Lares Trek 3 Day

Lares Trek 3 Days

3-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the routes which provides access to the high Andean regions of Cuzco and a place with plenty of beautiful views and spectacular Andes mountain experiences. While walking the Lares Trek, we come upon small Andean villages, local people wearing traditional ponchos, llamas, alpacas, natives' agriculture, and traditional textiles (hand-made). We recommend this hike to you as one of the best vacation treks to Machu Picchu, which includes camping, trekking, and exploring Machu Picchu. An added option is to trek the Montaña or Waynapicchu mountains.

LARES TREK VIA PATACANCHA

Lares Trek 3-Day Itinerary 

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares to Waka Wasi 

A leisurely day hike.

We depart by touristic transport early in the morning to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At Calca province, 2,940 m/9,645 ft., we have a short stop to get fruit or locally grown coffee at the local market. Then we start ascending on the road towards the high Andes by car,  passing through the Rayanpata settlement, Macha Cancha hot spring, and the open Amparaes pass 4,580 m/15,026 ft. An option is to stop here to appreciate the magical Andes mountains at that elevation.

Then we follow a dirt road descending towards Lares village (3,250 m/10,662 ft.), "an Andean community." After a few minutes from Lares, we arrive at the thermal bath of Lares, which has orange-colored water.

After the relaxing bath, the trail is smooth and easy, just 3 hours of trekking, hiking, and conquering the real Andes. Most of the time, we will be near the glacial creek, with llamas, alpacas, and many Andean children. At Huaca Wasi camp (3,600 m/11,811 ft.), afternoon hot tea is waiting for us with plenty of Coca leaves.

During the trek, we recommend that you carry in your day backpack a windbreaker, light down feather jacket, gloves, Indian hat, and spirit of adventure (every day).

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Waka Wasi to Patacancha - Machu Picchu Pueblo 

A challenging day and the most gratifying hike day (Ipsay Pass).

Today we ascend to the highest summit of the trek, Ipsay Pass, at 4,400 m/ 14,435 ft., where the views are terrific on the high Andes. We all have a full active day. And if you did not see llamas and alpacas on the first trek day, then you have the chance to see them on the second trek day. We stop for lunch close the Ipsay Lake, which has some Andean birds, such as the Wallata Inca bird, a central representation of the Patacancha settlement, where the people have an ancestral and traditional dance representative of those birds. At Patacancha (3,800 m/12467 ft.), we board a local transport to Ollantaytambo, mainly following a dirt road to Ollantaytambo village. We pass through some old Andean villages such as Willoq (3,600 m/11,811 ft.) and Pumamarca (3,400 m/11,154). The people who live here are still using ancestral weaving for their textiles.

At Puma Marka settlement, we can hike up towards the Pumamarca Inca fortress, follow the old Inca trail, or just follow the last track on the dirt road. Arriving at Ollantaytambo, we can visit an Inca house to explore how the Incas used their Inca houses in historical times. We also have a chance to take pictures of some Guinea pigs. Ollantaytambo is considered to be the living Inca city. Near Ollantaytambo is the Park of Ollantaytambo and the village with the same name. (If you have yet to visit these fabulous Incan places on the Sacred Valley tour and would like to see them, we can arrange another scheduled train service for you so you have more time to explore them.

The tourist train service transports us to Machupicchu Pueblo (2,000 m/6,561 ft.). The train ride is spectacular and allows us to appreciate how the high Andes become greener because of the changing vegetation. You might also observe some Incan sites along the train track with your eagle eyes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Morning Machu Picchu Tour, PM Return to Cusco 

This is your first time visiting Machu Picchu, and you want to be some of the first people at Machu Picchu in the morning. If so, we can go early, when it is not so crowded, and there is plenty of time to stroll around.

After breakfast, we will go to the bus station to board one of the bus services. The ride is 30 minutes climbing on a switchback system to Machu Picchu's main gate. The views from the bus allow us to appreciate the famous cloud forest. Once we arrive, we will have the best plan for your tour. First, we go to the guard house, where it is possible to look down and take the best pictures of Machu Picchu. With our experienced guide, the tour takes 2 hours to explore this ancient Inca city, then you have free time to do more exploring yourself. Other optional places include the Inti Punku "sun gate" or Waynapicchu mountain.

In the afternoon, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes at the indicated time to board your train service to Ollantaytambo. Then you go by tourist transport transfer service to your hotel in Cusco city.

Meals: Breakfast