4Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

4Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

Enjoy a 4-day trek along a great and less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail called the Lares Trek. This high altitude trek will be enjoyed by hikers interested in interacting with the local communities and seeing their way of life in the countryside.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco to Lares Town & Trek to Wakawasi (3,850m) (L/D)

Stop At: Lares Trek, 08000 Peru
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)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camping overnight

Day 2: Trek to Patacancha Town (3,800m) (B/L/D)

Stop At: Lares Trek, 08000 Peru
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)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camping

Day 3: Trek to Ollantaytambo & Train to Aguas Calientes (B/L/D)

Stop At: Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes), Signposted from main square, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
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)
Duration: 1 day 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Aguas Calientes 3* hotel

Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cuzco (B)

Stop At: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru
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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.