4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The Lares Trek takes you from Cusco’s high Andes to Machu Picchu by a less direct, more human route: two nights camping near mountain communities, a high pass at 4,400 meters, then a train and one night in Aguas Calientes. The walk is demanding, but the scenery and glimpses of daily life make the journey more than a way to reach the famous ruins.

I like two things in particular: the small group, which averages four people, and the thoughtful support on the trail, including a cook, horses for shared gear and a guide who stays with you for the hikes. I also like that the trip includes the train, Machu Picchu bus and a guided site visit, rather than leaving you to arrange those pieces yourself.

The main consideration is the altitude. You’ll spend much of the trek above 3,800 meters, with a steep climb to a 4,400-meter pass, so this is not a gentle walking holiday. Add a sleeping bag, hot springs, tips and some meals to the $847 price when working out your budget.

Key points before you book

• The high point is Ipsayccocha Pass: The route climbs to 4,400 meters on day two, after an uphill stretch of about four hours.
• You camp close to local life: Wakawasi and Patacancha offer a glimpse of mountain communities, crops, llamas and alpacas.
• The group is small: The maximum is 15, and the average is four, with a local bilingual guide on the trek and at Machu Picchu.
• Meals and support are part of the deal: A cook prepares Peruvian meals, while horses carry camp equipment and up to seven kilos per trekker for the first three days.
• Machu Picchu comes after the trek: You sleep in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes before an early bus and a two-hour guided visit.
• The price has useful inclusions, but extras add up: Sleeping bag rental, Lares hot springs, optional mountain hikes, water and tips are not included.

What the four-day Lares route feels like

This is a four-day trek and Machu Picchu visit, not four uninterrupted days of hiking. The first two days are the most strenuous, with long walking days at altitude. Day three is a shorter walk to Ollantaytambo followed by the train to Aguas Calientes. Day four is an early start at Machu Picchu and a long return to Cusco.

That shift in pace is useful. You get a real mountain trek, but you do not have to walk all the way to Machu Picchu. You finish the approach by train, sleep in a hotel, and arrive at the site with a guide rather than trying to navigate the ruins on your own.

The trek has a practical, supported setup. A cook prepares meals, horses carry camping and cooking equipment, and each trekker can send up to seven kilos of personal gear with them for the first three days. That allowance includes 2.5 kilos for a sleeping bag and mattress, plus 2.5 kilos of personal items, so pack carefully and confirm what the operator expects you to carry yourself.

Day one: Lares hot springs and the climb to Wakawasi

Pick-up in Cusco is around 6:00 am, followed by a bus transfer to Lares Town at about 2,900 meters. The hot springs are an optional stop before the trek, and admission costs 10 soles. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to use them, and keep in mind that the visit is extra, not part of the tour price.

From Lares, the first walk covers about 14 kilometers in six hours. The route zigzags uphill to Wakawasi at 3,850 meters. You’ll see glaciers, wildlife and local communities along the way, but the climb is the day’s main event. Even a fit walker may feel the altitude, so a steady pace is wiser than trying to race ahead.

The camp is beside the Wakawasi community. This is one of the trip’s most distinctive parts: you sleep outdoors near families whose lives are closely tied to the mountain environment. It is an opportunity to see a working community, not a staged cultural show. Be considerate, follow your guide’s lead, and bring a small gift for the communities if you wish. That contribution is not included.

Day one’s meals include lunch and dinner; breakfast is not included, so arrange your own before pick-up. The meal plan is a strong part of the tour’s value, especially after a long climb. Vegetarian options are available, but you must request them at least two days before departure.

Day two: a 4,400-meter pass and a night in Patacancha

Day two begins with an uphill climb of about four hours to Ipsayccocha Pass, at 4,400 meters. This is the trek’s highest point and the day most likely to test your legs and lungs. The route then drops for about 40 minutes to a lakeside lunch stop, followed by roughly three more hours of walking to Patacancha, at 3,800 meters.

In total, expect about 15 kilometers and eight hours on foot. That is a full day even before accounting for the altitude. Warm layers, rain protection and a water bottle matter here; conditions can change, and the packing guidance specifically calls for thermals, gloves, a hat and waterproof clothing.

At Patacancha, you camp near llamas, alpacas and native crop fields. The setting offers a different feel from the first night, with mountain agriculture and livestock around the community. The cook serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks during the trek. The menus can include soups, quinoa, potatoes, meat dishes, rice and dessert, with a vegetarian meal available by request.

The guide matters especially on this day. Percy, who led one past departure, was described as experienced, considerate and funny, with strong English. A specific guide is not guaranteed for your departure, but the tour does include a professional bilingual guide throughout the trek.

Day three: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then the train

The third day begins with about four hours of walking from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, covering roughly 12 kilometers. After lunch, you board the train to Aguas Calientes. The change from mountain trail to rail is a welcome break after two strenuous days, and it gives you time to rest before the early Machu Picchu visit.

You spend the night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Couples have a private room; solo participants share a room with another participant. The town has cafes, shops and places to relax, though the schedule depends on your arrival time. Your guide meets you with instructions for the following morning, but you are on your own during bus and train transfers.

