Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of the Andes with our Classic Lares Trek to Machu Picchu—a 4-day, 3-night journey designed for nature lovers, cultural explorers, and those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience in Peru.
This alternative Inca Trail route is a hidden gem, perfect for travelers who want to combine breathtaking natural beauty with deep cultural immersion. Unlike the more crowded trails, the Lares Trek guides you through tranquil valleys, towering peaks, and traditional Andean villages where time seems to stand still.
Why Lares Trek?
Throughout the walk, you will pass through high mountain passes and quiet pastoral plains surrounded by snow-capped mountains such as Sawasiray and Pitusiray. The environment is peppered with crystal-clear glacial lakes, tranquil waterfalls, and herds of alpacas and llamas grazing peacefully beneath the vast Andean sky.
One of the most rewarding features of this walk is the opportunity to interact with rural Quechua-speaking villages. You’ll visit communities where old rituals are still performed on a daily basis—where inhabitants hand weave vivid fabrics and live in peace with nature. It’s a profound, touching look into the Andes’ inner essence.
Whether you wish to escape the crowds on the Classic Inca Trail or just have a more intimate cultural connection, the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that combines adventure, authenticity, and breathtaking landscape.
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Your journey begins bright and early at 5:00 am with a hotel pickup in Cusco. As the city stirs to life, we’ll travel toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping in the charming town of Calca to browse the local market for last-minute essentials such as fresh fruit, snacks, or water.
Afterward, we’ll drive to the rejuvenating Lares Hot Springs, where a delicious breakfast awaits with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Take time to soak in the natural thermal pools, whose volcanic waters are said to ease muscle tension, joint pain, and stress.
Recharged and refreshed, we continue to Cuncani (3,800 m / 12,467 ft)—the trailhead of our hike. Here, you’ll meet your trekking team: expert chefs and local horsemen who’ll transport your gear on pack animals, allowing you to enjoy the hike with ease.
Our adventure kicks off with a visit to the breathtaking Pacchayoc Waterfall, a powerful cascade nestled in the heart of the Andes. As we ascend, you’ll pass crystal-clear alpine lakes and scenic valleys before stopping for a freshly prepared lunch in a peaceful natural setting.
The afternoon trek leads us to the Willkikasa Pass (4,400 m / 14,436 ft)—the highest point of the day—offering stunning panoramic views of the Andean peaks. From there, we descend to our campsite at Quiswarani, a remote Andean village where you’ll interact with locals, visit a traditional Quechua-speaking school, and experience authentic Andean life firsthand.
As night falls, enjoy a warm dinner under a star-filled sky before heading to your tent for a well-earned rest.
Wake up to a warm cup of tea or coffee and the gentle sounds of the village rising. After a hearty breakfast, we begin our challenging ascent toward the highest point of the trek—Pachacutec Pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ft).
The trail climbs steadily in a zigzag pattern to help with the altitude, revealing awe-inspiring sights along the way. You’ll pass the serene Qoyalay Lake and the striking Qanchispaccha (Seven Waterfalls), perfect spots for unforgettable photos.
At the summit, the views are nothing short of magical. Towering peaks like Pitusiray and Qolqe Cruz dominate the skyline, and on clear days, you’ll feel like you’re standing above the clouds.
After soaking in the views, we descend for half an hour to our lunch spot. Energized, we continue on a scenic downhill hike for another two hours to reach Cancha Cancha (3,950 m / 12,959 ft)—one of the most traditional villages in the Lares Valley.
Here, 85% of the homes are built using age-old methods—stone walls and thatched roofs—and you’ll have the chance to learn directly from locals about their daily lives, farming techniques, and textile traditions. After dinner, enjoy another peaceful night surrounded by Andean serenity.
After your morning beverage and breakfast, we begin the final leg of the trek—a gentle 4-hour descent through valleys dotted with alpacas, llamas, and lush farmlands.
As we pass through potato and fava bean fields, your guide will explain traditional Andean agricultural techniques that have been passed down for generations. The landscape shifts dramatically as we approach the Sacred Valley, where a warmer climate and different crops—like corn, quinoa, and avocados—flourish.
We end our trek in Huaran (2,920 m / 9,580 ft), where we’ll enjoy one last lunch with our trekking team before saying our goodbyes.
From here, we’ll drive to the legendary Maras Salt Mines (3,000 m / 9,843 ft)—a stunning network of over 3,000 salt pans used since pre-Inca times. The mineral-rich pink salt harvested here is still used today and makes for a unique souvenir.
Next, we continue to Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town. Explore ancient streets, water channels, and stone buildings that have stood for over 500 years. After dinner at a local restaurant, we board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. You’ll check into your hotel and rest up for tomorrow’s grand finale.
The highlight of your trek awaits: the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. We rise early to catch one of the first buses to the citadel, arriving just as the sun begins to illuminate this ancient wonder.
You’ll enjoy a guided tour (approx. 2 hours) through the most iconic parts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, learning about its incredible architecture, history, and mysteries. Your guide will share little-known insights and take you to the best spots for panoramic views and stunning photos.
If you’ve booked in advance, you may also climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for an even more breathtaking view.
After exploring, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding your train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private vehicle will take you to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll reflect on the extraordinary journey you’ve just completed.
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All briefings are done at our office at 7:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.
Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.
Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.
They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.
Machu Picchu is most beautiful when seen from above, which is why hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular to do after your tour.
Huaynapicchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance since it sells out very quickly. This hike takes approximately 1 hour to the top, and another 45 minutes back down. Tickets are sold in time sessions stating when you can start this hike. The first session is from 7-8 AM, and the 2nd session is from 10-11 AM.
Again, this refers to the timeframe when you can start your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. You will do this hike on your own, but your guide will show you where to begin.
Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and a bit less popular. It takes 2 hours to the top and another 1 hours to the bottom. Again there are two time windows – from 7-8 AM and 9-10 AM and we usually purchase the second time window. 4 Day treks, the Trekkers CAN NOT do this hike and enjoy a tour of the ruins. Time will not allow for this.
Hiking either mountain will allow you to have some extra time at the ruins once you complete, as listed above.
| Entry time to Machupicchu (*) | Grace period during months of regular visitor demand (**) | Grace period during months of high visitor demand (from June 1 to October 15 and December 30 and 31) (**) |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 am | Until 06:30 am | Until 06:45 am |
| 07:00 am | Until 07:30 am | Until 07:45 am |
| 08:00 am | Until 08:30 am | Until 08:45 am |
| 09:00 am | Until 09:30 am | Until 09:45 am |
| 10:00 am | Until 10:30 am | Until 10:45 am |
| 11:00 am | Until 11:30 am | Until 11:45 am |
| 12:00 pm | Until 12:30 pm | Until 12:45 pm |
| 01:00 pm | Until 01:30 pm | Until 01:45 pm |
| 02:00 pm | Until 02:30 pm | Until 02:45 pm |
| 03:00 pm | Until 03:30 pm | Until 03:45 pm |
* Entry time at the main gate of the Inca city of Machupicchu.
** Entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and
Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.
You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions.
Xtreme TourBulencia will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.
If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.
If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.
Group tours are made up of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster than you are.
Everyone can go at their own pace for the trek, and the guide will work with the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour, and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.
Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date.
Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.
You are responsible for your items throughout the Tour. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our vans, your tents, restaurant, etc.
Do not leave anything unintended during your hike. Other trekkers or teams might pick it up not knowing whos it is.
Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While we pay good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.
Typically the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below.
For the guide, this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with them and done separately from the group. Porters and Chefs prefer soles if possible. Guides are happy with U.S. dollars, Peruvian Soles, or even your credit card.
Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. With trips being planned months ahead of time, you never can predict what could happen. Adventure travel includes more risk than the average trip.
Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this journey. We can help recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.
Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared.
No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.
It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs.
Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do, so if you have more time to acclimate you won´t be bored.
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we will help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea.
Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow, and it will give your body time to adjust to the elevation.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly and drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea.
If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away. Xtreme Tourbulencia guides are trained to help you get through it.
The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.
The best way to get to Cusco is by air, and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land, and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic.
Bus travel is always available, and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.
To begin, we’d like to suggest some accommodation options throughout Cusco. Although it’s a small city, more and more streets are becoming traffic-free pedestrian zones.
Therefore, we’ve selected comfortable and well-located hotels that also allow us easy access to pick you up. These are just ideas; you’re free to choose your accommodation.
The Lares Trek is considered moderate to challenging, suitable for hikers with good physical fitness. The highest point reaches 4,450 meters, requiring proper acclimatization. Previous hiking experience is recommended but not mandatory.
Unlike the crowded Inca Trail, the Lares Trek offers authentic cultural experiences with fewer tourists. While both routes lead to Machu Picchu, Lares focuses more on living Andean culture and stunning mountain landscapes rather than archaeological sites.
Essential items include:
The optimal trekking season runs from May through September during Peru’s dry season. These months offer the clearest mountain views and most stable weather conditions. The rainy season (November-March) can make trails muddy and dangerous.
No advance permits are required for the Lares Trek, unlike the heavily regulated Inca Trail. However, Machu Picchu entrance tickets must be purchased in advance, especially during peak season (June-August).
The trek includes three nights of camping with professional-grade equipment. High-quality tents, sleeping mats, and dining facilities are provided. The final night is typically spent in Aguas Calientes hotels before the Machu Picchu visit.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone above 3,000 meters. Proper acclimatization in Cusco (2-3 days minimum) is essential. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and inform your guide of any symptoms immediately.
All meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 4 breakfast are included. Professional trek chefs prepare nutritious, high-energy meals using fresh local ingredients. Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Group sizes typically range from 2-12 participants to ensure personalized attention and minimal environmental impact. Smaller groups allow for better cultural interactions and more flexible itineraries.
The Lares Trek emphasizes authentic cultural immersion through:
Comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Medical facilities are limited in remote mountain areas, making evacuation insurance crucial for serious emergencies.
Participants should be capable of hiking 6-8 hours daily on uneven terrain while carrying a small daypack. Regular cardio exercise and practice hikes with elevation gain are recommended preparation activities.
Yes, experienced bilingual guides accompany all groups. These certified professionals possess extensive knowledge of local culture, history, and mountain safety. Many guides are from local communities, providing authentic cultural perspectives.
Weather contingency plans are always in place. While some rain is normal, severe weather may require route modifications for safety. Alternative activities and indoor cultural experiences can substitute outdoor activities when necessary.
Booking should be done through reputable local operators with proper certifications and insurance. Compare packages carefully, ensuring they include all mentioned services, equipment, and entrance fees. Book at least 2-3 months in advance for peak season travel.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
Sales: +51 984 61 06 44
Main Office: +51 84622440
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