The hike from Lares to Machu Picchu is a great alternative to the classic Inca Trail if you want to explore less traveled routes. It begins in the small town of Lares, located in the Andes. During the tour, you will pass through impressive valleys and lakes before reaching Machu Picchu. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to observe Peru’s native wildlife, such as llamas and alpacas, and discover the traditional culture of the Andean peoples. It’s an incredible adventure that you shouldn’t miss!
Hike from Lares to Machu Picchu 4 days
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu takes you off the beaten path, where you can meet and interact with members of traditional Andean communities and explore the Andes in solitude. You will learn all about life in these remote villages, get familiar with their culture and traditions, walk alongside llamas and alpacas and even visit a local school. We finish your local expeditions in Peru with an unforgettable day exploring Machu Picchu.
At 4:30 am we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you by van to the famous thermotherapy pools of Lares. Whether you are in Cusco or the Sacred Valley around Urubamba or Pisac, we can pick you up from a hotel, hostel, Airbnb or any other location. From Cusco we drive 1 hour to Calca in the Sacred Valley, where we visit the market and buy local products. We will then drive another 2 hours to the Lares Hot Springs, where you can bathe in therapeutic pools with different temperatures, useful for bones, muscles and stress relief, while enjoying the stunning views of the mountains. Then, your trekking chef will prepare a hearty breakfast for you.
After breakfast, we will drive 30 minutes to Pampa Corral and begin a two-hour walk to Kiswarani Village, where we will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch with local ingredients by our talented chefs. We then hike for two hours to our first camp on the shores of a beautiful Andean lake, passing potato fields, waterfalls and stunning mountain views as we head towards the Blue Lake at 3900 m (12,795 ft). Once you arrive at the campsite, your tents will be set up and a hot cup of cola or coffee will be waiting for you.
During the day, enjoy fantastic views of the Sacred Valley, explore the Lares district, soak in the hot springs, and take a short hike through the beautiful valley. You will also pass potato farms, visit Kiswarani village, interact with locals, walk with llamas and alpacas and enjoy Kiswarani waterfalls. At the camp you will have hot water to wash, drink tea and look at the stars before sleeping in our comfortable tents.
Start the day with a steaming cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent, then wake up early to start packing for the most challenging day of the Lares to Machu Picchu trek. After breakfast, our chef will provide you with a snack and begin a 4-hour hike to the highest point of the hike. El Paso del Cóndor is at 4,750 m (15,583 ft). Along the trip, expect beautiful lakes filled with wallatas, often known as Andean geese or “pigeons,” mountain caracaras, llamas, alpacas, and stunning views of the Andes.
Once you reach the summit, enjoy 360° views of the mountains and lakes as your guide leads a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred mountains above Condor Pass. As a reward for your effort, we will bring you a cup of coca tea. From there you will make a two-hour descent to Acopata, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch.
After lunch, another 2-hour descent through stunning landscapes awaits you to reach the village of Canchacancha (3750 m – 12303 ft), where you can relax in your tents with hot drinks and enjoy the mountain scenery. During your arrival. You can interact with the locals as you walk around the city, hunt llamas and alpacas, play soccer with the kids, teach some English words, or learn some Quechua words.
Difficulty: medium to difficult
Our trekking team will wake you up in your tent with a cup of coffee or cola tea, pack your bags for the day and enjoy a healthy breakfast with stunning mountain views. You’ll have time to relax and explore the town before descending from the highlands to the Sacred Valley for a hike of at least four hours. First, you will visit the villagers’ homes, learn about their way of life, and visit the local primary school, where you can donate teaching materials such as notebooks, pens, and toys. Canchacancha is one of the last towns without electricity or access to roads, and the villagers only speak the Inca Quechua language.
Today’s hiking route is mainly from the high mountain area, where locals grow organic potatoes and beans, towards the Sacred Valley, where locals grow corn and avocado and where the climate is warmer. Along the way, you’ll discover a variety of habitats, from the cold highlands to the lush soils of the Sacred Valley. The end of the hike is in the town of Huaran (2700 m / 8856 ft) in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where we will enjoy a delicious picnic and say goodbye to the guide and muleteers.