Meals on this day include breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, that can be arranged when booking. It may be worth considering if you would rather not return to Cusco on the same day as your Machu Picchu visit, though the extra night is not part of the standard four-day plan.

Day four: early entry at Machu Picchu and the return to Cusco

The day starts early, with one of the first buses leaving around 5:30 am. The ride to Machu Picchu takes about 25 minutes. Early arrival gives you a chance to see the morning mist lift as the light reaches the stone city, though the weather and visibility are never guaranteed.

Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours, explaining the principal sites and the history of the sanctuary. Afterward, you have free time to explore and take photographs. The guided portion is valuable because the site is large and its significance is not always obvious from the stonework alone. You can then return by bus to Aguas Calientes and visit the marketplace near the train station before your train departs.

The return trip goes by train to Ollantaytambo, then by bus to Cusco, where arrival is expected around 8:00 pm. You are dropped at Plaza San Francisco, not at your accommodation, so plan for the last leg yourself. Day four includes breakfast, but lunch is not included. Carry cash for food, drinks and any purchases.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional extra hikes, not included in the tour price. Huayna Picchu takes about 45 to 60 minutes to climb and can be muddy and steep. Its ticket must be requested at least two weeks in advance, and access is limited to 400 passes per day, split between 7:00 am and 10:00 am entry times. The Machu Picchu Mountain hike also costs extra and should be booked at least one week ahead.

What $847 covers, and what it does not

At $847 per person, the tour bundles a lot of the logistics that can be awkward to arrange separately: Cusco pick-up, transport to Lares, camping, a hotel night, tourist trains, Machu Picchu buses, a bilingual guide, meals and the guided site visit. The cook and horse support are particularly useful on a high-altitude trek, where carrying every meal and piece of camp equipment yourself would make the walk harder.

The group maximum is 15, with an average size of four. That small average is appealing if you prefer a guide who can keep the group moving at a sensible pace and answer questions without addressing a crowd. It is still a group trip, and the maximum is not a promise that every departure will be tiny.

Budget separately for a sleeping bag, which can be rented for $15, the Lares hot springs, bottled water, day-one breakfast, day-four lunch, tips and any optional hikes. The tour supplies a basic sleeping mattress and a tent for two, but not the sleeping bag. Water and drinks can cost more along the trail, so bring extra cash rather than relying on finding low prices en route.

Tips are optional. Suggested amounts are 40 to 60 soles per trekker for the guide, 30 to 40 soles for an assistant guide, 60 to 80 soles for each horseman from the whole group, and 150 to 200 soles for the cook from the whole group. Treat these as guidance, not a required fee.

Who should choose this trek

Choose this route if you want to reach Machu Picchu while also spending time in the high Andes, and if you are comfortable with long walking days and basic camping. It suits people who value local contact, mountain scenery and a small group more than a cushy trek with short stages.

The minimum age is seven, but the altitude and day-two distance make physical readiness more important than the age rule. The stated fitness level is moderate, yet the hike is described as difficult because much of it is above 4,000 meters. If you have concerns about altitude or stamina, speak with a medical professional before booking and allow time in Cusco to acclimatize. The tour requires a pre-departure briefing at 6:00 pm the evening before departure, at the operator’s Cusco office.

Bring your original passport. The passport details supplied at booking must match the document exactly, and the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date. If you have renewed the passport used to make the booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy. The stated departure days are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with daily departures possible for groups of four or more.

The cancellation terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Be sure your dates and passport details are correct before paying.

Should you book the Lares Trek?

I’d choose this tour if you want a challenging, well-supported trek with community settings, good meals and Machu Picchu logistics handled as part of one package. The small average group size and the cook’s role add real value, while the hotel night before the ruins is a welcome contrast to two nights under canvas.

I’d look elsewhere if you want an easy walk, dislike camping, or need a flexible booking. The altitude is serious, the second day is long, and optional extras and meals not covered by the price require some planning. If those trade-offs suit you, the Lares route offers a rewarding way to reach Machu Picchu with two days of mountain walking along the way.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts four days. It includes two main days of trekking, a shorter walk and train journey on day three, and a Machu Picchu visit with the return to Cusco on day four.

How difficult is the hike?

The trek is described as difficult and requires good physical condition. Much of the route is above 4,000 meters, and day two involves about eight hours of walking.

What is the highest point on the trek?

Ipsayccocha Pass reaches 4,400 meters on day two.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15, and the average is four.

Are meals included?

The package includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners and three snacks. Day-one breakfast and day-four lunch are not included. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at least two days before departure.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A basic sleeping mattress and a tent for two people are provided, but a sleeping bag is not. Rental is listed at $15.

Are the Lares hot springs included?

No. Visiting the hot springs is optional and costs 10 soles. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to go.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. It costs extra and must be requested at least two weeks in advance. The Machu Picchu Mountain hike is also extra and should be booked at least one week in advance.

Where does the tour drop you off in Cusco?

The return bus drops you at Plaza San Francisco, around 8:00 pm. You must make your own way to your accommodation.

What should I bring for the trek?

Bring your original passport, warm layers, rain gear, trekking boots, a water bottle, sun protection and personal medication. The suggested list also includes a flashlight, gloves, a hat, waterproof bags and extra cash for drinks and snacks.