Looking for Lares trek 5 days that blends culture, scenery, and the classic Machu Picchu arrival? This route starts in the quiet Lares Valley, hot springs, blue lagoons, giant Puyas de Raimondi plants, and Quechua villages, then links with the Short Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first view of the Inca citadel.
You’ll step inside the citadel twice (preview on Day 4, guided visit on Day 5), so you get the photos and the depth. Check dates & prices, and Trexperience will take care of the rest!
Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 5 days
The Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail blend a naturally and culturally rich hike through remote mountains, home to towering Puyas de Raimondi plants, soothing hot springs, crystal-clear Andean lakes, and traditional villages, with the iconic approach to Machu Picchu on the Short Inca Trail. You’ll visit isolated communities and admire high glaciers, turquoise lakes, and cascading waterfalls before starting at KM 104 to pass Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna.
On the afternoon of Day 4, arrive at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate for your first quiet look at the Inca citadel. On the final day, return to the world and wonder for sunrise over the citadel and a guided visit you’ll never forget.
Tour Highlights
- Visit the Puyas de Raimondi and Lares hot springs
- Hike the iconic Short Inca Trail
- Arrive at Machu Picchu at the perfect moment
- Visit Machu Picchu again the next day
- Vistadome train to return to Cusco
Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail at a Glance
Day 1: Cusco – Puyas de Raimondi – Lares Thermal Baths - Blue Lagoon (10km, 7hrs)
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco is at 4:30 a.m., followed by a 3-hour drive to visit the Puyas de Raimondi and the Lares Thermal Baths. The Lares hot springs are perfect for easing sore bones and muscles, relieving stress, and soothing headaches. After breakfast, we start the day with a 2-hour hike to lunch in Kiswarani village; next, we hike another 2 hours to the Blue Lagoon at 3,900 m (12,795 ft).
Day 2: Blue Lagoon – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha (16 km, 7hrs)
Wake up early with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent. You will hike for 4 hours to Condor Pass at 4,750 m (15,583 ft). After exploring the summit, you will continue for three more hours to the campsite located in Cancha Cancha Village (3,750 m / 12,303 ft).
Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo (12 km, 4 hrs)
After breakfast, you will visit local homes, experience their way of life, and interact with villagers before descending for four hours into the Sacred Valley for a special picnic lunch. After lunch, you will drive to the Salineras de Maras and Ollantaytambo, where you will stay in a 2-star hotel.
Day 4: Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (16km, 7hrs)
Breakfast in the hotel, board the first train to KM 104, and start the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for 7 hours. You will visit Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Circuit 1). Spend the night in a hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu – 3 hours
On the final day, board the first buses and explore the best of Machu Picchu through circuit 3, visiting the terraces, temples, palaces, and most important places in Machu Picchu. Return on the Vistadome Panoramic Train, finishing the tour around 7:30 pm at your hotel.
Included
- Safety briefing the day before the tour
- Pick up from your hotel for the tour
- Complimentary luggage storage
- Professional tour guide
- Door-to-door service (hotel to hotel)
- All bus tickets to Machu Picchu
- Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu - Circuit 3
- 2 nights of camping in the Mountains
- 1 night 2-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
- 1 night 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Comfortable tents for camping
- Foam sleeping mat
- Duffel bag for your stuff up to 7 kilos
- Chef, Porters, horse riders.
- Cargo mules to carry food and equipment
- First-aid kit, satellite phones, oxygen tank
- Rain Ponchos, pillows, dining tent, chairs, tables
- Vistadome return train to Cusco
Not Included
- Sleeping Bag, Air Mattress, Trekking Poles (Can be rented)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets
- Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Travel Insurance
Full Itinerary of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail
Day 1: Cusco – Lares Thermal Baths – Kiswarani – Blue Lagoon
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. and drive into the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is Calca, where we’ll explore the local market. We then continue to Ancashmarca to wander through its ancient stone structures and enjoy sweeping views. A short drive farther brings us to a field of towering Puyas de Raimondi plants, giant Andean bromeliads found only at high altitude.
