Lares Trek has become one of the most important hiking routes to Machu Picchu after the Inca Trail and Salkantay.

It combines the beauty of the mountains with a cultural visit to 2 indigenous communities along the trail. You will learn about their culture, traditions and customs as well as enjoy a football game with the children’s at 4000 meters above sea level.

Itinerary

Pricing

From USD 549.00

Transfers

Included

• Professional Guide – We have the best selection of guides, all graduated from the national university of Cusco and grown up in this region with a deep love and passion for teaching our culture. They are fun but professional and will make sure you are safe and happy.
• Tourist transport. – We use clean and new vehicles for all our services, with professional drivers that will guarantee you a safe trip. Our drivers are constantly trained in prudent driving and customer service. The transport will be from Cusco to Soraypampa and from Ollantaytambo to Cusco at the end of our trek.
• Pick up from the hotel. – Our service includes pick up from your hotel to start the tour, pick up time will be confirmed according to the location of your hotel, at the end of the tour we will also leave you back at your hotel. (Our service does not include pick up from AIRBNB type houses because many do not have a clear name or address), in that case we will coordinate a place and time to pick up.
• Snacks – beside the breakfast, we will provide you snacks every morning so that you can take you along the way. We will also provide snack bags that are made of cloth, we are very careful with the environment so we try not to take anything plastic to the route and if we do, we bring it back.
• Train Tickets. – The train ticket included is the Inca Rail the Voyager service, however, on the way you can make an Up Grade to a 360 ° train that has windows on the roof to enjoy the beautiful views on the road. This has an additional cost of $. $ 65 per person up to Poroy and is subject to availability. Poroy station is 30 minutes out of Cusco, we will still include the transfer to your hotel.
• Bus tickets. – It is 25 minutes from the Town to Machu Picchu and 25 minutes from Machu Picchu to the town.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu. We take care of providing you with the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and this will be giving to you on the day of the tour, by your guide.
•  Horses: We include horses and horseman who is responsible for carrying your travel bag with your personal items. There is no additional fee for this. The night before we will give you your duffel bag so that it is filled with the things you will need for the trek. You will not have access to your duffle bag until you arrive at your campsite at first night.
• Hotel: Alternative excursions end at Machu Picchu Pueblo. The last night is spent in a hotel in the village, instead of camping. This 3-star hotel is included in the cost of the trek and is based on a shared room. If you want to improve your hotel or prefer a single room, you will have an additional cost.
• Camping equipment: In Peru Private Tours we have the best equipment. We use a 4 people tent only between 2 people so you will have more space to put your belongings inside your tent during the night. You will have a large tent to enjoy your meals as well as chairs and table.
• Food: 4 breakfasts (the last included in the hotel) 3 lunches and 3 dinners, all prepared by our professional walking chef. Our professional chefs prepare delicious meals that many previous hikers have commented on. We honor all dietary restrictions. Be sure to remind your tour guide about any food restrictions at the beginning of your walk (Breafing time). The food is typically served family style. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the trek, with a delicious happy hour every afternoon before dinner. You will also be provided with a snack every morning, so that you can enjoy the walk. Your last meal with your chef will be breakfast on day four since lunch and dinner will be at a restaurant. Lunch on the last day (day 04) is not included.
•  Water: from your first lunch until your last breakfast, PPT will provide you with all the necessary water. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distribution. You must supply your own bottles of water or camelback. We recommend carrying around 3L. We will fill our waters at every meal.
•  First aid: each of our guides has received training in first aid from a doctor. We hold mandatory training sessions every February, to which all the guides must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scratches, etc.) and oxygen tank. We will get you out of the way as quickly and comfortably as possible if necessary, and we will make sure you go directly to a clinic to receive treatment.
• Extras: We believe that it is the attention to small details that differentiates us from other travel companies. Each hiker receives a small pillow for sleeping, a sponge mats to isolate (Matra), a backpack covers to protect your belongings during the trek, a rain poncho and a waterproof plastic bags to put your belongings before placing them in the duffle bag. We will work hard to create your best vacations.
• Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. – Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station our staff will be waiting for you with a van only for our group to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley.
•  Permanent Assistance. – We want all the activities you do in our destination to be unique, unforgettable and safe, so you will always have an assigned personal assistant who will be in constant communication with you.

Not included

All travelers need a sleeping bag, do not forget to bring your own. The walking sticks and air mattresses or matras are optional and provides greater comfort during the walk. If you do not want to bring any camping gear you can always rent from our office.