After completing the Lares Trek, board our private minibus to the Salineras de Maras and explore the fantastic salt pools where locals have been collecting salt since Inca times. Last but not least, visit Ollantaytambo, the “last living Inca citadel”, the “Native American capital of the world”, recently named the best tourist village by UNTWO. Ollantaytambo is a unique place where locals still use the same original Inca buildings, water still flows through the original canals and you can stroll through the old original narrow streets. You will explore the Inca Citadel with your guide, have dinner at a local restaurant and board the expedition train to the town of Aguas Calientes at 7:00 pm to spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
Difficulty: easy to moderately difficult
You will have an early breakfast at the hotel and then board the first bus to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise over the Inca citadel. You will pass through the Machu Picchu checkpoint and walk to the viewpoints before beginning the 2-3 hour guided tour of the citadel.
Your guide will show you the highlights of Machu Picchu and tell you about the site’s extraordinary history, secrets, and engineering wonders. After the guided tour, you’ll be free to set off on your own to explore further or arrange additional hikes to Huayna Picchu Mountain. o Mount Machu Picchu (NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR and must be reserved in advance). After visiting the Inca Citadel, travel by bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (own expense) before boarding the Vistadome panoramic train to Ollantaytambo and a private vehicle to Cusco. Return to your hotel is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m.
During the hike to Lares, your main luggage will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco, or you can go out with us. For the hike, you will bring your backpack and a duffel bag, which Peru Local Expeditions will provide you during the briefing the day before your visit at our Cusco office.
During the briefing at 6:00 p.m., your guide will provide you with the latest details of your trip and give you backpacks in which you can store up to 8 kilos of your belongings. Our porter carries this bag, as well as food and camping equipment.
The essence of the Lares hike
For three days you are in the mountains without roads, electricity or mobile signal. For this hike it is important that you have the necessary equipment with you. Very easy to pack though.
What goes in the backpack?
The backpack will always be with you; You are responsible for wearing it while walking during the day and it should be as light as possible. Remember that at the campsite you will only find canvas bags and everything you need during the day should be in your backpack.
Passport. – Passports should always be with you in a safe and dry place; We recommend storing them in Ziploc bags with cash and other documents.
Student ID: If you booked as a student, you must bring your student ID, especially when we enter Machu Picchu.
Canteens. – You must bring reusable water containers; They must be easy to handle and have a minimum capacity of 2 liters.
Rain ponchos, waterproof jackets. – Duffel bags come with plastic rain ponchos; Even so, you should bring a waterproof or windproof jacket.
Sunscreen, hat, and long-sleeved shirts. – You are crossing an open area without protection and you must always be protected.
A warm jacket. – It’s cold early in the morning. You start walking with all the layers and slowly remove them as you begin the warm-up. Even on the hottest days you will always have a warm jacket with you. The temperature in the Andes can fluctuate in a matter of minutes.
Mini first aid kit. – You should always carry your medications and patches, high altitude medicines, pain relievers, Cipro, allergy pills, insect repellent and others with you.
Headlamp, camera, mobile phone, sunglasses.
Toilet paper. – It should always be in your backpack.
Extra money. – It is important to always carry money with you for the trip; We recommend around 600 soles ($200) in cash; For anything you buy on the train, such as water or souvenirs, it is best to bring small coins worth at least 20 soles with you. The trip is not meant to be spent; This only applies to emergencies.
What should be packed in the duffel bag?
The sports bag will be delivered at the informational talk one day before the walk in our office. You can transport up to 8 kilos, including a sleeping bag and inflatable mattress.
For women, 3 pairs of long pants, hiking pants or leggings are suitable.
Get Ready to Explore? With your booking confirmed, all that's left to do is pack your bags and get ready to explore. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first journey, we'll be with you every step of the way.At Peru Local Expeditions, we believe that every journey begins with a single step. So why wait? Start your adventure today and let the world be your guide.
Book fast and easy on our website and keep track of your reservation with our most advanced booking system, be updated on our discounts every week.
Peru Local Expeditions it’s the people who make a difference. Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. Real people helping real people. Beside you every step of the way.
Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is one of the most popular destinations for adventure treks in South Amer
Read moreThe Inca Trail is a world-renowned hiking trail that leads to the iconic Machu Picchu in Peru. The trail is a combinatio
Read moreMachu Picchu is a stunning 15th-century Inca ruin located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is considered one of t
Read more
