Looking for a unique trekking adventure to Machu Picchu? Our exclusive 6-day Alternative Lares Trek to Machu Picchu combines the best of Peruvian culture and legendary Inca trails. This isn't just a trek; it's a comprehensive Machu Picchu trekking package that delivers an unparalleled experience.

Experience the Best: Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail + Cusco City Exploration

Keywords Integrated:6-day Lares Trek, Alternative Lares Trek, Lares Trek + Inca Trail, Cusco City Tour, Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, unique trekking package, Peru hiking, cultural immersion, Inca Trail availability.

This exceptional 6-day trekking package offers an incredible journey to the heart of the Inca Empire:

• Day 1: Cusco City Tour & Cultural Immersion: Begin your adventure with a fascinating Cusco City Tour, exploring the ancient capital's rich history and vibrant culture. This allows for acclimatization and a deep dive into local heritage before your trekkingbegins.

• Days 2-5: The 4-Day Lares Trek Adventure: Embark on the authentic 4-day Lares Trek, traversing picturesque Andean villages, connecting with local communities, and witnessing stunning mountain scenery away from the crowds. This Alternative Lares Trekoffers a truly immersive cultural experience.

• Days 5-6: 2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The pinnacle of your journey! Seamlessly transition into the renowned 2-day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This iconic segment allows you to hike through classic Inca landscapes, entering Machu Picchuvia the Sun Gate – an experience reserved for Inca Trail trekkers.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: CUSCO – ANCIENT & COLONIAL CITY TOUR (Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, Tambomachay)

Upon your arrival in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your comfortable hotel. Upon arrival, you'll receive a brief orientation. The rest of the morning is dedicated to leisure and acclimatization to Cusco's high altitude (3,400m / 11,150ft). We strongly recommend resting, hydrating, and taking it easy to prepare for the days ahead.

In the afternoon at 1:00 PM, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin your immersive tour of Imperial Cusco. This city is a captivating blend of Andean and Spanish cultures, where ancient Inca foundations support colonial architecture. Our first stop is the Santo Domingo Convent, magnificently built over the revered Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), the most important religious site in the Inca Empire, dedicated to the worship of Inti, the Sun God. We'll explore its intricate stonework and learn about its spiritual significance.

Next, we ascend to the archaeological park overlooking the city, starting with the colossal fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Marvel at its massive, perfectly fitted stones and imagine the grand ceremonies that once took place here. We then continue to the enigmatic sites of Qenqo, an ancient Inca ritual site with subterranean passages; Pukapukara, believed to be a military outpost or administrative center; and finally, Tambomachay, the "Baños del Inca" or Inca Baths, an impressive water shrine. After a day filled with history and stunning views, we will take you back to your hotel in the early evening.

1st Day Information:

• Hotel: San Agustin Internacional 3*** or Rumi Punku 3*** (or similar)
• Meal: Breakfast
• Highlight: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Cusco, explore iconic Inca and colonial sites, and begin acclimatizing to the altitude.
• Tip: Drink coca tea and stay hydrated!

Day 2: CUSCO - CALCA - LARES HOT SPRINGS TREK START – HUACAWASI VILLAGE

An early start to an exciting day! We'll pick you up from your hotel and embark on a scenic 3.5-hour drive towards the Lares Valley. Our journey takes us through picturesque Andean landscapes. En route, we'll make a stop in Calca, a charming town in the Sacred Valley, where you can visit its authentic local market. This is a great opportunity to observe daily Andean life and perhaps pick up some last-minute snacks for the trek.

We then continue to the Lares Hot Springs (3,200m / 10,496ft). Here, you'll have the option to soak in the therapeutic waters (entrance fee approx. 10 PEN, not included) before we begin our trek. This is a wonderful way to relax and prepare for the journey ahead, or you can choose to head straight to the trailhead. At Lares, we'll meet our dedicated muleteers and cooks who will accompany us. We'll get our rucksacks ready and begin our adventure!

The trail gradually ascends through a highland valley. Around 1:30 PM, we'll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch amidst stunning scenery. After lunch, the trek continues, offering glimpses of traditional Andean life and encounters with herds of llamas and alpacas. We'll reach our first campsite in the authentic Andean village of Huacawasi (3,800m / 12,464ft). Upon arrival, we'll enjoy a comforting tea time followed by a delicious dinner, prepared by our trek team.

2nd Day Information:

• Hiking Distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles
• Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 3,200m / 10,496ft (Lares Hot Springs)
• Highest Elevation: 3,800m / 12,464ft (Huacawasi campsite)
• Meals: Lunch & Dinner (Breakfast provided at your Cusco hotel)
• Highlight: Scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, optional hot springs dip, initial trek through Andean valleys, interacting with local communities, and seeing llama/alpaca herds. First night camping under the Andean stars!
• Optional: Hot springs entrance fee (10 PEN) not included.

Day 3: HUACAWASI - CONDOR PASS (PUERTO PASS) - MANTANAY VALLEY

Prepare for a challenging yet incredibly rewarding day! We'll wake up early to a hearty and nutritious breakfast, fueling us for the climb ahead. After breakfast, we begin our ascent to the highest point of our trek: Condor Pass (Puerto Pass) at a breathtaking 4,420m / 14,498ft. This climb will take approximately 4 hours from our campsite. Along this section, you'll continue to see herds of llamas and alpacas grazing near the trail, set against a backdrop of incredibly scenic views.

Upon reaching the pass, we'll take a well-deserved break to savor the panoramic vistas of snow-capped peaks and vast valleys. This is a perfect opportunity to participate in a traditional offering of coca leaves to the Apus (mountain spirits) and build an Apacheta (a cairn of stones as a memorial or offering for safe passage).
After soaking in the views, we'll begin our descent. Our lunch spot is strategically located near a beautiful high-altitude lagoon, where our cooks will have a fresh and delicious meal ready, along with hot drinks to warm us up.

