The Lares trek to Machu Picchu 4 day, is the ultimate cultural trek. A superb alternative hike to the Classic Inca Trail. It has been specially designed for those people who are looking for authentic hiking routes, away from the classic touristy paths. This is definitely your best opportunity to enjoy the great mountain scenery and the real taste of the Peruvian culture.
The stunning Lares Peru trek offered by Top Peru Trips allows you to experience the traditional villages of the native indigenous people descendant of the Incas. They are dedicated to agriculture, livestock farming and weaving, high up on the mountains of the Peruvian Andes. In Lares Valley to the end of the hike, you will enjoy one of the nicest Hot-springs in the region of Cusco.
Lares Valley is home to several interesting communities. Where you find some women weavers herding Llamas and Alpacas on the mountains. Hiking this picturesque trail is synonym of experiencing the real Andean lifestyle of Peru.
To the end of the this fantastic hike, travelers will be transported to the train station of Ollantaytambo. In the evening at the specific time you will catch the train to “Machu Picchu” town, at your arrival our representative will take you to the hotel.
In the morning our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then there will be a drive of 1 hour to arrive to the village of Pumahuanca to begin our trip . We’ll follow the side valley, covering about 03 hours of hiking to reach the small village of Cuyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site and the guide will talk us all about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.
This particular route for Lares trek offer by Top Peru Trips is not used by many travel companies. So there will be a great chance to see the wildlife (hummingbirds and Chinchillas). After lunch the trail goes through a dense native vegetation all the way to the campsite for the night, at Sutoc (4100m / 13451ft).
This is the coldest night in the entire trip. So we highly recommend you to bring a good four season sleeping bag and some change of warm clothes.
After an early breakfast we will start the second day hike of Lares trip . Walking slowly for approx. 3 hours, then we will arrive to the highest point of the entire trip. For many people this is the hardest section of the trek due the high altitude. From the pass there will be magnificent views of both valleys. After to enjoy all the wonderful and scenic views it’s time to head down to the village of Cuncani for lunch (approx. 3 hours).
Walking down to Cuncani we’ll see some snow-capped peaks high above us, beautiful mountain lakes (Yanacocha – Black lake). Local people will show up dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. The people in this region are descendant’s of the Incas. The second night camp is the lower altitude, So is not too cold.
Some of the locals usually come in our stops to meet us. The people of this region are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you about them, this is the opportunity to give them any gifts you’ve brought for the local people or just to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.
We will leave Cuncani. It is just a few hours of walk to arrive to the hot springs of Lares Valley. Following a beautiful hiking trail we get to pass small villages. Lunch is around the thermal baths.
After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be driven back to the Sacred Valley. In the evening we have to travel by train to Aguas Calientes town.
In the morning after breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the main entrance of the citadel “Machu Picchu” where an expert tour guide will transmit us all the history of this mysterious and outstanding place. After the guided visit to the site, you get free time to go exploring the town (Aguas Calientes) or you can do the optional hikes around Machupicchu like:
At the appropriate time, you have to return to the train station in Aguas Calientes. Afterwards the train will get you back to Ollantaytambo station. Upon arrival to the Train Station, reception and transfer to the Hotel in Cusco.
Note: Huaynapicchu Mountain tickets: are available only for early bookings. Mail us for additional info.
Lares Valley has several trekking routes, depending on your prefferences you can start in the Sacred Valley or Hot springs. The altitude will be quite similar around 3000 m / 10000 ft in both places. But depending on the route you want to follow, there will be short differences on the passes. The average of elevation will be at least 15.500 ft. Any of the Lares trek options are in the high altitude.
Lares Valley enables you to get a firsthand look of the authentic lifestyle in the Peruvian Andes. So hiking Lares trek you will explore the home of the Inca descendants, Andean villages. Where people are herds of Llamas and Alpacas. If you want to learn the local culture this is the perfect trek you need choose. Remote, very scenic and not crowded as some other trails in the region.
Although is difficult to choose a very good tour operator for Lares trek. But at least you have the reviews of travelers on TripAdvisor or recommendation of another former travelers. Some companies have as a priority Quality Service for their customers, which is essential for a good operation of any trek. Well established companies usually have a good reputation even on the forums online.
Before all you need to choose the season you come to hike in Lares Valley. The next step will be to choose a good operator, then you need acclimatization to the altitude and finally you should bring a good hiking gear with you. Which we suggest to hikers in a list below.
– The hike in Lares Valley is not crowded, beautiful scenery, remote and culturally much better than any other alternative treks. It does not require trek permits and you can plan the route you want to follow.
– Inca Trail is always busy usually 500 people hiking in the same direction with you all the way to Machu Picchu. You need to book months in advance and it has specific camp sites to stay.
