Lares Trek Tour by Inka Rainbow

4 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

15 peopleMaximum group size

2 peopleMinimum to book

5 - 79 yearsAge range for participants

English, German, Portuguese, SpanishGuide language

4780mHighest point reached

Starts

Cusco, Peru

Ends

Cusco, Peru

Highlights

Trek through the Sacred Valley

Combine the beauty of the mountains with cultural exploration

Itinerary

Seeking a less-traveled path to Machu Picchu? The Lares Trek is a compelling alternative to the busy Inca Trail, offering a genuine glimpse into Andean life and breathtaking natural scenery. Begin in the Sacred Valley at Pumahuanca, trek through mountains, lakes, and valleys, and visit the traditional village of Cuncani before reaching the soothing hot springs of Lares.

On the third day, transfer by bus and train to Ollantaytambo, continuing by rail to the majestic Machu Picchu. This trek’s highlight is its focus on authentic cultural encounters with local communities, making it a family-friendly adventure packed with rugged beauty and rich traditions.

day 1 - Cusco - Pumahuanca - Puyoc

Today we pick you up at 5:00 am to start the Lares trek to Machupicchu. We travel an hour and a half by bus to the village of Pumahuanca (2840m)/(9317ft), located in the Sacred Valley, where we will start our trek.

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 Puyol. 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 of the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbances. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox.

Our campsite for the night is at Puyol (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.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Lunch, Dinner

day 2 - Puyoc - Yanacocha - 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 Quechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.

Accommodation: Camping

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 3 - Cuncani - Lares

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's delight and amusement). After the visit, you'll have the opportunity to give any gifts you've brought to the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.

Leaving Cuncani it's just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we'll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we'll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they're easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs, we'll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we'll catch our train to Machu Picchu.

Accommodation:3 Star Hotel

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 4 - Machu Picchu

Waking up early, we'll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We'll have a 2-hour guided tour of the site, during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel.

After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Professional English speaking tour guideAssistant tour guide for groups of 8+Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus 7 kg of your personal itemsPick-up from hotelTrain from Ollantaytambo to Aguas CalientesTransportation by bus to Pumahuanca and from Lares to OllantaytamboReturn transportation by train and bus to CuscoWater (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks and 3 dinnersChefDining tent with tables and chairsAccommodation in 3-star hotel on day 3Sleeping mattressOxygen bottle and first aid kitEntrance to Machu PicchuReturn bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

What's Excluded

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