Day 1: Cusco – Pumahuanca – Sutoc
At the scheduled time travelers will be picked up from the hotel, we then drive through the Sacred Valley to arrive to the village of Pumahuanca which is the beginning point of our Lares trek. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys, covering about 04 hours of hiking we will stop at the village of Cuyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca ruin of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.
This particular route for the Lares trek to Machu Picchu is not commonly used by many other travel companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the valley without distractions or disturbance, only a few travelers visit the area, so there is a good chance to see the wildlife (hummingbirds and Chinchillas). after lunch the trail lead us through a dense vegetation until we reach the campsite for the night, at Sutoc (4100m / 13451ft); this will be the coldest night in the whole Lares trek , sometimes you can expect snow and frost during the dry season so warm clothes are definitely recommended.
- Overnight at camping.
- Meals: breakfast lunch and dinner.
- Distance to walk: 10 km
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
Day 2: Sutoc – Yanacocha – Cuncani
After breakfast we will set up from the campsite, 3 hours of slow hike will let us to arrive to the highest point of Lares trek, for many people this is the hardest section because the altitude but is the most spectacular day!; a magical feeling after you reached the highest point of the trek and surviving one the highest passes on this mountain range. After we enjoy all the wonderful and scenic views it’s time to head down to the village of Cuncani for approx. 3 hours. .
As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll see some snowcapped peaks high above us, beautiful mountain lakes (Yanacocha – Black lake) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. Hiking the Lares trek, we will experience the real Peruvian countryside, the people in this region are descending’s of the Incas so the culture is totally different from any other place in Peru. In our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their style of life. They are Quechua spoken families, you should ask your guide to teach you a few Quechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.
- Overnight at camping.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Distance to walk: 15 km
- Approximate walking time: 9 hours
Day 3: Cuncani – Lares
Early in the morning the local people come in our campsite to meet us. The people of this region are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you about them, this is the opportunity to give them any gifts you’ve brought for the local people or just to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.
Continuing our Lares trek to Machu Picchu we will leave Cuncani, it’s just a few hours of walk until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we’ll pass through several small villages and see the people growing a variety of crops such as Quinoa and beans, we’ll have lunch around the thermal baths. After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be picked up by our transfer and driven back to the Sacred Valley, we then have train connection to Machu Picchu town.
- Aguas Calientes hostal:
- Meals: breakfast and lunch.
- Distance to walk: 4 km
- Approximate walking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Day 4. – Machu Picchu – Back to Cusco.
In the morning after breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas “Machu Picchu” where a professional tour guide will transmit us all the history of this mysterious and outstanding place ( sun temple, royal palace, main temple, three windows temple, sun dial and more).it will be an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, free time to explore more places on your own or you can do the optional hikes around Machu Picchu like:
- Climb up to Wayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Wayna Picchu from where you can observe better the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant.
- Walk to Sun Gate; opportunity to walk (approx. 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to have a great view of the whole area.
In the afternoon we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, we then take the Train back to Ollantaytambo. After your arrival to the train station you will be picked up and transferred to the Hotel in Cusco.
The journey by train takes approximately 1:40 Hours and 1:30 hours by car.
What’s included in Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
- All transfers included.
- Pre-departure briefing
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco, the morning of the Lares trek departure
- Horseman’s and horses to carry our camping and kitchen equipment
- English Speaking Professional Guide
- 4 Season tents, with 2 to 3 people capacity.
- Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 suppers included
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (day 3)
- Return Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- Transfer from the Train Station to your Cusco hotel
- One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes Hotel (last night)
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Not Included in Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
- Sleeping bag.
- First day breakfast and Lunch at Aguas Calientes on the last day.
- Tips (Cook, horseman and guide)
- Entrance fee to the hot springs (20 soles)
- Insurance of any kind, international airfares, domestic flights, Airport departure (U.S. $ 31 per person for international flights and U.S. $7 for national flights) taxes, visa fees or excess baggage charges. Also not included are additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverage, bottled water, snacks, laundry, phone calls
- Entrance fee to Wayna Picchu Mountain
Lares trek options:
You can hire some additional things with us – please contact your Travel Consultant / or our booking forms for the current rates.
- Extra mule to carry your extra luggage 20.00USD per day
- Extra riding mule and muleteer to lead it 60.00USD for the whole trek
- Sleeping Bags suitable for – 10deg for extra cost of 25.00USD for the entire trek
- Therma-rest Inflatable pillow for an additional cost of 30.00 USD for the entire trek
- Comforting Camping trek upgrade – bigger personal tents for an additional cos to 30.00USD for the entire trek
- We can buy Wayna picchu ticket for an extra cost of 25.00USD(only for early bookings)
- Walking poles for 25.00USD a pair for the whole trek.
- Standard class hotel for an additional cost of 40.00USD based on double occupancy
- Superior class hotel for extra cost of 70.00USD based on double occupancy
- Train service can be up-grated to Vista dome class for and additional cost of 60.00USD
