4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Inkayni, and especially Gonzalo there, were willing and able to arrange a customized Lares Trek for us two, because we wanted to spend only 2 days (1 night) doing this. Since there is a road to Cuncani where normally the second night camping is spent, we agreed to hike only from Pumahuanca to Cuncani, with a night (camp) at Puyoc. We had 4 people (and 3 mules) accompanying us: the guide Ronald, the cook Mario, the muleteer Marcellino and his brother Fortunato. Everything was in place and provided as promised and agreed. Ronald is a true local knowing everything about the nature, the culture, the history, and an expert guide, hiker, and responsible leader for the 6-person group. Seeing my slow pace and increasing difficulty catching my breath during the climb as the altitude rose and rose, he decided to go a bit higher for the night camp, in order to decrease the most challenging climb the next morning to the top of the pass at 4830m. When one of us ran out of energy on the second morning, Ronald quickly called cook Mario to bring some tea and sustenance, decided to administer one dose of oxygen, and we were able to continue on the trek. As the going was very slow with too little energy, and given that it was only a 52 kg woman, the amazingly strong muleteer brothers continuously offered to somehow help and ended up carrying her piggy-back to the top, easier than using the mules! Ronald also added a stop at the Lares hot springs during the van ride to Ollantaytambo, which was very welcome after the strain of the trek. His good spirits together with the necessary seriousness/professionalism made the entire trek easier and pleasant and fun. The cook Mario did magic during the lunches, the dinner, and the breakfast, and there was always a tent/shelter ready for all of these meals. Marcellino and Fortunato are extremely nice people to have along and they were ever happy to help wherever they could. The landscape and views were breathtaking, even though (or just because) we had snowfall at the top of the pass (so be prepared for sub-freezing temperatures). We would highly recommend doing this trek with Inkayni and we are also leaving a review for the company more generally under the company heading on Tripadviser.

We went on the Lares Trek with Paul Cano, Herminño,, Mr. Victor and friends. It was an absolutely amazing experience and we loved every minute. An absolute beautiful trip, outstanding food, great support and such a fun time. We loved every minute. Paul was so patient when dealing with altitude issues. I would 100% recommend this trip to others. Thank you!!!

The whole tour was amazing. The trail itself was absolutely beautiful (we did the lares trek). Our main guide Paul was amazing and knew so much about the mountains and the history surrounding it. The food was so fancy even though we were in the mountains, every meal was a five course meal (thanks to our amazing cook Hermiño). Hermiño even baked a cake for us! One of the wranglers, M. Victor, was the happiest man on earth and extremely nice to us even though he didn’t not speak our language. All and all an amazing experience.

We did a 4 days lares trek leading to Machu Picchu. We had Paul Cano as an amazing guide, Hermiño as a wonderful cook and M. Victor as the best wrangler ever!!

We spent 3 days doing the trek of Lares (which is very little known, and it is still a chance) I will first comment on the trek itself then the services of our guides The trek is still very side because in our stay only the locals knew, no tourists knew it. It's a chance because on 3 days of hiking we only met 3 groups It is surrounded by nature and your change of scenery and tranquility will be assured; unlike the Inca road and salkantay which are armoured with people You will not arrive directly in aguas calientes that said, you will have to catch a train in Ollantaytambo so that is the only negative. BUT you will have the chance to finish with the thermal baths of Lares, and finish your hike with thermal baths it is priceless 😁 and it allows you to rest well to go to Machu Picchu. And finally we are alone in our group so it was private service Inkayni's +s: – you end with the thermal baths, other agencies started the hike with these, which is a bit silly in my opinion - our guide Ronald was really great, in addition to doing his guide work he taught us really much about the Inca cultures of the Lares Valley and Machu picchu. Ronald has been a guide, photographer, historian, Spanish and Queshua teacher – Herminio our cook really cooked incredible dishes, it is all the more remarkable that he had only two stoves at his disposal and some utensils. Congratulations to him. Gabriel our horseman was also deserving. He was busy preparing the tent in advance so that everything was ready when we arrived Thank you to the whole team for making this experience a success

An absolutely amazing trek!! The scenery and mountains are unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my entire life! The landscape was beautiful and changes quickly from jungle, to grassland, to forest, to mountains, to waterfalls with wild horses. And the STARS at night. The sky is so dark you can see the purple colour of the milky way galaxy with the naked eye. Our Quechua tour guide Ronald Ccana Sotalero was very knowledgeable about Inka history and culture. We learned so much from him. He told great jokes and had us stop along the trail in places where we could take the most beautiful photos. Our cook and porter, Illyakil and Marcelino, were so kind and helpful. The food was really delicious and camp was well kept. Even the camp bathroom they set up was very clean and didn’t smell. Couldn’t have done the trek without them. Would 100% recommend this hike! It was a beautifully humbling experience that reminded us to better appreciate the world and cultures around us. Only recommendation would be to bring a few things for the children in the village we had lunch in on the second day. It’s a very remote village so the community appreciates items such as school supplies, clothes for babies/children, and safe outdoor toys. I think the tour company would be more than happy to give you suggestions of items the community would appreciate:)

First of all, Ronald was an amazing tour guide! Definitely request him if you can. It was a challenging hike, but well worth it for the views and all that you get to learn about Quechua (Inca) culture. Inkayni seems to be one of the few Peruvian owned trekking companies, so it’s nice to see the money pouring back into the local culture instead of a foreign corporation. The food was amazing along the way, and Machu Picchu was also quite the site.

Inkayni Peru Tours provided us with a great alternative to the Classic Inka 4days trek. We had a great experience on the Lares camping trek combined with the 2 days short Inka trail. Along magnificient sceneries we could encounter villagers and observe plenty of Llamas. All the team members at Inkayni were very professionals. Mr. Nazario made incredible food and Mr. Marcellino made us confortable. The guide, Mr. Ronald Ccana Sotalero, was very passionate and knowledgeable about Inka history and respectfull of our pace on the trek. We do recommend Inkayni Peru tours with great enthousiasm. We loved it!

Amazing Trip, Amazing experience And amazing Service! Thank you Ernesto, Our Guide, and his team of sixteen porters and cooks. Hermanito, our cook was amazing, Five stars meals in four thousands meter altitude shall be unforgettable. We were also a great group of hikers age from twenty four to seventy ( My uncle) For sure we will comrback, However, This time, we shall take the Five Days Tour.. Thanks again guys

The Lares trek with Inkayni was amazing. Our tour guide Ronald was the best. He was very knowledgeable and shared his beautiful culture with us. All the food was delicious. The organization and communication was easy. I would highly recommend it.