Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
4 Days / 3 Nights

Highlights

1. This four-day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu includes 2.5 days of alpine hiking and local village visits.

   Soak in Calming Hot Springs: Before hitting the trail, you can prepare your muscles for the challenge with a soak in rejuvenating and relaxing thermal baths. This is the perfect way to prepare your body and kick off your trek.

   Learn About The Local Villages On Our Most Cultural Trek: The beauty of the mountains is parallel to the generosity of the people you will meet on this marvelous cultural tour. While all treks in the Andes are challenging, this hike moves a bit slower than others making it a favorite for families with young hikers.

   The great Lares trek lets you interact with small remote local communities in the Andes. You can meet local people and participate in their traditional Peruvian lifestyle.

   Visit Historical Peru Salt Mines: The Lares Valley’s incredible landscapes, views, flora, and fauna will leave you speechless. Plus, the hike itself is an exciting challenge to complete. During your Lares Trek, you will also visit the Salt mines in Maras, where you will see the traditional way the locals still get salt to this day. You’ll even have the option to purchase some to take back home.

   Explore Machu Picchu: Alpaca Expeditions’ Lares Cusco trek package will end with a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. Then you’ll wake up for an early morning beautiful train ride to visit Machu Picchu for your guided walking tour on the 4th day. This tour of Machu Picchu really is the best way to finish your amazing adventure with Alpaca Expeditions.

2. Itinerary Overview

   • Day 1: Thermal Baths – Kiswarani Waterfalls – Camping (Trekking Distance: 10 km/ 6.21371 miles)
   • Day 2: Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha Village – Camping (Trekking Distance: 14 km/8 miles)
   • Day 3: Huaran – Maras Salt Mines – Train to Aguas Calientes – Hotel (Trekking Distance: 9 km /6.2 miles)
   • Day 4: Machu Picchu Day (Typical time back to Cusco: 8:30PM)

Inclusions

1. Included

   • Professional Guides: All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in the Cusco region, and love teaching others about their heritage.
   • Briefing: The night before your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, you’ll come to our office at 6:30 PM for your briefing with your trekking guide. You’ll receive your duffel bag for your items. These must include your sleeping bag and air mattress. (ours weigh 2.5 kg and 1 kg respectively). All duffel bags will be carried by your porters and will only be available at your campsite each day (morning and evening). Any items that are needed while hiking should be packed in your daypack.
   • Porters & Horsemen: We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag containing your items. There is no additional fee for this. Your duffel bag will be provided at your briefing the night before. This is to be filled with the things you’ll need for the next night and day. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at your evening campsite.
   • Emergency Horse: All of our alternative treks include an extra horse for our clients to use if they need a break from trekking.
   • Hotel: The trek will include two nights of camping. One night close to local villages and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. We include a 3-star hotel, typically at Inti Punku (or similar) if available. Your booked hotel will be on your final invoice, and upgrades are always possible.
   • Transportation: You’ll have transportation included for this trek. You’ll be picked up directly from your hotel around 4:30 a.m. ( unless you are staying in Ollantaytambo, then earlier) and brought to the trailhead to begin your trek. Hiking will end on day three, and you’ll head to Ollantaytambo. Once your hike is over, you’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes where you’ll spend the evening in a hotel. Your departure and return train to Aguas Calientes as well as back to Ollantaytambo will be on the Expedition Class Train. Your return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo can be upgraded to the Vistadome Class Train for $75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, you’ll be brought back to your hotel in Cusco. Also included is your round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
   • Equipment: Alpaca Expeditions has the best equipment. We use Eureka Timberline 4 person tents that are shared by only two people. You’ll have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals in.
   • Food: The Alpaca Expeditions chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have loved. We honor all food restrictions, so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let your guide know at your briefing. Food is typically all served family-style. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for the trek along with a happy hour of tea and snacks. A snack will be provided each morning for you to enjoy along the hike. Your last meal with your chef will be after breakfast on day four. Lunch on the last day is not included.
   • Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Alpaca Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water is boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distributing. You must bring personal water bottles and or a camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. You’ll be able to refill your water at each meal.
   • First Aid: Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February for all Alpaca Expeditions employees. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical situations (traveler´s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We’ll get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible if needed.
   • Extras: We believe it’s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho.
   • Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with issues clients have on the mountain. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they’re safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach. So, Alpaca Expeditions has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they’re not cheap to use, they are available.