Sleeping bag: $. 20 USD per person

Air Mattress: $. 20 USD per person

Walking sticks (01 pair): $. 15 USD per person

• headlamps: it is strongly recommended to bring a head lamp for the evenings. There will be no lights on the camping sites and it will be difficult to get to your dining tent or bathroom tent without one. Hand lanterns are acceptable, if you do not have a head lamp, but it makes some tasks difficult.
• Huayna Picchu – Huayna Picchu is the mountain that is seen behind Machu Picchu in the classic photos, to go up this mountain you need to buy an additional entrance and it has a cost of $. 35 dollars per person, however, this entrance must be requested at the time of your reservation and it will be confirmed according to availability of spaces as they only allow 200 people.
•  Flights. – Flying to Cusco can be complicated. Delays occur frequently especially between October to March and it is not uncommon for flights to be canceled. Make sure you arrive in the city at least two days before the start date of your trek to Machu Picchu. LATAM is the most reliable airline. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are also acceptable companies. You will not return from your tour on the last day until around 8 pm So make sure your flight is not the day of the Machu Picchu Tour, rather the next day.
• Tips – Tips are always appreciated and should be based entirely on your level of satisfaction. Although it may not be usual for you, it has considerable importance to the people who will assist you during your trek.
• Travel insurance. – To protect your travel investment, we recommend the purchase a travel insurance. Getting travel insurance before leaving home is highly recommended and very easy. There are many insurance companies depending on your country of origin and at different prices according to your time of stay, take some time to review them and hire the one that best suits you. This is an excellent way to protect yourself while visiting Peru.

Breafing (Previous Information)

All information sessions are held in our office at 06:00 PM the night before your trek. If you cannot assist to this talk please contact our office staff to serve you better.

Duffle Bags

You will receive your duffle bag at the information session. These bags are to put your belongings inside it, these will be carried by the porters and will be returned to you each evening at the campsite. However, beside from these bags, you should carry a small backpack where you will carry everything you need during the trek.

Each duffle bag must have a maximum weight of 7kg. 4kg will be for your clothes and other personal items, the other 3kg will be for our logistics, such as your sleeping bag and pad, if you have your own sleeping bag and mat these must be included in the 7 kilos.

Arrive in Cusco

The airport in Cusco is currently quite small and 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, you must pick up your bags in Lima and then register them again.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several airline options. LATAM tends to be the most expensive, but it has more flight options. But you also have PERUVIAN, AVIANCA, STAR PERU, LC PERU to choose according to your preference. Expect flight delays or cancellations, due to the high altitude of Cusco, tends to be difficult to land so that on rainy days you can paralyze air traffic. Bus tours are always available and although the journey may be long, especially from Lima, Peru buses are well maintained and are comfortable. This option is recommended if you come from a city closer to Cusco like Puno or Arequipa. Buses from Lima will take around 20 hours to arrive to Cusco.

Pick Up from The Hotels.

We pick up all our clients from the hotel for all tours. While your hotel is in the center of the city of Cusco, we will coordinate this pick up with the guide at the information session. Pick-up times may vary between 20 and 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions and hotel locations.

Cusco is an ancient city with cobblestone streets and very narrow corridors. Very small hotels and Air BNBs are often located on streets that cars cannot pass through. They are also usually located on the side of the hill, with long and steep climbs to the property, difficult to maneuver with luggage. We recommend that you do not stay in one of these places and try to find places where there is easy access to carry your bags.

Leaving Machu Picchu requires a lot of logistics, but everything is included in your journey.

From Machu Picchu Ruins to Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will take a 25-minute bus. The buses are in order of arrival and you can take any of those in turn.

From Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will take a train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. Your guide will give you your train tickets. Make sure you get to the platform 30 minutes ahead of time.

• The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo is 2 hours.
• The train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy is 3.5 hours.

Once you arrive at the train station, look for our staff with a PPT sign. He will take you to the Plaza San Francisco, Cusco.

• The trip on the van from Ollantaytambo to Plaza de San Francisco is 2 hours
• Travel by van from Poroy to San Francisco Plaza is 30 minutes

Once you arrive at the Plaza San Francisco our staff will be waiting for you to separate you and send in pre-paid taxis to your respective hotels.

Entrance fees to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu now has two hours to visit: morning or afternoon. Your ticket will be for a single entry, in the morning, once your time is done, the guards will ask you to leave.

Morning turn: 6AM – 12PM

Afternoon turn: 12PM – 5:30 PM

NOTE: If you have tickets to climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will have additional time until 2:30 PM. And you can re-enter for a single time as long as it is within the time of re-entry (05 hours from the first entry)

If you want to spend all day at Machu Picchu, we can add a ticket for the afternoon group to your reservation for $ 50 per person.

Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu is more beautiful when viewed from above, so it is very popular to hike one of the mountains next to the ruins after your guided tour.

Huayna Picchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance … it sells very fast. This hike takes approximately 50 minutes to the top and 40 minutes downhill to the bottom. There are 2 schedules or groups to enter this mountain. The first group is 8-p am and the second is 10 am to 11 am. Again, this refers to when you can start your hike and normally we reserve the second option so you can first enjoy your tour with your guide in Machu Picchu. This walk will be done on your own, but your guide will show you where to start.

The Machu Picchu mountain is a little longer and less popular. It takes 2 hours to reach the top and 1.5 hours to reach the bottom. There are also 2 visiting hours: from 7-8 am and from 9 am to 10 am and we usually buy for the second group.

Health Concerns

It is important that you be honest with your guide about any health problems you may suffer. Although the guides are not medical professionals, they are trained in first aid. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help our team.

You are responsible for evaluating if a trek is suitable for you. You should consult your doctor to confirm your physical condition to travel and participate in any planned activity. You should seek advice from your doctor about vaccinations and medical precautions. Peru Private Tours will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.

If during the trek you get sick of extreme altitude or any other illness that not allows you to continuing with the journey, but you want to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. This will be a new trip and may involve additional costs. We will use as much of the logistics purchased from the original route to keep rates low.

If you experience problems while walking and cannot continue, a porter will escort you to the nearest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and take you to the nearest health clinic.

Group trips

Group tours are made up of different types of people, with different walking skills and ages. By accepting a group trip, you understand that some people may be slower or faster than you. Everyone can make their own pace for the walk, the guide will work through the group to spend time with everyone. Groups can request some modifications to the tour and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.

Strikes

Unfortunately, strikes are very common in Peru and can cause many interruptions in our Tours. Roads are often blocked, trains stopped. We will do everything possible to operate your Tour, even before the start date. Some tours may be canceled under these circumstances. Our Operations Department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our main concern and will determine how we decide.

Lost Items

You are responsible for your personal items throughout the Tour. Be diligent about where you leave your stuff and remember to remove all items from our vans, tents, restaurant, etc. Do not leave anything involuntary while walking. Other hikers or teams can pick it up without knowing to whom it belongs.

Weather

The climate in Cusco and Machu Picchu is unpredictable. In general, the dry season in Cusco is from April to October, but this does not prevent the rain from falling in June or the sun coming out in December, just prepare for any weather condition. No matter which month you take the hike or excursion, or which tour you are on, make sure you have adequate clothing that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.

Also be prepared for four seasons in a day. Many of the excursions through the Andes involve many microclimates and you will have to be prepared for all seasons. The layers are always key because they are easy to adjust to different temperatures. And the nights will always be cold, so get ready with a warm jacket.

Altitude sickness

As soon as the people reserve the trip to Peru, specifically to Cusco, they begin to wonder about altitude sickness. High altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. For few days at high altitude your body adjusts to the least amount of oxygen in the air.

The first symptoms of altitude sickness may be; headache, fatigue, followed by loss of appetite, nausea or vomit, dizziness, trouble sleeping, difficulty breathing during exercise. If any of these effects worsen, contact our office and we will help you get to a doctor.

Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easy activities and walk slowly, allowing your body to adapt. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. The leaves of the coca plant contain alkaloids that help carry oxygen to the blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee because it will make you urinate more often and you will become dehydrated. Avoid smoking, Smoking makes it difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They can cause shallow breathing at night, which makes it difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Many people prefer to visit the doctor to give them a treatment with pills even before traveling to avoid problems during their stay. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before reaching a high altitude. Continue taking it while you are at high altitude.

Travel insurance

To protect your travel investment, we recommend buying travel insurance. Getting travel insurance before leaving home is highly recommended and very easy. There are many insurance companies depending on your country of origin and at different prices according to your time of stay, take some time to review them and hire the one that best suits you. This is an excellent way to protect yourself while visiting Peru.

Community

At Peru Private Tours (PPT) we are proud of the work we do for our community. This is the main objective for our company. We are working directly with the villages to help them meet the needs of their families. We support the children of the villages by giving them school supplies, books and clothes.

We buy all our food from farmers and local markets and serve the freshest ingredients. We offer constant training for all our team: guides, porters, chefs and drivers. We are a family born in the Andes and we want to work with them and for them. That is why once a year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. We want our team to know the world wonder, since they work tirelessly at the doors of this place without ever visiting it and showing them this place is our greatest honor.

From: USD 40.00 per person