Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Awaken your spirit with San Pedro ceremonies, connecting with nature, ancient wisdom, and profound heart-opening spiritual experiences.
Overview
Highlights
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Walk with us on this amazing 4-day journey through and into the Andes’ heart, where sacred Machu Picchu awaits you on the last day. Our Lares trek to Machu Picchu takes you through a breathtaking high Andean landscape and amazing mountains, where its people keep practicing ancestral traditions. this hike takes you to authentic Andean villages while being surrounded by beautiful lakes and green valleys, join our family for this memorable experience.
Itinerary & Prices
All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.
Tour Map
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
Starting at:
Contact us for pricing
Add ons and extras:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.
- Vistadome Observatory: $80 USD one way – 150 USD Round Trip.
- Walking Poles: $20 USD per pair.
- Sleeping Bag: $25 USD.
- Vistadome Train: $60 USD. Only return.
- Hotel upgrade to 4* or 5*: Ask for costs at the booking time.
Included:
- Tour Guide: English Spanish and Quechua speaking guide.
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Machu Picchu ticket with circuit 2.
- Private van from your hotel in Cusco to the trail head.
- Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco after the trip.
- Train Tickets: from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and viceversa. (Expedition Train Service).
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Professional cook- specialized in hiking routes.
- Wake up tea every morning It can be Coca tea, Coffee, chocolate, or any type of tea.
- Horses to carry all of our trekking gear.
- We carry 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.
- Large duffel bag provided by the company, for your 7 kg personal belongings.
- Clean and safe water, provided every half day, you need your own water for the 1st morning.
- Tea hour with pop corn, tea, biscuits and more.
- Snacks every morning.
- Large Dining tent table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
- Four-person tents are provided for 2 people to provide you with plenty of space for personal gear.
- Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.
- Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian options available.
- Air Mattress.
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen tank for emergencies.
- Hygiene Product We will provide you with a bowl a wáter and hand-towel to clean your hands at every campsite.
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned on the itinerary.
- Gratuities for Pumadventures team (Guides, Drivers, Cook, porters).
- Souvenirs.
- International or domestic airfare.
- Extra water.
- Original passport (it is compulsory to enter the Inca Trail and Machupicchu)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- An extra small backpack or small carry on to send to Aguas Calientes (larger suitcases are not allowed on the train)
- Thermal clothing: jackets, pants, hats, and gloves that are waterproof
- Clothes made with materials like linen or cotton which will allow air to circulate better than synthetic fabrics
- Water storage: 2-3 litre Camelbacks are encouraged.
- Shoes with good insulation or ones that cover your ankles
- Wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
- Comfortable shoes or sandals in case of waterlogged areas around the salt flats
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof jacket or poncho for the rainy season
- A fleece or jacket Warm jacket for the cold nights
- A blanket for extra warmth in case of cold nights, specially Puno and Bolivia.
- Extra cash for meals, snacks and souvenirs
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent (15% – 30% deeds)
- Wool hat if cold season
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Any necessary personal medications
- Cameras, chargers, extra cables, power-bank
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tipsValuables
- Swimsuit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional)
Itinerary
Towards Lares Valley
Route: Cusco → Pumahuanca → Lares.
Our first day of the trek starts of in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.
This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbit like Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.
- Starting Altitude – 2800m / 9186ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4780m / 15,682ft.
- Walking Distance – 14km/8.7 miles.
- Coldest Night – Day 1 around 0º Celsius.
- Overall Difficulty – Moderate.
- Campsite Elevation – 3700 meters ASL / 12333 feet ASL.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time).
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Adventure: Moderate-High!
Walking Meditation: Enjoying The Hike
Route: Lares → Cuncani.
Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2 hour walk right at the beginning.
As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Qhechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people. Camping.
- Starting Altitude – 3700m / 9186ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4780m / 15,682ft.
- Walking Distance – 14km/8.7 miles.
- Overall Difficulty – Moderate.
- Campsite Elevation – 3150 meters ASL / 10500 feet ASL.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time).
- Accommodation: Camping.
- Adventure: Moderate.
Towards Machupicchu
Route: Cuncani → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes.
The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – hopefully by now you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyone delight and amusement). After the visit you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for. After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo) we’ll meet the parent’s group and together board our train to Aguas Calientes.
We enjoy a scenic train ride long the Urubamba River to the charming village of Aguas Calientes.
- Campsite Elevation – 2430 meters ASL / 8100 feet ASL.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation: Hotel Aguas Calientes- Machupicchu.
Machu Picchu – The Ancient City
Route: Aguas Calientes → Machupicchu → Cusco.
After an early breakfast we make our way by bus to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu for our spiritual awakening. This Cristal Condor sacred site is an inspiring and beautiful place, an architectural wonder, and a great testament to Incan Civilization. Once used primarily as an astronomical Observatory and place of pilgrimage, Machu Picchu now attracts thousands of visitors each year to connect with the sacred energies and ancient wisdom. Because it sits within three corresponding high peaks of power, which create an energy triangle, it is a perfect spot to sit and meditate, focus your intent, and expand your awareness.
During our time here we will visit the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the spiritual centre of the Intihuatana, or the Hitching Post of the Sun. ¡Puma will guide us into a heart-opening ceremony to connect with Pachamama and the universal energies that encompass us – a life changing experience! Since we are spending a 2nd night in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we can relax and spend the full day at this amazing site. (Overnight in Machupicchu)
Important Notes:
- ** Entrance to Machu Picchu is scheduled for Circuit 2 at 6:00 AM (or the closest available time).
- ** You can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain at 10:00 AM or 07:00 AM.
- ** Please check availability of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu with us before confirming your booking.
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