2. Not Included

   • Rentals: Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:
     Sleeping Bag: $20
     Inflatable Air Mattress: $15
     Walking Sticks (Pair): $15
   • Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you’re scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.

Price

1. The Lares Trek can leave any day of the week, 12 months a year.

2. Group Tour:

   $600 per person

   A group tour means that it is open for other trekkers to join you. This means that your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. All our guides are experts on how to keep the trek moving and happy no matter how fast you hike.

3. Private Tour:

   Private tours are available and priced by party size.

   2 Trekkers: $890 per person
   3 Trekkers: $850 per person
   4 Trekkers: $800 per person
   5 Trekkers: $750 per person
   6 Trekkers: $700 per person
   7 Trekkers: $650 per person
   8 or more Trekkers: $600 per person

   * All our tours are priced in US Dollar.

4. Accommodations:

   Inti Punku

   This tour includes 2 nights camping and 1 night in a basic three star hotel, Inti Punku. Rooms all include private bathrooms, hot showers and wifi. Prices are based on a shared room (Double, Matrimonial or Triple available) and single rooms are available for a $30 US supplement (all solo travelers are given a single room). Other hotels are available upon request at the prices listed below.

   Single Room: +$30 pp
   La Cabana: +$40 pp shared (+$110 for a single)
   Casa Andina: $40 pp shared ($110 for a single)
   El Mapi: +$70 pp shared (+$170 for a single)
   Book on your own: -$30 pp

5. Student Discount: $25 off per person

   Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.

   Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.

   More Information about  STUDENT CARD

6. Additional Items:

   There are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.

   Huayna Picchu: $75 per person
   Montana: $75 per person
   Vistadome Train (one way): $75 per person

Travel Info

1. Getting to Cusco

   The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights. 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.

   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. Any acclimate weather will stop air traffic. Bus travel is always available, while the trip can be long the buses 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.

2. Luggage Storage

   Any extra luggage you have with you can be left safely in Cusco. Your hotel is an option as well as with us at the Alpaca Expeditions while you trek. We’ll store your luggage on the morning of your trek and return it once you’re back in Cusco. Make sure your bags have tags on them, so they’re easy to locate.

3. Daypacks

   Alpaca Expeditions doesn’t provide daypacks, so you need to bring your own. Try to keep your daypack light while trekking. Machu Picchu doesn’t allow packs larger than 25L. You’ll need to check your bag at the entrance if it doesn’t meet the size regulations. Checking your bag is inexpensive but often has long lines.

4. Altitude

   As soon as people book their trip to Peru, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work for 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.

   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, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we’ll help you get to a doctor.

   We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body time 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. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee, they’ll cause you to 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. Go slow, it’ll give your body time to adjust to the elevation. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication such as Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone to help with altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to high altitude and continue to take it while you are at high altitude. You must remember that this is your holiday and don’t want to stress out about getting sick. If anything does happen and you get sick, let your guide know right away. Alpaca Expedition guides are trained to help you get through it.

5. Weather

   Typically, the dry season in Cusco is from April through October. always be prepared for all temperatures and rain. 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, be ready for four seasons. Treks in the Andes involve various microclimates, and you’ll need to be prepared for each one. 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.

   As far as Lares is concerned, this is one of our colder treks. We’ll help you sleep with insulated warm bottles to place in your sleeping bags but remember your extra layers to keep cozy.

6. First Aid

   Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February for every Alpaca Expeditions guide. When guiding you, they’ll have with them a first aid kit for basic medical situations.

   In case you feel you can no longer complete the trek, they’ll figure out the safest and quickest way off the trail. You’ll have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you’re feeling up to it, we’ll make sure that you still visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group. This way you can finish your trip, traveling comfortably by train.

   We ask that all clients let your guide know of any chronic medical issue you may have before the trek. We want to be prepared to help if something happens.

7. Travel Insurance

   To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Getting travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged and very easy. We work with a great agency in the United States, they’ve helped to make it easy and affordable. What an excellent way to protect yourself while you are visiting Peru.

   If interested in booking through our trusted partner Ahart, Frinzi & Smith CLICK HERE.

8. Environmental Impact

   Alpaca Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.

9. Community

   Alpaca Expeditions is proud of the work we do for our community, as this is the main focus of our company. We’ve worked with villages directly to help supply them with the needs their families were missing. We’ve supported local schools by giving them computers and books. Alpaca Expeditions also sponsors a teacher at the village where most of our porters come from.

