Day 1 – Cusco – Huaran – Cancha Cancha

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am. It will be an approximately 45-minute drive to the Archaeological Center of Pisac (3,300 meters above sea level/10,826 feet). We will explore this incredible Inca city with your guide as he shares the history and details of these Inca remains with you. After the guided tour, we will head to enjoy breakfast in front of this Archaeological Center, accompanied by views of the Inca city and the valleys beyond.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 2-hour drive to the town of Huaran (2,840 meters above sea level/9,317 feet), located in the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas between Pisac and Urubamba. Huaran will be the starting point where we will meet our muleteer friends with their pack animals. In a small but meaningful meeting, we will introduce ourselves to locals and visitors.

Following this process, we will pack our personal belongings so we can begin our journey.

We will begin leaving the Sacred Valley of the Incas behind and head north following a gentle ascending trail along the small Cancha Cancha River.

During this acclimatization day, we will observe a variety of flora and fauna along the way. It will take approximately 3 hours to reach our destination, a small town called Cancha Cancha at an altitude of 3,900 m/12,795 ft. This is one of the most isolated and traditional mountain communities. You will have the opportunity to meet with a local family to learn about life in the Andes. This is where our muleteer friends will set up camp for the night.

• Difficulty level: Moderate.
• Total distance: approximately 9 km/5.5 miles.
• Hiking hours: approximately 3 hours.
• Pisac altitude: 3,300 m/10,826 ft.
• Huaran Height: 2,840 meters above sea level/9,317 feet.
• Cancha Cancha Height: 3,900 meters above sea level/12,795 feet.
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and snacks.
• Accommodation: Camping.

Day 2 – Cancha Cancha – Quishuarani

Our day’s starting time will be coordinated with your guide the night before. It is recommended to start around 5:30 a.m. to allow enough time for personal hygiene, restroom use, packing of belongings, and enjoying a nutritious breakfast.

We will leave Cancha Cancha, walking through the valley toward the highest point of this trek. We will pass small stone houses with thatched roofs, enormous mountain ranges, and typical Peruvian Andean landscapes.

We will take isolated trails, walking past llamas and herds of alpacas. Local people will greet us timidly; they rarely interact with foreigners, and if they allow us to interact, it will be in Quechua (the native language of the Peruvian Andes). During this process, your guide will act as your interpreter to translate and teach you a few words in Quechua.

After four hours, surrounded by welcoming people, mountains, lagoons, and sacrifices, our journey becomes more enjoyable as we reach the highest pass, called Paso Pachacutec, at an altitude of 4,758 meters (15,610 feet).

Filled with joy and relief at reaching the summit, we are captivated by the magnificent views of Lake Pachacutec and the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray and Sawasiray. We take advantage of the moment to enjoy the impressive sites before us and allow the sun’s rays to replenish us.

We then head downhill for the next two hours. This stretch, similar to the uphill stretch, will be filled with beautiful surroundings, allowing us to enjoy a refreshing lunch.

After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we continue downhill for another hour, surrounded by waterfalls and a town waiting for us in the distance. Tonight we camp in the village of Quishuarani at an altitude of 3,870 m/12,696 ft, with its typical Andean stone houses and thatched roofs.

• Difficulty level: Challenging.
• Total distance: Approx. 14 km/8.6 miles.
• Hiking time: Approx. 8 hours.
• Pachacutec Pass elevation: 4,758 m/15,610 ft.
• Quishuarani elevation: 3,870 m/12,696 ft.
• Pitusiray peak elevation: 4,991 m/16,374 ft.
• Sawasiray peak elevation: 5,818 m/15,807 ft.
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and snack.
• Accommodation: Camping.

Day 3 – Quiswarani – Cuncani – Lares – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu Village

We reach the midpoint of our trek, and it’s time to take the second mountain pass, the Huyllkaccasa Pass at 4,200 meters above sea level/13,779 feet. As we walk, we marvel at the views of the Peruvian Andes mountains, dipping and cresting, while nature surrounds us in its purest form. The majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray mountains are breathtaking to see from the pass. We continue our hike through Puna grasslands, productive agricultural sites, and pristine natural lakes. After a 5-hour hike, we arrive at Cuncani at 3,700 meters above sea level/12,139 feet, a small Inca community. Our private vehicle will be waiting for our arrival to drive for 30 minutes to our destination, Lares Hot Springs, 3,100 meters above sea level/10,170 feet. Traditionally visited by locals seeking relief from stress and other ailments due to its natural volcanic medicinal waters, this is the place where we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the hot springs while we await our lunch. After our delicious dishes, we’ll bid farewell to our muleteer friends in a small gathering filled with photos, hugs, smiles, and, above all, good wishes. From this point, our journey unfolds smoothly. For the next 2.5 minutes, we’ll reach Ollantaytambo, 2,792 meters above sea level/9,169 feet. The traditional village where the train station is located.

