4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares route trades the famous Inca Trail’s crowds for high passes, mountain lakes and small Quechua villages. You still reach Machu Picchu, but the journey there is a trek through living Andean communities, not just a march toward a monument.

I like two things in particular: the chance to meet an Andean family and see handwoven alpaca textiles, and the way the trip pairs remote camping with a hotel night in Aguas Calientes. The trade-off is real: hiking above 4,000 meters can be tough, and this is a four-day trip for people with strong fitness, not a casual walk.

• A quieter route to Machu Picchu: Trek through remote valleys, away from the better-known trail.
• A high pass and alpine lakes: The route climbs to nearly 14,000 feet, then descends past Yanacocha, or Black Water Lake.
• Time with local communities: Visit an Andean family and see fields, traditional homes and alpaca textiles.
• Comfort where it counts: Mules carry camping gear and up to 7 kilograms of your personal items, and you spend one night in a hotel.
• A guided Machu Picchu visit: Your guide explains the citadel, then you have time to explore independently.
• A fixed, active schedule: Pickup starts at 5:00 am, and the group is capped at 15 people.

Why take the Lares route?

The Lares Trek is a good choice if the walk itself matters as much as the destination. You cross valleys and passes, pass mountain lakes and visit Quechua communities before reaching Machu Picchu by train. That gives the trip a different rhythm from a route focused mainly on archaeological sites.

The scenery changes with the altitude. The first day climbs through a valley of native forest and streams; the next opens onto high peaks and remote valleys. This is not a gentle stroll with a famous finish. You’ll need to manage long walking days and thin air, and the tour specifies that you should have a strong fitness level.

The group limit of 15 helps keep the experience from feeling like a large procession. A professional bilingual guide leads the trek, with an assistant guide for groups of nine or more. A guide named Edgar has been praised for encouraging and supporting a hiker who had trouble at altitude. That’s a useful sign of the kind of help that matters on a demanding route, though you should not assume he will be your guide.

Day 1: From Cusco to Pumahuanca

Pickup is scheduled for 5:00 am at your hotel in Cusco, which sits at 3,399 meters, or 11,152 feet. You’ll travel by private transport through the Sacred Valley to Pumahuanca, the starting point at 2,950 meters. Bring breakfast: it is not included on Day 1.

The trek begins with a 14-kilometer ascent, gaining about 1,150 meters. Expect a full day on foot, around seven hours, with the route following a scenic valley among streams and native forest. Your guide also visits the Inca site of Pumahuanca and explains the area’s history, plants and birdlife.

This first climb is a serious introduction. The route’s quieter character is a plus, but remoteness also means you should pace yourself rather than race ahead. The tour provides water after the first four hours, so carry your own supply for the start. Mules transport cooking and camping equipment and up to 7 kilograms of your personal belongings, leaving you to carry the rest of what you need on the trail.

You camp at Puyoc after the climb. Tents are shared two to a four-person tent, and an inflatable Thermarest mattress is provided. A sleeping bag is not included, though one can be hired. Meals are cooked by the trek’s chef, and a dining tent with tables and chairs gives you a place to eat out of the weather.

Day 2: The high pass and Yanacocha

The second day covers about 13 kilometers, roughly eight miles, over around seven hours. It starts with a two-hour climb to the trek’s highest pass, near 4,400 meters, or 14,000 feet. The climb is the day’s key effort, but much of the route afterward is downhill toward Cuncani.

At the top, you get broad views of snow-covered peaks and remote valleys. Then the trail descends past mountain lakes, including Yanacocha, whose name means Black Water Lake. The water’s dark, reflective surface gives this section a quieter feel than the exposed pass.

That climb can be demanding even for fit hikers. A guide named Edgar has been singled out for helping a hiker who struggled with altitude, but there is no way to remove the physical challenge. Go steadily, tell your guide if you feel unwell, and make sure you have personal medication and warm layers.

The descent brings a cultural shift as well as a change in terrain. You leave the high pass behind and head toward Cuncani, at about 3,900 meters. By this point, you’ll have spent two days above high elevation, so the trek rewards patience more than speed.

Day 3: A family visit, fields and hot springs

Day 3 is shorter on foot, about six kilometers downhill over roughly three hours. Before setting off from Cuncani, you visit a local home and meet an Andean family. The stop offers a closer look at everyday traditions than a quick photo stop from the roadside.

You may have a chance to offer small gifts and browse handwoven alpaca textiles. If you want to buy something, bring money, but the main value of the visit is the chance to meet people whose community lies along the route. A few Quechua phrases can help make the exchange warmer, even if pronunciation takes practice.

The walk descends through fields of quinoa and tarwi toward the Lares hot springs, at around 3,150 meters. The springs are a welcome change after two days on the trail. Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to use them; those items are not listed among the included equipment.

