Cusco and Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days

Cusco - Calca – Lares – Wakawasi

We’ll start our Lares trek to Machu Picchu! We’ll begin by picking everyone up from their hotels around 5:00am and driving for about 45 minutes to the small town of Calca. Calca will be our supply stop, so if you need some last minute things before we start the trek like water or snacks, you can do so here. If you didn’t have breakfast before you left Cusco, you can eat something quickly as well. From Calca we’ll drive an additional 2 hours to the hot springs of Lares. Yes, we’ll start our trek with a couple of hours relaxing in the hot springs of Lares! After relaxing in the warm water of Lares and lunch we’ll start our hike to Wakahuasi which will be our camp for tonight. The hike should take about 6 hours and when we arrive we’ll have tea and then dinner, during which we can get to know the other people in your group.

Wakawasi – Yanahuara

On our second day of our Lares trek we’ll be woken up with a hot cup of coca tea. After breakfast we’ll leave our camp at Wakahuasi and continue hiking for about 3 to 4 hours until we reach the Wakahusi pass. The Wakahuasi Pass is at an altitude of 4300 meters so the hike will be uphill. From the pass we’ll hike downhill for about an hour until we reach Lake Auroroycocha which will also be the place where we’ll have lunch for today. After lunch we’ll keep hiking about 3 to 4 hours to reach Yanahuara which will be our camp for the night. We should be in camp around 5:00 or 6:00pm giving us some time before dinner to organize our things in our tents and relax so we’ll be ready for the next part of the Lares trek the next day!

Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

We’ll have another hot cup of coca tea to wake us up in the morning before our breakfast which will be around 6:30am. We’ll leave Yanahuara after breakfast and hike down to the local road which will take only about 40 minutes. From here we’ll take local transportation to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, depending on your predetermined train schedule, you may have time to have lunch and roam around Ollantaytambo before taking your train to Aguas Calientes. You can also visit the Ollantaytambo ruins but you will need to buy a ticket to enter. According to your train ticket scheduled, you’ll board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes. The trip to Aguas Calientes usually takes an hour and 40 minutes. In Aguas Calientes you’ll have dinner and stay in a hotel, giving you a chance to shower and sleep in a real bed after your Lares trek for a few days!

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

We’ll begin our last day of our Lares trek with an early breakfast at our hotel before heading out to Machu Picchu. To hike up to Machu Picchu you’ll follow a trail which goes back and forth up the mountain. Make sure to bring your passport and ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you booked your trip with a student discount. You’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the main areas of Machu Picchu and afterwards you’ll have time to roam the Lost City on your own.

You also have the option of climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain which will give you a great view over the city of Machu Picchu. It should take about 45 minutes to climb, but remember there are two entrance times which the Machu Picchu officials enforce very strictly. Also remember that Huayna Picchu only has a limited number of entrances daily (400 people per day) and they sell out quickly. You will need to book your tickets well in advance!

After you’ve soaked up the enigmatic atmosphere and taken your pictures of Machu Picchu, you can take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. From Aguas Calientes you’ll take the 6:30pm train to Ollantaytambo where we’ll pick you up and drive you back to Cusco.

Note: The time table for the trains may change according to the train company’s availability. There will also be changes to your itinerary and price if you decide to change your departure time, or upgrade to the Vistadome Train. If you booked later than most of your group for your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you may not be in the same train as the rest of your group.

This will be the last day you’ll be in Cusco. We’ll pick you up from your hotel according to your schedule and bring you to the airport or bus terminal. This will be the end of our services.

• Sleeping bag ($45)
• Trekking poles/Walking Sticks (rental $25 for trek)
• Personal tent (rental $45 for trek)
• Upgrade in class from Expedition Train service to Vistadome (panoramic) Train service (upgrade $50)
• Huayna Picchu entrance ticket ($35 per person). Make sure to book early since there are limited spaces available and they can sell out quickly!
• Entrance fee for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (10 Peruvian Nuevos Soles)
• Upgrade to a single room ($35 per night)
• Extra horse ($80)
• We can also provide great prices on hotels for all of Peru (Standard to Luxury)!

• Original passport
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) if you have a student discount
• Sleeping bag (can be rented as well)
• Walking boots/shoes
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
• Water, money to buy water along the way or water purification tablets
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Torch with batteries

• Shorts
• Walking sticks
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Extra money for personal expenses, tips, lunch on last day, snacks, etc. We recommend that you bring around 300 Peruvian Nuevos Soles
• Bathing suit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes

• To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC (International Student Identity Card) card. Scan the card and email us the copy at the time of your booking for a $20 discount per student!
• For children younger than 17, we offer a $20 discount. Just scan and email a copy of the passports at the time of your booking.

• Itinerary and campsites may change according to the climate and health status of the trekkers.
• Train times for the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo may change according to the train company’s availability and will be confirmed close to the time of the trek. If someone books later than most of the group, we may not be able to provide the same train as the rest of the group.
• Change to earlier/later train time at time of booking (price depending on train availability)
• Tips/gratuities not included but are optional according to the services rendered

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

" Itep Travel is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations , offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”

NOTE: ITEP TRAVEL, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.