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Trekking

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

4 days / 3 nights5.0 · 35 reviews on TripadvisorCusco, Perú
  • nevado-ausangate

    nevado-ausangate

  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
  • Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Overview

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 04 Days: Unlike the more crowded treks in Cusco, trekking through the Lares Valley allows you to explore remote landscapes, a destination that remains largely unknown to many travelers. It is a journey into the heart of the Andes, where few tourists have ventured. This stunning route will take you through spectacular natural scenery, adorned with towering glaciers. It is a world entirely different from our own, an Andean sanctuary where residents of small communities still preserve their ancestral traditions. Furthermore, this unforgettable journey culminates with a visit to the majestic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Highlights

  • Meeting point: Pick-up from your hotel or coordinated meeting point in the Cusco historic center.
  • Tour itinerary: Cusco – Calca – Lares – Wacahuasi – Sacsallaully Pass – Mantanay – Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
  • Important: The Lares Trek is a 3-day hike through Andean landscapes, traditional communities, and high-altitude lagoons, ending with the arrival in Aguas Calientes.

Itinerary

  1. 1Day 1Cusco – Calca – Lares – Wacahuasi

    Departure at 5:30 am from the hotel toward the Sacred Valley. Stop at a lookout point to enjoy panoramic views and a briefing from the guide. Visit to the local market in Calca before continuing to Lares (10,170 ft / 3,100 m), the starting point of the trek and meeting point with the support team. Relaxation at the Lares hot springs (82–93 °F / 28–34 °C). Begin the trek with 2 hours of flat terrain to the Vilcabamba bridge for lunch. Afterwards, a 3-hour hike to Wacahuasi (12,303 ft / 3,750 m), interacting with local residents and enjoying views of the Lares Valley. Settling into the campsite, tea time, and dinner. Estimated hiking time: 4 to 5 hours.

    • Distance: 6.8 miles (11 km)
    • Campsite altitude: 12,303 ft (3,750 masl)
  2. 2Day 2Wacahuasi – Sacsallaully Pass – Mantanay

    Begin the trek at 7:00 am. A 3-hour ascent to the Sacsallaully pass (15,243 ft / 4,646 m) with views of valleys, snow-capped peaks, and the Aruray Cocha lagoon. Observation of local wildlife such as Andean geese, ducks, llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Descent toward the Aruraycocha and Yuraccoha lagoons, surrounded by polylepis forests, where lunch will be served. A 2-hour hike to the campsite in Mantanay (12,631 ft / 3,850 m), crossing through a valley of polylepis trees. Dinner and rest at the campsite. Estimated hiking time: 6 to 7 hours.

    • Distance: 9.3 miles (15 km)
    • Campsite altitude: 12,631 ft (3,850 masl)
  3. 3Day 3Mantanay – Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

    Descent of approximately 1 hour to Yanahuara (9,350 ft / 2,850 m), a farming community in the Sacred Valley. 15-minute transfer to Ollantaytambo, with free time to explore the artisan market and Inca streets. Lunch on your own.
    In the afternoon, train journey to Aguas Calientes (6,561 ft / 2,000 m). Check-in at the hotel, option to visit the hot springs, and briefing regarding the Machu Picchu visit. Dinner.

  4. 4Day 4Machu Picchu – Cusco

    Early departure by bus or hike toward Machu Picchu. Guided tour of approximately 2 hours through the main temples and sectors. Free time to explore (optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, subject to availability, advanced booking, and additional cost).
    Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, train journey to Ollantaytambo, and land transfer back to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.
    End of services.

What’s included

Included

  • Bus transfer from your hotel in Cusco – Lares.
  • Train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) – Cusco (Poroy).
  • Entry ticket to the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.
  • Bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
  • Meals (03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, and 03 dinners).
  • 01 night at a hostel in Aguas Calientes.
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

Not included

  • Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • Sleeping bag.

What to bring

  • It is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days in advance to acclimate to the altitude. Bring comfortable hiking clothes, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle.
    Personal toiletries.
  • Use comfortable shoes, preferably trekking sneakers or hiking boots.
  • Carry personal medications and your original passport.
  • Water bottle and water purification tablets.
  • Raincoat or poncho during the rainy season (October to March).
  • Flashlight, camera, and batteries.
  • Swimsuit.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sunblock or sunscreen.
  • Sun hats.
  • Toilet paper, small towel.
  • Snacks: Cookies, chocolates, etc.
  • Horses (to carry the tent, food, and kitchen equipment).
  • Trekking poles.

FAQ

What is the difficulty level of the Lares Trek?

It is a moderate to high difficulty route, with steep climbs and high-altitude passes (up to 15,243 ft / 4,646 masl). Good physical condition and prior acclimation in Cusco or the surrounding areas are recommended before starting the trek.

Where do we spend the night during the trek?

