This is the one. The Lares Trek has been calling my name for a long, long time. It’s the ultimate further-flung spot for a reason, a trek that takes you completely off the beaten path and into the soul of the Andean landscape. I’m craving the kind of immersive experience where life is still lived as it has been for centuries, where you see farmers tending to their land and women weaving vibrant textiles. This isn’t just about hiking; it’s about connecting with a destination’s culture, people, and stunning topography. The trail zigzags through high-altitude landscapes, past magnificent mountains and serene lakes, before finishing with a descent into the subtropical cloud forest around Machu Picchu. I can’t wait to check this destination off my list.
I’m told this 18-mile path is packed with history, unique flora, and native fauna, but there’s something truly special about accessing Machu Picchu in this way. I can already picture myself waking up early on that final day, taking the bus up, and watching the sunrise paint the stone citadel with light. That moment alone makes this whole trip worthwhile.
I’ve been looking into all the details, and the logistics for this trip are top-notch. Our company, is staffed with highly trained, passionate guides who lead the groups. Our pack horses, which are never overloaded (carrying no more than 100 pounds or 50 kilograms), carry all the camping gear and personal belongings, allowing you to travel light. And the chef—the thought of hot, restaurant-style meals after a long day of hiking is simply magical. It’s all about having plenty of energy to appreciate the amazing landscapes this trek offers.
Why We’re the Ultimate Choice for this Trek
I’m particularly drawn to this company because they prioritize the well-being of their horsemen, providing them with fair salaries and equipment, and they run their own social projects to improve their lives. This genuine care for the local community adds an extra layer of authenticity to the trip. The groups are small, maxing out at eight people, which I love because it ensures a more intimate experience. The equipment is also top-tier, with quality tents, sleeping bags, and trekking poles to guarantee ache-less nights in the mountains. We’re talking Eureka Tents and Black Diamond poles. They even provide satellite phones for emergencies and portable, eco-friendly toilets. Let’s not talk about the fact that they don’t share groups with other companies, so you’re not trekking with hoards of strangers.
The day kicks off with a 6:30 a.m. pickup from your hotel in Cusco (11,155 feet / 3,400 meters). You’ll have 30 minutes to grab breakfast before we start our adventure. We’ll drive for about an hour to Calca, where we’ll explore the local market, getting a glimpse of daily life in the Sacred Valley. From there, it’s a two-hour drive to the Lares Hot Springs, passing over a high point at 13,891 feet (4,275 meters) with truly breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. While our chef gets lunch ready, you can take a relaxing dip in the hot springs, which sounds like a perfect way to ease into the trip.
After lunch, we’ll drive to Kiswarani (11,972 feet / 3,650 meters), which is the starting point of our hike. This is a remote, untouched area where the local people still wear traditional clothing and live a lifestyle that feels straight out of Inca times. The views of the mountains and river are magnificent. The trail starts gradually but gets steeper as we approach the famous Seven Waterfalls of Kiswarani. We’ll take our time to marvel at their beauty before continuing to our campsite at Qoyalay, located on the serene shores of Yanacocha Lake (12,893 feet / 3,930 meters). After camp is set up, you can relax by the lake and appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings.
We’ll wake up early, have breakfast, and start our hike towards Condor Pass at 6:30 a.m. This is the highest point of our journey, a truly dramatic summit at 15,535 feet (4,735 meters). The trail starts off flat along the edge of a beautiful lake, where we might spot Andean ducks and geese. Then, it gets steeper, a tough uphill climb to the pass itself. As we hike, we might see chinchillas and native Andean grasses. Once we reach the summit, the guide will offer us a well-earned cup of coca tea and perform a spiritual ceremony to honor the sacred mountains. From this vantage point, we’ll see a stunning glacier.
After enjoying the summit, we’ll descend for about an hour to a viewpoint for lunch. We’ll then continue downhill to our Cancha Cancha campsite (12,277 feet / 3,742 meters). Along this part of the trail, we’ll see several lakes, llamas, alpacas, and local herders. This is a particularly beautiful section through the Huaran mountain range, offering many opportunities to spot native Andean bird species, like condors and hawks.
We’ll wake up early, have breakfast, and begin our descent to Saywa, a downhill trek of about 2 to 3 hours. As we lose altitude, we’ll see the vegetation change from hardy pole trees to agricultural land with corn, beans, and potatoes. These farms are irrigated by the glacial melt from the majestic peaks that dominate the valley. When we reach Saywa, we’ll say goodbye to our horsemen and take a van to Ollantaytambo (9,160 feet / 2,792 meters), where we’ll have a delicious lunch in a local house. From there, we’ll catch the 12:55 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes (6,561 feet / 2,000 meters), arriving at 2:30 p.m. After checking into our hotel, we can explore the town, perhaps even visiting the hot springs, before resting up for the big day tomorrow.
