Lares Trek (4 Days)
Adventure Tours Peru
12 people
4 Days
Español, English
The Lares Trek is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail. Taking you off the beaten track with visits to authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains, lakes and valleys. The Lares trek offers a real insight in to the lives of the people of Cusco as it once was.
The route we offer starts in the village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley and finishes in the hot springs of Lares with a visit to the village of Cuncani along the way. On Day 3 of the trek you take a bus from Lares to Ollantaytambo and then to Cusco.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Wacawasi
Early in the morning, we’ll pick you up from your hotel.
We will then drive for about 3 hours and 30 minutes to get Lares hot springs 3,200 m / 10,496 ft, on the way, we’ll stop in Calca a small town in the Sacred Valley, to visit its typical market and get some items for the trail.
Upon our arrival at the hot springs, we’ll meet our muleteers and get ready our rucksacks to start the adventure. The trail starts going up the highland valley gradually.
Today we’ll have our lunch at about 1:30 pm on the halfway to the first campsite.
After lunch, the adventure goes on, along this section of the trail we’ll see some herds of llamas and alpacas, and we’ll reach our first campsite located in Wacawasi village 3,800 m / 12,464 ft.
At the campsite after our arrival, we’ll have our tea time and dinner.
Today, we’ll have an option to swim at the hot springs before our hike starts, whose cost is 10 PEN (not included), or just start hiking to the first campsite instead, as the most hikers do, this will be managed by you and your trek leader.
Lunch and dinner included (except breakfast which is supplied at your hotel).
Hiking Time: 3-4 Hours (approx)
Hiking Distance: 8 Kms/ 4.97 Miles
Highest Point 3,800 m/ 12,464 ft.
Lowest Point: 3,200m/ 10,496 ft.
Highlights: Hiking in the Andean valleys with pretty scenic views, interact with local people (children), llama and alpaca herds along the trail, and camping in a highland village.
Day 2: Wacawasi – Mantanay
Today, we’ll wake up early in the morning and a great nutritious breakfast will make us ready for the challenging day.
After having breakfast, we’ll hike up to the highest point on the trail called Puerto pass at 4,420 m / 14,498 ft, for about 4 hours from our campsite.
On this section of the trail, we’ll still see some herd of llamas and alpacas close to us, and pretty scenic views.
When we arrive at the highest pass, we’ll take a deserved break while savoring great views around and a perfect time to offer some Coca leaves to the Andes spirits making an Apacheta (cairn, a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path).
We’ll then hike downhill to reach our lunch spot located close to a beautiful lagoon, where we’ll enjoy just prepared fresh meals and hot drinks.
After lunch, we’ll continue descending to our second campsite located in Mantanay valley, a valley with beautiful Andean trees called Queuña (a typical tree from the highlands of Peru that grows up between 3,400m / 11,152 ft trough 4,300m/ 14,104 ft, polylepis “Rosaceae” is a genus of low trees with rugged scaly bark). In the evening we’ll take our hot drinks and dinner.
All meals included. Hiking Time:7-8 Hours (approx)
Hiking Distance: 14 Kms/ 8.69 Miles
Highest Point 4,420 m/ 14,498 ft.
Lowest Point: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft.
Highlights: Llama and alpaca herds along the trail, reaching the highest point, beautiful lakes along the trail, and camping in a highland valley |
Day 3: Aguas Calientes
Another great day awaits us and a great breakfast makes us ready for it.
After taking our breakfast, we’ll descend for about 3 hours to Yanahuara, a village located in the Sacred Valley, where we’ll have our last lunch and say goodbye to our muleteers and cook.
After having lunch, we’ll take our transportation to the train station in Ollantaytambo as of this place we’ll continue by train to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu town) for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, where we’ll stay this overnight at a hotel and have dinner at the restaurant (this last dinner is not included).
Breakfast and lunch included (except the last dinner).