Post-lunch, we continue our descent into the enchanting Mantanay Valley. This valley is renowned for its beautiful Andean forests, dominated by ancient Qeuña (Polylepis) trees. These unique, rugged trees thrive at high altitudes (3,400m / 11,152ft to 4,300m / 14,104ft) and create a magical atmosphere. Our second campsite is nestled within this picturesque valley. In the evening, we'll enjoy hot drinks and a delicious dinner.

3rd Day Information:

• Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles
• Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 3,700m / 12,136ft (Mantanay campsite)
• Highest Elevation: 4,420m / 14,498ft (Condor Pass)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Highlight: Conquering the highest pass, stunning panoramic mountain views, traditional coca leaf offerings, picturesque lagoons, and camping amidst unique Qeuña forests.
• Challenge: This is the most demanding day of the trek due to elevation gain and distance.

Day 4: MANTANAY - YANAHUARA (SACRED VALLEY) - OLLANTAYTAMBO

Another magnificent day begins with a great breakfast, preparing us for our final stretch of the Lares Trek. After breakfast, we'll enjoy a gradual descent for approximately 3 hours, transitioning from the high puna landscapes into the lush, agricultural heart of the Sacred Valley. Our destination is the charming village of Yanahuara (2,900m / 9,514ft).

Upon arrival in Yanahuara, we'll enjoy our last delicious lunch prepared by our trek chef. Here, we'll share heartfelt goodbyes with our incredible muleteers and cook, thanking them for their hard work and companionship throughout the trek. From Yanahuara, we'll take private transport to the historic Inca town of Ollantaytambo (2,792m / 9,160 ft).
Ollantaytambo is famous for its remarkably preserved Inca town planning and a magnificent Inca fortress-temple. You'll check into your comfortable hotel and have the rest of the afternoon to explore this living Inca town at your leisure, wander its cobblestone streets, or simply relax and reflect on your trek. Dinner will be on your own tonight, allowing you to choose from the local restaurants.

4th Day Information:

• Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles
• Hiking Time: 2 – 3 hours
• Lowest Elevation: 2,900m / 9,514ft (Yanahuara, end of trek)
• Highest Elevation: 3,700m / 12,136ft (Mantanay campsite)
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner on your own in Ollantaytambo)
• Highlight: Descending into the Sacred Valley, saying goodbye to the trek team, and overnighting in the historical Inca town of Ollantaytambo.
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo.
• Note: Your main luggage, which was transported separately, will be waiting for you at your Ollantaytambo hotel.

Day 5: OLLANTAYTAMBO - KM 104 (SHORT INCA TRAIL) – WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES

Today is a day of immense anticipation as we connect the Lares Trek experience with the iconic Inca Trail! Fully motivated and ready for the next adventure, we'll take an early morning scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo for approximately two hours to Kilometer 104(2,100m/6,927ft), the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

After passing the first checkpoint, we begin our trek with a moderate climb for about three hours to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650m/8,747ft), meaning "Forever Young." This impressive terraced complex is a true Inca masterpiece. Here, we'll enjoy a well-deserved packed lunch amidst spectacular views of the Urubamba Canyon and the surrounding Inca sites.

Refreshed, we continue our journey towards the legendary Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at 2,730m/9,007ft. As you pass through the Sun Gate, prepare for an unforgettable moment: your first breathtaking, panoramic view of Machu Picchu in all its glory!
Words cannot fully capture this sight. After taking countless photos and soaking in the majesty, we'll begin our one-hour descent directly into the Citadel of Machu Picchu itself. We'll have time for some initial photos before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes(Machu Picchu Pueblo), where we will check into our comfortable hotel for our final night. Enjoy a celebratory dinner together tonight.

5th Day Information:

• Meals: Box lunch & Dinner
• Hotel: La Cabaña Hotel 3*** / Inti Punku 3*** (or similar)
• Distance: 13 km / 8 miles (Short Inca Trail)
• Time: 6 hours approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Highlight: Trekking a section of the classic Inca Trail, exploring Wiñay Wayna, and the unforgettable first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
• Note: Only small daypacks are allowed on the Inca Trail. Your main luggage will be transferred directly to Aguas Calientes.

Day 6: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU GUIDED TOUR – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Today is the culmination of your journey: exploring the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu! Bursting with excitement, we'll take one of the first buses up to the archaeological site. Arriving early allows us to experience the citadel in the magical morning light and with fewer crowds.

Your expert guide will lead you on a comprehensive 2-3 hour tour, unraveling the mysteries and history of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. You'll explore the energetic ruins, walk through its diverse main streets, and learn about the purpose of its temples, palaces, and agricultural terraces.
After the guided tour, you'll have some free time to wander around on your own, soak in the profound atmosphere, or perhaps find a quiet spot to simply sit and absorb the pure delight of the moment.

Optional Activities (not included in price, must be booked in advance):

• Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: For unparalleled panoramic views (additional cost and limited permits – inquire at booking).
• Walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku): Revisit this iconic viewpoint for different light and perspectives (free of cost).

When you are ready, you will descend by bus back to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on your own, reflecting on your incredible experience. In the afternoon, you will board your train (e.g., 2:55 PM or 6:20 PM Expedition Class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our private van will be waiting to transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco, concluding your unforgettable adventure.

6th Day Information:

• Meal: Breakfast
• Hotel: San Agustin Internacional 3*** or Rumi Punku 3*** (or similar)
• Highlight: Comprehensive guided tour of Machu Picchu, free time to explore, and a memorable journey back to Cusco.
• Note: Ensure you book Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits well in advance if desired.