Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days

Around 6:00 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel and travel to the town of Lares, where your Lares Trek adventure begins. During the journey, we will stop in Calca, where you can visit the local market and purchase breakfast or any additional supplies you may need. Your guide may also suggest buying bread to share with children you meet along the trail.

Upon arrival in Lares, we will visit the hot springs, where you can relax in the warm water while our cooks prepare lunch. After lunch, we will begin hiking toward our first campsite in Huacawasi, located at approximately 3,600 m (11,811 ft) above sea level. The gradual uphill walk will help you prepare for the following day's hike to the highest point of the Lares Trek Peru route.

We will spend the first night at the home of our local horsemen, who will accompany us during the journey. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the community and its traditional Andean culture. Upon arrival, your tents will be ready. Before dinner, you will be offered popcorn, sweets and hot tea. You can then rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this traditional Andean village.

Early in the morning, you may see local children dressed in traditional clothing as they make their way to school. After a nutritious breakfast, we will begin the hike toward the highest point of the Lares Valley trek, Sacsayllame Gorge, at approximately 4,400 m (14,435 ft) above sea level. The uphill hike takes around four hours and can be steep. An emergency horse will accompany the group to provide assistance if needed. Along the way, you will enjoy views of towering mountains, colorful agricultural landscapes and the spectacular scenery of the Peruvian Andes.

At this altitude, temperatures can be very cold, so appropriate clothing is essential. After reaching the highest point, we will descend toward a beautiful lagoon and stop by the river for lunch while our cooks prepare the meal. After lunch, we will continue downhill through a forest where you may see queuña trees (Polylepis), a characteristic native tree of the Peruvian Andes.

Following approximately one hour of hiking through the forest, we will reach our campsite at Miski Unu, at around 3,550 m (11,646 ft) above sea level. Here, you can enjoy hot tea and a snack before dinner, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains. Understanding the Lares Trek altitude is important when preparing for this day, as the route reaches approximately 4,400 m (14,435 ft). Walk at a comfortable pace and follow your guide's instructions throughout the hike.

Today, we will continue descending through different forest environments, where you can appreciate the region's changing flora and fauna. This section of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu offers a contrast to the high mountain landscapes of the previous day as we make our way toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Be prepared for mosquitoes in the forest, and consider bringing suitable insect repellent. 

We will enjoy our final lunch in Queshuarchalloc, where we will say goodbye to our horsemen and cooks who have accompanied us during the trek. After lunch, we will take a local bus to Ollantaytambo, a beautiful historic settlement in the Sacred Valley. We will visit this Inca town before having dinner at a local restaurant. At approximately 7:00 p.m., we will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town located below Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we will spend the night in a hostel or hotel, preparing for the following day's visit to the Inca citadel.

After breakfast, we will leave the hotel at approximately 5:30 a.m. and travel by tourist bus to Machu Picchu, located at around 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level. We expect to arrive at the citadel at approximately 6:00 a.m. Once there, you will enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu, learning about the history, daily life and culture of the Incas. After exploring this remarkable archaeological site, we will return to Aguas Calientes. 

Your train departure to Ollantaytambo is scheduled for either 2:55 p.m. or 6:10 p.m., depending on the applicable itinerary and booking arrangements. Before departure, you will have time to enjoy lunch at one of the town's pleasant restaurants. You may also choose to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax before continuing your journey. This final day completes your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, combining several days of hiking through the Andes with a visit to one of Peru's most iconic historical destinations.