4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Description
Enjoy a 4-day trek along a great and less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail called the Lares Trek. This high altitude trek will be enjoyed by hikers interested in interacting with the local communities and seeing their way of life in the countryside.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440 Sekwanele: +51 961805117
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 7 years
- Note: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco office the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details
- Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain. All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
- Accommodation options: Days 1-2: Single travelers will share a tent with another traveler & couples will have a tent to themselves / Day 3: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
- Physical Requirements: This hike is difficult, good physical conditions are needed as most of the hike is at high altitudes of 4000 meters (don't forget to bring warm clothes).
- Departure dates for trek: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday (Daily departures with a group of 4 or more)
- Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), Date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6-months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking. Please be aware that your complete and correct passport information must be provided. Absolutely no modifications can be made once your booking has been confirmed. Any changes or discrepancies in the information provided will result in a complete loss of permits and entrance tickets, for which you will be held responsible and will need to pay for again.
- Max 15, Avg 4
- If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)
- SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Lares town (this activity is available at an additional price).
- DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
- Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
- You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
- *Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440 Sekwanele: +51 957 625 445
- As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
Reviews(47)
Yhon was a very knowledgeable guide who answered all questions and provided a great experience through the beautiful Peruvian countryside. The tour provided enduring hikes and great sights.
Fantastic experience! Cesar, our guide, a very experienced guide in all areas: Trails, Peru’s and the Inka history, culture, food, very organized, on time and good company. Delicious food too. Bamba Cusco took care of everything and solved any small problem immediately. We were taken good care of all the way and had four great and unforgettable days, thanks Bamba. Highly recommended
Where do I start?? This was such a magical trek from start to finish! We were three- my 17 year old son and a close childhood friend (also 17). Our guide Francisco and porter John were absolutely fantastic taking us to a market, preparing meals and of course leading us through the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu. Francisco has a way of explaining the history of the Andean people in such a way you feel transported back in time. He has a gift and it you are fortunate enough to have him as your guide you are in for a memorable time. I am already planning my next trip with him! Highly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you and your son, along with your friend, had such a magical trek to Machu Picchu. Francisco and John are indeed fantastic, and we’re glad they could enhance your experience with their knowledge and hospitality. Francisco's ability to bring the history of the Andean people to life is truly a gift, and we're happy to hear it made your journey memorable. We look forward to helping you plan your next adventure with him. Highly enjoyed and highly recommended – we couldn’t ask for better feedback! Thank you again!
The views were breathtaking! Both literally and figuratively. Would advise adjusting to the altitude 2-4 days prior as you climb to a maximum of 4400m on this hike. Would definitely suggest the hot springs in lares as well. Bring lots of warm clothing as it can be chilly at night. We modified day 3 to avoid the long downhill dusty bus road (with no significant views) to Ollantaytambo and took a bus instead (it was also warmer to tent there overnight). There were many adorable alpacas, llamas, horses and other animals along the way. Our chef Benny cooked delicious meals throughout the whole trek, and our guide Cesar was very supportive and let us hike at our own pace.
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience! We're thrilled that you found the views breathtaking and appreciated the beauty and challenges of the hike. Your advice on altitude adjustment and bringing warm clothing is invaluable for future travelers. We're glad you enjoyed the hot springs in Lares and found the modified itinerary for day 3 to be a good alternative. The presence of adorable alpacas, llamas, and other animals along the way must have added a special touch to your trek. Chef Benny and guide Cesar will be delighted to hear your kind words about their support and delicious meals. We hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
We chose the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. This route gave us two secluded days trailing over the Lares Pass then on to Ollantaytambo and Inca Trail. This trek gives you different views and perspective than the traditional Inca Trail.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted you chose the Ultimate Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu combining the Lares Trek and the Express Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This unique route indeed offers two secluded days over the Lares Pass before joining the path to Ollantaytambo and the Inca Trail. It's wonderful to hear that you appreciated the different views and perspectives this trek provides compared to the traditional Inca Trail. We hope to have the pleasure of guiding you on another adventure in the future!
The views were breathtaking! Such an authentic experience hiking the Andes mountains in peace and quiet, surrounded by alpacas and IIamas, meeting the local people of the mountains and learning about Pachamama (mother earth) and the way of life in the mountains. The freshly prepared and locally sourced food served at the campsites was simple, but nutritious and tasty. At night, there was a beautiful starry sky. The last day was a day trip to Machu Picchu from the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, the site was completely covered in fog. Slowly, the fog dissipated to reveal a truly magnificent and mystical view of the ruins of Machu Picchu. While exploring the ruins we learned about the history of Machu Picchu. Thanks to my guide Francisco and chef George, which provided excellent service during the trip.
