4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

based on 38 reviews

Duration: (approx.)
Location: Cusco, Peru

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ADULT (Age : 7 to 77)

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Enjoy a 4-day trek along a great and less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail called the Lares Trek. This high altitude trek will be enjoyed by hikers interested in interacting with the local communities and seeing their way of life in the countryside.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✓ Pre-departure briefing
✓ Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
✓ Horses to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker for the first 3 days of the trek. (This includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.
✓ Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
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✓ Cook who is responsible for preparing and serving all delicious Peruvian meals and snacks
✓ Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 4
✓ Van Cuzco - Lares Town (starting point of trek)
✓ Meals: 3B/3L/3D/3 snacks with typical menus (special dietary considerations available with prior notice)
✓ 1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
✓ Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
✓ Camping Accommodation during trek (including basic sleeping mattress & tent for 2 people)
✓ Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up
✓ First Aid kit & Emergency oxygen bottle
✓ Round Trip Tourist Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

✗ Airport Pick-Up (please make your own way)
✗ Sleeping Bag (Rental $15 USD for the trek)
✗ Day 1 breakfast, day 4 lunch, bottled water
✗ Accommodation Drop-off in Cuzco
✗ Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
✗ Hot Springs Lares town (10 soles)
✗ Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
✗ Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
✗ Small gift for communities
✗ Accommodation in Cuzco
✗ Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.) Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
✗ Note: Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Minimum age is 7 years
• Note: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco office the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details
• Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain. All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
• Accommodation options: Days 1-2: Single travelers will share a tent with another traveler & couples will have a tent to themselves / Day 3: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
• Physical Requirements: This hike is difficult, good physical conditions are needed as most of the hike is at high altitudes of 4000 meters (don't forget to bring warm clothes).
• Departure dates for trek: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday (Daily departures with a group of 4 or more)
• Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), Date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6-months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking. Please be aware that your complete and correct passport information must be provided. Absolutely no modifications can be made once your booking has been confirmed. Any changes or discrepancies in the information provided will result in a complete loss of permits and entrance tickets, for which you will be held responsible and will need to pay for again.
• Max 15, Avg 4
• If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)
• SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Lares town (this activity is available at an additional price).
• DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
• Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
• You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
• *Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440 Sekwanele: +51 957 625 445
• As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : ashraf123mazen
The whole experience was great, our guide Francisco was great, very knowledgeable, very friendly and approachable.
Everyone on the team was the same, the cook was great so was the horse man.
The treck it self wasn't as hard as we thought it will be as it was very well organized and managed by the guide, we stopped enough times to catch our breath and we had a good amount of rest every night.
Very much recommend this.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-08-28 17:53:46

Posted By : HarryM1293
The 4D/3N Lares Trek was a really fun and challenging trip that we will never forget!

It is a great alternative route for those that want a less busy / intensive trek and those who want to meet some of the local people and take in some Peruvian Andean culture.

Our guide Percy was amazing! Friendly, supportive, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - exactly the kind of energy you need for a trip like this! We got to learn about him and his culture throughout the journey, and by the end of the trip he felt more like a friend than a guide. He is also a native Quechua speaker, so we were able to interact with the people we met along the way.

The food was amazing - some of the best we had during our stay in Peru.

The views and wildlife we encountered were breathtaking and the visit to Machu Picchu was fantastic.

It was also great that we were able to spend the last night in hotel accomodation, in order to freshen up before heading to the archeological site.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-06-21 11:22:27

Posted By : 898matthieul
I had an unforgettable time on the Lares Trek, by chance we see no tourist for 3 days! Great landscapes, quiet areas, nice to see local communities working in their fields and taking care of their alpacas.

Our lovely guide Francisco had fascinating stories to tell us during the entire journey. He speaks a very good English, is very caring with us. And … we had lot of fun playing card games with him :)

Benigno our chef made incredible meals out of almost nothing. We were impressed every time! I did not expect to eat that well high in the mountains as we were.

