LARES TREK AND SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
5 Days and 4 Night (Via Huaran - Quishuarani - Cuncani and Lares Hot Springs )
Group Size
Up to 8 people
Transportation
Van, Train, Bus
Max Altitude
4200 m.s.n.m
Difficulty
Challenging
Service
Group
Duration:
5 Days
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN LARES AND SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
The Lares Trail is an excellent alternative connected to the short Inca Trail. It is a mix of routes between natural and cultural beauty with authentic visits of Andean communities, which is surrounded by impressive mountains, lakes and valleys. This fabulous trip offers a real insight into the life of the people of Cusco as it once was.
The route we offer starts at the hacienda of Huaran, in the Sacred Valley, passing through the villages of Quishuarani, Cuncani and ends at the hot springs of Lares. On the third day of the trek we take a bus from Lares to Ollantaytambo and then continue by train to the 104 km start of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
5-DAYS LARES TREK AND SHORT INCA TRAIL TRIP DETAILS
DAY 1: CUSCO - CALCA - FUNDO HUARAN - CANCHA CANCHA - ACCOPATA.
The adventure to Lares Valley begins at 5:30 a.m. We pick you up from your hotel in our private bus to transfer you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for approximately 02 hours and along the way we will have beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, we will make a short stop to buy foodstuffs on the way in the Calca town before starting our adventure.
Our breakfast will be at the starting point Huaran farm (3,000m – 9842.52 ft), the place where we will have the meeting with the muleteers and horses to start the hike for about 04 hours. We will begin with a gradual ascent, where we will enjoy the impressive views of the Andean landscapes on the banks of the river Cancha Cancha and the most extraordinary in the course of the way are the Andean crops, crossing forests of Chachacomo (Polylepis Incana), likewise be delighted to see a variety of hummingbirds and birds in the area, the valley itself is very surprising. Then, we will enjoy lunch prepared by Machupicchu Condor Trek cook. After a short rest, we continue hiking for two more hours to the area called “Acopata” (3950 m / 12959 ft) where we will camp and enjoy tea time with breathtaking views of the Cancha Cancha valley and finally a delicious dinner.
After dinner, our guide will show you the milky way and the Inca constellations on which they depended for their agricultural orientation and still do to this day in some communities.
Summary day 1 – Lares.
Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately
Lowest elevation: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft.
Highest elevation: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Weather: Warm and windy
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 2: ACCOPATA - PACHACUTEQ PASS - QUISHUARANI.
Machupicchu Condor Trek staff will wake you up with a cup of hot drink (tea, coffee, coca, etc.) before breakfast, we start our 7-hours hike. It begins with an intense hike, overcoming the highest point, Pachacutec Pass (4,500m /14,764 f). Views of different glaciers, beautiful scenic lagoons, alpaca herds, steep valleys and spectacular mountain views will motivate you along the way to overcome this intense part of the hike. Keep your eyes skyward for hawks (Caracaras) and Andean geese (Wallatas) in abundance.
After enjoying the summit and the wonderful views, we will descend for 3 hours, on the way we will take an isolated trail where we will see Andean local people in their traditional costumes herding their llamas and alpacas. They will interact with you in Quechua (language of the Incas) and your guide will interpret to translate and teach you some Quechua. On the way getting to the clear place, we are stopping for a delicious lunch. After lunch walking down twenty more minutes we arrive at the spectacular seven waterfalls we will be close to our campsite located next to the community of Quiswarani, (3,700m / 12,139f).
Upon arrival at the camp, everything will be ready. You will enjoy hot drinks and snacks and then our dinner.
Summary day 2
Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours approximately
Lowest elevation: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft.
Highest elevation: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Weather: Cold and windy
Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner.