After about three hours on the road, we reached the Lares Hot Springs. Here you’ll enjoy breakfast and plenty of time to soak in the mineral‑rich pools, famed for easing tired muscles and joints. From the springs, it’s a 30‑minute drive to Pampacorral, the trailhead where we start hiking.
The first stretch is a gentle two‑hour walk to the village of Kiswarani, where our chef will be waiting with a delicious lunch. Re‑energized, we continue for another two hours to our campsite beside the Blue Lagoon at 3,900 m / 12,795 ft. The route winds past potato fields, herds of llamas and alpacas, and several waterfalls, typical sights in the Lares region.
On arrival, your tent and a hot cup of tea await. This peaceful spot is perfect for relaxing, stargazing, and hearing stories about Inca astronomy.
- Campsite Altitude: 3900 m (12795 ft)
- Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
- Duration: 7 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Blue Lagoon – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha
We wake you early with hot coffee or coca tea. After breakfast, we tackle a four‑hour ascent to Condor Pass at 4,750 m / 15,583 ft—the highest point of the trek. En route, we pass crystal‑clear lakes where wallatas (Andean geese) swim and admire the snow‑capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, and Qolquecruz, all rising above 18,000 ft. At the summit, we serve a well‑deserved coca tea while your guide performs a traditional offering to the sacred mountains.
A three‑hour descent brings us to our next campsite. Watch for lagoons, vizcachas (rabbit‑like rodents), llamas, alpacas, exotic birds, and more wallatas along the way.
Tonight’s camp is in Cancha Cancha (3,750 m / 12,303 ft), the only Lares Valley village still completely isolated from modern technology. The locals speak only Quechua, the language of the Incas. You’ll have time to meet residents, visit the school, and play games with the children. Donations of food or school supplies are gratefully accepted. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a family home to learn about their traditional lifestyle and sample local dishes before dinner. We'll see how they raise guinea pigs, llamas, and alpacas. Our chef will prepare dinner to enjoy together before a well-earned night’s rest.
- Campsite Altitude: 3750 m / 12303 ft
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 7 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Maras Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo
Enjoy mountain views and a hearty breakfast, then begin our final descent into the Sacred Valley. We say goodbye to the villagers and walk through changing ecosystems, from potato fields in the highlands to corn terraces in the valley below. The hike ends in Huaran (2,700 m / 8,856 ft).
A private bus takes us to the Salineras de Maras, spectacular salt pans still harvested by local families, and then on to Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca City.” We stroll its ancient streets and water channels before dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight, I stayed in a comfortable 2‑star hotel.
- Day's highest point - Huaran: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft
- Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 4: Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail – Aguas Calientes
We board one of the first trains to the Inca Trail, traveling from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 at Chachabamba in the cloud forest. At the checkpoint, you’ll need your original passport.
After a delicious breakfast prepared by our trekking chef, we explore the Inca site of Chachabamba and begin our hike on a section of trail abandoned in the 16th century.
A gradual four‑hour climb brings us to Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”). We tour the site and enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch before continuing to the Sun Gate, your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu, a truly unforgettable sight.
From the Sun Gate, it’s a one‑hour descent to the citadel. We enter via Circuit 1, arriving late in the afternoon when most visitors have gone, ideal for photos. Afterward, we bus down to Aguas Calientes, have dinner, and spend the night in a 3‑star hotel.
- Aguas Calientes: 2000 m / 6561 ft
- Highest altitude: 2700 m / 8858 ft
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 7 hours
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco
We rise early and join the first bus queue at 5:30 a.m. to reach Machu Picchu at dawn. On clear mornings, you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise over the citadel. Your guide leads a 2–3 hour tour, then gives you free time to explore or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (advance tickets required on your own). We follow Circuit 3, the Royal Circuit, visiting temples, palaces, fountains, and the citadel’s finest architecture.
