5-Day Lares Trek & 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Two great hikes in one: Lares Trek plus 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek plus 1 Day Inca Trail is our most popular alternative to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Yet it is still relatively unknown. The Lares Trek gives you a real insight into life in rural Peru. Then you enjoy the One Day Inca Trail trek, passing through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek will take you back in time, into a world little changed since the time of the Incas. Each day, as the sun rises over the hill, locals clad in handwoven red ponchos and felt hats, emerge from simple stone cottages to pasture their alpacas in the shadow of Chicon and its shrinking glacier.
There are many companies offering Treks in Lares, but none can offer you quite the same experience. We first explored there in 1990. We ran our first trek here in 1995. Since 2007, we have worked with local Lares communities to reforest the area. As a result of this long-standing relationship, you, our guest, will be made especially welcome and given insights into local life that others simply do not get.
Highlights
- Trek amidst fantastic Andean mountain scenery
- Explore traditional indigenous hill communities
- Hike the 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A scenic two hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes you to the start of your Lares trek, at the small village of Totora. You follow an ancient Inca trail into a narrow canyon, where Inca tombs perch in the cliffs. Emerging from the canyon you pass through tiny rural communities before emerging to a delicious picnic lunch.
Your bus then takes you to the small and very traditional community of Quishuarani, your camp for the night (3700m/12,140ft).
Included: lunch, dinner, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
This is a stunning day hiking. You leave camp behind and climb past colourfully dressed locals, towards the native forests that Amazonas Explorer has been heavily involved in re-planting. These forests harbour Andean deer, vizcachas and several rare species of birds and are essential to the future of this area.
A further push and you reach the stunning views from your highest pass of the trek, the Huchayccasa pass (4450 m/14600 ft.). A chain of emerald blue lakes fills the hillside below you, and in the distance rise the snow-clad Urubamba Mountains. Descending through hand turned potato fields you come to the upper reaches of the ancient community of Cuncani at (3800m/12,4600 ft). From here our bus takes you twenty minutes to your camp at Chancachaca (3440m/ 11286ft). There is an option to visit the Lares hot-springs after lunch.
Included: lunch, dinner, breakfast, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
This is a day filled with encounters with locals. Men head off to work in the potato fields, wooden ploughs slung over their shoulder. Women sit; legs outstretched weaving their traditional clothes on wooden looms. And small children sit motionless guarding herds of alpaca and llama, their ever faithful dog by their side.
From your camp, you begin towards the final pass. Lying at 4,200m/13,780ft the Ipsaycocha pass marks the border between Lares and the Patacancha Valley. You start gently and then climb one final steep section to gain the summit. If you are lucky, you will have spectacular views of Mount Veronica. You take lunch by the beautiful Ipsay Lake then follow an ancient trail to the Patacancha Valley where your Lares trek ends. Your waiting vehicle takes you onto your hotel for the night
Included: lunch, dinner, breakfast, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 of the train tracks, you pass through the control point and begin your 1 Day Inca Trail trek.
First, you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.
Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail.
Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song.
Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.
Total hiking distance: 11 km
Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your over-night luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.
Included: breakfast, lunch, train ticket,km 104 Inca Trail permit, bus down from Machu Picchu, hotel
Relaxed after a comfortable night, you head back up to explore Machu Picchu with your guide before the crowds arrive. There is time afterwards to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s hut or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the atmosphere.
In the afternoon you descend to the waiting train to enjoy one of the great train journeys of the world back towards Cusco.
Included: transport, bus ticket, train ticket, breakfast, Machu Picchu entrance, hotel
In order to fully enjoy your Lares Trek with 1 Day Inca Trail it is very important that you choose the right trip for you and fully understand what it involves.
There are risks inherent in travelling in Peru, as indeed there are in most of the activities that we provide. Many of the activities we offer also involve a significant level of effort on your part. After all, it is called Adventure Travel for a reason.
It is really important that you read both the trip notes above and the Risk and Safety Section on our website, to enable you to choose the best trip for you. Once you have read them both, please make sure you ask if there is anything you do not understand. We classify this trip as:
- Trek ‘Advanced’… This trek is mostly aimed at experienced trekkers – But if you are ‘fit’ (What does that mean? In this case – that you do regular exercise – walk/cycle/jog/squash/ etc) and have an ‘adventurous’ disposition, then you might consider this too! As an experienced trekker you will know that this type of trip will involve some sweating and breathing hard! It will involve steep up and down. There may be sections of rough trail that falling off is not an option! The days are likely to be long, remote and even arduous at times. Make sure you are comfortable with this description (and the remainder of the trip notes), if at all unsure, then drop us an email asking for more clarification. We want you to book the perfect trip for you!
