Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

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Overview

Lares Trek is one of the best options to reach Machu Picchu. This tour is a combination of nature, history and culture, in addition to relaxing in the thermal baths of Lares you will walk through Andean landscapes that are home to Andean communities that preserve their customs and will be happy to share with you.

For 4 days you will walk through these places enjoying the impressive views of waterfalls, grazing animals such as llamas and alpacas. In addition to being surrounded by imposing mountains from where you can get impressive views of the Andean valley.

To carry out this tour we recommend you spend a few days in Cusco or acclimatize well to avoid altitude sickness since we will pass through places up to 4900 meters above sea level.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Calca - Quiswarani - Yanacocha

We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco at 06:00 in the morning. We will take you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the province of Quiswarani in Calca, here we will stop at a store so you can buy items that you need for the trek.

Upon reaching the starting point that is Quiswarani, we will meet our porters who will help us with our belongings. After accommodating our belongings we will begin the walk with an ascent to the first pass located at 4200 meters above sea level. Here we can enjoy beautiful views of the Andes.

We will continue walking uphill until we reach the Paso Hualcacassa located at 4225 meters above sea level. From here you can see the seven lagoons and the snowy peaks.

After observing this view we will stop for lunch. We will continue walking to the Qolqecasa Pass. Finally we will descend for 30 minutes to Yanacocha, where we will rest the night in comfortable tents after dinner.

Day 2: Yanacocha - Huacahuasi - Mantanay

On the second day we will wake you up with a delicious breakfast before continuing the trek downhill. Along the way you will see Andean houses, farmlands that are the livelihood of families in the area and also grazing animals such as alpacas, llamas and vicuñas.

We will continue walking to the highest point of the walk, Paso Aururocassa, located at 4600 meters. Upon arrival you will enjoy the tranquility of the Andes and the fresh air that runs through the area. You will also be surrounded by the landscape of the Valle de Lares.

Finally we will walk downhill to Mantanay, where we will spend the night in comfortable tents after a delicious dinner prepared by our chefs.

Day 3: Mantanay - Yanahuara - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

On the third day we will wake you up with a delicious breakfast before continuing with the tour. We will descend through quinoa fields, potato crops until we reach Yanahuara. Place where we will stop for lunch and then say goodbye to our porters and cooks.

Then we will take you to the train station in Ollantaytambo where you will board a train that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes. After accommodating you in a hotel you can stroll through the town or relax in the thermal baths, very famous for their medicinal properties.

At night our guide will give you directions for the next day at his hotel.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

The expected day has arrived! Early in the morning the hotel staff will give you a box of snacks. We will take you to the bus terminal where you will board the bus that will take you to the Machu Picchu fortress. At the entrance to the fortress of Machu Picchu you will pass a control where your passport will be verified. After passing the control we will begin the tour with our guide who will give you more details of the Inca history.

After the tour of the entire citadel, you will have free time to explore the citadel on your own. We recommend you visit the Inti Punku or “Puerta del Sol” which offers a panoramic view of the citadel. If you book a trek to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain, our guide will take you to the entrance.

You will board the bus back to Aguas Calientes, upon arrival you will have free time to tour the town and have lunch. Finally, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our private transport will be waiting for you to take you back to the city of Cusco. We will leave you at your accommodation.