After exploring it, we bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), then board the Vistadome train and a private van to Cusco, arriving around 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy every step of this unforgettable journey from the remote Lares Valley to the majestic Lost City of the Incas!
- Duration: 3 – 4 hours
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy
Price of the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail 5 Days
We organize small group tours to ensure a personalized and intimate travel experience. For those traveling with a large party or seeking an exclusive adventure, we offer a private Lares trek and short Inca Trail, tailored specifically to your preferences. Contact us today, and we'll provide a customized price and design the perfect tour to meet your needs, ensuring an unforgettable journey.
Price per person
- From US$ 890 - Adults
- From US$ 860 - Children and students
Student Discount
- US$ 30 off
Applies to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To get the discount, the ID must include:
- Student name, photo, and university name.
- Have a valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted)
- ISIC cards are not valid.
The discount is applied automatically for children. For students, you must submit a copy of your student ID when booking; if your ID is rejected, you will be charged the adult rate. Please email us at info@trexperienceperu.com at the time of booking to receive your discount.
Booking and payment
- Deposit: US$ 200 per person (to reserve your spot). The remaining can be paid online or at our office in Cusco, using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer. Contact us to see alternative payment options.
Before you book
- Have your passport handy and enter the information exactly as it appears on it. Do not enter nicknames.
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free meals are available upon request in advance.
How to book
To book this tour:
- Click on the BOOK NOW button, choose your travel date, and select the tour option of your choice (group or private service).
- Fill in all the requested details with your passport data. If you can hire a sleeping bag, an air mattress, or trekking poles with us, this is the moment, too.
- Then choose the type of room you want for the 2 nights.
- Finally, enter your credit/debit card details and make the payment.
- Our team will contact you shortly to reconfirm your payment and give you more information.
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Lares Trek plus Short Inca Trail Packing List
For the Lares Trek, you will carry your daypack, which will be packed with your useful items during the trek. In addition, TreXperience will provide you with a duffel bag during the briefing at our office in Cusco, the day before the trip. In it, you will pack your things that you won't use during the hike but will use when you arrive at the campsites. The duffel bag must weigh a maximum of 7 kilos and will be carried by our porters.
The rest of your luggage must stay at your hotel in Cusco, or we can store it for you in our storage in Cusco.
During the Short Inca Trail, we will not have porters anymore. You will only travel to the Inca Trail with your backpack; the duffel bag must return to Ollantaytambo. On request, we can transfer the duffel bag directly to the hotel in Aguas Calientes. However, we recommend traveling light.
What to put in your daypack for the Lares Trek
The backpack will always be with you. Your responsibility is to carry it with you when hiking during the day, and it must be as light as possible. Remember that you can only find duffel bags at campsites, and everything you need during the day must be in your backpack.
- Passport: The original passport must always be in a safe and dry place.
- Student card: If you have booked a student ID, you must also bring your student ID.
- Water bottle: Reusable water containers for at least 2 liters must be carried
- Poncho, raincoat: A plastic poncho will be provided to you together with the duffel bag.
- Trekking poles: Your guide will show you the best way to use them, and they are very helpful when descending steep slopes.
- Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt: You will hike in open spaces without shelters and must always be protected.
- Warm jacket: In the early morning and late afternoons, the weather is freezing.
- First Aid Kit: You must always carry personal medicine, band-aids, painkillers, Cipro, allergy medicine, Diamox, etc.
- Headlamp, cameras, mobile phones, sunglasses
- Toilet paper: Must be carried at all times
- Extra money: Some stores in high Andean areas only accept cash.
What to put in the duffel bag (7 Kg) during the Lares Trek?
- Sleeping bag: 4-season (-10°) sleeping bags are required for hiking; you can bring your own or rent them from us.
- Air mattress: We will provide foam mattresses; however, if you want extra comfort at night, we recommend bringing or renting an air mattress.
- Pillows: During this trip, we will provide you with small camping pillows.
- Shoes: For this hike, we strongly recommend that you wear hiking boots
- Socks: You need about 6 thick wool hiking socks and 4 light socks to walk around at night or after hiking.
