Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
A 4-day trek from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu: visit the Pisac ruins, camp by remote Andean communities such as Cancha Cancha, cross Pachacutec Pass at 4,700 m (15,420 ft), soak in the Lares hot springs and finish with a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
About this Expedition
Pristine Biodiversity
Immersion in primary forest trails and macaw or tapir clay licks with privileged viewing.
Native Guides
Bilingual guides from the native communities of Manu and Tambopata, with spotting scopes and binoculars.
Logistics and Lodges
Private transport and boats, a cook on the trip and nights in rainforest lodges.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Pisac – Huaran – Cancha Cancha
We pick you up at 5:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Within about an hour we reach the Inca citadel of Pisac, where your guide explains its history; you may see Caracara falcons circling overhead. Breakfast is served here, with views over the gorges and the valley.
We then drive about 40 minutes to Huaran (2,840 m / 9,320 ft), where we meet our horsemen and horses. The trek starts with a gradual 3-hour climb along the Cancha Cancha River to the community of Cancha Cancha, where our trekking chef serves lunch.
Cancha Cancha is an isolated, traditional community with no road access and no electricity, and locals open their homes to visitors. If you wish, you can bring small things to share, such as toys, notebooks, useful used clothes or fruit.
About 2 hours later we reach our campsite, where afternoon tea is served with views of the snow-capped Andean peaks. After dinner your guide shows you the Inca constellations, which Andean farmers used, and still use, to guide their crops.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Accommodation: camping. Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi), about 6 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
Day 02: Cancha Cancha – Pachacutec Pass – Quishuarani
This is the hardest day of the trek. After breakfast we hike for about 4 hours, crossing three high passes up to the highest point of the route, Pachacutec Pass (4,700 m / 15,420 ft). From the top you get 360° views of glaciers, the snow peaks of Pitusiray, the blue glacial lake of Pachacutec, llama herds and the valleys below.
We then descend to a glacial lake for lunch and a rest, with views over the Lares Valley and its llamas and alpacas. In the afternoon we walk down for about 2 hours, past more glacial lakes and a waterfall, to our campsite by the community of Quishuarani (3,700 m / 12,140 ft), a typical Andean village of adobe and stone houses.
Local families here speak Quechua, the language of the Incas, and your guide translates for you and teaches you a few words. At camp, afternoon tea and dinner are ready before you settle in for the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Accommodation: camping. Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi), about 8 hours. Difficulty: challenging.
Day 03: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast we climb for about 3 hours to Willqaqasa Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), with views of glacial lakes and the snow peaks of Pitusiray and Colquecruz. We then descend for about 2 hours through high grasslands, farmland and lakes to the community of Cuncani, where we visit the local school and spend some time with the children.
Further down the valley, past orchids and begonias, we reach Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft) and its natural volcanic hot springs, where you soak for about an hour, have lunch and rest. Here we say goodbye to our chef and horseman.
Our van then takes you on a 2.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo for dinner at a tourist restaurant, and you board the train at 7:00 or 9:00 p.m. to Aguas Calientes. You spend the night in a hotel with a private room and hot shower.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation: hotel in Aguas Calientes. Distance: 15 km (9.3 mi), about 6 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning, before sunrise, we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu (about 25 minutes), so you can see the citadel at sunrise and take photos early in the day. Your guide leads a tour of about 2 hours through the main areas of the citadel.
After the tour you can explore on your own or walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Optional extras, not included: hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (booked in advance, subject to availability) and, in Aguas Calientes, the local museum or the hot springs.
When you are ready, go down to Aguas Calientes (the bus down is not included; you can also walk down in about 1 hour), have lunch on your own and board the Expedition train at 4:22 p.m. to Ollantaytambo. Our private van then drives you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving at around 8:00 p.m.
Meals: breakfast. Difficulty: easy.
Included & Not Included Services
What this trip includes
- Briefing with your guide before the trek
- Hotel pickup in Cusco and private transport to the Pisac ruins and the Huaran trailhead
- Licensed local guide, fluent in English (2 guides for groups of more than 10)
- Horsemen and horses or mules to carry the camping equipment, food and up to 5 kg (11 lb) of your personal items
- Emergency horse in case you feel exhausted or ill
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (vegetarian option at no extra cost)
- 4-person tents shared by 2 trekkers, with thick foam mattresses
- Dining, kitchen and toilet tents, with tables and chairs
- Boiled water to refill your bottles
- Rain poncho
- First-aid kit with emergency oxygen
- Dinner at a tourist restaurant in Ollantaytambo on day 3
- One night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes (private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, luggage storage and buffet breakfast)
- Expedition train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (about 2 hours)
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco, for our group only
Not included in the price
- Lunch and dinner on day 4
- Pisac ruins entrance ticket
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (you can also walk down in about 1 hour)
- Sleeping bag, air mattress and walking poles: available to rent; ask for the price when booking
- Single tent: optional extra; request it when booking
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike: optional extra, subject to availability; ask for the price when booking
- Vistadome train upgrade (return to Poroy, Cusco): optional extra; ask for the price when booking
- Optional hotel upgrade in Aguas Calientes
- Tips
What to Bring / Packing Tips
- Original passport (the same one used for your booking) and valid student card if you booked as a student
- Small day pack (30–40 L); large backpacks are not allowed into Machu Picchu, and the rest of your things go in your duffel bag to camp
- 2–3 L of water storage (a hydration bladder works well); bring your own water until the first lunch stop
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (you can rent one from us)
- Headlamp (essential) or flashlight, with extra batteries
- Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
- Fleece, wool hat and gloves
- Rain gear (we provide a plastic rain poncho)
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Snacks such as chocolate, cereal bars or dried fruit, and coca leaves
- Camera with extra batteries
- Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips
- This itinerary is general information; the day before departure your guide gives you a detailed briefing at your hotel or at our office.
- Minimum of 4 people to depart.
Questions about this tour
How hard is the Lares Trek?
Days 1 and 3 are moderate, and day 2 is challenging: about 8 hours and 14 km (8.7 mi), crossing Pachacutec Pass at 4,700 m (15,420 ft). Day 4 at Machu Picchu is easy.
Who carries my gear?
Horses or mules carry the camping equipment, the food and up to 5 kg (11 lb) of your personal items, such as extra clothes and your sleeping bag, so you hike with a small day pack. An emergency horse also comes with the group.
Where do we sleep on the Lares Trek?
Two nights camping in 4-person tents shared by 2 trekkers, with foam mattresses, and the third night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom, hot shower, wifi and buffet breakfast.
Is the Machu Picchu entrance included?
Yes, along with a guided tour of about 2 hours, the Expedition train and the bus up from Aguas Calientes. The Pisac ruins entrance, the bus down and Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability) are not included.
What should I bring?
Your original passport (the one used for booking), a 30–40 L day pack, 2–3 L of water storage, hiking boots with ankle support, a headlamp, warm layers and rain gear. Bring a sleeping bag or rent one from us.
