Overview
Overview:
- First day: Cusco – Pumahuanca – Puyoc
- Second day: Puyoc – Yanacocha – Cuncani
- Third day: Cuncani – Lares Thermal Baths – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Fourth day: Machu Picchu
Useful Information
- Starting Altitude: 2800m / 9186ft.
- Highest Altitude: 4780m / 15,682ft.
- Walking Distance: 34km / 21 miles
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate
Itinerary
Lares Valley Tour – Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Pumahuanca – Puyoc
We will pick you up in your hotel in Cusco and begin our journey by winding down the mountain in the the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incas. As we descend, you will soon see that you are surrounded by endless towering mountains.
Our Lares Valley Tour starts in the small village of Pumhuanca, which is situated in the Sacred Valley. This hike begins with a gentle climb up one side of the valley, covering about 14 km and climbing to 1150 meters or 3373 feet. Our next destination is the lovely village of Puyoc, peering down at the valley and the Urubamba River. Along the way, we stop off at Pumahuanca, an Inca ruin site which holds a fascinating history that we will learn about in our short tour. Throughout the trek today we will also take time to explore, learn, and name the native plant, flowers, and birds special to this region.
Generally, this route is not done by other companies, this allows for a more authentic and tranquil experience, as it should when you are high up in the mountains! The few trekkers also make it more
like to to see wildlife, such as the Viscachas (Chinchilla) or potentially and Andean Fox.
Tonight, our campsite will be at Puyoc (4100m / 13451 ft) and here we will enjoy a warm and well prepared meal by our professional trekking chef. At this altitude, the surroundings can be quite barren and we may experience snow during the dry season, so warm attire is recommended for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 4,000m/13123 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 2,800m/9186 ft
- Walking Distance: 14 km /9miles
- Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours
Day 2: Puyoc – Yanacocha – Cuncani
Today we wake amidst the mountains with a hot cup of tea and nourishing breakfast. The second day may be the most spectacular day of the tour and quite a bit easier than yesterday.
We make our way down the hill through the pass, which in total is about 2 hours or 13 km to the village of Cuncani. As we hike, we pass snow capped peaks, mountain lakes (including Yanacocha- Black Lake), and meet local people dressed in their colorful and decorative traditional clothing.
You will notice many differences from communities on this side of the pass in comparison to the other and along the way your guide will teach about these cultural differences and similarities. Also, you will have the opportunity to learn a few Qhechua phrases that you can put in practice when you get to interact with the local people.
Just past Cuncani we set up camp for the night and spend times under the stars, resting for our next day’s adventure.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Maximum Altitude: 4780m /15682 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 3750m/12303 ft
- Walking Distance: 13 km/8 miles
- Approximate Walking Time:7-8 hours
Day 3: Cuncani – Lares Thermal Baths – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today, we make it a point to meet the local people who so graciously let us stay in the village for the night. Your guide will take you to one of the local family homes. The people in this community are so incredibly welcoming and are excited for this cultural exchange. Hopefully, by now, you have learned a few phrases in Qhechua and are able to ask a few questions.
After our visit, you will have the opportunity to give gifts that you have brought for them, this is called ‘ayni’, the concept of living in reciprocity and showing appreciation. You will also have the opportunity to buy some of the locally made artisan alpaca goods, which are famous to the region.
Once we say our farewells, it is only a short distance (6 km)till we reach the Lares Hot Springs. Along the way we pass several small village, again in each community you will see the beautiful and culturally specific traditional fabrics and designs. Also throughout our travels today, we pass many lush fields growing quinoa, corn, potatoes, and tarwi. We will likely spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead, as they are hard to miss with their piercing calls.
Once we arrive at Lares, we will have the afternoon to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating dip in the natural hot springs before we are picked up by our private transport.
We then drive approximately 3 hours back to the Sacred Valley to the beautiful town Ollantaytambo. At the Porroy station in Ollantaytambo we will board a comfortable train that will take us through the scenic mountains into the high jungle until we reach Aguas Caliente (Machu Picchu town).
Once in the lovely town of Aguas Caliente, we will get you checked in to your hotel and settle in. In the evening, we will share dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in town.
- Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/Afternoon Snacks/Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Maximum Altitude: 3750m/12303ft
- Minimum Altitude: 3100mt/10170ft
- Walking Distance: 6 km/ 3,73 miles
- Approximate Walking Time: 3-4 hours
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Today we wake up early and have breakfast at the hotel before catching the first bus to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
We arrive just in time to see the sunrise over the mountain, a perfect photo opportunity. Immediately we then have a 2 hour extensive guided tour of the all the significant sites. We will visit temples, water fountains, and much more, all while learning of the history and culture that make Machu Picchu so incredibly powerful. You will also learn of the fascinating ways in which the Incas created, built, and sustained a life high up in the mountains.
After the tour, you will have time to explore on your own visiting other sites or if you elected you can climb Huayna Picchu (the Young Mountain).
In the afternoon, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and then board the train and make our way back to Ollantaytambo where you will be picked up by private transport. We then wind back up from the Sacred Valley and bring you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
- Minimum altitude: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
Inclusions
Includes in the Lares Valley Tour to Machu Picchu:
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Pre Trek briefing with your trekking guide 1 or 2 days before your Lares valley tour
- Transfer upon arrival from airport or bus station in cusco to your Hotel
- Professional Chef
- Breakfast on Day 1.
