This 4-day trek begins in Cusco and travels through remote Andean communities and valleys, including a night in the town of Lares known for its hot springs. Hikers ascend to mountain passes with views of snow-capped peaks and spend nights camping beside lakes. The trek culminates on the fourth day with a morning visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

1. Lares Trekto Machu Picchu
Thistrekoffersanoutstandingcombination of amazingmountain and valleyscenery in a remotearea,
thevisitwillreallygetan in-siteintotheAuthentic Quechua Communities and
seethatchedstonehousessurroundedbyherds of llamas and alpacas, and even guinea
pigsrunninglooseinsidethehouses. Thishikestarts in the Lares Valley and village of thesamename,
whereyou can enjoy a nightdip in itsrelaxinghotsprings, tothenfollowtotheAndeancommunities of
Huacahuasi, Patacancha and Willoq, reachingthevillage of Aguas Calientes onthethirdnight, after a
2-hour train-ridefromOllantaytambo. Finally, thefourthdayisdevotedtovisitingtheimpressive Inca
citadel of Machupicchu
Lares Trek
Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco - Lares (Hot Spring)
Day 2: Lares (Hot Spring) - Ipsaycocha)
Day 3: Ipsaycocha - Patacancha - Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Day 4: Aguas Calienties – Machu Picchu - Cusco
Day 1: Cusco - Lares (Hot Spring)
We leave Cusco at 6:00am in a private transport and drive for an approximated 4h through part of
the Sacred Valley to then head towards Lares (3100m/10168ft), a little rural village located in the
beautiful valley of the same name, hosting some well-known hot springs. Uponarrival,
weleaveourequipment and continuetowardsChoquecancha,
animpressivearchaeologicalsitewithamazingviews of theneighboringvalleys. Afterourvisit, wehike
back to Lares, wherewe can enjoyaneveningdip in itshotspringsbeforeorafterourdinnerisserved.
Our camp will be set nexttothethermalbaths and accessis free thewholenight.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Lares (Hot Spring) - Ipsaycocha)
Afteranearlywake up and breakfast, wemeetourhorsemen and horses and leaveourcampsite at
around 9.00am towalkalonganascendingpaththatwill lead ustoHuacahuasi, (3600m/11808ft).
ThisremoteAndeancommunityislocated in animpressivevalley, wherethetypicallifestyle and
houseconstructions of the Quechua communities living at highaltitude can be appreciated. We
stop tovisit a typicalhouse and family, beforeweenjoyour lunch. In theearlyafternoon,
wecontinueourhikeascendingtowardthemountainpass of Ipsay (4450m/14596ft/3h),
walkingacrosslittlecommunities and Andeanflats (pampas) withthepresence of llamas and alpacas.
Thepassoffersimpressiveviews of Mount Veronica and thesurroundingsnow-cappedpeaks.
JusthalfanhourfromthispointisIpsayqocha, a beautifullagoonnexttowhichwe set our camp and
spendthenight, amidstawesomescenery.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Ipsaycocha - Patacancha -Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Aftertwo full days of hikingtodayismucheasier. Afteranearlybreakfastwewalkdownhillthrough a
wide-open valleyforabout 2½ hoursuntilwearrive at thevillage of Patacancha. Wewillhave a chance
toviewsome textiles madebythepeople of thiscommunity - thehighqualityweavings are

2. famousfortheirintricatedesignsreflectingaspects of theireverydaylives and culture.
Afterwealsogetthe chance towalkslowlydownthevalleytoWilloq, another Quechua
villagewherethelocalsstillweartheirtraditionaldress and are proudtomaintaintheir cultural identity.
FromPatacanchawewilltakeourtransportfurtherdownthevalleyto Inca town of
Ollantaytambowherewewillrest and have lunch, then catch ourafternoontraintoAguasCalientes.
Thisisanamazingjourneythatstarts in the Quechua highlands and slowlydescendstolush tropical
vegetation as wenearAguasCalientes. Total journey time about 1½ hours. Tonightwestay in
thesmallquainttown of Machu Picchu.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Aguas Calienties - Machu Picchu - Cusco
5 am breakfastthen at 5.30am wegetthe bus to Machu Picchu. Weneedtodepartearly so
thosewhowishtoclimbHuayna Picchu willneedtosign up beforethe 2 hourguided tour.
Duringyourvisittotheseancientruinsyouwillseecloudsflypast and Machu Picchu willdisappearwith in
them, so makesureyoutakepictureswhilsttheruins are visible. Afterthe tour youwillhave free time
to explore themountain of Huayna Picchu overlookingall of Machu Picchu - byfarthebestview!
Huayna Picchu willtakeapproximately 2 hoursreturntrip. Itisnowyourchoicetoenjoy lunch
justoutsidetheruinsortakethe bus back toAguasCalientesto explore thissmall and quaintvillage.
Thetrain back to Cusco departs late afternoon so yourestimated time of arrivalisapproximately
9pm.
What is Included:
English speaking guide
Pre-departure information meeting,
Machu Picchu entrance fees.
Firstaid kit, portable oxygenTank,
3 nightaccommodation in touristhostel,
Transfers,
Bus ticket Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes,
Expeditiontrain ticket Aguas Calientes - Ollantayatmbo,
Transfer fromOllantaytambo - Cusco Hotel
Whatis NOT Included:
International air farestoPeru,
Domesticflights, airporttaxes,
Mealsotherthanthosespecified in youritinerary,
Personal insurance.
RecomendedThingsToTake
Sleeping bag (you can rent at Cusco Expeditions office).
Bottle of mineral water.
Rain gear and/orplastic poncho (can be purchase in Cusco).
Hikingboots.
Warmjacketorfleece, t-shirts, shorts, long pants, sunhat and woolhat.
Flashlight.
Sun block.
Insectrepellent.
Toiletpaper and garbage bag.

3. Small towel and bathingsuit (hotspringsoptional).
Camera, extra film and extra batteries.
Snacks, chocolates, energybars.
Emergencymoney.
Walkingstick (optional).