Lares Trek has become one of the most important hiking routes to Machu Picchu after the Inca Trail and Salkantay. It combines the beauty of the mountains with a cultural visit to 2 indigenous communities along the trail. You will learn about their culture, traditions and customs as well as enjoy a football game with the children’s at 4000 meters above sea level.
DAY 01: Cusco – Thermal Baths – Kiswarani – 7 waterfalls – Camp
We will pick you up at your hotel at 05:00 am and this may vary depending on the location of your hotel, we pick you up from the hotels in Cusco, Pisac, Calca or Urubamba. After a 1-hour trip from Cusco we will make a brief stop in Calca, there you can buy some gifts for children (optional). Then we will continue our trip for 2 more hours until we reach the thermal baths, in this place we will enjoy the first breakfast where you can enjoy beautiful views of mountains and valleys.
Then we will have time to enjoy the thermal baths, there are several wells from the coldest to the hottest that is almost boiling. It is pure volcanic water and contains very good medicinal properties for bones, stress, muscles and headaches. After enjoying the thermal baths, we will travel for 20 minutes until the beginning of the trek 3300 meters above sea level.
In this place we will meet the horseman and the rest of our crew, we will also give them our duffle bags. It will be a 2 hour walk to our lunch point (Kiswarani), we will walk through the valley called the potato valley where the locals work an enormous variety of organic potatoes, upon arrival at the villa our chef will be waiting for us with a delicious lunch that we will enjoy with wonderful views.
After our lunch we will perform a ceremony with the llamas, which were very important method of transport and even sacred in the time of the Incas, unfortunately today they are disappearing because their work is being replaced by horses and our goal is that the settlers keep it and through this ceremony we want to contribute to it. The Llamas are friendly and very strong animals as well as being a beautiful company for the walk, just avoid getting too close because they can kiss you.
We will have time to explore the community a little, visit a house where we will learn about the ancestral traditions of the local population, if we have time we can visit the school where the children still speak Quechua, their native language if you took any help, book, notebook or anything this will be the time to leave, you will also have the opportunity to learn some words in Quechua and you can also teach some words in other languages you know.
After that, there will be 2 more hours of ascent to our camp where our team will be waiting for us with our tents set. Then we will enjoy a delicious tea time, while dusk goes on, more stars will appear and you can enjoy it until it will finally be dinner time.
What’s Included:
- Professional Guide – We have the best selection of guides, all graduated from the national university of Cusco and grown up in this region with a deep love and passion for teaching our culture.
- Tourist transport – We use clean and new vehicles for all our services, with professional drivers that will guarantee you a safe trip.
- Pick up from the hotel – Our service includes pick up from your hotel to start the tour.
- Snacks – We provide snacks every morning along with cloth snack bags.
- Train Tickets – The train ticket included is the Inca Rail Voyager service.
- Bus tickets – Transportation between town and Machu Picchu.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu – We provide your entrance ticket.
- Horses – For carrying your travel bag with personal items.
- Hotel – 3-star hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo based on shared room.
- Camping equipment – High-quality tents and dining equipment.
- Food – 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners prepared by our chef.
- Water – Provided from first lunch until last breakfast.
- First aid – Trained guides with first aid kits and oxygen.
- Extras – Pillow, mat, backpack covers, rain poncho, and waterproof bags.
- Private transfer – From Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Permanent Assistance – Personal assistant during your trip.
Not Included:
- Sleeping bag: $20 USD per person (rental)
- Air Mattress: $20 USD per person (rental)
- Walking sticks (pair): $15 USD per person
- Headlamps – Recommended to bring your own
- Huayna Picchu: $35 USD per person (if available)
- Flights – To and from Cusco
- Tips – For guides and staff
- Travel insurance – Highly recommended
Briefing (Previous Information)
All information sessions are held in our office at 06:00 PM the night before your trek. If you cannot assist to this talk please contact our office staff to serve you better.
Duffle Bags
You will receive your duffle bag at the information session. These bags are to put your belongings inside it, these will be carried by the porters and will be returned to you each evening at the campsite.
Each duffle bag must have a maximum weight of 7kg. 4kg will be for your clothes and other personal items, the other 3kg will be for our logistics.
Arrive in Cusco
The best way to get to Cusco is by air with several airline options available. Expect possible flight delays due to weather conditions. Bus travel is also available from nearby cities.
Pick Up from The Hotels
We pick up all our clients from hotels in Cusco center. Pick-up times may vary between 20 and 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions and hotel locations.
Leaving Machu Picchu
Return transportation includes:
• 25-minute bus from Machu Picchu to town
• 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo or 3.5-hour train to Poroy
• 2-hour van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco or 30 minutes from Poroy
Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
Morning turn: 6AM – 12PM
Afternoon turn: 12PM – 5:30 PM
NOTE: Additional time until 2:30 PM if you have Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets.
Health & Altitude Concerns
Be honest with your guide about any health problems. Prepare for altitude sickness symptoms and consult your doctor before traveling.
Weather
The climate in Cusco and Machu Picchu is unpredictable. Prepare for all weather conditions with layered clothing.
Community
At Peru Private Tours we are proud of the work we do for our community. We support local villages, children’s education, and work directly with farmers and local markets.
By booking this tour your are planting 1 tree at an indiginous community of Cusco