- 3 pairs of trousers, hiking pants, or ladies' leggings are also suitable.
- Thermal underwear: This is very important at night.
- Swimsuit: We will visit Lares Thermal baths.
- Sandals: Change after hiking and in the hotel.
- Toiletries: Toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lip balm, moisturizer
- Towel: Small and light towels
- Hand sanitizer and toilet paper
What to pack for the Short Inca Trail?
Remember that we don't have porters for the Short Inca Trail; you must carry your belongings. Below is a list of recommended items to bring:
- A small day pack or a large fanny pack to carry your belongings while trekking
- Original passport
- Walking sticks or a hiking pole
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Sunscreen and hat
- Sunglasses
- Bug spray
- Sunhat
- Trekking poles
- Candy, snacks, and energy bars
- Water bottle or camelback
- First Aid kit, including supplies for blister care
- Jacket or poncho in case of rain
Lares Trek 5 days & Inca Trail : Important Information
- Route & highest point: The Lares Trek has several variations. High passes range from about 4,450 m at Ipsaycocha Pass up to 4,700 m – 4,750 m at Condor Pass, depending on the route you take.
- Permit: No special trekking permit is required for Lares. You will still need an Inca Trail permit and a Machu Picchu ticket for the final day.
- Tickets: Machu Picchu uses timed entry and 3 official circuits (10 routes). TreXperience offers entrance tickets with circuits 1 and 3. To improve your chances, book your Lares tour early.
- Season: May – October is the dry season (clearer skies, cold nights). November – March brings more frequent rain.
How hard is the Lares Trail and the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
- Effort level: Moderate to challenging, mostly because of altitude and one high-pass day. Daily hiking time varies by route and group pace.
- Best suited for: Trekkers comfortable with full-day hikes and chilly nights, looking for a quieter alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
When to hike the Lares trekking 5 days with Short Inca Trail
- Best overall conditions: May – September usually means drier trails and clearer views; expect cold nights at elevation.
- Shoulder months: April and October can bring a few showers but often offer good balance.
- Rainy season: November – March is wetter; trails can be muddy and mornings damp.
Altitude, acclimatization & health
- Highest points you may reach: 4,750 m (Condor Pass), depending on the itinerary. Plan for thin air and a slower pace.
- Acclimatization tips: Spend 2–3 nights in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before starting. Hydrate well, eat lightly on day one, and avoid alcohol at altitude.
- Medical guidance: Many travel-health sources advise gradual ascent; if you’re sensitive to altitude or short on time to acclimatize, talk to your clinician about preventive options (e.g., acetazolamide).
- Insurance: Choose travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and evacuation.
Trains, luggage & storage
Trains have strict luggage limits. Expect small carry-on allowances to Aguas Calientes. Store your main suitcase in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and travel light for the final stretch. Vistadome's baggage allowance is one backpack or carry-on bag up to 5 kg and a maximum of 157 linear cm (length + width + height).
Money, connectivity & charging
- Cash: There are no ATMs on the trail. Carry soles (small bills/coins) for local purchases and tips as per your operator’s guidance.
- Signal: Mobile coverage ranges from patchy to none. Your tour guide will have a satellite mobile for emergency calls.
- Electricity: Often limited or unavailable at camps, charge fully before departure. Bring a power bank for phones/cameras between camps.
Responsible travel & site rules
- Community etiquette: Ask before photos, buy local when possible, pack out all trash, and stay on marked paths.
- Machu Picchu rules: Follow your assigned circuit and note that items like drones and tripods are prohibited. Breaking rules can lead to removal without refund. Review the official code of conduct before you go.
Machu Picchu entry: circuits, timed slots & one-way routes
Since June 1, 2024, visits run on 3 circuits with 10 one-way routes. You must follow the route shown on your ticket, and there’s no re-entry after you leave. We usually request Circuits 1 and 3; if it’s sold out for your date/time, we’ll book the best available option.
