Es
▷ Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days
Camps & Hotel
Acomodation
From 3°C to 19°C
Temperature
3,700 m | 12,100 ft
Max. Altitude
All year around
Availability Dates
Overview – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu – a scenic, off-the-beaten-path hike through Andean villages, stunning valleys, and authentic Quechua culture
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a scenic alternative to the Inca Trail that combines breathtaking Andean landscapes with authentic Quechua culture. As you hike through the remote Lares Valley, you’ll pass traditional villages, see llamas and alpacas grazing, and meet skilled weavers preserving ancient traditions. Moreover, you’ll cross a high mountain pass at 4,450 m / 14,600 ft, relax in the natural Lares hot springs, and finally continue your journey to the legendary Machu Picchu. This moderate 3–5 day trek is perfect for travelers who want fewer crowds, cultural immersion, and an unforgettable adventure in Peru.
Hiking Details – Lares Trek
Trip Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture and nature
Trip Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Group Size: 2-12 Hikers
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Semi-challenging, but rewarding hike.
Weather: Dry season (Cold & sunny days) – Rainy season (Changeable weather)
Hiking Distance: 32 km
Itinerary – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco – Ancashmarca – Lares Hot Springs–Blue Lagoon
Your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu begins with an early pickup from your hotel or lodging in Cusco around 4:30 a.m. We set off on a 3.5-hour scenic drive to Lares, passing through the bustling Calca market, where we’ll gather fresh produce and small goods to share with local families along the route.
Before arriving at Lares, we make a stop at the rarely visited Inca ruins of Ancashmarca, an impressive site of ancient warehouses and terraces that once regulated trade across the Sacred Valley.
On reaching Lares Village, you’ll have time to unwind in the renowned Lares Hot Springs, soaking in warm thermal pools while admiring snow-covered peaks. Meanwhile, your trekking chef prepares a delicious breakfast.
A short transfer then takes us to Pampacorral, the trailhead. From here, the afternoon hike begins gently, meandering through fertile valleys lined with potato fields and grazing alpacas. After about two hours, we arrive at the traditional community of Quiswarani for a freshly made lunch. Recharged, we continue with a steady uphill walk alongside the picturesque Quiswarani waterfall until we reach our first campsite at the Blue Lagoon (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). Here, llamas wander freely by the lakeshore, and—weather permitting—you’ll enjoy a spectacular night sky filled with stars.
Trekking Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Included Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Overnight Stay: Camping
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Day 2: Blue Lagoon-Condor Pass-Accopata-Canchacancha Village
Begin your morning with a steaming cup of coffee or coca tea brought to your tent, then get ready for the most demanding section of the Lares Trail. After breakfast, we’ll collect some snacks prepared by the chef and embark on a 4-hour hike to the highest point of the route. Climb to Condor Pass (4,750 m / 15,583 ft), the highest point of the Lares Trek, with stunning views of Andean peaks, lakes, llamas, and alpacas. After a spiritual ceremony at the summit, descend to Acopata for lunch, then continue to the Canchacancha community (3,750 m / 12,303 ft) for an overnight stay, cultural exchange, and a peaceful mountain evening.
Hiking distance: 16 km / 10 mi
Included meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: Camping
Level of difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
Day 3: Canchacancha - Salt Mine-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes
After conquering the highest mountain passes of the Lares Trek, we’ll begin the day by packing up and enjoying a nutritious breakfast with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Andes. Before setting off, you’ll have a little extra time to wander around the village of Canchacancha, connect with locals, and immerse yourself in authentic Andean life. After that, we descend for 4 hours into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting local homes and a village school along the way. The trek shifts from high Andean farmlands to the lush valley, ending in Huaran (2,700 m / 8,856 ft) with a picnic lunch and farewell to our trekking team.
In the afternoon, we explore the dazzling Maras Salt Mines, followed by Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca Town,” with its temples, ruins, and original Inca streets. After dinner, we board the evening train to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft), where a 3-star hotel awaits before our visit to Machu Picchu.
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.4 mi
Aguas Calientes Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel stay
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Day 4: Private Machu Picchu Tour. Return To Cusco.
Day 4 is one of the most remarkable highlights of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, as you’ll explore one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, you’ll head to the bus station and ascend to the legendary Machu Picchu citadel (2,430 m / 7,972 ft).
Accompanied by your professional English-speaking guide, you’ll enjoy a 2-hour walking tour of the “Lost City of the Incas.” Discover the most important temples, terraces, and ceremonial areas while learning about the history, architecture, and mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time for breathtaking photos and soak in the magical scenery of the surrounding Andean peaks.
After the guided tour, return to Aguas Calientes to prepare for your journey back to Cusco. In the afternoon, you’ll board the Expedition Train at 14:55 or 15:20 to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. Expected arrival is around 7:00 pm.
Tour Duration: Approx. 3 hours at Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Included Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty Level: Easy / Relaxing but busy
Inclusion for Lares trek 4 Days
Included
- Pre-departure briefing in our office or your hotel. Time to be determined by the company.
