Peru · Hiking

4-day Lares Trek To Machu Picchu

4 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Alternative route to Machu Picchu through the Lares Valley
  • 02 Relax at the Lares hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery
  • 03 Hike past waterfalls, lagoons, high passes, and traditional villages
  • 04 See alpacas, llamas, and local flora and fauna along the trail
  • 05 Camp in the Andes and stay 1 night in Aguas Calientes
  • 06 Explore Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
  • 07 Guided visit to Machu Picchu with early arrival
  • 08 Round-trip train journey included

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a rewarding alternative to the classic Inca Trail, combining highland hiking, traditional Andean communities, and spectacular scenery on the way to one of Peru’s most iconic sites.

Over four days, you’ll travel through the Sacred Valley, relax at the hot springs in Lares, hike past mountain passes, lakes, waterfalls, alpacas and llamas, and spend time in remote villages before continuing by train to Aguas Calientes. The journey ends with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, with the option to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a rewarding alternative to the classic Inca Trail, combining highland hiking, traditional Andean communities, and spectacular scenery on the way to one of Peru’s most iconic sites.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

DAY 1 CUSCO - QUISHUARANI (LARES) - CUNCANI - YANACOCHA

Calca

We will pick you up from your hotel located in the city of Cusco to go towards the Andean town of Calca at the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once there, we have the last chance to buy anything you think you might need.

Lares

We continue the tour by bus, for 2 more hours, until reach the Lares hot springs, where you can take a nice bath and chill while you admire the mountains around (optional). Have a well deserve rest and enjoy the healing properties of these hot pool waters.

Qolqecasa

Then we are going to get the starting point of the trekking Lares to Machu Picchu. We will hike like one hour and a half until reach Quishuarani (3,700 meters above sea level), to the lunch spot. Admire beautiful alpacas and llamas around.

Cuncani

After lunch, we will visit the 7 waterfalls hiking around wonderful lakes until we will reach our campsite to spend the night. Dinner and overnight. Distance traveled: 4.72 miles – Approximate time of walk: 4 hours.

2
Day 02

DAY 2 CAMPSITE - CONDOR PASS – CANCHA CANCHA

Cancha Cancha

After a warm breakfast, the trek will start along an uphill path until we reach the Condor Pass located at 4,800 meters above sea level. Taking a zig zag path, we are going to make an offering to the mountains with coca leaves to ask for protection. This place has wonderful views to the snowy Sahuasiray, and you will see local flora and fauna such as vizcachas.

Going downhill for 1 hour and a half, we are going to arrive to the lunch spot. You will admire beautiful lagoons and wildlife in their habitat such as llamas and alpacas all over around. After a rest, the Lares trail to Machu Picchu continues until we reach the community of Cancha Cancha located at 3,800 meters above sea level. Our campsite is located in this place.

Before the tea time, we will visit the local people to know their traditions. Dinner and overnight. Distance traveled: 9.32 miles – Approximate time of walk: 7 hours.

3
Day 03

DAY 3 CANCHA CANCHA - HUARAN - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES

Town of Huaran

After breakfast, we will depart at 07:30 am to go to the town of Huaran, we are going downhill around incredible mountains until reach the high altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. You’ll feel how the weather changes, and you will have the opportunity to see agricultural crops in corn, potatoes and vegetable.

Ollantaytambo

Then, the transport will take you to the town of Ollantaytambo in a journey of 1 hour. Explore this magical Andean town with a walking tour around one of the most beautiful towns in the Sacred Valley. If you wish, you can take a tour to the Fortress of Ollantaytambo (optional). Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Aguas Calientes

Later, a bus will take you to Ollantaytambo train station, to board the train to Aguas Calientes in a trip of 2 hours. Upon arrival, we will go to the hotel to spend the night. Distance traveled: 5.59 miles – Approximate time of walk: 4 hours.

4
Day 04

DAY 4 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Machu Picchu

Very early in the morning, we will take the tourist bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, and we will finally be in one of the 7 wonders of the world. Machu Picchu will be all yours because you will be the first to arrive there.

Once there, if you are at the right time, you will enjoy the sunrise and begin the guided tour of 2 hours, where you will learn each secret, each story and each fact about the Inca citadel. We are going to visit Intiwatana, located on the top of Machu Picchu.

After that, you can decide whether to climb the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (optional). Feel the adrenaline climbing the steps of Huayna Picchu for 2 hours and get the best views of this incredible place.

Back to Cusco

We will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, to then take the train to Ollantaytambo where our transport will be waiting for you to drop you off at your hotel located in the city of Cusco.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • High mountain tents
  • 01 night of standard hotel at Aguas Calientes (only Confort Service)
  • Camping equipment
  • First Aid Kit with bottles of oxygen.
  • Round trip Train Expedition
  • Briefing one day before departure
  • Transportation from Cusco to the start of the trek
  • Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
  • Roundtrip bus to and from the entrance of Machu Picchu (only Confort Service)

What's Not Included

  • Sleeping bag
  • Walking sticks
  • Tips for guides, porters or chefs and extra expenses.
  • Ticket entrance to Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains
  • Ticket entrance to the Fortress of Ollantaytambo
  • Travel insurance

Know before you go

  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • Trains schedule could vary, according of the season and availability
  • Trains allow one small bag no more than 5 kilos on board
  • This activity is not recommended for children 12 and younger
  • If you want to climb the mountains of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, it is important to request the tour when booking
  • There are vegetarian food options, previous request
  • We recommend to be in good physical conditions
  • If you have any question, do not hesitate to contact us.
  • Pick up from centrally located Cusco city hotels

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Cusco.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Cusco.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Cusco..

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