Lares Trek to Machupicchu – 4 Days / 3 Nights

Day 1 Cusco – Lares’ Hot Baths – Huaca Wasi.-

We leave Cusco early in the morning by bus. During the journey we’ll pass lots of archaeological remains, local handicraft markets and large tracks of cultivated lands inside the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley is one of the most fertile places in South America with some of the best products such as maize which is the main product exported from this area.

Halfway through the Sacred Valley we’ll enter the province of Calca (2940m) where we’ll change roads and ride up to the highest part of this trek, Huacacasi (4400m). After this pass we’ll descend to the less populated Lares Valley (3250m). A few moments later, we’ll arrive at the hot medicinal springs of Lares (3200m). Here we’ll have time to enjoy the hot springs with temperatures between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius, as well as natural beauty. We will also meet with the rest of the staff including the cook and arrieros (horse handlers). The horses will carry food, camping equipment and part of your bags. After lunch at the hot springs we’ll start hiking until we reach Huaca Wasi (3600m) where we’ll camp for the night. Our transport time will be around 5 hours. We expect to trek about 3 hours in cold climate.

Day 2 Huaca Wasi – Abra Ipsay – Patacancha

This will be the hardest day because of the altitude. We’ll cross Abra Ipsay, a pass that is situated at 4400meters in altitude. It will take us about 4 hours to hike up there at a gentle pace. The climb is pretty hard with an indescribable panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and other stunning landscapes. We stop halfway for a lunch break. While hiking we’ll pass local communities that have held on to their ancestral way of life and Andean traditions throughout the years. They have a large amount of knowledge about natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textiles. Their colorful clothes are unique to the Lares Valley. After the pass, we’ll continue our journey downward until we arrive to our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3650m). We expec the trek to last 7 hours in cold climate.

Day 3 Patacancha – Willoq – Pumamarca – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Another day of hiking where we’ll pass local communities and small villages such as Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m) and many others. From Patacancha we will experience traditions and customs passed on by our ancestors throughout the times of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (the Inca-culture).

After an hour by bus we’ll arrive to Ollantaytambo (2850m) which consists of archeological sites and remnants of Andean history and anthropology. From Ollantaytambo, we’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the tourist town built beneath the ruins of Machu Picchu. This is where we’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 4 Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

On this day we will visit the great ruins of Machu Picchu. To get there for the sunrise we start to ascend at 4:00 a.m. for approx 1 ½ hours until we reach Machu Picchu, where you will have a guided tour of the ruins for 2 hours and free time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu if you have the ticket. We will then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Transfer by bus/ private transport back to your hostel is included, . (box lunch for breakfast included).

Optional Huayna Picchu entrance fee: This is US$20.00 in addition to the cost of the entry to Machu Picchu. Ask about availability when booking the tour.

If you would like to book a ticket for Huayna Picchu you might get placed in the second group. Otherwise you will miss the 2 hour tour in Machu Picchu.

NOTE: We included the last train at 21:50 arrival time to Cusco 01:40am but if you want to take different type of train as a Vistadome or early train ask for this, extra payment and see the details below:

– DIRECT TRAIN Expedition train 15:20 to Poroy (Cusco) station US$30.00)

– DIRECT TRAIN Vistadome train 16:43 to Poroy (Cusco) station US$55.00)

– Expedition train 18:20 Ollantaytambo station US$15.00

– Expedition train 14:55 Ollantaytambo station US$30.00

– Vistadome train 18:10 Ollantaytambo station US$40.00

– Expedition train 18:20 Ollantaytambo station US$20.00   

– Expedition train 16:22 Ollantaytambo station US$40.00