- Private Accommodation: 2 nights camping on the Lares trek.
- Private Hotel: 1 night of accommodation in a three-star hotel. Upgrading to a 4/5-star hotel is possible.
- Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, 2-person tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gears (all carried by the horses).
- Inflatable mattress or foam sleeping pad: Air mattresses which add a lot of comfort to sleep and rest.
- Rain ponchos and duffel bag to pack your personal belongings
- Transportation: You will be provided with all transportation for this trek. When you arrive back to the end of your trek, our van will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Three (2) Bus tickets: Between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Round train ticket: (Expedition service) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and vice versa.
- Professional Guides: English speaking, professionally educated guides. All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University.
- Trekking Chef: A chef and his assistant, specialized in cooking on the trail, will prepare all of your delicious meals to replenish your energy along the trail.
- Horseman and his assistant which is in charge of leading horses and taking care all the camping equipment.
- Cargo Mules: On day 1, 2, 3 and 4, cargo mules will carry all camping equipment and your personal baggage allowance (7 kgs/15.4 lbs). On day 4 your duffel bags will be carried by car to your destination.
- Baggage Allowance: Mules will carry up to 7 kg of your gear, including your sleeping bag and pad, so you can hike light.
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), daily snacks, hot drinks (coffee, coca tea and herbal infusions). All these meals are prepared by our Chef.
- Boiled drinking water: We will provide you water for your morning hike every day and again during lunch. We suggest to bring your camel bag and extra energy drinks for this trek, because being well hydrated is the key to feeling great in the mountains.
- Products for hygiene:You will be provided with a towel paper, soap and hand sanitizer before each meal to clean your hands.
- We provide hot water buckets every morning and evening so you can wash your face and feel refreshed.
- Entry ticket to Machu Picchu: We include Machu Picchu guided tour Circuit 2, but, if it sells out, we’ll secure the best available option (Circuit 1 or 3). Tickets are limited and sell out quickly.
- Entry ticket to Lares Trail and Hot-spring
- Entry ticket to Salt-mine
- First-Aid Kit: Our guides have received training in first aid from physicians. Our guides will bring an emergency oxygen bottle, as well.
- Free Storage: Leave your extra belongings safely at our Cusco office while you’re on the trek.
Not Included
- Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from low temperatures.
- Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
- Last Day: Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for our staff: Tipping is of course 100% voluntary and should only be done if you feel like your guide, porters, horse men and Chef have done an amazing job for you.
- Personal riding horse available; extra horses can be rented as needed. This service will only be available the first 2 days of the trek, as those are the most challenging ones.
Aditional Upgrades
- Rentals: Sleeping bag: $ 20 USD
- Rentals: Walking Sticks (pair): $ 15 USD
- Extra Single Tent: $40 USD
- Extra horses: $ 30 USD ( per Day)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person (2-hour round-trip climb).
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person (3-hour round-trip climb).
- Vistadome Train (one way): $50 USD per person.
Departure Dates for Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is available year-round thanks to its favorable geography. Peru also hosts vibrant annual festivals and events like Inti Raymi (Feast of the Sun), Easter processions, Carnival, and Christmas celebrations. Booking in advance guarantees your departure date and ensures availability during these special occasions. Secure your spot today for the Lares Trek & Machu Picchu.
Tour Highlights-Lares Trek
- Cultural immersion in remote Quechua villages
- Scenic Andes with llamas, alpacas & high mountain passes
- Cross Condor Pass (4,750 m) with panoramic views
- Visit Maras Salt Mines, ride the Expedition train & relax in hot springs
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu, a New Seven Wonder
- Support communities through sustainable tourism
Price for Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days
To book the Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, an initial payment of $ 200 USD per person is required. The remaining balance can be paid online or in person at our office in Cusco. The deposit can be made via We Travel, Western Union or MoneyGram. If you rent camping and hiking gear, upgrade tours or receive a discount of the total price our sales team will email you the updated remaining balance payable at our Cusco office.
For Group Tour (Shared Service) Lares Trek 4 Days
Price per Person:
Adults: From $650 USD Students and Children: From $610 USD
Note.
- We need a minimum of 3 people to run the tour
- 4+ People, please contact us for a special price
- If you book this tour for more than 2 people, ask for it and get a discount for this tour. “This condition applies only if you are part of a single group (For 3 + people booking at the same time) and does not apply to groups organized by the travel agency.”
- Children 17 years old or less, the discount is $40 USD (To receive the child discount you must send us a copy of the child’s passport).
- For a private tour, please request a quote by emailing incavisiontours@gmail.com or info@incavisiontours.com.
Student Discount:
To qualify for the student discount, one must be 25 years old or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu and you must submit a valid university ID with your booking. The ID must include your name, photo, and expiration date. Cards without an expiration date will not be accepted. Please bring the original student ID with you on the tour to pass the checkpoint.