We will arrive at this small town in the afternoon after a day full of unforgettable memories. Before boarding our train, we will have a pleasant dinner at a tourist restaurant to continue our adventure and board the expedition-class train to Aguas Calientes. This train ride will take two hours to reach the town of Machu Picchu, where your guide will show you the location of the hotel and give you some final instructions for the most important day of the trip: a visit to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex.

• Difficulty level: Moderate.
• Total hiking distance: approximately 12 km / 7.4 miles.
• Hiking time: approximately 5 hours.
• Huyllkaccasa altitude: 4,200 meters above sea level / 13,779 ft.
• Cuncani altitude: 3,700 meters above sea level / 12,139 ft.
• Lares altitude: 3,100 meters above sea level / 10,170 ft.
• Ollantaytambo Altitude: 2,792 meters above sea level/9,169 feet.
• Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
• Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 4 – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today, dear traveler, we will take it easy and enjoy the most anticipated part of the trip: visiting one of the Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. We will have plenty of time to have breakfast and be ready to board the buses to Machu Picchu.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will board the buses that will take you up to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2,430 meters above sea level/7,972 ft). We will enjoy a guided tour of the citadel’s main buildings for approximately 2 hours, with plenty of free time to explore and take photos. There will be an option to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,693 meters above sea level/8,835 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 meters above sea level/10,111 ft) (reservation required, as daily spaces are limited). During your private tour, your guide will give you a detailed tour with stories and reviews about this impressive Machu Picchu archaeological complex.

Points to visit:

• The Temple of the Sun.
• The Intihuatana.
• The Quarry.
• The House of the Incas.
• Urban areas.
• The Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Temple of the Condor.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Staircase of the Fountains.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• The Temple of the Moon.
• The Main Plaza.
• The Royal Tomb.
• The Sacred Rock (please follow the order of the text provided).

Starting at 2:30 PM, we will meet at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes for our last lunch together. After lunch, you will receive your Expedition class train tickets for your return trip to Cusco.

All of this makes Machu Picchu Peru’s main tourist destination, receiving nearly 2 million visitors a year, all of whom marvel at its majesty. Let us be your host, serving and guiding you to this Wonder of the World, and you too will be one of those privileged visitors.

SAMIN EXPEDITIONS will ensure your return to your hotel.

• Difficulty: Pleasant.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Altitude of Machu Picchu Mountain: 2,430 meters above sea level/7,972 feet.
• Altitude of Huayna Picchu Mountain: 2,693 meters above sea level/8,835 feet.
• Altitude of Machu Picchu Mountain: 3,082 meters above sea level/10,111 feet.
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel), Lunch (not included).
• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Experienced, professional, bilingual guide.
• Orientation meeting at your hotel with your guide 1 or 2 days before the start of the trek.
• Muleteers and mules for transporting camping equipment and personal belongings (maximum 7 kg/15 lb per person).
• Rescue horse (in case of emergencies).
• Chef and cooking equipment.
• Permits: Since the tour includes a visit to Machu Picchu, as soon as we receive your information and a deposit, we will purchase your permits. These are for a specific date and in your name. They cannot be changed once confirmed. Only an update to your passport number is allowed.
  1. 1. Entrance to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

         

• Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
• All Private Transportation:
  
  
  • • Transfer from the airport to your hotel.
    • Pickup at your hotel.
    • Private transportation from the hotel to Huaran (start of the tour).
    • Private transportation from Cuncani to Lares Hot Springs.
    • Private transportation from Lares Hot Springs to Ollantaytambo.
    • Expedition class train ticket from Ollantaytambo Station to Machu Picchu Town.
    • Bus to and from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
    • Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
    • Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
      
      
• 7 kg/16 lb of your personal items (clothing and sleeping bag) will be carried by the muleteers; you will only carry your backpack.
• High-quality camping equipment (for 2 people with sleeping mats).
• Dining room, kitchen, tents with tables, chairs, and portable toilets.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (vegetarian food optional upon request).
• First aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank.
• Hot water for personal hygiene.
• Cold boiled water throughout the tour to refill your bottles or canisters.
• ***Hotel in Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (subject to availability).

