Lares Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
4 Days
Up to 8 travelers
4,680 m
Difficult
Lares Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu: Villages, Hot Springs and a 4,680 m Pass
The Lares Trek is the cultural route to Machu Picchu. Instead of Inca ruins along the trail, you walk between weaving and herding communities of the Lares valley, cross the Condor Pass (4,680 m / 15,354 ft) under Mount Pitusiray and descend into the Sacred Valley. It does not need an Inca Trail permit, so you can book it at short notice, and it is far quieter than the Inca Trail or Salkantay.
The trip starts with a soak in the Lares hot springs, includes a stop at the Maras salt pans on day 3 and ends with a guided tour of Machu Picchu on day 4.
Lares Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu Inclusions
Included 11
- Expert Local Guides: Our trekking guides are professionally trained in tourism and fluent in English. Raised in the Cusco region, they share authentic local knowledge and a deep passion for Andean culture, history, and traditions throughout the journey.
- Pre-Departure Orientation: The evening before your trek at 6:00 PM, you’ll attend a detailed briefing at our office. You will meet your guide and receive your duffel bag, which will be carried by our support team and available only at the campsite each morning and evening. Items needed during the hike should be kept in your daypack.
- Support Team & Load Assistance: Each traveler is provided with porter or pack animal assistance to carry their duffel bag at no additional cost. An extra support horse is included along the route in case anyone needs a rest from hiking.
- Accommodation: The itinerary includes two nights of mountain camping in high-quality tents shared by only two participants. The final night is spent in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Hotel upgrades are available upon request.
- Transportation & Train Service: The trek includes hotel pick-up in Cusco and tourist transportation to the trailhead. After completing the hike, you’ll travel to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes (Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome, your choice). Return train service is included, with the option to upgrade. Round-trip bus transportation between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, as well as your transfer back to Cusco, are also included.
- Camping Equipment: We provide spacious, high-quality tents shared by two trekkers, a fully equipped dining tent, and sleeping mats for insulation and comfort.
- Meals on the Trail: Freshly prepared meals are served daily, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with snacks and afternoon tea. Dietary restrictions are accommodated when noted in advance. The final included meal is breakfast on day four.
- Drinking Water: Purified water is provided from the first lunch until the final breakfast. Water is boiled, filtered, and cooled before distribution. Travelers should bring reusable bottles or a hydration pack with capacity for 2–3 liters.
- Safety & Medical Support: All guides are certified in first aid and carry oxygen and a comprehensive medical kit. Satellite communication devices are available to ensure safety in remote mountain areas.
- Extra Comfort: Each trekker receives a foam sleeping mat, a small pillow, a backpack rain cover, and a rain poncho to stay comfortable in changing weather conditions.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
Not Included 2
- Equipment Rentals: Sleeping bags, inflatable air mats, and trekking poles are not included but are available for rent if needed.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: The optional hike to Huayna Picchu after your Machu Picchu tour is not included and requires advance reservation due to limited availability.
Lares Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu - Itinerary
1
Day 1
Cusco – Lares Hot Springs – Kiswarani
Early pick-up in Cusco (around 5:00 a.m.) and a drive of about three hours over the mountains to the Lares hot springs, where you have breakfast and time to soak.
A short drive takes you to the trailhead (3,300 m). The path climbs gently between terraces of native potatoes to Kiswarani village (3,800 m), where lunch is served and you can meet families who still weave with backstrap looms.
The last stretch reaches the camp near the Kiswarani waterfall (3,920 m). Dinner and a cold night under the stars.
Hiking: ≈ 9.5 km · Camp: 3,920 m · Night: cold
2
Day 2
Kiswarani – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha
The hardest day. After hot drinks and breakfast you climb for 3–4 hours to the Condor Pass (4,680 m / 15,354 ft), the highest point of the trek, facing the glaciers of Mount Pitusiray and a string of high lakes.
Lunch is on the way down (about 4,410 m). In the afternoon you continue to Cancha Cancha (3,970 m), a herding community of stone houses, where you camp.
Hiking: ≈ 10 km · Climb: ≈ +760 m · Camp: 3,970 m · Night: cold
3
Day 3
Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Maras – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
A long descent of about four hours takes you down to Huaran (2,910 m) in the Sacred Valley, where the hiking ends and you say goodbye to the trekking crew. The air gets noticeably warmer as you go down.
By vehicle you visit the Maras salt pans, used since before the Incas, and continue to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes in the class you chose. Night in a 3-star hotel.