Payment method
Pay via We Travel
Please note that We Travel charges a fee ranging from 1.5% to 3.9 % (depending on the type of currency used) for online deposits. For payment made via bank transfer a 2% fee will be applied which the client is responsible for. The fee is for the use of We travel’s secure payment gateway. Please, notify incavisiontours@gmail.com or info@incavisiontours.com after payment has made through, We Travel.
Pay via Western Union
Please note that Western Union charges a variable fee for online deposits, depending on your nationality and location. Western union payments should be addressed to the following receiver:
- Full Name: Jaime Cusi Huaman
- Address: APV. Jardines Del Inca C-10, Cusco – Perú
Pay via MoneyGram
Please note that MoneyGram charges a variable fee for online deposits, depending on your nationality and location. MoneyGram payments should be addressed to the following receiver:
- Full Name: Jaime Cusi Huaman
- Address: APV. Jardines Del Inca C-10, Cusco – Perú
Please remember to send us the tracking code (MTCN) in order to pick up the deposit and confirm your booking. Once your payment is made via Western Union or MoneyGram, please notify ours sales team.
In the event you need to cancel your trip, cancellation fees will be assessed as outlined in our cancellation policy. If canceling, you may not transfer your deposit to another person’s trek/tour. See Inca Vision Tours ‘Terms and Cancellation Policy
Optional Upgrades (Need to book in Advance):
There are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person (2-hour round-trip climb).
Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person (3-hour round-trip climb).
Note: You can only hike one of these mountains, and it must be done after the guided tour of Machu Picchu due to time limitations.
Vistadome Train (one way): $50 USD per person.
Walking Stick: One pair for $15 USD.
Extra Single Tent: $40 USD
Huayna Picchu | Machu Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, is a 45-minute hike to the top, located next to the Machu Picchu Inca city. The descent can be steep, so it may not be suitable for those afraid of heights. This hike can be done after your Machu Picchu tour.
Machu Picchu Mountain requires a 3-hour round-trip hike. Due to its popularity, reservations should be made at least one month in advance. Please note that weather conditions are beyond our control.
Train: On our four-day Inca Trail journey to Machu Picchu, a return train ticket on the Expeditions Train is included, offering comfort and scenic views. For an enhanced experience, you can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the return trip, which features larger windows, comfortable seating, a glass roof, and onboard entertainment, including shows and a complimentary snack.
Hotel: If you are doing overnight tours or treks that lead to Machu Picchu, you will be provided accommodation in a 3 star ★★★ hotel (Intipunku hotel or similar) in Aguas Calientes. For upgrades or cancellation, please enter your request in the special request box above. If you are booking a Peru Package Tour for 5 or more days, please contact our sales team.
Room Types: Matrimonial (1 bed for 2 people); Double (2 single beds), Single (1 bed for 1 person). If you wish to add extra beds, please specify in the special request box above.
Additional Night in Aguas Calientes: Stay an extra night after your 4-day Lares hike to relax, explore Machu Picchu further, or visit the hot springs. Ideal for those planning to climb Huayna Picchu the next day. Contact us at info@incavisiontours.com or incavisiontours@gmail.com for options and prices.
What to Bring for Lares Trek 4 Days
Gear List
Important Reminder: For this Lares trek you will need one hold-all or duffel bag, which we will provide. However, you will be carrying your small day pack while hiking. Please pack as light as possible. A light backpack is key to feeling great!
- Passport (very important)
- Valid student card (if you booked as a student).
- Good daypack (25-30Lt): The smaller, the more confortable.(very important)
- 2L Camelbaks or reusable water bottles
- At least 1 liter of water for the first day until lunch, and after that we will supply you with boiled water for the rest of the hike.
- One pair of comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles) and a pair of sandals. (very important)
- Wicking/Hiking Breathable T-shirts (2 Short Sleeve T-shirts and 1-2 Long Sleeve T-shirts) and 2- Hiking Pants & Leggings– remember you will always treasure these photos, wear something you love.
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho, warm jacket, down jacket, fleece or sweater, scarf, wool hat, sunglasses, gloves and 3 pairs of socks
- Small travel towel & Bathing suits for the hot springs (Optional on your own in Lares)
- Sun protection cream and sun hat (very important)
- Insect Repellent
- Camera/ Cellphone with extra Power Bank (very important)
- Ear plugs (optional)
- Flashlight or head lamp with spare batteries (very important)
- Extra Snacks (Energy bars, energy drinks, fruits, electrolytes, etc.).
- Extra Money in Cash & Cards for souvenirs, drinks, meals, tips, and emergency situations (can be in Soles or USD).
Other items
- Sleeping bag (or you can rent one from us)
- Sleeping bag liner and inflatable pillow (optional)
- Large plastic bags to organize your items and keep them clean and dry during your tour.
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (or you can rent a pair from us)
Toiletries
- Face moisturizer, toilet paper
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications prescribed by your doctor (to prevent headaches, stomach issues, heart problems, etc.).
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