Hiking Time:2-3 Hours (approx)
Hiking Distance: 7 Kms/ 4.35 Miles
Highest Point 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft.
Lowest Point: 3,050 m/ 10,004 ft.
Highlights: IncaRuins, Original section of Inca Trail, jaw dropping views
Hiking through the highland forest, train journey to Aguas Calientes town, cozy hotel in Aguas Calientes town.
Train schedule: It can be at 3:37 pm or a later train in expedition class (depends on the availability)|
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today a great breakfast at the hotel makes us ready for a full morning exploration of Machu Picchu on a private tour with your Trek Leader.
We’ll take the bus to Machu Picchu early in the morning for an amazing tour until 12:00 pm (Machu Picchu permits will be issued for the first group which is from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm).
After a great time at the Incan emperor’s palace, we’ll take the bus down to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes town), where we’ll have lunch (not included).
In the afternoon we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo train station and/or Poroy train station, as of this place continue driving to your hotel in Cusco by our transportation, therefore ending with our services for this Lares Trek Tour.
Don’t miss out on the Lares Trek, an authentic andean experience!
With everything set and ready, let us know what we may do to wrap your traveling plans!
Included
- Cusco Hotel Transfer
- Train Round Trip from Ollantaytambo / Machupicchu / Ollantaytambo
- Cook Tents and camping mattresses.
- Mules and the equipment, duffle bag to carry 5 kg of your things
- First Aid Kit.
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (Day 3)
- 02 nights camping
- Entry to hot spring in Lares.
- 03 breakfasts, 03 Lunches and 03 Dinners
- Snacks during the 2 days
- An experienced, bilingual Adventure Guide
- Admission to Machupichu.
- Guided tour in Machupichu 02 hours.
Not Included
- Guide Gratuity (Optional)
- Last meals on the last day.
- Any Private Expenses
Packing List
- Multiple layers of warm clothes.
- Good trekking shoes or boots.
- Walking stick / pole. Extra money.
- Bathing suit and towel for those who wish to visit the Hot Springs.
- No-hassle best price guarantee
- Customer care available 24/7
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TripAdvisor Reviews
At Peru Jungle Trips, we work every day to exceed our travelers’ expectations. The reviews on TripAdvisor reflect the commitment, dedication, and quality we bring to every journey through Peru. Thanks to our clients’ trust, we continue creating unique experiences surrounded by nature and Andean culture.
Jodie K2025-09-07Verified Jungle tour Amazing 2 day trip in to Manu National Park. The tour guide Raul and driver Percy were great. We saw so much wildlife, monkeys, tortoise, vultures, hummingbirds, sooo many birds. The accommodation at Bambu lodge was lovely and the night trek was fun. It really was a great experience. Would definitely recommend. Ravi2025-08-27Verified Increíble experiencia con Pedro / Perú Jungle Trips company - Machu Picchu vía Hidroeléctrica y Cusco Pedro me recomendó el tour a Machu Picchu por la ruta Hidroeléctrica entendiendo mi preferencia por caminar siempre que sea posible. Él escuchó mis preguntas y se le ocurrió el consejo apropiado. No solo eso, Pedro es muy conocedor de la historia Inca y lugares de interés relevantes alrededor de Cusco. Gracias a Pedro - pude visitar Saqsaywaman, Templo de la Luna y Kusilluchayoc! Joel S2025-08-18Verified Recorrido de 1 día por el valle sagrado 1 día tour por el valle sagrado fue impresionante. Muy recomendable. Aprende sobre cada sitio. Jhonathan era un guía turístico increíble. Amable, paciente y manteniéndonos a tiempo. Grite al conductor por la conducción dura también. ¡Recomendaría! Cris T2025-08-18Verified Tour de 4 días por el Amazonas Hicimos un tour por la selva de 4 días desde Iquitos y fue irreal! El tour estaba bastante bien planeado y el personal era muy servicial. Nuestro guía (Kev/Kevin) fue genial y servicial, estaba