What is included in the price?

Transportation from the hotel to Vale de Lares; Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco; Entrance to the thermal baths of Vale de Lares

How difficult is this trek?

Moderate to challenging — contact us for details.

What is included in a trek package?

Typically guides, camping equipment or lodges (route-dependent), meals on the trail, and Machu Picchu logistics. Exact inclusions vary by trek — open the itinerary or message us for your dates.

What is included in the price?

Transportation from the hotel to Vale de Lares; Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco; Entrance to the thermal baths of Vale de Lares

How difficult is this trek?

Moderate to challenging — contact us for details.

What is included in a trek package?

Typically guides, camping equipment or lodges (route-dependent), meals on the trail, and Machu Picchu logistics. Exact inclusions vary by trek — open the itinerary or message us for your dates.

Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days

Overview

Trek through remote Andean communities and stunning mountain landscapes on an alternative route to Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Huacawasi – Sondor – Quebrada de Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Miski Unu

Around 6 in the morning, we will pick you up at your hotel to head to the town of Lares , where we will begin our walk. During the trip, we will make a stop in the town of Calca, where you can visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you need. Your guide will advise you to buy bread to give to the children we will meet during our walk. Upon arriving in Lares, we will visit the hot springs, where you can enjoy the hot water while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will begin our hike towards our first camp at Huacawasi (3600 m / 11811 ft). For 3 hours we will walk gradually uphill, which will prepare you for the next day when we reach the highest point of this hike. We will spend the first night in the house of our riders, who will accompany us on this trip. It is a great opportunity to get to know this small town and its Andean culture better. Upon arrival, our tents will be ready and we will be offered popcorn, sweets and hot tea before dinner. You can rest in one of the typical houses. Transportation time: 4 Hrs Walking Time: 4 Hrs Weather during the day: Warm Overnight: Camp in Huacawasi Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Huacawasi – Sondor – Quebrada de Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Miski Unu

Early in the morning we will be greeted by local children dressed in traditional costumes on their way to school. After a nutritious breakfast we will begin our hike towards the highest point, the Sacsayllame Gorge at 4400m or 14435 feet above sea level. The hike will take 4 hours and will be quite steep. An emergency horse will accompany us so we can all reach the top. During this walk you will be able to glimpse the enormous mountains, a mosaic of farmland and magnificent landscapes. We will reach high altitudes where it will be very cold. After reaching the highest point, we will descend and reach a beautiful lagoon before having lunch next to the river. You can rest while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will descend through a forest where we can glimpse the “Queuñas” (Polylepis), a typical Peruvian tree. This hike will last 1 hour before reaching our camp at Miski Unu (3550m/11646f). A wonderful place in the middle of nature where you will have hot tea and a snack upon arrival, before dinner. Walking time: 7 hours Weather during the day/night: Cold Overnight: Camp in Miski Unu Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3: Miski Unu – Queshuarchalloc – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today will be another spectacular day as we descend through different forests. You will be able to enjoy the rich biodiversity and the changing fauna and flora during this 3-hour walk that will end in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Be aware of the large number of mosquitoes in the forest. We will enjoy our last lunch in Queshuarchalloc where we will say goodbye to our knights and cooks. After lunch we will take a local bus to Ollantaytambo. We will visit this beautiful Inca settlement before having dinner at a local restaurant. At 7pm we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hostel or hotel. Walking time: 4 hours Transportation time: Half an hour Climate: Hot Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave the hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am towards Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) on a tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour of the citadel, including information about the life and culture of the Incas, we will leave Aguas Calientes by train at 2:55 pm or 6:10 pm. Meanwhile you can have lunch in one of the pleasant restaurants. Additionally, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax for a while. Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (own expense) Meals included: Breakfast <div class="gdlr-core-title-item gdlr-core-item-pdb clearfix gdlr-core-left-align gdlr-core-title-item-caption-bottom gdlr-core-item-pdlr" style="padding-bottom: 35px ;"

Includes

✓ Transportation from the hotel to Vale de Lares
✓ Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
✓ Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
✓ Entrance to the thermal baths of Vale de Lares
✓ Entrance to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu
✓ Hotel with room and private bathroom in Aguas Calientes
✓ Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes;
✓ Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
✓ High-quality camping equipment (professional tents, Cima 4, extra light 4.5kg for 2
✓ People. Mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent)
✓ Food during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Vegetarian option)
✓ Kitchen and cooking equipment
✓ Rider and mules to transport all personal and camping equipment (up to 7 kg)
✓ Bus from Machu Picchu to Águas – Machu Picchu
✓ Emergency horse (minimum 2 people)
✓ First aid kit and oxygen bottle

Excludes

✗ Breakfast on the first day and the last lunch in Aguas Calientes
✗ Sleeping bag (if you don't have a sleeping bag, you can rent one); USD 25.00 dollars per person
✗ Walking poles USD 10.00 per person
✗ Tips
✗ Visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes: you can relax while waiting for the train back to Cusco. The Thermal Baths are located 10 minutes walk from the town and the entrance fee is S/20.00.
✗ Airplane ticket
✗ Safe journey
✗ Food and drink not mentioned in the program.

Questions about this trip

Quick answers before you message us — still have questions? We reply on WhatsApp in English.

What is included in the price?: Transportation from the hotel to Vale de Lares; Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco; Entrance to the thermal baths of Vale de Lares
How difficult is this trek?: Moderate to challenging — contact us for details.
What is included in a trek package?: Typically guides, camping equipment or lodges (route-dependent), meals on the trail, and Machu Picchu logistics. Exact inclusions vary by trek — open the itinerary or message us for your dates.

Ask our team on WhatsApp