Lares (Quishuarani) to Yanahuara to Machu Picchu Trek (4 days) Route Option 3
| Map of the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu Trek |
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Distance: 46km
Duration: 4 days
When to go: Best from April to October
Altitude: 2700m to 4500m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trek fees: None although you have to pay to enter Machu Picchu on the final day of the trek
See our Introduction to the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu Trek which includes information about the region, trek prices and responsible tourism and also describes the various trek options on offer.
Typical Trek Itinerary Route 03
(the actual trek itinerary may change slightly from company to company)
Day 1: Cusco - Calca - Quishuarani (Lares) - Cuncani
Our bus leaves Cusco at around 06:00. Its a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through Pisac and stopping for breakfast for about 40 minutes in the provincial town of Calca. In Calca you will also have the opportunity to use the bathroom and buy any last minute snacks, water, etc. Departing Calca around 08:00 we head off for the 2 hour drive to Quishuarani (3700m) which is the starting point for the trek. Along the way you will be able to observe small Andean communities, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas and alpacas.
Heading west up a small valley we’ll arrive at a lake at the head of the valley and start a steep zig-zag climb up a narrow trail to the top of the first pass known as Abra Huillquijasa (4200m), about 3˝ hours from Quishuarani village. Below you lies a series of stunning turquoise lakes. We’ll drop down and have lunch beside the lakes before continuing on for the short trek to the next village of Cuncani (3750m) in the bottom of the valley (2 hour from the pass). Arriving in the village around 4pm we’ll set up camp. Walking distance approx 12km (5-6 hours)
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
(trek itinerary used with permission from Peru Treks)
Companies offering this version of the Lares trek include:
