Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail 4 Days

As soon as breakfast is over we will head out for a 20-minute drive to the beginning of the Pumahuanca Valley. This is the place where we will meet our horsemen, and horses. And chaskis (porters). All of our required equipment will be carried by mules and horses. As soon as we finish packing our equipment we begin our Lares Trek Adventure.

Lares Trek Inka Ruins

On the way, you will see Inca remains and ancient pre-Colombian paths. You will enjoy the beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and much more. Our expert chefs will indulge you with delicious Peruvian dishes. Along the way you will be able to observe native trees of qeuñas, and eucalyptus, then we reach a small Andean community of P’accha, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas, alpacas, sheep, and goats.

The final 2 hours further we will reach a series of small waterfalls and a beautiful campsite named Cuyoc, our first campsite at 4,000 masl. You arrive at your first campsite at around 5 pm, followed by dinner. Make sure to get a good night’s rest for the next day as it will be the most challenging day of all.

Meals: B, L, D – Snacks,
Accommodation, hot Drinks, Popcorn
Maximum Altitude: 4,000m/13123ft / Minimum Altitude: 2,800m/9186ft
Distance Travelled: approx 13km / 8.1miles
Approximate Walking Time: 6.5-7 hours

Early wake-up at 5:00 that includes hot drinks or a cup of coca leaf tea, then a Good breakfast. At 07:00 am we recommend starting our trek. Scenic Mountain views Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging 4-hour climb along the grass and rocky road with some stone steps, in some parts, there are zig-zag switchbacks toward the Pumahuanca Pass.

Once we get to the highest peak we honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as are the local customs. Enjoy the amazing views of part of the Cordillera de Los Andes. Then we are ready to descend for another three hours along a gravel road with a nice view of both Valleys, Cuncany valley, and Lares Valley arriving to enjoy lunch in the Community named Cuncanny. After our lunch, we take our transportation directly to Hot Springs which is also our campsite.

Share Your Present

On the Short Inca Trail and Lares Trek | Machu Picchu 4D/3N. We will meet some locals (people of the local village) in colorful costumes as is traditional in all villages around Lares. Impressive landscape views, mountains, flocks of llamas, and alpacas. We recommend you bring nice presents for them. It can be pencils, pens, crayons, playdoh, or maybe you have extra clothes at home and you want to give them away this is the perfect place to share. We can carry it for free if you have extra weight at no extra cost. Please let us know in advance if you have presents to share with the local community

Cuncani Community

Cuncani is the major district in the area, located at 3,750 masl. At this little village we have the chance to visit the house of our horse wrangler who will share with us how they live in a simple way in a deep connection with nature, preserving traditional customs in agriculture, and weavings, showing their textile skills from generations past, use of medicinal plants, etc. Then our transportation will pick you up and take you to Lares village. Once we arrive at the pools, we can soak in the medicinal hot springs.

Meals: B, L, D – Snacks,
Accommodation, Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4,780m/15682ft / Minimum Altitude: 3,900m/12795ft
Distance Travelled: approx 13km / 8.1miles
Approximate Walking Time: 6.5-7 hours

At Km 104 after submitting passports at the check control point, we begin to walk softly meters up beside the Vilcanota River then gradually up around 600 meters.

Starting out we will see the ruins of Chachabamba, a stone altar -site that was used to worship the sun and mountains around, still revered by local people. After visiting Chachabamba, we continue the path south and walk gradually up the mountain before entering a cloud forest. The trail leaves the forest and goes west while continuing uphill in an open meadow.

Meals: B L D
Accommodation: Intipunko Hotel base on Double, Triple bed
Maximum Altitude:2680m/8792ft /
Minimum Altitude: 2100m/6888ft
Distance Travelled: 11 Km approx. /
Approximate Walking Time:6 – 7 Hours

Beautiful Waterfall

After walking for 3 hours, the road descends into an amazing forest. Here you will find a beautiful waterfall, then go to the bottom of the ruins of Winaywayna. Appreciate the beauty of this place, information from our expert Tour Leader. After lunch at Winaywayna, we will continue in the afternoon in the cloud forest, filled with bromeliads, orchids, and tree ferns. As we walk the last part of the Inca trail we pass many impressive features such as the stone stairs and drums (resting places). You climb 60 stairs before you reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate).

