Lares Trek (4 Days)
Adventure Tours Peru
12 people
4 Days
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 into 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 most hikers do. This will be managed by you and your trek leader.
Meals: 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: 3,200 m / 10,496 ft
- Highlights: Hiking in the Andean valleys with scenic views, interaction with local people (children), llama and alpaca herds, 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 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 herds of llamas and alpacas close to us, and enjoy pretty scenic views.
When we arrive at the highest pass, we’ll take a deserved break while savoring great views and offering some coca leaves to the Andes spirits, making an Apacheta (a cairn or 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 near a beautiful lagoon, where we’ll enjoy freshly prepared meals and hot drinks.
After lunch, we’ll continue descending to our second campsite located in Mantanay Valley, home to beautiful Andean trees called Queuña (Polylepis), which grow between 3,400 m / 11,152 ft and 4,300 m / 14,104 ft.
In the evening we’ll enjoy hot drinks and dinner.
Meals: 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, highest pass, beautiful lakes, and camping in a highland valley.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes
Another great day awaits us and a hearty breakfast will get us ready.
After breakfast, we’ll descend for about 3 hours to Yanahuara, a village in the Sacred Valley, where we’ll have our last lunch and say goodbye to our muleteers and cook.
After lunch, we’ll take transportation to the Ollantaytambo train station and continue by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. We’ll stay overnight at a hotel and have dinner at a restaurant (this last dinner is not included).
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included (except 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: Inca ruins, original section of Inca Trail, highland forest, train journey, and hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Train Schedule: 3:37 pm or later (Expedition class, subject to availability).
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a full morning exploration of Machu Picchu on a private tour with your Trek Leader.
We’ll take the bus early in the morning for a guided tour until 12:00 pm (permits issued for the first group from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm).
After visiting the Incan emperor’s palace, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, we’ll take the train back to Ollantaytambo and/or Poroy, then continue by private transportation to your hotel in Cusco, ending our Lares Trek Tour services.
Don’t miss out on the Lares Trek, an authentic Andean experience!
With everything set and ready, let us know how we can help finalize your travel 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.
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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.
Much of our enjoyment of the challenge was thanks to our guide, Dario. He not only accompanied us throughout the trek but also brought us closer to the culture and history of the Inca Trail in a way that made each stage much more meaningful.
We also want to give special thanks to Fredy, our second guide, who was always attentive and, along with Dario, ensured our safety and comfort at all times.
But above all, we want to say a few words to the 13 porters who made our expedition possible. Their effort, kindness, and dedication deeply impressed us. Without them, completing the Inca Trail would not have been possible. We have immense admiration and respect for the entire team that worked behind the scenes on this experience.
And we can't forget our amazing cook, who ensured we regained our strength each day by preparing delicious, hearty, and comforting meals. After each day's trek, finding a meal like that was a true reward.
All the equipment provided by the company was in excellent condition and perfectly suited to the challenge: spacious tents, comfortable sleeping mats, and cold-weather sleeping bags that kept us warm at night.
We returned home with incredible memories and, above all, with profound admiration for everyone who made this experience possible. Thank you to the entire team for accompanying us, taking care of us, and making this Inca Trail an experience we will never forget.
Eleftheria 😊
I was in Cusco and wanted to visit the jungle originally thinking Tambopata, overwhelmed with options. My desire was to visit the Amazon and be deep in the jungle with few people. I walked into the office and met Pedro who talked with me for over half an hour explaining different options. Ultimately, Pedro told me that Manu National Park is the place to be in the jungle with few people. Pedro helped me book a 6 day tour in Manu National Park 2 days later.
It is hard to describe how special Manu national park was. The trees, the wildlife, the river, seeing uncontacted Natives, and hearing all of the jungle sounds.
I would not have experienced Manu National Park without Pedro and Peru Jungle Trips.
I highly recommend this business!
Also thank you Celia for your kindness and the Poncho :)
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❤️
