The Lares trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N. trough the plains of Huaran is an unique experience walking through the isolated villages that you will visit on the Andes road, is a route scarcely traveled by tourists. It's not one of the commercially available treks like the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trail, which makes this route special and unique. This trip offers close contact to Andean life with all its customs and traditions as well as the unforgettable delight of experiencing the nature of the Andes with their terraced valleys, impressive mountains, glaciers and picturesque lakes. It's a world where time has stopped, where farmers still farm the land of their ancestors according to tradition with ancient tools and where they watch over their flock of lamas and alpacas under the close watch of the snow capped mountains – “Apus” – which they worship like gods. This trail is still frequented by the locals, direct descendants of the Incas. The path connects the communities of Cancha Cancha, Quishuarani, Cuncani and Lares which is famous for its medicinal hot springs. The last part of this tour from the town of Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes will be done by train. The train ride takes about 2 hours, after which you can relax in your Hotel. Finally the most important day of your trip has arrived, you will be visiting the sanctuary of Machu Picchu (named a world heritage site by UNESCO). In the afternoon you will return to Cusco.
Your Andean Mountain adventure through the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu begins early with your pickup at 5:00am from your Cusco hotel. Within an hour, we will arrive at the ancient ruins of the truly awesome Pisac Inca Citadel. Visit the ruins before any other groups arrive, enjoying the tranquility of the morning. Your guide will share with you the unique history of the Pisac Inca Citadel and its importance both before and during the Inca Empire.
This moorning we'll join a local family for a Home-Hosted breakfast featuring typical Andean cuisine and lively cultural exchange. You will be impressed with a delicious breakfast, which will be just what you need to get ready for the first day trekking! Driving onward for 40 more minutes to Huaran, we meet your horsemen and horses. Time to get ready, boots on, and begin our first 3 hours gradually ascending towards Cancha Cancha. Along the way, your lunch will be served next to the river, replenishing your energy for the trek ahead with a delicious meal prepared by your trekking chef.
Cancha Cancha(3,900m/12,800ft) is one of the most isolated and traditional communities, self-sustaining as it has been for hundreds of years. There is no road to the community and they were recently connected to electricity in December, 2019. After settling into your tents and having afternoon tea, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family. You will learn all about life in a traditional Andean village, with your guide as your interpreter. After dinner, your guide will show you the Inca constellations on which they depended for their agricultural guidance and still do to this day.
Your guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy in your sleeping bag before you get up for breakfast. Feeling all revved up to begin our second day, after another delicious breakfast, we begin our 7 hour hike northeast. It starts out as an intense walk, accomplishing high passes on our way to the highest point of our trek at Pachacutec Pass(4,500m /14,800 ft). This is where you pat yourself on the back and embrace the satisfaction and exhilaration for making it up to the summit. Motivating you along the trail for this intense part of the trek are the views of glaciers, remote lakes, alpaca herds, rugged valleys and spectacular mountain vistas. Keep your eyes on the sky for the Caracara falcons and Andean geese!
After enjoying the summit, we descend for 3 hours until we reach our campsite located by the Quiswarani community, (3,700m/12,139ft). On the way, we will be taking an isolated trail where we will see indigenous highland people in their traditional outfits herding their llamas and alpacas. The local indigenous people will open their hearts and interact with you in the Quechua language (the Incas’ language). Your guide will act as your interpreter to translate and teach you some Quechua language. When you arrive at the spectacular seven waterfalls, you are almost to the campsite!
At the campsite, everything will be ready. Enjoy hot drinks and appetizers before dinner, then snuggle in for a comfortable night sleep.
Your adventure continues as you begin the most scenic day yet! We begin our ascent for 3 hours until we reach the Willqaqasa Pass, (4,200m/13,779ft) getting a bird’s eye view of the reflections of the mountains in mirror images in the glacial lakes. The majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains are awe inspiring to admire from the pass. We continue our trek through the Puna grasslands, undulating and productive agricultural sites and natural pristine lakes. Time to descend for 2 hours to the Cucani community. Connecting with the local indigenous children, you may have the opportunity to visit their school and share in some quality time with the students.
From Cuncani we meet our driver and ride down through a lush valley with extensive agricultural areas, fruit bearing trees, varied flora, and native flowers like begonias and wild orchids. Finally, we reach our destination, the Lares Hot Springs (3,100m/ 10,170ft), where we cannot wait to soak in the natural volcanic hot springs for an hour, have lunch and relax. Time for our goodbyes for our remarkable chef and horsemen.
After lunch in Lares, we take our private transport to 2.5 hours Ollantaytambo, where we have dinner and then we take the train to Aguas Calientes. Where we spend te night.
Today’s highlight is the amazing Machu Picchu!
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. 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 train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.
What age range is suitable for this tour?
Usually the minimum age is 10 years old. From there there is no specific age limit, but the idea is that adolescents, young people, adults are in the appropriate physical shape for this adventure. In the case of older adults, it would be advisable to do a prior self-evaluation.
What is the best season to do the Lares trek to Machu Picchu?
The best time to go for a walk in good weather is between the months of April-October, since we have clear skies and smaller-scale river rainfall. The driest months are between June - August, which is winter in the Andes. January to March is summer in Peru, which means that the rainy season for Cusco and especially the Inca Trail and it is not advisable to travel at this time of year.
Weather in Lares:
Lares has two seasons during the year, the rainy season and the dry season.
The rainy season: This season covers the months of October to March, when the maximum temperature reaches 20 ° C and the minimum reaches 5 ° C.
The dry season: It comprises the months from March to October, this time of year for Lares reaches a maximum temperature of 21 ° C and the minimum temperature of 1 ° C.
NOTE: Rains and cold are present throughout the year, especially in the high areas of Lares.
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