The trip also includes a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes on Day 3. That is a meaningful comfort after camping, and it puts you close to the final day’s early visit to Machu Picchu. The route includes a scenic train ride, and the tour’s return transport by train and bus takes you back to Cusco. The precise timing of each transfer is not specified, so follow your guide’s instructions and keep your belongings together.

Ollantaytambo is part of the experience, with its ancient agricultural terraces built by the Incas. The terraces show how carefully farming was adapted to steep Andean ground. This stop adds an archaeological site before Machu Picchu, though the amount of time there is not stated.

Day 4: Machu Picchu before the day gets away

The final day starts with breakfast, then a bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, at 2,430 meters. Your guide leads a tour of the citadel, explaining temples, ceremonial areas, terraces and storage structures. The guided visit gives you context for what you are seeing, while the included solo time lets you linger or take in the setting at your own pace.

The morning timing is intended to help you see Machu Picchu before the crowds build. It is a smart finish after three days of walking, though the site itself still involves moving around on foot. The tour includes round-trip bus service between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.

You can add a separate ticket for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, but neither mountain entrance is included in the price. These climbs are optional and require an additional ticket secured in advance. If you want one, arrange it before the trip rather than counting on a last-minute option.

Lunch on Day 4 is not included. Keep some budget aside for food, and check your onward transport plans with the guide. The tour includes return transport by train and bus to Cusco, but do not assume that means lunch or other personal costs are covered.

What the $656.42 price covers

At $656.42 per person, the tour bundles many of the expensive pieces: a bilingual guide, a chef, camping equipment, meals, transfers, train and bus transport, Machu Picchu entry, and a hotel night in Aguas Calientes. The price also includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners and three afternoon snacks. For a four-day trip with both trekking support and the final site visit, that is substantial coverage.

The included mules carry the cooking and camping gear and up to 7 kilograms of your belongings. That is a practical advantage on a high-altitude route, but it does not mean you can leave your day-to-day essentials behind. You still need suitable clothes, personal items and a sleeping bag, unless you hire one.

There are extra expenses to plan for: breakfast on Day 1, lunch on Day 4, tips, the sleeping bag if you rent it, and any Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. The tour also asks you to provide your full name, nationality, passport number and date of birth, and to mention dietary needs when you book.

Who will enjoy this trek, and who should think twice?

Choose this route if you want a physically demanding walk, a quieter approach to Machu Picchu and contact with Andean communities along the way. It suits hikers who are comfortable with long days on foot, camping and a high pass, and who value the journey as much as the citadel.

Think carefully if you are unsure about altitude or are looking for a restful holiday. The first two days involve substantial climbing and high elevations; the group is expected to have strong fitness. The minimum age is six, but that does not make the trek easy for children. Consider each person’s fitness and comfort at altitude before booking.

The tour can provide vegetarian meals if you request them in advance, and other dietary needs should be shared as early as possible. If you have a life-threatening food allergy, this operator does not accept the booking. That is a firm limitation, so do not rely on a verbal reminder at camp.

Should you book the Lares Trek?

Book it if you want to earn Machu Picchu on foot and would rather pass through mountain communities than follow the most familiar trail. The combination of remote scenery, a family visit, hot springs, camping and a hotel night gives the four days a good balance of effort and comfort.

Skip it if high altitude, early starts or several hours of hiking each day sound like more hardship than fun. The price covers a lot, but the trek is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your fitness, dates, passport details and dietary needs before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The tour lasts four days. The first two trekking days are about seven hours each, followed by a shorter three-hour walk on Day 3 and a guided visit to Machu Picchu on Day 4.

How high does the route go?

The highest pass is near 4,400 meters, or about 14,000 feet. The tour advises that participants should have a strong fitness level.

What meals are included?

The tour includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners and three afternoon snacks. Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch on Day 4 are not included.

Is camping equipment provided?

Yes. A four-person tent is shared by every two trekkers, and an inflatable Thermarest mattress is provided. A sleeping bag is not included, but it can be hired.

How much of my luggage do the mules carry?

Mules carry the cooking and camping equipment, plus up to 7 kilograms of your personal items.

Is the Machu Picchu bus included?

Yes. Round-trip bus transport between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is included.

Does the tour include Huayna Picchu?

No. Entrance to Huayna Picchu is not included. A separate ticket is also needed for Machu Picchu Mountain, and any additional mountain ticket should be secured in advance.

Can I request vegetarian meals?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available at no extra cost if you advise the operator when booking. Share any other dietary requirements as early as possible.

What should I bring?

Bring your original passport, walking boots, waterproof jacket or poncho, warm jacket, hat and gloves, comfortable trousers, sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries, hand sanitizer, personal medication and a torch with spare batteries. You also need a sleeping bag or can hire one.