This tour is not a regular Machu Picchu trip. It adds a full day in the Lares Valley before your Machu Picchu visit, giving you history, landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs, local culture, and a scenic train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Choose this tour if you want a short experience with more variety than a classic train tour, but without committing to a multi-day trek. If you prefer a full cultural trekking route, consider the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days.

Pickup is around 5:30 a.m., depending on your hotel location. Breakfast on Day 1 is not included, so we recommend eating something light before departure or bringing a small snack for the road.

The early start helps us enjoy the Lares route with better timing, a more comfortable pace, and enough time to visit each place without rushing.

The route moves through three very different landscapes. First, you travel through the Sacred Valley and visit Calca market. Then you climb into the high Andes of Lares to visit Ancashmarca, Puya de Raimondi, the 7 Waterfalls, Lares Hot Springs, and a local weaving cooperative.

Later, you descend toward Ollantaytambo for dinner and board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. On Day 2, you visit Machu Picchu and return by Expedition train and private transportation.

This tour includes lunch at a local restaurant on Day 1, dinner in Ollantaytambo on Day 1, and breakfast at your hotel on Day 2.

Breakfast on Day 1 is not included. Lunch and dinner on Day 2 are not included. Extra snacks and drinks are also not included, so you may bring your own or buy them along the way.

If you have dietary restrictions, tell us when booking so we can coordinate with the restaurants and hotel as best as possible.

Altitude changes a lot on this itinerary. You begin in Cusco at around 3,399 m / 11,152 ft, travel through the Sacred Valley, then reach high-Andean areas near Ancashmarca, Puya de Raimondi, and the waterfall route, with sections around 4,000 m to 4,200 m / 13,123 ft to 13,780 ft.

The Lares Hot Springs are around 3,250 m / 10,662 ft, while Machu Picchu is lower at about 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 1 or 2 days before this tour, drinking water, eating light, and avoiding excess alcohol the night before.

For general health information, you can review the official CDC Travel to High Altitudes guidance.

The Lares Hot Springs are one of the most relaxing parts of the tour. The warm mineral pools are surrounded by mountain scenery and are a great reward after the high-Andean walk.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. MINCETUR lists the Lares Hot Springs as a thermo-mineral water resource in the district of Lares, Cusco, at around 3,250 m above sea level. You can check the official resource here: Lares Hot Springs - MINCETUR.

Ancashmarca, also spelled Ancasmarca, is a quiet Inca site between Calca and Lares. It is known for terraces, stone structures, and storage areas that show how the Incas managed movement and resources between different ecological zones.

The Puya de Raimondi is one of the most impressive plants in the Andes. It grows at high altitude and is known for its large size and dramatic flowering spike. Please stay on the path, avoid touching the plants, and follow your guide’s instructions to help protect the area.

The 7 Waterfalls are located near Quiswarani, also written as Quishuarani or Kiswarani. The area is also known locally as Canchispaccha or Qanchis Paccha, meaning “seven waterfalls.”

The walk is not a hard trek. It is a gentle scenic hike with time for photos, rest, and enjoying the mountain setting. The altitude can make the walk feel more demanding, so we keep a steady and comfortable pace.

This tour crosses different elevations, so weather can change in the same day. Early mornings in Cusco can be cold, the high plateau near Lares can be windy, and Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are usually warmer and more humid.

April to October usually offers clearer skies and drier conditions. November to March is rainier, but landscapes are greener. Rain protection and warm layers are recommended year-round.

If Machu Picchu weather is important for your planning, you can check the official SENAMHI Machu Picchu forecast.

Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included. Circuit 2 is included by default whenever available because it offers one of the most complete experiences inside the citadel. If Circuit 2 is sold out for your date, we will secure the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

Machu Picchu tickets are limited and assigned by date, time, and circuit. Early booking is strongly recommended, especially in high season. You can read our Machu Picchu Tickets guide or check the official Machu Picchu circuits and routes.

Train travel is included in this tour. On Day 1, you take the Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. On Day 2, you return by Expedition train to Ollantaytambo and continue by private transportation to Cusco.

Train luggage is limited, so pack light. Bring a small overnight bag or daypack with only what you need for Day 1, the hotel night, and Machu Picchu. Your main suitcase should stay at your hotel in Cusco or in our storage.

One night in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes is included. This allows you to rest before your Machu Picchu visit and avoid a very rushed one-day schedule.

Hotel availability depends on your travel date and room type. If you want a hotel upgrade, request it as early as possible so we can check the best options.

The visit to the ADAL women’s weaving cooperative adds a meaningful cultural stop to the route. You will learn about traditional weaving, natural dyes, and textile knowledge passed down through generations.

Buying directly from local artisans is optional, but it is one of the best ways to support families and help preserve Andean textile traditions. Please ask before taking photos of people and follow your guide’s advice during cultural visits.