Thank you for sharing your breathtaking experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that your trek through the Andes Mountains was such an authentic and peaceful journey. The encounters with alpacas, llamas, and the local mountain people, along with learning about Pachamama, truly make for a unique adventure. We're glad you enjoyed the simple, yet nutritious and tasty, freshly prepared, and locally sourced food at the campsites. The beautiful starry sky at night must have been a perfect ending to your days. The last day’s trip to Machu Picchu sounds magical, especially with the fog slowly revealing the magnificent ruins. We're delighted that you learned about its rich history while exploring. Francisco and George will be pleased to hear your kind words about their excellent service. Thank you for choosing us for your adventure, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in the future!
Words can't describe how amazing this trip was...The Lares Trek is incredibly beautiful, we were the only hiking group at this point, which felt really special. The route is stunning, we met a lot of very friendly local families on a huge variety of wildlife on the way. The third day we did the Inka Trail, which was much more busy, than Lares, but also super beautiful, the energy there and at Machu Picchu is incredible. The food which was freshly cooked for us by Ivan & Ruddi was sooo delicious, we really did not expect this variety and quality on a hike (thank you guys for taking such great care of us) Also thanks to Jonathan who was our driver and helped with all the setting up, he was super funny and highly professional! The communication with Bamba Travel was amazing, they answered to all of our questions very quickly. Big thanks here to Kwaneli: we rocked up at the agency in Cusco one day before the briefing and she took time to set us down and explain some things, which made us feel so comfortable and very excited for the tour. Now last, but not least to our dear guide Francisco..he has been the best Guide we ever had on any tour!! He is so pure and nice and has an incredible knowledge about the Inkas and gave us so much information about the Quechua communities, traditions, language & philosophy, which we couldn't get enough of. We could tell that he is not just doing his job, he is really speaking from his heart and wanted to share his knowledge with us. He made us all so comfortable and constantly made sure everyone is doing good. Everyone felt very safe hiking with him. He had a question to every answer We were all truly sad that we had to say goodbye and would love to do another tour with him in the future!! Tupananchiskama :)
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience with us! Words truly can't describe how thrilled we are to hear about your amazing journey on the Lares Trek. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the stunning, secluded route and the friendly local families and diverse wildlife along the way. The energy of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is indeed remarkable, and we're glad you found it so beautiful. A big thank you to Ivan and Ruddi for providing such delicious, freshly cooked meals and to Jonathan for his professionalism and humor in assisting with the setup. We’re pleased to hear that our communication was efficient and that Kwaneli made you feel comfortable and excited for the tour. Francisco will be delighted to know that he was the best guide you’ve ever had. His passion for sharing his knowledge about the Incas and Quechua communities, traditions, language, and philosophy is truly inspiring. It’s heartwarming to hear how he made everyone feel safe and comfortable throughout the hike. We all hope to see you on another tour with Francisco in the future. Tupananchiskama! :)
First experience for me in this region of the world and it is now my favorite. Indeed, I was lucky to have Francisco as my guide, an unforgettable experience with this man full of kindness and in sharing the history of his country and the mountains in which he lived. I very highly recommend this stay which is intense on all levels. Sulpayki Wayki.
Merci beaucoup pour votre avis chaleureux ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que votre première expérience dans cette région du monde est devenue votre préférée. Francisco sera touché de savoir que son partage de l'histoire de son pays et des montagnes a rendu votre séjour inoubliable. Votre recommandation signifie beaucoup pour nous. Nous espérons vous accueillir à nouveau pour d'autres aventures intenses et mémorables.
Once in a life time experience, Francisco made everything amazing. Had a private tour around Lares and Machu Picchu. Flawless experience, would recommend to anyone that is thinking about these experiences. You’ll regret if you don’t! The knowledge and experience that Francisco has is second to none.
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Francisco made everything amazing and that your private tour around Lares and Machu Picchu was flawless. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we appreciate your encouragement to others to embark on these unforgettable journeys. Francisco's knowledge and experience truly are second to none. We hope to welcome you back for more once-in-a-lifetime adventures!
The whole experience was great, our guide Francisco was great, very knowledgeable, very friendly and approachable. Everyone on the team was the same, the cook was great so was the horse man. The treck it self wasn't as hard as we thought it will be as it was very well organized and managed by the guide, we stopped enough times to catch our breath and we had a good amount of rest every night. Very much recommend this.