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from the Hotel
- Transportation by bus to Pumahuanca and from Lares to Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return transportation by train and then by bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- Hot water for washing.
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to refill the water bottles.
- 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary such as vegetarian food please let us know,and request with no cost at all.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Kitchen tent
- Toilet tent
- a 4-men tent for every 2 trekkers
- Hotel on Day 3
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to Lares hot springs
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu-round trip
Does Not Include in the Lares Valley Tour to Machu Picchu:
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Lunch on Day 4
- Dinner on Day 4
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain-US$ 70
- Tips for the crew (guide, chef, wranglers)
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What you need to take for the Lares Valley Tour to Machu Picchu
- Original Passport
- Valid STUDENT CARD (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch
- Spare batteries
Price
Lares Valley tour to Machu Picchu Price:
US$660 per person
Discounts:
- Student Discount: US$20 (Requires Valid STUDENT CARD to qualify)
- Under 15 years Discount: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Optional Extras:
- Hiking Poles US$15
- Sleeping Bag US$25
- Single Tent Supplement US$25
- Additional Night in Aguas Calientes US$90
- Vistadome Train Upgrade US$57
- Huayna Picchu Mountain US$70
- Machu Picchu Mountain US$70
FAQs
Lares Trek vs Inca Trail:
Lares Trek to machupicchu is also 4 days. The Lares Trek is 37 km / 23miles, but less dramatic in the ascents and descents. You start at 3,000 m / 9,840 ft and ascend to 4,750 m / 15,580 ft, the highest pass being Pachacutec. There are no permits needed as this hike is more rustic, off-the-beaten-path, and cultural as you walk through villages and farms where you will meet and interact with the local people, the descendants of the Inca. You will pass through glacial valleys, past rivers, lakes, and of course the amazing, Lares Hot Springs where you can bathe. You will be hiking in the Sacred Valley, seeing numerous Inca ruins.The experience is rewarding and authentic both in the people you will meet and the wilderness you will pass through.
The Classic Inca Trail is one of the most famous and incredible trekking routes in the world. As you trek for 4 days along original paved Inca path ways, visiting numerous fascinating Inca sites breathtaking scenery of Machu Picchu National Park. The Inca Trail Trek is an experience of a lifetime, something all should do once in their life. The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive examples of the ingenuity of the Incas. An expansive 4000 kilometers stretching through the Andean mountains built some 6000 years ago, the Inca road system was built across desert, highlands, and jungles. As you trek along the same path as the Incas and this is a trek with memories that will last you a lifetime.
To trek the Inca Trail you must plan at least 6 months ahead because only 500 people are permitted to hike this trail every day. The five hundred people limit includes tourists as well as all the porters required to carry camping gear, food for your trip (this takes a lot of manpower!). There are no horses allowed on this trek as they would damage the stone steps. The Inca trail is much more touristy and you will see a lot of other hikers as you travel.
Lares Trek Advices:
Important: We strongly suggest staying at high altitude (above 3000 metres-in Cusco or another high altitude city) for 3 to 4 days before undertaking the trip.This is in order to minimize the effects of possible altitude sickness.Also you can help your body acclimatize by drinking plenty of liquids,adding a bit more sugar to your drinks,eating food rich in carbohydrates,avoiding cigarettes and alcohol and drinking coca(ancient traditional leaf) tea.
What is the elevation/altitude on the lares peru trek?
During the hike we will find the following altitudes:
- Starting Altitude: 3,000 m / 9,840 ft
- Highest Altitude: 4,780 m / 15,682 ft
- Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,691 ft
The Best Company To Do The Lares Trek:
Mountain Gods Peru is a leading travel and trekking company based in Cusco, Peru. That was established to create memorable and adventures holidays in Peru. We are ready to serve you and show you our experience on numerous exciting and adventurous treks.
Trekking in Peru is a paradise, as Peru has been known to be the best destination for trekkers in the world. Peru has some of the most spectacular, exciting and breathtaking trekkings that nowhere can be found in the world, therefore, Trekking in Peru is the special for mountain lovers, to those who would like to discover the diverse range of flora and fauna, varieties of the culture or simply to have special holidays in the majestic mountains.
Lares Trek Check List.
Use this Lares trek packing checklist as a guide for our trek to Machu Picchu. Make sure to use your best judgment and discretion when deciding exactly what you want to bring (no one knows you better than you)! Pack as light and smart as possible and bring durable, multi use items. Our biggest piece of advice is to pack LAYERS! You will want warm clothing in the mornings and evenings when it’s chilly, but be ready to strip down in the afternoon when temperatures are highest. Light layers to throw on and off come in handy as you ascend to high, windy passes and descend into cool shaded valleys throughout the day.
- Original Passport
- Valid STUDENT CARD (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- towel / sandals
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch
- Spare batteries
Additional
SPECIAL ADDITIONALS:
- Inflatable Mattress (Included)
- Pillow (Included)
- Blanket (Included)
- Extra 7 kg of personal items (Included). All of our treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your trek. This duffel can not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.