DAY 3: QUISHUARANI - CUNCANI - LARES THERMAL WATERS - OLLANTAYTAMBO
The adventure continues, and the most wonderful day of the whole trek begins. We begin our ascent for 3 hours until we reach the Willqaqasa Pass, (4,200m/13,779f) get to look an extraordinary view of the mountains and snow-capped peaks that surround us, the majestic mountains of Colquecruz and Pitusiray are inspiring peace and we can admire them from the highest point. We continue our hike through the Puna grasslands (Ichu), productive agricultural sites and natural lagoons that look like giant mirrors. We descend for 2 hours to Cuncani community, connecting with the indigenous people and local children, you may have the opportunity to visit their school and share some time with the students and also with the local families.
In the native community of Cuncani we will board the bus and descend through the valleys with extensive agricultural areas, fruit trees, varied flora such as eucalyptus, native trees of the sector and native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids, finally, we arrive at our desired destination, the thermal medicinal waters of Lares (3,100m/10,170f), where it is impossible to wait to immerse ourselves in the volcanic hot springs for an hour, have lunch and relax.
Finally, after lunch in Lares, we take our private transportation for about 2 hours to Ollantaytambo, where we will have dinner together and spend the night in our hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Summary day 3
Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours approximately
Lowest elevation: 3,100m/10,170ft.
Highest elevation: 4,200m/13,779ft.
Difficulty: Challenging to Moderate.
Weather: Cold and windy
Meals included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time and dinner.
Difficulty: Desafío
DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO - KM 104 - WIÑAYHUAYNA - SUN GATE - MACHU PICCHU.
Machupicchu Condor Trek staff will pick you up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo very early in the morning, then we will head to the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes approximately 1.5 hours! At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft).
This archaeological site was used as a religious and administrative center, and has several buildings. Then, we will ascend gradually for about 2-3 hours up Inca stone steps, while the tour guide explains about the flora and fauna along the way. We will then pass a very high waterfall before reaching the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna a (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the Inca construction and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Urubamba River. This Inca construction sits on the side of a mountain and has agricultural terraces that the Incas used for different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow, as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today.
Once we finish our tour at Wiñayhuayna, we will continue our hike for approximately 1 ½ hours on a part of the Inca Trail that is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. Around 2:00 pm we will arrive at the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft) or (Intipunku) in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and take your best postcard photos. After enjoying the photos and views of Machupicchu, we head to the bus station to board the bus that will take us to the village of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) (2,040 masl / 6,692.9 ft.), where Machupicchu Condor Trek has a hotel reserved for you and in the evening, we will enjoy dinner at a tourist restaurant to replenish our energies.
Summary day 4: Inca Trail.
Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately
Lowest elevation: 2,170 m / 7,170 ft.
Highest elevation: 2,720 m / 8,920 ft.
Difficulty: Challenging to Moderate.
Weather: Cold and windy
Meals included: Box Lunch and Dinner
Finally, the most awaited part of the adventure, the incredible Machu Picchu.
After breakfast at the hotel, we board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to appreciate the sunrise. It is an extraordinary place not to be missed. The Machupicchu Condor Trek Tour Guide will give you a two-hour tour. We will visit many important places in Machu Picchu, likewise our Guide will show you Machu Picchu according to research was divided into three sectors: agricultural, urban and religious.
You will also have time to enjoy some activities, if you wish (not included in the price), these free activities are:
- Climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain and enjoy the beauty and the magnificent Llaqta of Machu Picchu from the top (request reservation together with the Inca Trail reservation and has an additional cost).
- Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the local museum or a visit to the thermal baths.
After visit the wonderful Machupicchu Inca City, we will descend to the village of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes), place for lunch (not included) and then board the train according to the availability of schedules, for return to Ollantaytambo station, here our private transportation of Machupicchu Condor Trek waits for your transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Summary day 5
Hiking time: 2 hours approximately
Lowest elevation: 2040 m / 6,692 f.
Highest elevation: 2,450 m / 8,038 f.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
Weather: Warm
Meals included: Breakfast.
EXTRAS
– Wayna Picchu Mountain: $ 75 USD, Machu Picchu Mountain $ 75 USD – must be booked in advance if you wish to do an additional trek. Please let us know at the time of booking.