Circuit 1 — Panoramic (viewpoints)
- 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain: Citadel entry plus the mountain hike with wide panoramas. Max time: up to 7 h.
- 1-B Upper Terraces: High viewpoints for the classic photos; less time in the urban area. Max: 2 h 30 m.
- 1-C Intipunku (Sun Gate): Panoramic approach; high season only. Max: 4 h.
- 1-D Inca Bridge: Short walk to the bridge viewpoint; high season only. Max: 3 h.
Best for: Big postcard views or the Mountain hike.
Circuit 2 — Classic (citadel-focused) — our default
- 2-A Main Route: A complete guided walk through key areas (Intiwatana, Sacred Rock, Temple of the Condor) plus lookouts. Max: 2 h 30 m.
- 2-B Lower Terraces: Similar depth with panoramas from the lower terraces. Max: 2 h 30 m.
Why we prefer it: The most complete route through the heart of Machu Picchu within a comfortable time window.
Circuit 3 — Lower entrance / urban sectors (mountain add-ons)
- 3-A Huayna Picchu: Citadel entry plus the Huayna Picchu hike. Max: up to 6 h.
- 3-B Lower Sector (Designed): Key temples and urban areas with gentler gradients. Max: 2 h 30 m.
- 3-C Great Cavern / Temple of the Moon: Long hike on the Huayna side; high season only. Max: 7 h.
- 3-D Huchuy Picchu: Shorter hike on the Huayna side; high season only. Max: 3 h 30 m.
Time slots & practical tips
Entries run hourly. Arrive before your assigned time, use the restrooms before entering, and carry only a small daypack. Remember: once you exit, you can’t re-enter.
Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail - Frequently Asked Questions
The Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail Machu Picchu takes you off the beaten path to explore remote villages in the Peruvian Andes, visit pristine glacial lakes, hike with llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat, and hike the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Below, you will find the most common questions about this fantastic trek.
What are the differences between the two treks?
A few key differences exist between the Lares Trek and the Short Inca Trail.
- The Short Inca Trail follows the ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, full of history and Inca sites. The Lares Trek is more of a cultural trek where you visit isolated Andean villages, explore beautiful lakes, and hike in the remote mountains in solitude.
- The Lares Trek is less crowded; few people will be hiking this trail compared to the Short Inca Trail, which can have up to 250 people daily.
- The Lares Trek is a high-altitude hike, while the Short Inca Trail is located in the Cloud forest region close to the Amazon basin.
What is the highest altitude on the Lares Trek?
The highest altitude on the Lares Trek is Condor Pass at 4750 m (15583 ft)
What is the highest altitude on the Short Inca Trail?
Sun Gate is the highest altitude on the Short Inca Trail, with 2700 m / 8858 ft.
How long does the Lares Trek take?
The Lares Trek is a 3-day hike covering a total distance of 38 km (24 miles). It is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and you'll experience traditional Peruvian culture firsthand.
How long does the Short Inca Trail take?
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is 16 km (10 miles) long and takes one day to complete.
How to prepare for either trek?
Assuming you have a basic level of fitness, preparation for either the Lares Trek or the Short Inca Trail should not be too daunting. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Prepare in advance for the trek by going on regular hikes back home
- Bring proper hiking equipment for the trip
- Both tours are at high altitudes, so give yourself plenty of time to acclimate before undertaking either.
- We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek starts.
- Pack plenty of layers, as the temperature can vary significantly throughout the day, especially in the Lares Trek.
- Make sure your footwear is well broken in and comfortable - you'll be doing a lot of walking!
- Listen to your body and take it easy if you're not feeling 100 %. It's better to rest up and be ready for your hike than push yourself too hard and risk getting sick or injured.
How many people can go on the Lares Trek?
A maximum of 16 people can go on the Lares Trek at once. However, groups are usually very small, and we seldom get full groups.
Is the Inca Trail open in February?
No. It’s closed Feb 1–28 for maintenance and conservation and normally reopens Mar 1. We’ll suggest a great February alternative.