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Independent Lares Trek

7 days, Cusco to Cusco

Hiking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru
Map of the route for Independent Lares Trek
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Itinerary

Day 1Cusco

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

Relax and explore the fascinating city of Cusco.

Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.

Arrival Day

Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.

Arrival Transfer
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport – Cusco15m8km

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Meet and Greet Hotel Welcome Meeting

On Day 1 of the tour, a G Adventures representative will meet you at the hotel to go over the details of the tour, providing a schedule, documentation/vouchers, and pick-up times for all included activities. The representative can also answer any questions about the tour or the general area.

Day 2Cusco

Free day to explore Cusco or relax. Take an optional Sacred Valley tour or indulge in active options like whitewater rafting, horseback riding or mountain biking.

Relax and explore this fascinating city, and take time to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Your Discover Moment
Cusco Full Day

There's plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting Museo Inka, Museo de Historia Regional, and whitewater rafting. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

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Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Horseback Riding
Cusco
150PEN per person

Hop in the saddle and explore Cusco’s archaeological sites by horseback on a 3.5 hr tour – no previous experience needed. Dress for the weather, and bring sunblock and a hat, just in case.

Mountain Biking
Cusco

Take to two wheels and head out into the hills around Cusco for some nature-meets-adrenaline fun. Try a trip to the Sacred Valley, perhaps, visiting an Inca ruin along the way.

Whitewater Rafting Urubamba
Urubamba
69USD per person

Rise for an early morning pick up and drive to Chuquicahuana for a safety briefing. Enjoy a full day of rafting on the Upper Vilcanota River (about 2.5 hrs on the water). Be thrilled by fast rapids that are a constant Class III and IV for around 11km (9 mi), and don’t forget to take in the gorgeous scenery. Rehash all the excitement afterward over a riverside picnic lunch.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Lares Trek

Depart Ollantaytambo by van to Lares town where the hike begins. Spend the first night at a G Adventures-supported campsite in Cuncani.

The Lares Trek is a scenic, less touristic route to hike through the Andes. It is one day shorter than the Inca Trail but higher in elevation. Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Lares Trek.

The locations and distances may change on this hike, as camping will be done in different places depending on pace, ability, and weather. The first night will always be spent at the G Adventures-supported, community-owned and managed campsite in an indigenous village previously bypassed by the tourism industry. In most cases, the CEO will hike the Lares Trek with the group.

Private Vehicle
Ollantaytambo – Lares3h-3h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Lares Trek (Lares-Cuncani)
Lares – Cuncani4h30m 9km

Start early and drive (3 hrs) to Lares town where the hike will start with a leisurely pace through the valley of Cuncani. Hike 4km (2.5 mi) to Chancachaca then stop for lunch. Be sure to rest and rehydrate because the altitude here is around 3480m (11,417 ft).

Continue trekking along rocky mountain paths 4.7km (3 mi) to the isolated village of Cuncani. Camp here for the night at 3872m (12,703 ft) at the G Adventures-supported community run campsite.

Your G for Good Moment: Cuncani Community Campsite

Spend the night at the Lares Community campsite, owned and managed by the 71 families that belong to the Cuncani community. The earnings from the campsite are allocated for investment in social projects such as health, education, nutrition, and infrastructure improvements to water and electricity.

Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products

Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This G Adventures for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Lares Trek

Start early to hike from the foothills of Sicllaccasa Mountain to its high pass (4,800m/15,748 ft), providing scenic views of lagoons and the snow-capped Chicon Mountain. Celebrate after reaching the highest point by making an offering of coca leaves to the Andean gods. After the morning hike, stop to rest and take in the amazing view. Continue hiking downhill to our second campsite near the stream for the night.

Lares Trek (Cuncani - Kuyoc)
Cuncani – Kuyoc9h-10h 17km

Hike from the foothills of Sicllaccasa Mountain 12.2km (7.6 mi) to its high pass at 4,800m (15,748ft), providing scenic views of lagoons and the snow-capped Chicon Mountain. Celebrate after reaching the highest point by making an offering of coca leaves to the Andean gods.

Hike downhill another 2.2km (1.3 mi) to QuencaPata, for lunch and to take in the amazing view.

Continue hiking downhill another 2.6km (1.6 mi) to our second campsite near a stream. Sleep tonight at about 4,114m (13,497 ft) elevation.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Lares Trek/Aguas Calientes

Enjoy the last few hours of hiking before travelling by van to Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a good night's rest at your hotel.

Lares Trek (Kuyoc - Punta Carretera)
Kuyoc – Punta Carretera3h30m 8km

Follow the trail to see typical Andean flora and fauna, llamas and alpacas. Descend through the valley of Pumahuanca and meet friendly local Quechua people and explore some Inca storehouses along the way. Trek 3-4 hrs to reach the town of Pumahuanca. Enjoy lunch then hop a van to Ollantaytambo. Continue by train to Aguas Calientes.

Private Vehicle
Punta Carretera – Ollantaytambo30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Train
Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes1h30m

Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 6Machu Picchu/Cusco

Rise early and enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Later, travel back towards Cusco by train.

Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins, then head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group. Take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo to meet the van for the ride back to Cusco.

Local Bus
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu15m

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Machu Picchu1h30m-2h

Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.

Local Bus
Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes15m

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Train
Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo1h30m-1h45m31km

Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Private Vehicle
Ollantaytambo – Cusco1h30m-1h45m60km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Cusco

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Independent Lares Trek

| 7 days - Cusco to Cusco - Sold Out