Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of the Lares Valley. This 3-day trek offers an authentic Andean experience as you hike through remote villages, interact with local Quechua communities, and marvel at panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, and lush valleys. Perfect for travelers seeking a blend of adventure and cultural connection, this trek ends with a visit to the magical town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
Cusco Hotel
Moderate
Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of the Lares Valley. This 3-day trek offers an authentic Andean experience as you hike through remote villages, interact with local Quechua communities, and marvel at panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, and lush valleys. Perfect for travelers seeking a blend of adventure and cultural connection, this trek ends with a visit to the magical town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 5:30 AM and drive for about one hour to the Sacred Valley. We’ll stop at a viewpoint for panoramic photos and a short explanation by our guide. Then we continue to Calca, where we’ll briefly visit the local market selling traditional products. After that, we drive two more hours to the village of Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), the starting point of our trek. Here, we’ll meet our trekking team (chef and muleteer). Before beginning the hike, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the thermal baths of Lares and enjoy a relaxing soak, with water temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C.
After the hot springs, we begin our trek on flat terrain for about 2 hours to acclimatize, reaching the Vilcabamba bridge where lunch will be served by our team. After a short rest, we continue hiking for 3 more hours until we arrive at the village of Wacahuasi (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Along the way, you’ll meet local children in traditional dress—an excellent opportunity to connect and share with them. Wacahuasi is our first campsite. Night temperatures can drop below -5°C, so warm clothing is highly recommended. After settling into our tents and exploring the village, we’ll enjoy tea time and a cultural talk with our guide. Then we’ll have dinner and rest for the next day.
After breakfast, we begin our hike at 6:00 AM, ascending for 3 hours to the Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m / 15,242 ft), the highest point of the trek. From here, we enjoy incredible views of valleys, glaciers, and the Aruraycocha Lake. We may also see native birds like caracaras and ducks, as well as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. From the pass, we descend to the lakes Aruraycocha and Yuraccocha, surrounded by native Queuña forests. Lunch will be served beside one of these scenic lakes.
We continue descending for 2 hours toward Mantanay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), where the landscape transitions into lush native forest. We finally reach the warm and welcoming village of Yanahuara (2,780 m / 9,120 ft), near the Sacred Valley. From there, we take a vehicle to Ollantaytambo and board a train to Aguas Calientes (1 hour 40 min ride). Upon arrival, we’ll have dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel with private bathroom, cable TV, and Wi-Fi.
Early in the morning after breakfast (around 5:00 AM), we begin our hike up to Machu Picchu (approx. 1 hour) to be among the first to enter the Inca citadel and enjoy the magical sunrise. We’ll then have a guided tour of about 2 hours to explore the most important temples and palaces of Machu Picchu. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore the site on your own. Optional: climb Huayna Picchu Mountain ($25 USD).
At the scheduled time, we descend to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Ollantaytambo, and from there return by tourist vehicle to Cusco. Estimated arrival in Cusco is around 8:00 PM, followed by transfer to your hotel.
The “Lares Valley Trek 3 Days” was a beautiful and authentic adventure through the Andes. The trek offered stunning mountain views and a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from local communities living traditional lifestyles. The trails were peaceful and less crowded than other routes, making the experience feel very personal. Our guides were friendly and shared great stories about the culture and nature around us. This trek is perfect for anyone looking for a genuine Andean experience off the beaten path.