   We buy all our food from local farmers and markets. We provide English classes for all our team: guides, porters, chefs, and drivers. We’re also building a house for our porters. Giving them a safe and comfortable place to stay before and after our treks.

   Twice every year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. The men and women who work tirelessly have never visited the Lost Citadel of the Incas. So that makes this trip our favorite to-do. It’s an honor to show them this place.

   We’re always looking to do more for our partners. Please let us know about your ideas and we’ll work to help.

10. Personal Porter Included

    All of our camping treks include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They’ll additionally carry the duffel bag you receive at your briefing the night before your trek. No duffel bag can exceed 7kg/14lbs and must include your sleeping bag and air mat. Alpaca Expeditions gives each porter a proper uniform, salary, and insurance. They’re the backbone of our company.

Packing List

1. ESSENTIALS:

   • Passport
   • Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
   • Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
   • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
   • Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
   • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

2. FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

   Remember you are packing for 2 nights of camping and 1 night in a hotel. Porters will carry up to 8 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

   • 2 wicking t-shirts
   • 2 hiking pants
   • 4 sets of undergarments.
   • 3 sets of hiking socks
   • 1 Fleece
   • 1 Warm, down jacket: this trek includes 2 cold nights camping
   • 1 Rain jacket and pants
   • 1 sun hat
   • 1 wool hat
   • Headlamp: essential
   • Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
   • Comfortable shoes for camp
   • Walking boots
   • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
   • Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
   • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
   • Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
   • Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
   • Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

3. TOILETRIES:

   • Sunscreen
   • Face moisturizer
   • Bug spray
   • Handsanitizer
   • Wet wipes
   • Toothbrush and paste
   • Toiletpaper
   • Personal medication
   • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

4. INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

   Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

   Passport Valid, STUDENT  CARD Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)Good daypack (the smaller, the better)Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

   • Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
   • Sunhat
   • Rain gear
   • Fleece
   • Camera
   • Music (IPhone)
   • Handsanitizer
   • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
   • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips

Porters & Horsemen

1. The Lares Trek will include a combination of porters and horsemen to help carry all the equipment and bags needed. We also include an extra emergency horse that can be used at any time if you need a break from hiking.

   Our Alpaca Expeditions porters, who we lovingly call the Green Machine, are the pride and joy of our company. We’re dedicated to making a difference in their lives and their family’s life. For that, we’re rewarded with the hardest working team in the mountains.

2. Alpaca Expeditions Porters:

   Raul Ccolque Ccolque, the owner and general manager of Alpaca Expeditions, worked as a porter from 2000 to 2003. While he saw some companies treating their porters better than others, he felt there was not enough done for them and their families. We couldn’t have a company without our porters, and because of that we want them to be part of our family.

   Our porters range from 18 years old until 55 and come from different villages in the Cusco region. We employ approximately 250 porters from the following communities:

   • Comunidad Wakatinku 25 porters, located at 3800 meters
   • Comunidad Llullucha 20 porters, located at 3700 meters
   • Comunidad Choquekancha 25 porters, located at 3400 meters.
   • Comunidad Pumapunko $ 25 porters located at 3700 meters
   • Comunidad Kachin 25 porters located at 3700 meters
   • Comunidad Anparaes 25 porters located at 3500 meters

   Quechua is their main language and farming is their main economic activity. Being an Alpaca Epeditions porter is a second income for them.

3. Our Promise to Our Porters:

   We clearly understand that we wouldn’t be successful without our team of porters. They’ve promised us that they’ll continually work hard to make sure each trekker has a magical journey. In return, we made a promise to them that we’ll do what we can to make this difficult job a little less daunting.

   As we explained earlier, most of our porters live in a village outside of Cusco – typically 2 to 4 hours away. We cover all entrance fees (45 soles – $15 US per porter) and transportation to and from the trek for our porters, separate from their salary. They’re paid promptly after the trek eliminating the need to travel back to Cusco before heading home. Unfortunately, this is not common. They receive better wages, health insurance, and all their equipment for free, including great food to eat. We make sure they have a comfortable bed and a nice room to sleep in before (and after if needed) the trek. We visit their communities and provide needed supplies to their families like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and books for students. This is just the beginning for us, and we’re always looking for ways to do more.