Every hiker needs:

• Sleeping bag.
• Inflatable sleeping mats.
• Walking sticks (rubber-tipped) are optional but recommended. If you don’t wish to bring any of the above, all are available for rent:
  1. 1. Sleeping bag: $25.
     2. Inflatable air mattress: $20.
     3. Walking sticks (pair): $20.

         

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD – you must book well in advance if you wish to add an additional hike. Please let us know at the time of booking.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: $75 USD – you must book well in advance if you wish to add an additional hike. Please let us know at the time of booking.
• Vistadome Class train for $75 USD per person.
• Lunch and dinner on the last day.
• Travel Insurance:
  • 1. To protect your travel investment, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Obtaining travel insurance before leaving home is highly recommended and easy.
• ***Tips for the team, guide, cook, and porters.
  At SAMIN EXPEDITIONS: Our staff receives a fair salary, indicated as medium-high. Tips are optional but greatly appreciated.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING:

Essentials:

• Passport.
• Valid STUDENT ID (if booked as a student).
• Immigration card (given at the airport upon entering Peru).
• Backpack (the smaller the better).
• Water storage: A Camelback is recommended, but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles).

For your Duffel: Horses or pack animals will carry up to 7 kg/16 lb of your personal items. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress if you bring one.

• 2-3 T-shirts.
• 2-3 hiking pants.
• 1 comfortable outfit for the day in Machu Picchu.
• 5 sets of underwear.
• 4 sets of hiking socks.
• 1 thick, soft scarf.
• 1 warm jacket: it gets very cold at night.
• 1 rain jacket and pants.
• 1 sun hat.
• 1 wool hat.
• Headlamp: essential.
• Waterproof gloves (even if they’re ski gloves, bring them).
• Comfortable camping shoes.
• Hiking boots.
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
• Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
• Swimsuit (for the hot springs in LARES).
• Quick-dry towel. We provide small towels; you can treat yourself to something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: warm water is provided daily for personal hygiene.
• Battery charger: there’s no place to plug it in during the trek!.
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep things clean and dry.
• Sleeping bag: down bags rated for at least -10°C are recommended.

Toiletries:

• Sunscreen.
• Facial moisturizer.
• Insect repellent.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Baby wipes.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Toilet paper.

Inside your backpack

Backpacks can be any size comfortable for the trek, but we always recommend the smaller the better. Bags larger than 25 liters will not be allowed inside Machu Picchu. Any larger bags must be stored outside the citadel gates.

• WATER: We provide clean water at every meal. You are responsible for your first morning’s water supply, as we won’t have time to filter the water until your first lunch.
• Personal medication.
• Some snacks such as chocolate bars and nuts.
• Sun hat.
• Rain gear.
• Rain poncho.
• Camera.
• Music.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste.
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips.
• Earplugs.

What is the Lares Trek?

The Lares Trail is an alternative route for travelers who want to enjoy their vacation in contact with nature without the crowds that surround them, as are the busier routes. It’s a route where you can truly experience the real life of the ancient world and enjoy an abundant variety of flora and fauna.

And like most routes that require more than a day of hiking, it’s not for non-adventurous travelers, as this route will take you to one of the highest points in the Cusco Region.

What’s included on the Lares Trail – Inca Trail?

On this route, you’ll find stunning views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and other landscapes surrounding the different valleys you’ll explore. Along this route, you’ll not only encounter local people dedicated to agriculture, working the land in a different way than you’re used to, but you’ll also encounter endemic Andean wildlife, just waiting for you.

Why is the Lares Trail an alternative Inca Trail?

It’s called the ALTERNATIVE TRAIL because it’s another way to get to Machu Picchu besides the already famous Inca Trail, which is in high demand and requires booking eight months in advance.

The Lares Trek is the only alternative trail where you’ll find inhabitants in their true habitat, outside of civilization, and at the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to visit them and learn a little more about them.

Can Machu Picchu be visited by people of any age?

Yes, it can be visited by people of all ages. However, to ascend Huayna Picchu, only people over 12 years old are allowed to visit.

What time can I enter Machu Picchu?

Public access is from 6 am to 5 pm.

What to see in Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu is home to nearly 150 amazing structures. These are some of the highlights:

• The Temple of the Sun.
• The Intihuatana.
• The Temple of the Three Windows.
• The Temple of the Condor.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Staircase of Fountains.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• The Temple of the Moon.
• The Gate of the Sun (Intipunku).
• The Main Plaza.
• The Royal Tomb.
• The Sacred Rock.