 or 15:20, depending on availability.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Machupicchu Trekking Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you want, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
The 4 days Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.
Groups of more than 5 members have a discount of $20 USD
Personal Porter (half) to carry 5kg of personal items is included in the price!
door to door sevices
$720 USD per person – 2 to 3 persons
$650 USD per person – 4 to 6 persons
$580 USD per person – 7 to 8 persons
$520 USD per person – + 9 persons
To book the 4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to make an initial payment of US$ 200 per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or at our Cusco office with any credit card.
DISCOUNTS
Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
It is important to acclimatize for at least 2 days and for this we recommend the following tours:
ALTERNATIVE TREK OPTIONS:
There are many hiking options to get to Machu Picchu.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Machupicchu Trekking Peru E.I.R.L. Tour operator travel agency, friendly with our customers. From the moment you contact us, during your stay and during the walk or tour, you will receive personalized advice and an unforgettable trip.
1.- Machupicchu Trekking Peru rates do not include:
In some locations, the services of a representative are not included, and, particularly if you have so requested, you may have only a driver who speaks a little English.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
The 50% down payment
Important: services, tours, treks and packages booked with Machupicchu Trekking Perú is non-refundable, but could be changed of date without any administration charge.
DEADLINE TO CHANGE TOUR DATE
Tour date changes will be subject to availability of income to the Inca Trail, Machupicchu and hotels, without any administration charge, in the following time frame:
Inca Trail – at the latest 20 days prior to the departure date.
Tour with hotel – at the latest 15 days prior to the departure date.
Tours without hotel – at the latest 10 days prior to the departure date.
Important: Third party administration fees have to be paid at the moment of the date change (airline fees, transport companies, hotels, partner agency charges & entrance fee)
• If the client wants to change the date tour within the days timeframe prior to departure, the client will be charged an Administration Fee.
DEADLINE OF CANCELLATION
** In case of cancellation due to a serious illness or another serious situation, the following procedures are applicable (situations will be judged at the discretion of the Machupicchu Trekking Perú reservations department):
In case of cancellation due to a serious illness or another serious situation (measured by the Machupicchu Trekking Perú reservations department), the following procedures are applicable:
Machupicchu Trekking Perú Travel Agency will refund the respective amount at the latest 30 days after the date it received the written cancellation statement, in most cases by wire transfer.
BOOKING AND PAYMENTS
FIRST.- To book your Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to complete the tour date and then our reservation form by clicking on BOOK THIS TOUR on our home page, after completing the form click on SENT YOU RESERVATION.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase to Machu Picchu permits and entrance tickets without the following information:
Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
Gender
Passport number
D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
Nationality
*** We require clear photos of each participants’ passport at the booking.
SECOND.- we require a deposit of 50% per person in order to purchase a permit for the Tour or Trek to Machu Picchu. the fastest ways to send and receive money with fairly low fees, are through:
machupicchutrekking.pe@gmail.com
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
50% balance, to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay IN CASH at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATM within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by your CREDIT CARD but you will have to pay a 5% service fee, to the iZipay collection company.
ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY FOR CHANGES
• There will be no cost of the Administrative Penalty in the date changes of a tour, walk or package in the indicated periods.
• Administrative fees charged by third parties such as (airlines, transport companies or associated providers, entrance fee) will be paid by the passenger, at the moment of the date chage.
The client will be charged an Administration Fee of US $20.00 Fee for all changes in bookings before the days frame time.
INSURANCE
We recommend that all customers obtain a travel or medical insurance policy in their home countries.
VISAS
PRIVACY POLICY
Machupicchu Trekking Perú Tour Operator is committed to maintaining your confidence and trust concerning the privacy of the personal information you give us and/or we collect from you. Your email address nor any other data will never be given to a third party.
COPYRIGHT
Machupicchu Trekking Perú Tour Operator reserves the right to use all possible photos taken during the passenger’s program unless the passenger refuses permission.
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