– VISTADOME Train: $ 67 USD per additional person (RETURN ONLY)
– Sleeping bag (can be rented with us for $25 USD)
– Tips for staff (Machu Picchu Condor Trek staff will be paid a fair and decent wage; once your tour is over, tips are optional but much appreciated).
INCLUYE
- Traslado del aeropuerto a su hotel en Cusco.
- Transporte privado de Cusco - Hacienda Huaran
- Tiendas o carpas confortables (para dormir 2 personas en una carpa de 4 personas)
- Todo el equipo de campamento como: carpa comedor, mesa, sillas, carpa cocina.
- Botiquín de primeros auxilios incluyendo botella de oxígeno de emergencia
- Mulas y caballos (para el equipo de campamento y Caballo de carga para 7 kgs de sus artículos personales como ropa extra, bolsa de dormir, etc..
- Provisión de un caballo en caso de emergencia para el grupo, para asegurar que la caminata pueda ser completada por todos los participantes
- Carpa baño sólo para nuestro grupo
- Colchoneta de espuma cómodo
- Agua hervida para beber y lavarse..
- Tren de Ollantaytambo a Aguas Calientes.
- Ultima Cena en Aguas Calientes (restaurante turístico)
- Hotel en Aguas Calientes con habitación y baño privado
- Boletos de autobús de ida y retorno
- Entrada a Machu Picchu y Lares.
- Guía profesional en inglés y español experimentado en caminata.
- Visita guiada privada a Machu Picchu.
- Tren de Aguas Calientes a Ollantaytambo
- Transporte privado de Ollantaytambo a su hotel en Cusco.
NO INCLUYE
- Primer Desayuno
- Último almuerzo en Aguas Calientes
- Ingreso a las aguas termales
- Carpa personal (costo adicional)
- Bolsa de dormir (se puede rentar en la empresa)
- Ingreso a las montañas Huayna Picchu y MachuPicchu
- Ingreso al Puente Inca y Puerta del Sol.
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU
- Original passport (the same used for booking your trek)
- Valid University card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3 L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
- Good rain gear
WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us for $20 USD
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
PRECIO LARES TREK Y CAMINO INCA CORTO A MACHU PICCHU 5D/4N
Esta hermosa y única aventura a Lares y Camino Inca Corto a Machu Picchu, se puede hacer en cualquier fecha del año y que mejor cuando desee usted, siempre y cuando tengamos un mínimo de 2 participantes.
DISCOUNTS:
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Group of 5 people or more: $30 USD. All you need to do is book the trek together at the same time.
*** The Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu is almost always available year round as long as tickets are available except when it is closed in February for maintenance.
Trek to Lares and Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu
5 Days
Price
$
500
USD
Per Person
Group Size
Up to 16
Activity Level
Moderate
Inca Trail Trek Daily Videos: See What Each Day Is Like!
The machupicchu Condor Trek difference
Since its inception, Machu Picchu Condor Trek has been dedicated to providing authentic and enriching tours to Machu Picchu, combining exploration of archaeological sites with immersion in local culture. With a team of expert local guides and meticulous attention to detail, the agency has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional experiences that go beyond travelers’ expectations.
Meet the Machupicchu Condor Trek Trekking Team!
The majority of our team has been with us from the beginning, witnessing the evolution of Roots & Rhythms and contributing to the unique bond we share with our city. We are grateful to have such a dedicated, talented and happy team who share our mission of delivering authentic and transformative experiences. With Roots & Rhythms, you’ll not only explore New Orleans, but you’ll also fall in love with the people who make it special.”
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Extra information
At Machupicchu Condor Trek, we understand that our trips can present unique logistical challenges, which is why we are committed to making your experience as safe and easy as possible. We have prepared a detailed guide that covers all logistical aspects, from proper storage of equipment to recommendations on accommodation in Cusco. In addition, our team is available at all times to answer any additional questions you may have. From the first contact to the last goodbye in Cusco, you can count on us to be your partner and guarantee an unforgettable adventure and hassle-free with Wilderness Explorers.”.”
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