4. How much does the Alpaca Expeditions Porter Carry?

   While the government allows each porter to carry up to 25kg, we keep our limit at 20kg. Each porter will carry up to 15kg from the company and 5kg of their stuff. That’s why it’s so important to keep your duffel light and not exceed our allowed 7kg. You’ll see other companies carrying more than the allotted weight – we’ll not allow our porters to carry this burden.

5. Keeping them Comfortable

   Every year Alpaca Expeditions provides a new sleeping bag and sleeping pad for each porter. Our jackets are all lined and the boots that we provide are all waterproof.

6. What do the Porters Eat?

   Our porters will eat the very same amazing meals you have. Our Alpaca Expeditions chef buys enough food to cook for all our trekkers and porters. We serve large portions, and none of it is wasted. Whatever is left over will go directly back home to the families of the team for them to enjoy themselves.

7. Helping Their Families

   All our porters are Quechua language speakers who come from farming villages. They take advantage of the seasons to grow their crops and Alpaca Expeditions helps them and their community. We have different ongoing projects and hope to add many more. Some of the projects we have completed or continue doing are:
   Every three months, we take a kit of toiletries to Wakantinku elementary school for 204 Quechua speaking children. They range from 3 – 12 years old from kindergarten to 6th grade. When we arrived at this village for the first time a few years ago, kids had trouble keeping up with daily hygiene. We make sure they always have toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and hand sanitizer.

   We planted more than 3,000 Queuña trees (Andean Polylepis), in the community of Wakatinku to reforest their village. This tree will be more sustainable than others they have used and will eventually be a fertilizer for their village. We cover the salary of a full-time teacher in the High School of Wakatinku every year to teach math, art, and English. This teacher has done great work and helped to graduate the first class from the village.

   Every February, we invite our porters and their families to come with us to visit Machu Picchu. Last year we went with families from Wakawasi village, a community we visit on the Lares Trek. It was their first time in the ruins. We plan on doing this trip every February with new families to help them enjoy their history.

   In October, we helped celebrate the end of the school year with 17 students and their parents. Week took them for a trip through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. This 2-day trip followed the same itinerary that our clients enjoy.

   Often our clients have asked how they can help. Some Alpaca Expeditions trekkers raised money back at home to buy some computers to donate to a local village. We matched their donation and went together to donate computers to the school in Wakatinku village. Being their first time donating computers, this was something new. We did donate more computers the next year as well.

   We’re working with a local clinic to provide dental care and skin examinations for the children of the community.

   We bought land in Cusco that is being constructed to create dormitory classrooms and teaching kitchens for our team. We created this for our porters outside of Cusco to have a place to sleep before their treks. We’ll have free English, computer, and cooking classes for our team and their families to use.
   Those are just some of the projects we’ve done and continue to do. We’re a small local company here in Cusco, who promises to be as dedicated to our team as they are to us. We’re lucky to have the best porters in the region. We feel it’s necessary to make sure they’re healthy, stable, and capable of providing for their families.

8. THE GREEN MACHINE

   Another highlight of booking with Alpaca Expeditions is getting top equipment and probably the best food you’ll eat while in Peru.

9. Equipment

   Every camping tour includes a spacious four-person tent that will be shared by only two people so you can spread out a bit. These are Eureka Timberline all-season tents. Our rentals are top of the line: Black Diamond Adjustable Walking Sticks and Thermarest Luxury Air Matts. Sleeping Bags rented from us are mummy-style down bags and rated for 15C and liners are always included.

   For more information on our equipment, CLICK HERE.

10. Food

    Every trek includes a chef trained in culinary school. They’ve learned the skills of mountain cooking. You’ll enjoy a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner served hot. We also include Happy Hour with snacks and some hot tea before dinner. The key to feeling good on a trek like this is eating well and staying hydrated.
    Meals are all served family-style, large plates for everyone to take what they like. All food restrictions are honored. It doesn’t matter if you’re vegetarian or gluten-free, you’ll always be well fed.

11. Water

    Alpaca Expeditions will provide water at every meal. We’ll boil, filter, and cool all water before distributing it to our clients to ensure that it’s safe for drinking. Because of this process, you do need to provide water for yourself the first morning of your trek. We won’t have a chance to get you clean water until lunch on Day 1.

    Always begin your hike with 2-3 liters of water – so make sure you have a large enough water bottle or camelback to store this.