share

3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Agua Calientes

From: $ 497Group Price
per adult

Save your space with a deposit payment

Discover the pisac ruins with a trip to the indigenous villages of Lares before visiting Machu Picchu

Spider Travel Peru is the only tour operator with its own scenic and cultural trekking route through the Lares Valley, that «Treks completely off the Beaten Path»! 

Sleep under shimmering and dazzling star-studded night skies, in the Lares Valley. From your guide, learn the importance of the constellations to Incan agriculture. Visit remote villages that give you a sense of peace and calm in the silence and serenity exuded by your surroundings. The llamas and alpacas scattered about, the surreal glacial lakes and snow-hooded gigantic mountain peaks only intensify the feeling of being one with nature. This experience reaches its climax upon your arrival at the great Citadel of Machu Picchu. A 7th world wonder that is on many people´s bucket lists around the world.

Be sure to join us on this incredible trek!

Duration: 3 Days - 2 Nights
Max. Altitude: 3150 M.S.N.M
Travel Style: Adventure, Cutural, Nature
Difficulty: Moderate
Type Service: Private or Group
Group Size: minimum 2, up to 8 people maxim

Trip Details

Itinerary: 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Your Andean Mountain adventure through the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu begins early with your pickup at 5:00am from your Cusco hotel. Within an hour, we will arrive at the ancient ruins of the truly awesome Pisac Inca Citadel. Visit the ruins before any other group arrives, enjoying the tranquility of the morning. Your guide will share with you the unique history of the Pisac Inca Citadel and its importance both before and during the Inca Empire.

Driving onward for 40 more minutes to Huaran, we meet your horsemen and horses. Time to get ready, boots on, and begin our first 3 hours gradually ascending towards Cancha Cancha. Along the way, your lunch will be served next to the river, replenishing your energy for the trek ahead with a delicious meal prepared by your trekking chef.

Cancha Cancha(3,900m/12,800ft) is one of the most isolated and traditional communities, still self-sustaining as it has been for hundreds of years. There are no road to this community and they were recently connected to electricity in December, 2019. After settling into your tents and having afternoon tea, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family. You will learn all about life in a traditional Andean village, with your guide as your interpreter. After dinner, your guide will show you the Inca constellations on which they depended and still depend on for their agricultural guidance.

  • Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea  – Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities with private toilet
  • Distance: 9kms / 5.6 miles
  • Time: 3.5hrs approximately
  • Difficulty: Moderate 

Feeling all revved up to begin our second day, after another delicious breakfast, we begin our 7 hour hike northeast. It starts out as an intense walk, on our way to the highest point of our trek at Pachacutec Pass (4,500m /14,800 ft). This is where you pat yourself on the back and embrace the satisfaction and exhilaration for making it up to the summit. Motivating you along the trail are the views of glaciers, remote lakes, alpaca herds, rugged valleys and spectacular mountain vistas. Keep your eyes on the sky for the Caracara falcons and Andean geese.

After enjoying the summit, we descend for 3 hours until we reach our campsite located by the Quiswarani community at 3,700m/12,139ft. On the way, we will be taking an isolated trail where we will see indigenous highland people in their traditional outfits herding their llamas and alpacas. The local indigenous people are known to open their hearts and interact with you in the Quechua language (the indigenous language pf Peru). Your guide will act as your interpreter to translate and teach you some Quechua phrases.

When you arrive at the spectacular seven waterfalls, you are almost at Quishuarani! Finally,we arrive to Quiswarani, where we take our transportation for the next 2 hours to Ollantaytambo and catch the 7pm train to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in a hotel.

  • Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea  – Dinner
  • 3* Accommodation: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu 
  • Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles
  • Time: 7hrs approximately
  • Difficulty: challenging

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mt, they will have time to hike and enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. Your train will depart at 2:55pm or 3:20pm.

The Expedition Train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit of the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel between 7:00pm and 8pm depending on traffic.

***IMPORTANT:

  • You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
  • Early trains can be organized on request and it has to be done by booking time.
  • The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know at booking, tickets sell out extremely fast.

What’s included for the 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

What is Included?

