4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

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4 days Not CancellablePickup availableInstant confirmationMin age 7+Guided by Urban Day Trips
4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco
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Not CancellablePickup availableInstant confirmationMin age 7+Guided

Why we love it?

This 4-day Lares Trek offers an alternative high-altitude hiking experience near Cusco, Peru, suited for travelers interested in engaging with local communities and observing rural life. Starting from Cusco, the trek begins in Lares Town and passes through scenic Andean landscapes to Wakawasi and Patacancha Town, before reaching Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, a round-trip tourist train takes you to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, where you can explore the iconic Inca citadel. The tour includes meals, accommodation pick-up in Cusco, and transportation between key points, while some optional activities like the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hikes require advance booking and additional fees. This itinerary suits hikers comfortable with high altitudes who want a less crowded route to Machu Picchu with cultural insights along the way.

Inclusions

  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
  • Van Cuzco - Lares Town (starting point of trek)
  • Round Trip Tourist Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
  • Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
  • Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
  • Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
  • Camping Accommodation during trek (including basic sleeping mattress & tent for 2 people)
  • 1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
  • Meals: 3B/3L/3D/3 snacks with typical menus (special dietary considerations available with prior notice)
  • Horses to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker for the first 3 days of the trek. (This includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.
  • Cook who is responsible for preparing and serving all delicious Peruvian meals and snacks
  • First Aid kit & Emergency oxygen bottle
  • Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 4

Exclusions

  • Airport Pick-Up (please make your own way)
  • Sleeping Bag (Rental $15 USD for the trek)
  • Day 1 breakfast, day 4 lunch, bottled water
  • Accommodation Drop-off in Cuzco
  • Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
  • Hot Springs Lares town (10 soles)
  • Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
  • Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
  • Small gift for communities
  • Accommodation in Cuzco
  • Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.) Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
  • Note: Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.

Itinerary

Day 1

Cuzco to Lares Town & Trek to Wakawasi (3,850m) (L/D)

  • Accommodation pick-up around 6:00 am and transfer by bus to Lares Town (2,900m). There, you can spend some time to enjoy the hot springs (extra cost) before starting your 6-hour trek. We'll begin our zigzagging climb to the town of Wakawasi (3,850m) with views of glaciers, wildlife and local communities. Our campsite at Wakawasi community will afford us with the chance to meet local families living in harmony with nature.

    Inclusions: Accommodation pick-up, Bus Cuzco - Lares Town, 1N Camping, Meals 1L/1D. (14km, 6hrs)

  • Camping overnight

Day 2

Trek to Patacancha Town (3,800m) (B/L/D)

  • Start off the day with an uphill 4-hour trek which will take us over Ipsayccocha Pass (4,400m), then another 40-minute walk downhill will bring us to our lunch stop next to the lake. Continue 3 more hours to Patacancha town (3,800m) where we will camp surrounded by llamas, alpacas and amidst native crop plantations.

    Inclusions: 1N Camping, Meals 1B/1L/1D. (15km, 8hrs)

  • Camping

Day 3

Trek to Ollantaytambo & Train to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)

  • From Patacancha mountain community (3,800m) we will walk 4 more hours until Ollantaytambo. Have lunch and hop on a train to reach Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel. Your guide will meet with you to give you indications for the next day. Depending on time, wander around town where you will find internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, plenty of shops and places to relax.

    Inclusions: Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes, 1N Aguas Calientes 3* Hotel, Meals 1B/1L/1D. (12km, 4hrs)

  • Aguas Calientes 3* hotel

Day 4

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco (B)

  • We will catch one of the first buses (05:30 am) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to appreciate the magnificent city as the mist dissipates in the early morning light. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy you can also climb the Huayna Picchu Peak (to book in advance at an extra cost). Take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You can visit the local marketplace next to the train station where you can shop until the train whistle blows, signaling your return to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take a bus back to Cuzco arriving around 08:00 pm. You will be dropped off at the Plaza San Francisco. Please make your own way to the accommodation of your choice.

    DESCRIPTION OF MACHU PICCHU GUIDED SITE VISIT: The one and only, the most spectacular (and not to mention most popular) archaeological site in all of South America. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu walking you through the most important sites and covering the history of the place. Then you will have free time to explore on your own and take pictures at your leisure.

    Take an OPTIONAL hike up the steep peak named Huayna Picchu, which is located inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. This sometimes muddy peak takes about 45 - 60 minutes to hike up and awards you with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu from a coveted perspective. Keep in mind that if you want to take this optional hike, you must now purchase your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance for an additional cost in order to get one of the 400 passes (200 people are allowed up at 7:00am and 200 more at 10:00am). Please send us an email directly to request this extra ticket.

    Inclusions: Round trip Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu, Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo, Bus Ollantaytambo - Cuzco, 2-Hour Machu Picchu Guided Visit, Meal 1B.

Please Note

  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Minimum age is 7 years
  • Note: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco office the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain. All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers. Not suitable for pets
  • Accommodation options: Days 1-2: Single travelers will share a tent with another traveler & couples will have a tent to themselves / Day 3: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
  • Physical Requirements: This hike is difficult, good physical conditions are needed as most of the hike is at high altitudes of 4000 meters (don't forget to bring warm clothes). Infants must not sit on laps
  • Departure dates for trek: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday (Daily departures with a group of 4 or more)
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), Date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6-months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking. Please be aware that your complete and correct passport information must be provided. Absolutely no modifications can be made once your booking has been confirmed. Any changes or discrepancies in the information provided will result in a complete loss of permits and entrance tickets, for which you will be held responsible and will need to pay for again.
  • Max 15, Avg 4
  • If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.) SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Lares town (this activity is available at an additional price).
  • DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
  • Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
  • You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide. Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: [ ] Sekwanele: [ ]
  • As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin. Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip. Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM
  • Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru
  • Emergency Contact: Ruth: [ ] Sekwanele: [ ]
  • Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM
  • Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru
  • Emergency Contact: Ruth: [ ] Sekwanele: [ ]

Know Before You Go

  • Public transportation nearby
  • Passport required

Cancellation Policy

Non-refundable booking

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