Lares Trek to Machu Picchu – 4-Day Cultural Hiking Adventure

Full Itinerary

Day 1. Cusco – Huaran – Cancha Cancha

Start the day early with a 5am pickup from your hotel. Drive through the Andes Mountains and the Lares Valley to the Huaran where it will be time to have a delicious breakfast. Be sure to eat as much as you can to provide energy for the day ahead. Our horseman and horses will be waiting to take the duffel bags which they will carry on the Lares section of the trek. The first part of the trek will involve a gradual hike to Cancha Cancha. Enjoy a wonderful lunch on the banks of the river, freshly prepared by the trekking chef.

Discover the community of Cancha Cancha, a traditional community that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. So isolated in fact that it wasnt until 2019 the town was connected to electricity. Settle into your tent and have afternoon tea. Before dinner is served visit the community and one of the local families. The people are only too happy to show you their village, if you have any questions your guides will translate. Settle in for the night while your guide shows you the constellations explaining the meaning in Inca times and also today.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 9kms / 5.6 miles
• Time: 3.5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2. Cancha Cancha – Pachacutec Pass – Kiswarani

This morning wake up to a hot cuppa in your tent before you get up and face the day. After a wonderful filling breakfast, begin our second day with a massive 7-hour hike north. Start with an intense walk to the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass at 4500 meters. To keep you motivated you will be passing glaciers, lakes, rugged valleys and uncomparable views. There are also plenty of birds to see such as Caracara falcons and Andean Geese.

Take the time to enjoy the summit, the views are spectacular, later descend for around 3 hours to the campsite at Quiswarani community. Before arriving, trek an isolated trail and see the highland people in traditional clothing tending to their animals. Interact with the locals, ask questions, the guide will translate for you. Enjoy the spectacular seven waterfalls before arriving at the campsite. Enjoy hot drinks and appetizers before dinner, then snuggle in for a comfortable night’s sleep.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with bathroom building
• Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles
• Time: 7hrs approximately
• Difficulty: challenging

Day 3. Kiswarani – Cuncani – Hot Springs – Aguas Calientes

For most this is the most scenic day on the trek. A long ascent to the Willqaqasa Pass at 4200 meters. Get a great view of the glacial lakes with their spectacular reflections. From the pass enjoy views of the majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains. Trek through grasslands and agricultural sites. On our descent we hike to the Cucani community, spend time with the children and have the opportunity to see their school.

Our driver will meet us and we will take ride through the lush valley. See large agricultural areas of fruit trees, flora and native flowers. Reach our destination of the Lares Hot Springs where we have time to soak in the natural volcanic hot springs.

Here we will have lunch and bid farewell to our trekking crew. Travel to Ollantaytambo for dinner before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes the town below Machu Picchu where we will spend the night in a hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner
• 3* Accommodation: Ferre Hotel Machu Picchu
• Distance: 15kms / 9.3 miles
• Time: 6 hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4. Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the day, have breakfast early and take the first bus to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. Don’t miss out this is a once in a lifetime experience. Your experienced Inca Trail guide will give you an informative tour of the citadel. See all the important sections of the ruin. Learn about the different sections and their uses.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you on a spectacular ride back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Look up and see Wiñay Wayna from the train. Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station for a spectacular journey through the Sacred Valley to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

• Meal included: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain this tour will be done without a guide.