You can also read about TreXperience’s work with Lares here: TreXperience and Lares Municipality Agreement.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want a richer Machu Picchu experience without doing a long trek. It is also a good choice for couples, families, culture-focused travelers, photographers, and anyone who wants hot springs, waterfalls, local culture, and Machu Picchu in only 2 days.

If you want a full cultural trekking route, the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days may be a better option. If you want Lares without Machu Picchu, consider the Lares Hot Springs and 7 Waterfalls Full Day Tour.

It is a 2-day experience that combines the Lares Valley and Machu Picchu. On Day 1, you visit Calca market, Ancashmarca, Puya de Raimondi, the 7 Waterfalls, Lares Hot Springs, and a weaving cooperative before taking the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes. On Day 2, you visit Machu Picchu with your guide and return by Expedition train.

Pickup is around 5:30 a.m., depending on your hotel location. We recommend being ready a few minutes earlier so the day can start smoothly.

No. Breakfast on Day 1 is not included. We recommend having breakfast at your hotel before pickup or bringing a small snack or box breakfast for the road.

This tour includes lunch at a local restaurant on Day 1, dinner in Ollantaytambo on Day 1, and breakfast at the hotel on Day 2.

Lunch and dinner on Day 2 are not included. Extra snacks and drinks are also not included.

Yes. This tour is ideal if you want nature, culture, hot springs, and Machu Picchu without doing a multi-day trek. The walking on Day 1 is short and scenic, and Day 2 focuses on the guided Machu Picchu visit.

The hiking is easy to moderate. The trail is not technical, but the altitude can make you feel tired faster. We walk at a steady pace with breaks for photos, water, and rest.

The highest point is around the high-Andean section near Puya de Raimondi and the waterfall area, approximately 4,000 m to 4,200 m / 13,123 ft to 13,780 ft. Machu Picchu is lower, at about 2,430 m / 7,972 ft.

It is recommended. This is not a hard trekking route, but Day 1 reaches high altitude. Spending at least 1 or 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the tour will help you feel better.

Drink water, eat light, avoid excess alcohol, and tell your guide if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or unusually tired.

Yes. Pickup is available in Cusco and also in the Sacred Valley near Pisac by prior coordination. If you are staying in another part of the Sacred Valley, contact us so we can confirm the best pickup option or meeting point.

Yes. Bring a swimsuit, small towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. A plastic bag for wet clothes is also useful.

Yes. The entrance ticket to Lares Hot Springs is included. Your guide will organize the timing so you can enjoy the pools without rushing the rest of the itinerary.

Ancashmarca, also spelled Ancasmarca, is a quiet Inca archaeological site between Calca and Lares. It has terraces, stone structures, and storage areas, and it is much less crowded than many better-known sites in the Sacred Valley.

Puya de Raimondi is a rare high-Andean plant known as the “Queen of the Andes.” It grows at high altitude and is famous for its size and dramatic flowering spike. Seeing it in its natural environment is one of the special details of this route.

Circuit 2 is included by default whenever available because it offers one of the most complete Machu Picchu visits. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will book the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

The final circuit depends on official availability at the time tickets are issued. For more information, read our Machu Picchu Tickets guide.

No. These are optional hikes and require separate tickets booked in advance. If you want to add one, tell us early so we can check availability and advise you on the best timing.

You can only hike one of these mountains. Read more about Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain.

A comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes is included. The exact hotel depends on availability for your travel date and room type. Hotel upgrades can be requested in advance.

This tour includes the Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes on Day 1 and the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on Day 2. Train schedules depend on availability for your travel date.

Train luggage is limited, so you should travel light with a small overnight bag or daypack. Bring only what you need for the hotel night and Machu Picchu. Your main suitcase can stay at your hotel in Cusco or in our storage.

Bring your passport, comfortable walking shoes, warm layers, rain jacket or poncho, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, water bottle, camera, swimsuit, towel, sandals, personal medication, and a small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes.

Active children can usually enjoy this tour, especially because the hiking is short. Parents should consider the early start, high altitude on Day 1, train travel, and the walking involved at Machu Picchu.

It can be suitable for active older travelers who are comfortable walking on natural terrain and spending time at altitude. If you have heart, respiratory, knee, balance, or mobility concerns, speak with your doctor before booking.

Arrival in Cusco is usually around 7:30 p.m., depending on train schedules, traffic, and road conditions. We do not recommend booking a flight or long bus ride out of Cusco the same night.

Yes. Private service is a great option for couples, families, photographers, or travelers who want more flexibility with timing, pace, hotel choice, and train upgrades.

TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian local tour operator based in Cusco. We organize premium small-group tours with expert local guides, careful logistics, responsible travel practices, hotel and train coordination, Machu Picchu ticket planning, and personal service.

This is not just a short trip to Machu Picchu. It is a richer 2-day journey through Lares, local culture, high-Andean nature, hot springs, train travel, and one of the most important Inca sites in Peru.