Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days and 2 Nights

Day 01: Cusco – Calca – Lares Hot Springs – Wacahuasi

Relaxation in thermal waters and hiking through living history.

05:30 AM – Pickup & Scenic Drive: We begin early. We pick you up from your hotel lobby in Cusco to travel towards the Sacred Valley. We will stop at a lookout point for panoramic photos before arriving in Calca. Here, we visit the local market to see typical products and immerse ourselves in local life.

Lares Hot Springs: We continue driving for 2 hours to the village of Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft). Here, we meet our road team (chef and carriers). Before walking, you will have the opportunity to relax in the famous Lares Medicinal Thermal Baths (3,250 m / 10,662 ft). The water temperature varies between 28°C and 34°C, perfect for warming up the muscles.

The Trek Begins: We start our adventure walking on flat Andean terrain for 2 hours for better acclimatization until we reach the Vilcabamba Bridge, where a delicious lunch awaits us.

Hike to Wacahuasi: After a short break, we continue for 3 hours to the village of Wacahuasi (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Along the way, children in traditional costumes will welcome us—a heartwarming opportunity to share smiles and support the local community.

Camping Under the Stars: We set up camp in Wacahuasi. Note: The night will be cold, so warm clothes are essential. We will enjoy a comforting tea time to share stories, followed by dinner and a well-deserved rest.

KEY DATA – DAY 1

• Total Distance: 11 km (6.84 miles).
• Walking Time: 4 to 5 hours.
• Max Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft.
• Highlight:Trekking Lares Cusco culture & Hot Springs.

Day 02: Wacahuasi – Sacsallaully Pass – Yanahuara – Aguas Calientes

Conquering the summit and descending to the cloud forest.

06:00 AM – The High Pass Challenge: After breakfast, we start early to catch the best views of the Andes. We hike uphill for 3 hours to reach the highest point: Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m / 15,242 ft).

Alpine Views & Wildlife: From the summit, you are rewarded with stunning views of snow-capped mountains and Lake Aruraycocha. Keep an eye out for native birds like the Cara Cara and Andean geese, as well as herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.

Descent through Native Forests: We descend towards two pristine lakes (Aruraycocha and Yuraccoha), walking through a forest of Queuñas (native Polylepis trees). We will enjoy an Andean lunch by the lakeside with an unbeatable view.

Arrival in the Sacred Valley: The landscape changes dramatically as we descend through the picturesque valley of Queunares for 2 hours until we reach Yanahuara (2,780 m / 9,120 ft), a cozy village with a warm climate in the Sacred Valley.

Train to Machu Picchu Town: Our vehicle will take us to Ollantaytambo, where we board the train (1 hour 40 minutes) to Aguas Calientes. We will have dinner and spend the night in a cozy hotel with a private bathroom, cable TV, and Wi-Fi.

KEY DATA – DAY 2

• Total Distance: 18 km (11.18 miles).
• Walking Time: 8 to 9 hours.
• Max Altitude: 4,646 m / 15,242 ft.
• Highlight:Lares trek Peru distance challenge & scenery.

Day 03: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu! – Cusco

The encounter with the Lost City of the Incas.

Ascent to the Citadel: After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you to take the bus (30 minutes) up to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Private Guided Tour: We pass the control and begin a private guided tour of more than 2 hours. You will explore the most significant sites:

• The Main Plaza.
• The Sun Temple.
• The Sacred Sundial (Intihuatana).
• The Royal Quarters and the Temple of the Three Windows.

Free Time & Optional Hikes: After the tour, you have free time to explore on your own.

• Optional: Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (Extra cost $25 USD, requires advance booking).
• Free Hikes: You can walk to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge at no extra cost.

Return to Cusco: At the appropriate time, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, we board the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a 2-hour private car drive to your hotel in Cusco.

KEY DATA – DAY 3

• Main Activity: Guided Tour of Machu Picchu.
• Return: Train + Private Transport.
• End of Service: Hotel in Cusco.

Why Choose the Lares Trek 3 Days?

This Lares trail Machu Picchu itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to experience the authentic high Andes without sacrificing time. It combines the physical challenge of the mountains with the cultural richness of the local communities.

Includes:

• Bilingual and certified Tour Guide
• A briefing about the trek with your guide the day before
• Collection from your hotel (we pick you up where you are staying from) from 6:30 to 7:00 am
• Private Transportation Van to lares valley (trailhead)
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
• A duffel bag where you can put inside 08 kilos from your personal stuff (it will be carry by the horses or mules)
• Camping equipment (Kitchen tent, portable chairs and table)
• THERM-A-REST self-inflating air Sleeping mattresses (a whole new way to sleep in comfort)
• Four season tents (2 trekkers in each one) you will have enough space to put things inside
• Mattresses
• Horses or mules and muleteer to carry camping equipments and cooking stuff
• 1 emergency horse to ride every 3 persons, days 1 to 2
• Professional Cook
• 3 Meals per day during the trek (food served in a buffet style)
• Availability of meals to your preference (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, pesquetarian, etc)
• Snack for each day of trekking
• 1 night accommodation in a hostel Aguas Calientes and if you want to upgrade let us
• Touristic train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Boiled water to drink during the trail
• First Aid Kit, with Oxigen ballon.
• A Survivor T – shirt, for each member of the group

Doesn’t includes:

• Extra expense if you want to buy things along the trail
• Entrance fees to Waynapicchu Mountain or Mountain Machu Picchu. (it has an extra cost of 70 dollars per person)
• Sleeping bags (you can rent from us which cost 20 dollars for a professional one, which can support until -15 degrees celcius or 5 degrees farenheit)
• Walking sticks (you can rent from us which cost 15 dollars for a professional black diamond pair)
• Mineral water (you can buy bottle of mineral water in Ollantaytambo)
• First Breakfast and last lunch and dinner
• Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Pichu (Round trip bus cost 24 dollars but just one way cost 12 dollars)
• Upgrade your Touristic Train to a Luxury Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo (70 $)
• Extra horse or mule to carry extra backpacks or to ride until the second campsite (150 dollars per horse or mule)
• Tips for the team (Is not obligatory but if you wish to do it, it will be welcome).

• Original Passport
• A valid student card if you book this trek as student (25 years old as máximum)
• Travel Insurance card (you have to le tus know the name of your Travel Insurance company and you travel Insurance Number)
• Day Pack
• Rain coat or Rain Poncho
• Cold Clothes (For the first and Second day)
• Trekking shirts and trekking pants
• Waterproof hiking shoes
• Bottle of Water
• Flash Light
• Toilet Paper
• Sun Block
• Sun Glasses
• Caps or Hats
• Gloves (for the first and second day)
• Insect Repellent (30% DEET Recommended)
• Sleeping Bags
• Walking sticks
• Camera with extra batteries
• Extra money especially in soles to buy thing along the trek

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE.

PRICES FOR 2025-2026