You will camp in Wacahuasi (12,303 ft / 3,750 m) and Mantanay (12,631 ft / 3,850 m) in tents provided by the agency, with meals included. In Aguas Calientes, you will stay at a selected hotel, where you can enjoy optional activities such as the hot springs.

What distance is covered and how much walking is done each day?

The entire trek covers approximately 18 miles (29 km). On the first day you will hike 7 miles (11 km), the second day 9.3 miles (15 km), and the third day 1.8 miles (3 km) (just a short walk before transferring to Aguas Calientes).

What equipment or clothing should I bring for the trek?

Layered clothing is recommended (thermal, fleece, and windbreaker), comfortable and broken-in trekking boots, trekking poles, a sleeping bag (approx. 23°F / –5°C), a headlamp, sunscreen, a hat, a 2–3 L water bottle, insect repellent, and cash for personal purchases.

Are meals included during the trek?

Yes, all meals during the trekking days are included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). It is also recommended to bring energy snacks for the more demanding sections or to eat between meals.

What our travellers say

  • Hans-Kristian H

    We booked the Salkantay trek through hahatrips and had an amazing time Haha Trips was great at explaining and planning our Salkantay trek. Helped whit renting sleeping bags and did it all at a good price. Wilson is a friend of ours🤠 - he is always ready to help and very responsive However it is not hahatrips you are on the trek whit but another travel agency called KB Adventures which we were surprised about - they are however really great as well and we had a fantastic trek whit a great group of people😎

    Tripadvisor · Aug 2023
  • Anghie R

    Excelente tour Muy buena agencia, de verdad la recomiendo un montón! Wilson siempre estuvo dispuesto a resolver mis dudas e incluso a ayudarme con ciertos inconvenientes que tuve, siempre fue cordial, muy amable y comprensivo en todo momento 😃 Tuve una hermosa experiencia en Cusco, muchas gracias!

    Tripadvisor · Aug 2023
  • Laura V

    Great organization! Wilson is a great person! My friend had to recover from being sick and Wilson helped us with his flexibility and new ideas for visiting MachuPicchu. We went to MachuPicchu in two days and enjoyed the great organization. From hotel to transport and the guides were really great! I would definitely recommend this travel agency. Big thanks for everything!

    Tripadvisor · Jun 2023
  • Claus Santa

    Sehr empfehlenswert Wir haben bei Wilson von HaHa Trips die 5 Tage Salkantay Tour gebucht. Wilson war sehr informativ und hilfreich. Alle Fragen wurden per WhatsApp sofort beantwortet. Die Organisation der ganzen Unternehmung war tadellos.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Joe G

    Great and Cheap! The prices of this tour company will have you going ‘HAHA’, because it’s so cheap! We did both the 2D1N Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain tours. Well organised and lots of fun. Wilson is great, would highly recommend.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • 552wimg

    The best touring company in Cusco! This was my first time in Peru, and it did not disappoint. Ha ha tours are true professionals! I booked a package to trek the old Inca Trail. Our guide was Ronny Pillco, who led the expedition! He shared a world of historical knowledge and was a true professional! Everything was top-not ch, from the cook Rene, to the guides and porters and our female porter! Everyone was always smiling and trying to help having us have the greatest experience! I truly recommend HAHA TOURS! Price-quality are unmatched

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Maxwell B

    5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Wilson was very helpful with everything. He gave me the information needed for the Salkantay 5-day trek to Machu Picchu. Whenever I had a question he provided everything I needed with a quick response. Very professional.

    Tripadvisor · May 2023
  • Carla C

    El mejor servicio de tour! Llegue a esta agencia gracias a la recomendación de un amigo y desde entonces, Wilson me apoya brindándome el servicio de tour. Es una empresa seria que se preocupa por brindarle comodidad a los turistas y siempre están haciéndole seguimiento al servicio que te brindan. Además, me encantó la flexibilidad que la empresa proporcionó en términos de tiempo y lugares a visitar. Recomiendo a cualquier persona que busque una experiencia turística excepcional.

    Tripadvisor · Apr 2023
  • Benjamin P

    Excelente tour de la Ciudad de Cusco con Venturia y Ruben Excelente tour de la ciudad de Cusco con Venturia y Ruben, el tour guy. Ruben me fue a buscar al hotel, y caminamos toda la ciudad por unas 3 horas. Fuimos al mercado, a las iglesias principales, y las calles mas interesantes de Cusco. La pase super bien con Ruben, y hasta fuimos a almorzar en un lugar muy pintoresco y cerca de la plaza principal de Cusco. Ruben sabe mucho de la historia de la catedral de Cusco, 100% recomendado.

    Tripadvisor · Apr 2023
  • Christian Stocker

    Amazing Great experience; we did the Salkantay trail for 5 days all meals and accommodation included for only £30 a day; everything went perfectly!

    Tripadvisor · Mar 2023
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