HIGHLIGHTS

We begin our journey by picking you up early in the morning from Cusco and traveling to the Lares trek area, where our adventure commences. The first day offers a gentle introduction to the trail, allowing you to gradually acclimate to the altitude. On the second day, we face the most challenging segment as we ascend to the highest point of the entire trek, where breathtaking views of alpine lakes, herds of alpacas, glaciers, and even elusive chinchillas await. The third day leads us on a scenic hike to the Sacred Valley, where we will spend the night in the charming and picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. The following morning, we board a train to kilometer 104 to begin the Short Inca Trail, marking the start of our final approach to the majestic Machu Picchu. On the last day, we explore this awe-inspiring citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Why should you hike Lares trek and Short Inca Trail 5 day hike with us?

• The best route. We offer you the best route which is Kiswarani to Huaran. You will see, hot springs, waterfalls, local people, lakes, glaciers, llamas, alpacas, and breathtaking landscapes.
• We don’t overload our pack horses. We stand our commitment to preventing the mistreatment of animals. This means that our pack horses bearing load does not exceed 50 kilograms (100 pounds).
• Our horsemen are treated with respect. They receive all their equipment completely for free from AB Expeditions to work on the Lares + Short Inca Trail 5 days. We provide them a fair salary, a decent tent with pad, good meals, trekking shoes, hiking pants, and a winter hut. We care for their well-being, we know they are the support of their families.
• Small groups of 02 – 08 people MAX. This sets us apart from other companies that take bigger groups.
• Top-notch equipment. We provide you with Eureka Tents, Mountain Wear Sleeping bags, Black Diamond trekking poles, and sleeping pads. We use top brands and quality goods to guarantee ache-less nights.
• Satellite phones. Our guide brings a satellite phone all the time. In case of emergencies, we always can contact with help services.
• Transportation: Each of our vans has approvals from the Ministry of Transport. Each of them carrying a first aid kit and oxygen supply. All our drivers have extensive and credentialed driving licenses.
• Hotel to Hotel service.  We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Cusco. We will never leave you stranded before or after our 5-day Lares trek!
• We are a reliable Travel company, practical, punctual. Check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.
• 100% Local Company. We are a 100% locally owned Travel Company and fully licensed tour operator.
• Highly Trained Guide. Our Tour Guides pride themselves on being up-to-date and have a comprehensive program of continual professional development.
• Ground logistics. Transportation, Permits, Inca trail tickets, Machu Picchu tickets, bus tickets, Train tickets.  We will book, secure, and deliver all details of your hike for you.
• We pay on time. At AB Expeditions, our horsemen, guides, driver, and Cooks receive their salaries as soon as they finish their job.
• We offer a group discount. If you are more than 3 people, we will give you discounts. Just send us an email.
• You will travel light– Our horses carry 7 Kilos of your equipment and supplies, you just have to carry the essentials in your daypack
• We don’t share our Groups – Our Lares trek remain authentic and intimate, meaning we don’t share with other companies, or transfer our travelers to other operators. We also assure our clients that we won’t cancel your booking due to low sign-ups or limited participation on the departure date.
• We include a porter for the Short Inca trail who will carry your lunch, so you will hike light and enjoy a good meal surrounded by the Inca trail nature.
• You will ride the same train with your guide until the short Inca trail trailhead.

 Lares trek and Short Inca Trail 5  Days 

Day 1: Cusco – Lares – Kiswarani.

Our journey to the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail begins at 6:30 a.m., following breakfast at your hotel. We will depart by private transport for approximately two hours to reach the scenic valley of Calca, then continue our ascent to the highest point of the route at 4,275 meters (13,891 feet), where we will pause to admire the stunning snowcapped peaks. From this vantage point, we proceed to the Lares hot springs, where you will have the option to relax in the thermal waters while our professional chef prepares a delicious lunch. Afterward, we drive to the village of Kiswarani, known for its residents who proudly wear traditional Andean clothing. The trek officially begins here, leading us to the captivating Seven Waterfalls of Kiswarani. After appreciating the natural beauty of this area, we continue hiking toward our first campsite, Qoyllalay, located at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,811 feet). It is located close the Yanacocha Lake so in the afternoon, we will visit it.  During this initial 4-kilometer stretch, we will encounter Andean farmers in traditional attire and see native animals such as alpacas and llamas along the trail.

• Altitude Gain: 385 m / 1263 ft.
• Altitude Loose: 0 m / 0 ft.
• Hiking Distance: 4 km / 2.48 miles.
• Campsite Elevation: 3930 m (12795 ft)
• Duration: 3 hours
• Accommodation:
• Difficulty:

Day 2: Kiswarani – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha

After enjoying our delicious breakfast, we will start walking at 06:30 a.m. We hike up to the Condor pass at (at 4200 meters 13.779 feet, the highest pass of our hike) where we have the unparalleled landscapes and the amazing glacier, wallatas (Andean geese) swim in the clear blue waters. Upon arrival at the summit of Condor Pass, our guide will serve you a well-deserved cup of coca-tea, and you can take some time to rest while your guide performs a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred mountains of Sawasiray. From there we hike down to the lakes, we will have our delicious lunch close to these beautiful lakes watching Andean ducks, and queullas.

The second day is spectacular trekking through the Huarán mountain range, we will have many chances to spot a number of Andean bird species, including Andean condors, hawks and swallow. We will walk 9 kilometers during this day hiking (5.59 miles).

