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Cusco · Peru
Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days
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From $721.60 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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The Experience
What your day looks like
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu takes you beyond the crowds and into the heart of the Andes, where you’ll connect with local families, witness centuries-old traditions, and visit a village school. Along the way, you’ll enjoy natural hot springs, breathtaking mountain scenery, and starry nights by turquoise lakes, before ending your journey with an unforgettable day at Machu Picchu.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Relax in the soothing natural hot springs of Lares
- Discover the Maras salt mines and explore Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca Town”
- Visit Machu Picchu and enjoy the magic of sunrise with fewer crowds
- Travel back in style on the panoramic Vistadome or 360° train
- Give back by supporting local social projects
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Cusco
Transportation. Cusco - Puyas de Raymondi - Lares Hot Spring - Blue Lagoon Your trek begins before sunrise with hotel pickup in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley near Pisac. Travel first to Calca and wander through its lively market, where locals exchange potatoes, herbs and seasonal produce.
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Cusco
Hot Springs at Lares Trek. Continue downhill to the Lares Hot Springs and ease into warm mineral pools while your cook prepares breakfast.
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Cusco
Photography. Next, explore the archaeological site of Ancashmarca, with its circular storehouses and sweeping valley views. The road climbs higher to a windswept plateau home to the towering Puyas de Raimondi, plants that bloom only once after decades of life.
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Cusco
Hiking at Lares Trek. Before hiking, stop at a weaving cooperative led by local women who demonstrate natural dyeing and loom weaving, with the chance to purchase handmade textiles. Begin your walk in Pampacorral, following quiet paths lined with alpacas and potato terraces. Pause in Kiswarani for a freshly cooked lunch, then climb alongside the impressive Kiswarani waterfall. - Distance: 10 km / 6 miles - Duration: 4 hours - Highest Altitude: 3,900 m/ 12,795 ft
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Cusco
Camping. The day ends at Blue Lagoon camp, set at 3,900 m beside a tranquil Andean lake, where you’ll enjoy dinner under a sky of Andean constellations. - Camping at Blue Lagoon Campsite. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 2
Cusco
Hiking. Blue Lagoon - Condor Pass - Canchacancha Wake with a hot drink and breakfast. Trek through valleys with lakes and wildlife toward Condor Pass (4,750 m), the highest point of the trek. Here, your guide leads a traditional Andean ceremony of gratitude to the mountains. Celebrate the achievement with coca tea before starting the descent.
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Cusco
Hiking. Walk down to Acopata for a freshly prepared lunch, then continue to Canchacancha, a small Quechua-speaking village at 3,750 m. Settle into camp, meet families, play soccer with children, or simply relax while taking in the mountain scenery. Enjoy a warm dinner before resting in your tent. - Distance: 16 km / 10 miles - Duration: 7 hours - Highest Altitude: 4,700 m/ 15,354 ft
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Cusco
Camping. Enjoy a warm dinner before resting in your tent. - Camping at Canchacancha Campsite. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 3
Cusco
Hiking. Canchacancha - Maras Salt Mine - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes Town After breakfast, explore Canchacancha village with a short visit to local homes and the community school. Begin the day’s hike with a four-hour descent into the Sacred Valley, moving from high-altitude potato fields to corn and avocado terraces in the warmer valley climate. Arrive in Huaran and enjoy a picnic lunch before saying goodbye to the trekking team.
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Urubamba
Photography at Salt Mines of Maras. A private vehicle takes you to the Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools form a striking mountainside mosaic.
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Cusco
City/Town Tour at Ollantaytambo. Continue to Ollantaytambo, the last Inca settlement still inhabited, with cobbled lanes and ancient water channels. After explore its streets enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
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Cusco
Board the evening train to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel at the base of Machu Picchu. - 3 star hotel in Aguas Calientes. - Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Day 4
Cusco
Archaeological Exploration at Machu Picchu. Explore Machu Picchu - Cusco return Rise early for breakfast and board the bus to Machu Picchu. Enter the citadel as dawn illuminates the terraces and stone temples. Begin a guided tour of two to three hours, exploring plazas, ceremonial areas and viewpoints with explanations of Inca engineering and daily life. - Duration: 2-3 hours in Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m/ 7,972 ft - Meals: Breakfast
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Cusco
Trains. Return to Aguas Calientes for free time and lunch on your own before boarding the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private transfer brings you back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
- Safety briefing and complimentary luggage storage available in Cusco - Experienced certified professional tour guide - All Entry Fees Included: Machu Picchu, Maras Salt Mines and Lares Hot Springs - Hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip bus to Machu Picchu, and return journey aboard the Vistadome train - Logistical Support: Horses and muleteers handle the transport of food and equipment - A duffle bag (up to 7kg/11lb) for your camping essentials, carried by muleteers
Not Included
- Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and trekking poles available for rent upon request. - Last day Lunch - Huayna Picchu or Montaña entrances
What to Bring
- Passport - Rain gear - Sun protection - Warm layers (fleece / long-sleeved tops) - Personal medication - Camera, extra batteries - Head torch - Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate - Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers' toilets on the first day)
Meeting & Pickup
We’ll pick you up from your accommodation in the first day of the tour: - Cusco Historic Center: around 4:30 a.m. - Sacred Valley near Pisac: pickup will be scheduled slightly later, depending on your location.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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