Climb Kilimanjaro, Hike Inca Trail To Machu Picchu, and Trek Everest Base Camp with Travel Dirty

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

South America

Bolivia

  • Alpamayo

Ecuador

  • Cotopaxi
  • Chimborazo
  • Chimborazo, Cotopaxi

Peru

  • Machu Picchu - Inca Trail Trek (Shared)
  • Luxury Inca Trail Trek
  • Ausangate Trek
  • Machu Picchu - Choquequirao Trek
  • Machu Picchu - Huchuy Qosqo Trek
  • Machu Picchu - Lares Trek
  • Machu Picchu - Salkantay Trek
  • Huascaran Climb
  • Ishinca Valley Climb
  • Pisco Climb
  • Santa Cruz Climb
  • Huayhuash Trek
  • Cusco Walking Tour
  • Inti Raymi Festival
  • Machu Picchu - by Train
  • Amazon Jungle Tours
  • Lake Titicaca Tours
  • Home
  • Packing lists
  • Guides
  • Destination Info

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek is like stepping back into the past. You will meet villagers farming potatoes by hand as they have done for centuries. The locals continue to dress in the famous red ponchos and you will have the opportunity to see the women weaving these. The Lares Trek goes over high mountain passes surrounded by alpacas and llamas with views of high snow peaks.

Lares Trek vs Inca Trail

The Lares trail is 2 km (1.2 miles) longer that the Inca Trail, but offers a more culturally immersive experience. This doesn't mean you need to miss out on beautiful mountain top vistas, but because of the numerous smaller villages scattered along the Lares trail, it's an extra opportunity to enjoy a much more comprehensive taste of Peruvian culture. Many of the people who live in the villages along the Lares Trail are direct descendants of the Incas. If you want to experience a more authentic immersion in Peruvian culture, some would say you can look forward to a more culturally enriching experience if you opt for the Lares Trail.

Days: 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Activity: Hiking/Trekking
Highest Altitude: 13,370 ft (4458 meters)
When to hike Machu Picchu: March to December
Closest airport to Machu Picchu: Cusco airport (CUZ)
Cusco Altitude: 11,200 ft.

Lares Trek Itinerary:

Day 1 Cusco - Quisuarani - Cuncani
We leave early from Cusco for the three and a half hour drive to the community of Quisuarani. We climb for 2 hours to Queunacocha Lake where we have lunch. A further hour gets us to the Huchuyccasa pass at 4458m with spectacular views of the emerald lakes below us. We descend for two hours to our camp in the village of Cuncani where we will have a chance to visit some of the traditional stone and thatch houses inhabited by the people.
Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5hours
Maximum altitude: 4,458 m (13,770 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (11,480 ft)

Lares Trek Packing List Lares Trek Packing List

Day 2 Cuncani - Ipsaycocha
We climb gently to the Cruzcasa pass at 4200m before traversing to Chachapata where we have lunch. Our second pass of the day at 4490m is a tougher climb but is rewarded by fantastic views of the Cordillera Vilcanota. A 45 min descent takes us to our campsite by the beautiful Ipsaycocha Lake.
Total distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5hours
Maximum altitude: 4,458 m (13,770 ft)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m (11,480 ft)

Lares Trek Packing List Lares Trek Packing List

Day 3 Ipsayqocha - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
A gentle two and a half hour descent brings us to the village of Patacancha. Our private bus will take us from here to the town of Ollantaytambo with its famous Inca fortress. We will have lunch before taking the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes where we book into our hostel for a well deserved shower. We will have time to visit the famous hot springs to soak aching muscles whilst sipping a cocktail before heading out for dinner.

Lares Trek Lares Trek

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After an early breakfast, we take the bus up to Machu Picchu, arriving well before the majority of tourists. You will have a guided tour of the site for two hours before having a bit of free time and making your way back on the bus to Aguas Calientes. Here there will be time for some lunch before boarding the afternoon train back to Cusco. On arrival back in Cusco we will transfer you from the train station to the hotel and say goodbye.

Lares Trek Lares Trek

Lares Trek Guide:

With hundreds to choose from, choosing a guide for your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu can be difficult. PAP Adventures stands apart from the rest. Their chefs have attended culinary training, and will amaze you with their artful presentation of food in the remotest of places. You will not find a more delicious meal on the trail. PAP is a locally owned and managed tour operator.

BOOK LARES TREK TRIP

Lares Trek Guide Lares Trek Guide
Lares Trek Guide Lares Trek Guide


Salkantay Trek Packing List Salkantay Trek Packing List


What's Included:

Entrance fees for Machu Picchu
Transportation from hotel to start of trail and from Machu Picchu back to Cusco
Cook, dining tent, table, chairs and latrine tent
Qualified local guides
Horses and wranglers to carry supplies camping equipment and clients duffel bags
Drinking water on trail
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon teas and 3 dinners
Good quality two man tents
Hostel in Aguas Calientes Day 3
First aid kit and emergency oxygen
Foam sleeping mat

What's Not Included:

Flight
Tip for guide(s), cook(s) and porters: A good rule of thumb is approximately $10 - 15 dollars per day per hiker for the porters. That is a total of $40-$60 per hiker, for a 4 day hike.
Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch Day 4
Sleeping Bag Hire: $20 per hiker to be paid on-site
More comfortable inflatable mattress hire: $15 per hiker to be paid on-site
Travel Insurance
Emergency evacuation to local hospital if needed
In case of emergencies: bring an extra $200 and a credit card

Lares Trek Packing List:

Lares Trek Packing List

Information Needed At Booking:

Special dietary restrictions
Reservations for on-site sleeping bag and/or inflatable mattress pad rental

Information Needed Before Trip:

Cusco Hotel Address and Phone Number for pickup and drop-off
Personal global phone number (if available)
Emergency contact Info
Final/full payment is due 30 days before trip

Documents Needed During Trip:

Passport valid 6 months after trip date and that matches what was provided to purchase Inca Trail permit.
Copy of traveler's insurance to provide to the guides for their records.
Failure to provide either one of these, can, and has, resulted in travellers being unable to continue on tour, so don't leave home without it.

Travel Guard offers competitive plans. Insurance items to include: emergency evacation, medical, trip interruption, baggage delay, and adventure sports waiver. The adventure sports waiver insurance covers high-alitude hiking.

Getting to Machu Picchu: For the airport closest to Machu Picchu, airlines, hotels, and other info related to Machu Picchu Peru: View the Peru destination guide.

Machu Picchu Hotel:

For a real treat after your hike, stay overnight at the only hotel on the grounds of Machu Picchu: The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Hotel

BOOK LARES TREK TRIP
Return to top

(c) Copyright 2015 Travel Dirty Template design by Alpha Studio
Home | Packing Lists | Guides | Destination Info