Luis our horseman was super efficient to drive his horses and set up the campgrounds in a few minutes.

Such a great team! I recommend them!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-06-04 22:16:43

Posted By : 813sabinee
As the Inka Trek was fully booked, we decided to do the Lares Trek. It was an unforgettable experience. Everything was very well organised and Francisco, our guide and the chef Benino did an outstanding job. Francisco showed us and explainded everything to us about life in the past and now a days in the Andes. He had answers to any questions we had. We saw a lot of wildlife and met Andean people along our trek. Chef Benino did an amazing job with cooking and we got different food for any our meals which all were super yummy. Our luggage was carried by horses , with Luis our horse man. All guys were so nice and friendly which made the trek as perfect as it was.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-05-06 08:27:09

Posted By : mjking6
We had a great hike with Bamba, led by Junior with superb cooking by Jorge. Made for an excellent experience after we unfortunately got changed at the last minute from the Inca trail to the Lares trek - landslides closed the Inca trail for all operators.
Junior made sure our time in Peru was still unforgettable.
Would highly recommend
Hope to go back one day and do the Inca Trail
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2020-02-13 02:22:49

Posted By : KendallQ6
Bombas booked us on the Lares trek due to poor conditions on the Inca Trail (the trail closed to the entire public). The Lares trail far exceeded our expectations. It was a gorgeous trek and we had the opportunity to meet many local people/villages along the way. Our tour guide Junior and the chef Jorge were outstanding. Junior was so knowledgeable and we truly enjoyed his company. I highly recommend this tour!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2020-02-01 19:34:48

Posted By : Katja O
Had an absolutely wonderful time on the Lares Trek with our guide Percy! He went above and beyond showing us all about life in the Andes and also just being someone really fun to be around. Our chef Victoriano was also so great - cooking such good food and catering to us being vegetarian. The horseman Luis was also so sweet.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-11-11 09:39:15

Posted By : pattiehcake
My friend and I went on this expedition with no expectations at all and they have been exceeded incredibly!

We were doing the trip with Percy, the horseman Luis, and cook Vittoriano, and two mules. Percy was an exceptional guide, he was extremely interested and very fun to do the trip with. The food that was cooked was amazing and inspired by Peruvian cuisine. Vittoriano had no problem cooking vegetarian for us. The benefit of doing the Lares trek is that you hike through local communities and really get to know how many families live in the Andies

Would definitely recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-11-11 09:36:45

Posted By : 420priteshv
Our Lares trek with Bamba to Machu Picchu was surprisingly only myself and my wife, and we had a great time all because of Willy (our tour guide) and our excellant chef, Victor.

Willy not only walked at our pace, but also made slight amendments to our trek to ensure we got the most out of the trek. Willy was excellent in helping us communicate with local Andian people in Quechua, but also explained the local culture and the everyday struggles they endure.

Victor was a brilliant chef. My wife and I are vegetarian, and were apprehensive over the food we would receive. So apprehensive that we packed some emergency porridge with us, just incase we were left hungry. But after the first meal, we knew we had nothing to worry about in Victor's capable hands. All our meals were delicious - both the starter and main course.

I would definitely recommend this trek to anyone who wishes to hike to a decent altitude, experience living with local Andian people, and learn about the Inca history and culture.

It's also great if you want to beat the tourists. We only saw two other tour groups the whole 4 days of our hike.

I would recommend you request both Willy and Victor regardless of which Trek you take with Bamba.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-10-22 19:50:16

Posted By : Steadyeddie23
Did this trek with 2 others travelers plus our tour guide Anderson. He was an amazing guide. Always accommodating for when we needed breaks and giving extra breaks to make sure we were feeling ok with altitude and everything. Anderson was incredibly knowledgeable not just on the culture and history but the plants and everything else along the way. He even has a binder with pictures when we got Machu Picchu as he explained the history. Along with his vast knowledge he also was very personable and speaks very fluent English.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-10-21 02:07:53