  • Transfer from the airport to hotel (this can be done on any date).
  • Private transportation from the hotel to Pisac Inca ruins and the Huaran trailhead
  • Local licensed guide, fluent in English and Spanish
  • Entrance tickets for Pisac Inca Ruins
  • Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes with a van transfer back to Cusco
  • Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
  • Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archeological Complex
  • Private guided tour in Machu Picchu for 2 hours
  • Hotel with private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, storage and buffet breakfast
  • 4 person EUREKA TIMBERLINE tent for every two trekkers
  • Comfortable foam mattress
  • Delicious gourmet meals during the 4 days as indicated in the itinerary
  • Chef and cooking equipment
  • Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)
  • Provision of a horse in case of emergency – In case of illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
  • First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
  • Boiled water to fill up your bottles
  • Transfer back to Cusco only for our group
  • Interaction with the local kids and community at large
  • Backpack rain cover

What is not included 

  • Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
  • Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
  • Hiking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (professional poles that can be extended)
  • Personal tent- $30 USD- (Tent for solo travelers only )
  • Vistadome Train Upgrade  -$65 USD per person (For the return to Cusco (Poroy) at 4:43pm )
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain  – $75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
  • Machu Picchu Mountain  – $75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
  • Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
  • Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of SPIDER TRAVEL PERU

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional hikes within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climbs is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

Prices

The best 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!

Price

  • Our best price is US$497 per person.

Private Prices

  • 2 People – $597 USD per person 
  • 3 People -$577 USD per person
  • 4 People – $559 USD per person
  • 5 People – $537 USD per person
  • 6 People -$497 USD per person
  • 7+ People -$477 USD per person 

***Price based on number of people due to the fact that this trek is not in as high of demand as the 4 day Lares Trek, thus it usually has a smaller group of 2 to 4 people.    

***Guided tour in the Sacred Valley (Pisac Inca ruins) is included!

***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.  

*** This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7kgs,  we will provide you a duffel bag in which you can put your things in.

Extras

  • Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
  • Air Mattress – $20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
  • Walking Poles –$15 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
  • Personal Tent- $30 USD – (Tent is for single trekkers)
  • Additional Night in Aguas Calientes – From $60 USD (depending on availability)
  • Vistadome Train Upgrade  -$67 USD per person 
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain  -$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
  • Single supplement- $40 USD per night (for solo travellers with single room)

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mt are an optional hikes within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

Discounts

  • 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
  • Under 18 years old: $30 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  • Under 11 years old: $40 USD  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  • Group of 5 or more: $30 USD- All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

Added values for free

  • TRANSFER – from the Cusco airport to hotel
  • DUFFEL BAG AND LINER BAGS – included in the trekking price
  • EXTRA PACK HORSE is included in the price, the porter will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs /15lb. like sleeping bag, mattress, clothes etc.
  • BOILED WATER is included along the Inca Trail
  • OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
  • EMERGENCY HORSE is included in the price, which can be ridden if you get tired or sick.
  • SMALL PILLOW
  • BEST ITINERARY operated by Lares Trek specialists only

Important Information 

Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.

You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trek. Look for our representative holding an orange SPIDER Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrivals terminal.

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

Of course! During the 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more conveneint for you.

FIFIRST, to book your Sacred Valley & Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our FIRST, FIRST, to book your Lares trek to Machu Picchu, you need to select your trek/tour date and the number of travelers on the right hand side. Then proceed to the next page to complete the booking form. 

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase Machu Picchu permits and train tickets without the following information:

  • Personal information (your full name, exactly as it appears on your passport):
  • Gender
  • Passport number
  • D.O.B. (dd / mm / yyyy)
  • Nationality

*** We will need copies of each participants’ passport at the time of booking.

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@spidertravelperu.com to complete the payment.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Once the tickets for Machu Picchu have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date. If you cancel your 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is non-refundable!

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, other entrances and reservations.  In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.  We must have copies of both your old and new passports to make the change. Before you change your passport, keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both old and new passports to be able to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter Machu Picchu, or get on the train.

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually takes between 1 to 2 days.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 40 litre backpack is sufficient.

Our 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is unique and an out of the way location, even during high season. We will only occasionally encounter another group.

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! SPIDER Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean.

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Spider Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance will be required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SPIDER Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less what you feel is appropriate, depending on your perception on the quality oif service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Yes, we are a local,sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places we visit and the local people.