Hiking: ≈ 10.4 km · Descent: ≈ −1,060 m · Night: hotel
4
Day 4
Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Early breakfast and bus up to Machu Picchu (entry time depends on your ticket). Your guide leads a tour of about two hours, followed by free time. Huayna Picchu is optional, not included and subject to availability.
In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and our transport to your hotel in Cusco.
Route & elevation profile
- 29.9 kmhiking distance (18.6 mi)
- 4,680 mhighest point on foot: Condor Pass (15,354 ft)
- +1,380 melevation gain from Punta Carretera
- km 0 Punta Carretera Trailhead after the Lares hot springs
- km 7.8 Kiswarani village Lunch and llama ceremony
- km 9.5 Kiswarani waterfall camp Camp 1 near the waterfall
- km 14.5 Condor Pass Highest point, views of Pitusiray
- km 16.3 Lunch viewpoint Lunch stop on the descent
- km 19.5 Cancha Cancha Camp 2 in a traditional village
- km 29.9 Huaran End of the hike, Sacred Valley
Good to know
The route at a glance
| Day | Route | Hiking | Sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco – Lares hot springs – Kiswarani | ≈ 9.5 km, 3,300 → 3,920 m | Camp, 3,920 m |
| 2 | Kiswarani – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha | ≈ 10 km, up to 4,680 m | Camp, 3,970 m |
| 3 | Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Maras – Aguas Calientes | ≈ 10.4 km, down to 2,910 m | 3-star hotel |
| 4 | Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco | Guided tour | — |
In total you hike about 30 km in three days. Figures come from our route profile below and can vary slightly with the campsite used.
Why the price includes more than a trek
- Groups of up to 8 travelers per guide.
- Train to Aguas Calientes and back in the class you choose (Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome).
- One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu entrance, bus up and down, and a guided tour of the citadel.
- Lares hot springs and the Maras salt pans on the way.
- Pack animals for your duffel bag and an extra horse for emergencies.
What to pack
Daypack (max. 25 liters inside Machu Picchu): original passport, 2–3 liters of water capacity, sun protection, rain jacket, a warm layer, snacks, camera, hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Bring water for the first morning; purified water starts at the first lunch.
Duffel bag (max. 7 kg / 15 lb, carried by pack animals): two nights of camping clothes — thermal layers, fleece, down jacket, waterproof pants, wool hat, gloves, headlamp, camp shoes, quick-dry towel — plus your sleeping bag (rated to at least −10 °C) and inflatable mat if you bring or rent them. There is nowhere to charge devices on the trail, so bring a power bank.
Toiletries: sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, wet wipes, personal medication and blister care.
Before you go
Acclimatization
Spend at least 2–3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek; even if you come from another high place in Peru, rest one full day in Cusco. Easy options meanwhile: the Cusco City Tour, the Sacred Valley or Moray and Maras.
Briefing and payment
The briefing is at 6:00 p.m. the day before at our office (Av. El Sol 900, Cusco) and takes 30–45 minutes: you meet your guide and receive your duffel bag. Pay the balance at least two days before departure, in cash (USD or soles) at the office, or by card or PayPal with a 5% processing fee.
Luggage and pick-up
Leave your main luggage at our office or your hotel at no cost, and keep valuables in the hotel safe. Pick-up is from hotels in Cusco (Sacred Valley on request); the exact time is confirmed the day before and can vary 30–45 minutes because of traffic.
Group pace and strikes
Each traveler walks at their own pace, and the guide can adjust the plan after talking with the group. If a strike or road blockade affects the route, our operations team arranges an alternative; your safety comes first.
FAQs
How do I pay the remaining balance for the Lares Trek?
Any remaining balance must be paid up to 2 days before departure to confirm your reservation.
You can pay in cash (USD or Peruvian soles) at our office in Cusco. Card and PayPal payments are also accepted, but they include a 5% service fee applied by the payment processor. Bank checks and traveler’s checks are not accepted.
How difficult is the Lares Trek and what is the maximum altitude?
The Lares Trek is rated difficult because of the altitude. The highest point is the Condor Pass (4,680 m / 15,354 ft), reached on day 2 after a climb of 3–4 hours.
You hike about 9.5 km on day 1, 10 km on day 2 and 10.4 km on day 3 — around 30 km in total. The trail starts at 3,300 m, the camps are at Kiswarani (3,920 m) and Cancha Cancha (3,970 m), and day 3 ends at Huaran (2,910 m). An extra horse travels with the group in case anyone needs a rest.