• Campsite Elvation: 3,742 m / 12,2 ft
• Highest altitude: 4735m / 15,541 ft
• Distance: 09 km/ 5,59 miles
• Duration:  8 hours
• Accommodation: Tents
• Difficulty: Difficult.

Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Ollantaytambo

We will begin our day with a scenic descent through the Cancha Cancha valley, walking for approximately three hours until we reach the town of Huaran, known for its pleasantly warm climate. Along the way, we will pass by terraced fields of corn and potatoes, nourished by glacial waters from the surrounding snow-capped peaks, which also feed the revered Urubamba River—called Willkamayu, or the Sacred River, by local communities. Upon arrival in Huaran, we will board our van and travel to Ollantaytambo, where a traditional lunch awaits us in a local home. Afterward, we will check into our accommodation at the two-star Tunupa Lodge. The afternoon will be free for personal exploration of Ollantaytambo, and for those who wish to continue their adventure, a climb up the Pincuylluna mountain offers a rewarding challenge.

• Ollantaytambo elevation: 2,848 m / 9,343 ft
• Distance of trek: 6 km / 3.72 miles
• Trek Duration: 3 hours
• Accommodation: Hotel of 2 stars in Ollantaytambo town.
• Difficulty:

Day 4: Ollantaytambo – Chachabamba – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes

We will leave Ollantatambo at 06:00 am to start the Inca Trail . We will take our train until kilometer 104 where is the starting point of our trek. Our trek today takes us along the most wonderful stretch of the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days. We’ll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the stunning panoramas of the Andes. Walking 10km of the trail our hike begins in the Sacred Valley and works it’s way up along a paved Inca trail to the archeological site of Winay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). After visiting Wiñay Wayna, we will have our box lunch.

After enjoying our meal. we’ll hike through the lush and green cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a wide variety of plants, flowers, orchids, and birds along the way.

After a full days hiking, we’ll get to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain ridge below. The light in the afternoon is great for photos and with fewer tourists on the site, it’s a perfect time to take wonderful pictures of the site. After passing through the Sun Gate we’ll keep hiking for about 45 minutes to get Machu Picchu where we will catch the bus to Aguas Calientes. We will check in our hotel then we have dinner

Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Day 5 is the most magical day: Machu Picchu. We will wake up  early, to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu and see the sunrise over the ruins.

Your guide will spend around 3 hours explaining the highlights of Machu Picchu. Afterward, you will have time to explore by yourself the ruins and hike Huaynapicchu if you have booked this option. (This is a separate entrance ticket that costs $65 per person). Finally, you will return to Aguas Calientes and take a train back to Ollantaytambo, and then bus back to Cusco. Once in Cusco, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

INCLUSIONS

Included

• A porter who will carry your lunch on day 4 while you are hiking the Inca Trail.
• Entrance fee to Lares private lands.
• 7 Kilograms of your personal for only Lares trek, but not for the Short Inca trail. 
• Tranportation from Huaran to Ollantaytambo.
• Private transportation from the hotel to the Kiswarani trailhead.
• English speaking guide.
• Round trip train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• Short inca trail permits and Machu Picchu ticket.
• Hotel of 2 stars in Ollantaytambo(Tunupa Lodge or similar)
• Hotel of 3 stars in Aguas Calientes (Tara Machu Picchu or similar)
• 3 person tents for 2 people.
• Foam mattress
• Meal service at the campsites (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 snacks). With option for vegetarians, gluten free, lactose Intolerance and any food allergy.
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horseman and horses to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kilograms of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag, these will be carried by our mules) (on Lares Trek portion only)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Boiled water to fill your drinking bottles
• Guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Not included?

• Sleeping Bag: $20 USD
• Air Mattress: $20 USD
• Walking Poles: $15 USD
• Personal tent: $30 USD

Additional things to upgrade

• Vistadome Train Upgrade: $50 USD.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.

WHAT TO BRING FOR THE LARES TREK AND SHORT INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS

• Original Passport and student cards if you are students.
• A Hiking/trekking Backpack (21 liters capacity).
• Hiking Poles with rubber tips. You can bring your own or rent it from AB Expeditions.
• Trekking Clothing: Hiking shoes, waterproof pants, waterproof shorts, two shirts, a light sweater, jacket for rain, and clothes to rest in at the hotel. On the other hand, it is quite comfortable and relaxing for the body to wear light clothes for the walk; for this, waterproof materials are very good, because they enable quick drying from sweat and rain.
• Night in Aguas Calientes: Please bring with you a clean set of clothes to wear after the trekking. Also, you can bring along swimwear and towels if you decide to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal Hygiene items: toothpaste. toothbrush, and wet wipes.
• Medicine: If you are taking any medications, please bring them with you. It is also recommended to bring some over the counter medicine for the altitude sickness (Coramina, Aspirina, Diamox, Sorojchi, Acetazolamide). It is also suggested to bring Anti Blister Gel to avoid getting blisters on your feet and being unable to continue on your trek.
• Digital Camera with an external memory (2-4 Gb) (Optional).
• Sunglasses with UV protection.
• Sun Block SPF 60 (UVA-UVB) waterproof and sport.
• Waterproof Insect Repellent lotion, not spray.
• Swiss Army Knife.
• Water bottle made of flexible plastic. This type of bottle is very easy to carry and does not take up a lot of space. At the same time, they help in our effort to protect the environment.