lleno de datos interesantes sobre el Amazonas, también es bastante malo. La comida y el alojamiento era genial también! No había muchos otros viajeros uniéndose a nosotros, pero todavía era increíble y se sentía bastante privado y especial, sin duda recomendaría! Maps374829775792025-07-27Verified Excelente tour Muy buen tour. Buena organización, el guía Rubén muy atento y siempre preocupado por nosotros. El cocinero Lucho nos sirvió platos típicos de la zona, muy ricos y buena preparación considerando que los hace en la selva.La agencia muy atenta y siempre con buena predisposición. de toffol D2025-07-25Verified Special Valle Sagrado Tour Questo tour è stato veramente bello, interessante Ed economic. Altamonte raccomandabile x il servizio di questa agenzia. Pedro il proprietario Vi accogliera' familiarmente. Da non perdere. karinebernard832025-07-24Verified Super expérience! Le magnifique treck pour Choquequirao s’est très bien passé avec cette agence. Pedro à l’agence a été très patient avec toutes nos questions. Le guide Jimmy était vraiment bien, dynamique, motivant et passionné par l’histoire du site. Tout était parfaitement organisé et Jimmy a adapté à notre rythme les étapes pour limiter la marche aux heures difficiles de soleil au zénith. Les étapes étaient très chouettes, on a toujours bien dormi et bien mangé avec des hôtes accueillants. Enfin, le muletier qui nous accompagnait était très agréable et prenait bien soin de ses chevaux, ce qui était très important pour nous. Tout était parfait! Nous recommandons! Sara D2025-07-07Verified Viaje increíble - ¡Muy recomendable! ¡Gira 10/10! Nuestro viaje fue genial: alojamiento cómodo, comida increíble y pudimos ver un montón de vida salvaje y hermosos paisajes en un corto período de tiempo. Nuestro guía, Jimmy, estaba bien informado, era amigable y nos ayudó a comprender mejor las plantas, los animales y la cultura locales. Deseamos haber hecho una de las caminatas más largas para experimentar más, y planeamos regresar. ¡Recomendaría Peru Jungle Trips! Prueba J2025-06-09Verified La mejor experiencia de viaje fue gracias a Peru Jungle Trips Gran experiencia con nuestros amigos de Peru Jungle Trips nos explicaron todo, nos ayudaron y nos atendieron tarde en la noche para coordinar el tour del próximo día. Tom S2025-05-19Verified Excelente viaje. Excelente viaje. Bien planeado y mantenido en el tiempo. Espectacular paisaje y una guía muy informativa. Yo recomendaría.

Thanks to the entire team because it was a wonderful experience.
Don't miss the tour to the Ballestas Islands and the dunes in Ica. Carlos, the man who drove the buggy, was very nice and super friendly, taking our photos and everything!
Thank you, thank you.
In the reserve we could find many types of fauna and the guide gave information at all times and knew many species.
From the moment I arrived in Peru, Peru Jungle Trips made everything feel effortless and personal. Pedro, the owner, greeted me at the airport with a warm, open energy that immediately set the tone for the rest of the journey. He thoughtfully organized both parts of my trip, first to Cusco and Machu Picchu, then deep into the Amazon jungle, handling every detail with care, sincerity.
What made it even more special was the consistency throughout the experience. Every driver and guide I encountered shared the same heartfelt energy. They were easy to find, always on time, and carried a calm presence that helped everything feel aligned. It allowed me to move through the journey with ease and actually enjoy the experience without stressing over logistics.
Then there was Kevin, my guide in the jungle, who took the experience to another level. With a sacred presence and deep knowledge of the land, he didn’t just show me the jungle, he helped me connect with it. He was a kind and gentle spirit, who was fully present. His guidance felt personal and grounded.
Peru Jungle Trips is more than a travel service. It is an experience curated by people who genuinely care. I’m grateful to have found it, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something meaningful and real❤️