From this point, you can see and observe this wonderful place called Machu Picchu. Then descend for 45 minutes to get to the viewpoint of the famous place, from here you can watch the sunset. Descend to the entry of Machu Picchu where we board the bus to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation and Dinner are included. Rest well as the following day Machu Picchu awaits.

To avoid large lines and crowds we highly suggest you have a very early breakfast (5:00 am) at your hotel before taking the earliest bus to Machupicchu. We recommend everyone try and be the first ones in line because it fills up incredibly quickly. Enjoy the first view of Machupicchu and the sunrise (depending on the weather). Your tour leader will guide you throughout this magnificent Machupicchu tour for about 3 hours. If you book well in advance and have a Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain ticket, your tour leader will take you to the main entrance where you can explore these sites on your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Maximum Altitude:2400m/7872ft
Minimum Altitude:2100m/6888ft / Distance
Approximate Walking Time:4 – 5 Hours exploring Machu Picchu Citadel

After your Tour in Machu Picchu
Be sure to return to Aguas Calientes on time to board your train to Cusco. Your tour leader will specify the time after your guided tour. The train ride back to Ollantaytambo is approximately 2 hours followed by a 2-hour drive to Cusco. We will drop you off at your respective hotels in Cusco.

The train departs from Aguas Calientes

the train station in the afternoon at 16:45 pm and arrives at Cusco or ( Poroy train station ) at 8:30 pm, It depends on train ticket availability. Then we pick you up to transport you to Cusco and drop you in your respective hotels.

How Many Days Do You Need in Order to Hike In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular combined routes. Each route varies in length from one to fourteen days, depending on the demand and availability of lodging along the way. All four journeys are one-way trips. You will generally travel back to Cusco using a combination of public and private transportation, depending on which tour company you use to make your trip reservations.

The One-Day Inca Trail Hike (1-day trek)

You can see Machu Picchu in one day if you’re short on time (but be prepared to wake up early!). You’ll take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104, which is a location on the trail. Then, you’ll hike around 15 kilometers (9 miles) through the Sun Gate until you reach the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This option is great if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a small section of the Inca Trail trek all at once.

The Lares Trek (3-day trek)

The Lares Trek, also known as the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail, is a three-day journey into the historical weaver communities on the eastern slopes of Machu Picchu. But don’t expect it to be a trip to the museum.

To glimpse into time-honored villages, you must earn access by obtaining passes that soar to over 15,000 feet and zigzag across Pumahuanca’s peak. On day four of your Lares trek, you may add another stop at Machu Picchu ruins.

Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The trek to Machu Picchu is not for the faint of heart. At 65 kilometers long, this is regarded as one of the most difficult ways to see Machu Picchu. The route starts in Cachora and winds a mile-deep canyon to Choquequirao, or “Cradle of Gold.” The Vilcabamba Trail follows the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, albeit via more isolated towns.

The Salkantay Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The Salkantay Trek is the only Inca Trail option that lets you sleep in a comfy bed and take a hot shower at the end of every day’s hike! Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range but permits nightly rest at fully serviced lodges placed along the route. Machu Picchu is reached by following the trail to an elevation of 15,000 feet.

The Classic Inca Trail Route (3 – 5 day trek)

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four alternatives described in this piece. It begins at kilometer 82 along the route, at the village of Piscacucho. The first day is a moderate hike through the Andean foothills, crossing the Urubamba River and arriving at your campsite in Huayllabamba. On the second day, you’ll ascend what’s known as “Dead Woman’s Pass,” which is the highest point of the Inca Trail Elevation at 4200 meters (13,776 feet). After that, it’s all downhill to the Pacaymayo River campsite.