Lares Trek & Machu Picchu 7 Days

The Lares trek is a popular alternative to the Inca Trail and the ruins of Machu Picchu. The Lares trek is an exciting alternative and a good way to avoid the crowds. The trek features traditional Andean villages, a chance to soak in the hot springs at Lares and the opportunity to see some high glacial lakes as you cross the alpine tundra. Our tour starts in Cusco the ancient capital of the Inca set high in the Andes and surrounded by the beautiful Sacred Valley. When you arrive in Cusco we will pick you up at the airport and arrange a tour of the city. We include one free day in Cusco to acclimatize and to explore before starting the Lares Trek. Our trek starts with an early morning drive to the village of Lares where we can soak in the thermal springs and take lunch before getting started. The first days trek will take us to the small village of Huacawasi which is your typical Andean village with Adobe houses and llamas running about. The following day we will reach Aruraycocha (4500m/14763ft) which is the highest point and offers some stunning alpine vistas as well as the nearby glacial lake Aruraycocha. The final day of trekking we will descend to the village of Yanahuara located in the Sacred Valley before heading by van to Ollantaytambo which is named after the adjacent Inca Fortress. We continue by train from Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes where we will spend the night. The following morning we will take the short bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a guided tour of the ancient city and then you will have another couple of hours to explore on your own before heading back to Cusco by train and bus. The last night of the tour is in Cusco and we will drop you back to the airport on the final day.

What's Included?

• 3 Days of Trekking the Lares Trail
• Expertly cooked meals on the trek
• 3 Nights accommodation in Cusco with breakfast*
• 1 Night accommodation in Agua Calientes with breakfast
• Airport transfers in Cusco
• Cusco City Tour with transport and entrance fees
• All Land Transfers as mentioned in itinerary
• Professional Guide & Cook
• Comfortable Dining tent, tables and chairs
• All Trekking Permits & Entrance Fee to Machu Picchu
• Return Train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

* A single supplement of $300 for a private room for solo travelers.

Day 1: Arrive Cusco

We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive in Cusco and transfer you to your hotel. Your guide will arrange time for a briefing with you to go over logistics and at 13:00 we will arrange a half day tour of the city. Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and a beautiful city set high in the Andes.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 2: Rainbow Mountain Tour

Hiking Distance: (7km / 4.5 miles) ; Elevation: 5200m/17060ft
Drive Time: 7 hours roundtrip.
This morning, we will meet in the hotel lobby at 5:30 am for a full-day excursion to the world-famous Rainbow Mountains. Upon arrival, we will take you on a 6 hour guided trek through this natural, multi-colored phenomenon in the Peruvian Andes. We will return to the hotel by 5 pm that evening. Transport, entry fees and lunch are all included.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 3: Start Lares Trek - Hike to Huacawasi

We will get started after an early breakfast with the drive to Calca (2 hours) where we will make a brief stop before continuing the drive to Lares (3 hours). We can enjoy the hot springs in Lares and have lunch before getting started on the trail. We will gradually ascend to the small village of Huacawasi where we will spend the night.

Day 4: Huacawasi to Mantanay

After breakfast we will hike towards Aruraycocha (4500m/14763ft) which is the highest point and offers some stunning alpine vistas. We will descend towards glacial lake Aruraycocha and then continue to Yuraccocha Lake for lunch. We continue descending to the village of Mantanay where we will set up our second campsite.

Day 5: Mantanay to Yanahuara (End Trek) to Aguas Calientes

Today is the last day of trekking and we will descend to the village of Yanahuara located in the Sacred Valley. We will meet the van here for our transport to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a massive Inca Fortress with a huge sun temple and bathing complex. We will take the train from Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes where we will spend the night.

Overnight: Hatun Inti Boutique. Accommodation in Suite Room with private bath

Day 6: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to Cusco

We will get an early start today (5:40am) to take the short bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a guided tour 9roughly 2 hours) of the ancient city and then you will have another couple of hours to explore on your own. Once you're finished exploring you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for journey back to Cusco by train and bus.

Optional Tour: Wayna Picchu is the mountain directly behind Machu Picchu and is frequently climbed for great views of the mountains. This requires a pre-arranged permit which can be obtained for additional cost. Please ask us if you would like to include the optional hike in the package.

Overnight: Jose Antonio Hotel. Accommodation in Standard Room with private bath

Day 7: Depart Cusco

Take breakfast at the hotel and we will arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Lima.

Exclusions

• Meals and drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary (Please let us know if you would like any extra meals included).
• Tips and gratuities.
• Optional excursions.
• Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and telephone calls.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal equipment such as trekking equipment.
• Damages caused by the client to the bus or to the camping equipment.
• Camping equipment such as sleeping bag or walking stick.
• Personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. (You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite).

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For details on the following please check:
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Please review the "Terms and Conditions" carefully before booking and don't hesitate to ask us if any questions.