This is the day! We’ll wake up early and take a 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu (8,044 feet / 2,452 meters). After passing through the checkpoint, our private guide will take us to the guardhouse for that iconic postcard photo. We’ll then follow Circuit 2, which gives us an intimate tour of the site.
Our guide will spend two hours explaining the highlights of this incredible site. Afterward, you’ll have time to explore the ruins on your own or even hike Huayna Picchu if you booked the optional ticket. I’m definitely going to do that, even though it costs extra. It’s a small price to pay for such an epic view. Finally, we’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes, grab lunch, and take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private van will be waiting to take us back to our hotel in Cusco.
Additional Upgrades
| Upgrades | Price (USD) |
| Huayna Picchu Mountain | $65.00 |
| Machu Picchu Mountain | $65.00 |
| One-way Vistadome Train ticket | $60.00 |
| Round-trip Vistadome Train ticket | $80.00 |
A highly qualified professional with extensive experience in the art of guiding will lead your tour. They have years of dedication to nature walks, have medical certifications and an overflowing passion for leading people on unforgettable adventures.
We understand how essential a delicious hot meal is to revitalize and comfort your body after a challenging hike. Therefore, on each expedition with Ausangate Peru, you will find chefs with extensive experience in preparing meals during the hikes.
All our hiking trips offer a varied selection of delicious meals, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. We have carefully selected foods that adapt perfectly to the natural environment.
Our experienced muleteers and their faithful horses are responsible for all our equipment and will always be available in the safe and comfortable camps, ready to receive us.
For our hikes, we provide you with your own personal chef. They prepare delicious meals of different dishes so you will be happy, satisfied and energized for your hike. We have had many comments from previous travelers saying that the food was amazing and they really liked it and it was an unexpected highlight of the trip. Additionally, for our tours and trek packages we ensure that all meals included in restaurants are safe and offer a variety of optional dishes. For more information about food and restaurants.
Unlike other travel companies, we keep our numbers of travelers small and our services are personalized. It is important to us to make every part of your trip special. We guarantee the maximum number of people in your group will be eight, although our groups usually end up being smaller than this. We can also organize private tours and services if you wish.
You must spend at least two days in Cusco to properly acclimatize before beginning any trek you do with us. You can also take altitude pills called Diamox or get this medicine in Cusco, or soroche pills. Make sure you drink plenty of water and coca tea. If you stay at the Hotel Cusco B&B they can show you how to make your first Coca mate!
Our guides are well prepared with first aid kits. They are also trained and certified in CPR and first aid. For our high altitude hikes, we always carry emergency oxygen. Additionally, for our long alternative treks to Machu Picchu, we also have an emergency horse that can be ridden.
We have our own stock of high quality equipment and adapt it to your trip. We make sure you are warm and comfortable during your adventure. Our tents are The North Face Mountain 25 2 person tents. We also work with a variety of hotels in the area and make sure we find them within your reach and liking.
For all your hikes and tours, you can store your luggage for free at your hotel or in our office.
The high tourist season in Peru is from April to September. This is also the dry season, when hiking is excellent because there is very little chance of rain. However, some people prefer to visit Peru during the low season, from October to March, because there are generally fewer tourists in the city and at the tourist sites. Additionally, during the rainy season, the mountains and valleys around Cusco are green and lush. If you are planning to hike Machu Picchu it is generally best to try to go during the dry season, however we have many groups that go during the rainy season and still have an amazing experience. We offer all our hikes throughout the year and the archaeological sites are open all year round, with the exception of the entrance to the Inca Trail, which is closed throughout the month of February for maintenance.
Due to the geographical properties of the mountains, the weather in the Andes is very unpredictable. The weather here is known for short rain showers, followed by sunshine, followed by thunderstorms. The rainy season lasts from approximately October to March, so if you plan to travel within these months, be sure to bring a waterproof jacket or poncho. If you are traveling between April and September, the probability of rain is lower, but it is important that you bring a poncho so as not to have any problems during the walk, since there will be light rains. The Cusco region is generally hot during the day and cold at night. In the summer, between October and March, it can be in the mid-80s during the day and drop to around 50 degrees at night. In the winter, between April and November, it can reach up to the mid 70s and then drop as low as 30s at night. The weather at night varies significantly depending on altitude. At Cusi Travel, we provide you with warm North Face tents to sleep in during camping trips, but in any case, make sure to bring a warm and light thermal fleece or sweater for the night. For more information on what clothes to bring on your trip to Cusco.
Be sure to always carry cash with you, as some places do not accept credit cards. Most stores and restaurants also require you to pay in Peruvian soles, but you can always exchange money at a “Casa de Cambio”. There are also many ATMs in the city of Cusco, but they generally have limits and withdrawal fees. For more helpful money tips.
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
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