Packing List for the 3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

What you have to take with you for 3 day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

  • Original passport (it has to be the same as the one you have used for booking your trek)
  • Valid student card (if you booked as a student)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage:  2-3L (Please bring reusable, not disposable bottles)
  • Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
  • Sleeping bag (this can be rented from SPIDER Travel)
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Toilet paper

What to put in your duffel bag for the 3 day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

As a Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 lbs. This weight limit includes your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.

  • 2 t-shirts
  • 2 pairs hiking pants at least
  • 4 sets of undergarments
  • 3 sets of hiking socks
  • Bathing suit for the thermal waters (optional)
  • 2 fleece tops/ thermals
  • Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
  • Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, bring them)
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, but you might prefer something larger.
  • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
  • Battery charger – there is no electricity along the trek
  • Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — please ask for them
  • Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – this can be rented from us

Toiletries

  • Face moisturizer
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

What to put in your backpack for the 3 day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

  • Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch stop. Please bring your reusable water bottles.
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Wool hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
  • Rain plastic poncho (provided by SPIDER)
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra money for souvenirs, extra drinks & tips

3 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu From 497 USDGroup Price
per adult
Inquire Now
Response Time: 2 hours Response Rate: 100%

Similar tours that may interest you

3 Days - 2 Nights Lares Treks
Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days - Spider Travel Peru

Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days

Cancha Cancha - Quiswarani - Lares - Ollantaytambo - KM104 – Wiñay wayna - Machu Picchu

Price $756 per person

View Trip
3 Days - 2 Nights Lares Treks
Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days & 3 Nights - Spider Travel Peru

Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days & 3 Nights

Cancha Cancha - Quiswarani - Lares - Machu picchu

Price $543 per person

View Trip

Regards From Travelers

Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024
Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024
Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024
Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024
Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024
Thousands of Steps And Laughs

Just got back from our wonderful trip two days ago! Our group was a group of adult siblings/SOs ( age 27-35) with our 64-year-old parents. Most if not all of the positive reviews you see are similar to what my family experienced, so sharing a few other highlights that may get a little less shine:

Amanda A

January 19, 2024

Our guides

All our guides have many years of experience in the industry and come highly recommended. They are fully versed in the values and vision of Spider Travel and will provide a service inline with those values. Our guides are knowledgeable and passionate about Inca Heritage and culture and in Peru as a whole. They dedicate themselves to continuous professional development and growth to ensure that you receive the most recent accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are well educated, usually holding a degree in more than one field of study and can therefore hold a conversation on a broad spectrum of issues. Finally, expect to have an amazing time while trekking, our guides are fun loving and great sportsmen.

Our Porters

Our porters personify hard work. We employ about 90 porters from local communities. They are mostly farmers by trade and are native Quechua speakers. They mainly come from the indigenous communities around the trail. We refer to our super porters as ¨Red Machine¨. This is because they work hard during the treks but carrying duffel bags, camping gear, and more! It is important to us that we employ porters from local villages because we are supporting them to become self-efficient and helping communities grow their economy to better the quality of lives.

We provide the following items to our porters and cooks for free: Working insurance, Jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffle bags, canteen, girdle for protecting their spine, sleeping bags, mattress.

Our porters are what make everything look seamless and smooth. They have your tent ready before your arrival in your tent and most importantly they significantly lighten that camping gear load.

The Best food on Inca Trail

This is where youth comes in handy. Our chefs are fully trained to provide the most scrumptious, abundant and simply mouthwatering meals in the outdoors with limited equipment. Our chefs prepare the best of fusion cooking that includes Peruvian and International dishes, using organic local and exotic ingredients. Our chefs are very versatile, serving even better specialty dishes for those with food allergies and specific dietary requirements. It has been a highlight for a majority of our hikers and we have yet to disappoint a trekker. Enjoy a complete and immersive culinary experience while trekking through the rugged Andes Mountains.

The Best Camping Equipment

Enjoy a good night sleep in our 4 season igloo waterproof, spacious and professional EUREKA tent. All our tents are 4 person tents. ONLY 2 people will sleep in each, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bag. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking poles so you don’t have to bring the dirt inside. We also bring our own portable camping toilet, so you can use our clean facilities instead of the ones provided by the government. Our dining tent is spacious, with room to hangout during meal time and get to know your fellow hikers and guide.