How should I acclimatize before the trek?
We strongly recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 to 3 days before your trek to adapt to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness. If you have already been at high altitude elsewhere in Peru, we still advise spending at least one full day in Cusco to rest before you start.
Good activities while you acclimatize include a Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley excursions, Moray & Maras, or a visit to the Qeswachaka Bridge. During the trek, all guides are certified in first aid and carry oxygen and a comprehensive medical kit.
Which train class can I choose?
You choose the train class when you book: Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome. Most of our travelers choose Vistadome or Voyager. The fare depends on the class and the schedule, so we confirm the final price with your booking.
Is there a briefing before the trek?
Yes. The evening before departure you attend a pre-departure briefing, where you meet your guide, receive your duffel bag and review the itinerary and packing guidelines. The briefing is at 6:00 p.m. at our office in Cusco.
If you are unable to attend, please coordinate an alternative time with us in advance.
What time is pick-up on Day 1?
Pick-up is from your hotel in Cusco at around 5:00 a.m. Your exact pick-up time is confirmed the day before departure and may vary by 30–45 minutes due to traffic and narrow streets, so we recommend staying in Cusco’s historic center.
After a scenic drive of about three hours, you arrive at the Lares Hot Springs for breakfast and time to relax in the thermal baths before starting the hike.
What is included in the Lares Trek 4 Days?
- Professional, English-speaking local guide
- Pre-departure briefing in Cusco
- Porter or pack-animal support to carry your duffel bag, plus an extra support horse along the route
- Two nights of camping and one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Camping equipment: tents shared by two people, a fully equipped dining tent, a foam sleeping mat and a small pillow
- Meals on the trail, snacks and afternoon tea, plus purified drinking water
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco and tourist transportation to the trailhead
- Train of your choice (Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Transfer back to your hotel in Cusco
- First aid, oxygen and satellite communication carried by the team
- Backpack rain cover and rain poncho
The itinerary also includes time at the Lares Hot Springs and a visit to the Maras Salt Mines.
What is not included?
- Sleeping bag, inflatable air mat and trekking poles (available for rent)
- The optional Huayna Picchu hike, which requires advance reservation due to limited availability
- Meals after breakfast on Day 4
We also recommend bringing some extra money in soles for souvenirs, drinks and tips.
Where do we sleep during the trek?
Two nights camping — near the Kiswarani waterfall (3,920 m) and at Cancha Cancha (3,970 m) — in quality tents shared by two people, and the third night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (upgrades on request).
We provide a foam mat and a small pillow. Sleeping bags are not included but can be rented; nights are cold, so bring or rent one rated to at least −10 °C.
Are meals and drinking water included?
Yes. Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on the trail, along with snacks and afternoon tea. The last included meal is breakfast on Day 4. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if you let us know in advance.
Purified water (boiled, filtered and cooled) is provided from the first lunch until the final breakfast. Bring enough water for the first morning and a reusable bottle or hydration pack with capacity for 2–3 liters.
How does the duffel bag work, and where can I leave my main luggage?
You receive a duffel bag at the pre-departure briefing. Our support team (porters or pack animals) carries it, and you can access it only at the campsite in the morning and evening, so keep everything you need during the hike in your daypack. The weight allowance is up to 7 kg (15 lb), including your sleeping bag and mattress if you bring or rent them.
You can leave your main luggage at our office or at your hotel in Cusco free of charge during the trek. Keep valuables in your hotel safe rather than in stored luggage.
What weather should I expect and what should I pack?
Nights at the two campsites are cold, and temperatures can drop significantly. Day 3 gets warmer in the afternoon as you descend into the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu is usually warm and humid.
Pack layers: moisture-wicking t-shirts, hiking pants, a fleece, a warm down jacket, a waterproof jacket and pants, a sun hat, a wool hat, waterproof gloves and a headlamp, plus lightweight hiking boots with good grip. There are no charging points during the trek, so bring a fully charged battery pack if you need one.
What happens on the last day at Machu Picchu?
After an early breakfast in Aguas Calientes you take the bus up to Machu Picchu; the entry time depends on your ticket. Your guide leads a tour of about two hours, followed by free time. Huayna Picchu is optional, not included and subject to availability.
Bring your original passport and a daypack no larger than 25 liters. In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and our transport to your hotel in Cusco.
