Full Itinerary of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail

Day 1: Cusco – Lares Thermal Baths – Kiswarani – Blue Lagoon

TreXperience team will pick you up from your hotel at around 4:30 am (depending on your location) and drive you through the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the famous Lares thermo-medicinal baths – arriving at approximately 8:00 am. We will jump straight into the medicinal pools set at different temperatures. The water is excellent for your bones, muscles, stress, and headaches; therefore, this is the perfect way to prepare for your TreXperience! After soaking our bodies, we will enjoy breakfast in a beautiful location surrounded by the majestic Andean mountains.

After breakfast, we will drive 30 minutes to the trailhead and start with a 2-hour hike to the Village of Kiswarani, where your chef will be waiting for a well-deserved lunch. The second part of the day is another 2-hour hike to the campsite on the shores of the Blue Lagoon at 3900 m (12795 ft). We will pass picturesque landscapes, potato farms, and fantastic waterfalls.

In the Lares region, villagers survive by farming potatoes and raising llamas and alpacas. On reaching our campsite, your tents and a hot cup of tea await you. This is a perfect place to relax, stargaze, and learn 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 – Canchacancha Community

We will wake you up early with a hot coffee or coca tea. This is our longest and most challenging day, and after breakfast, it is a 4-hour hike uphill to Condor Pass at 4750m (15583 ft) – the highest point of this journey. Along the way, we will enjoy beautiful lakes where Wallatas (Andean geese or 'love birds') swim in the crystal clear waters and pass the imposing Andean mountains of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Qolquecruz, all of which are over 18,000 ft. At the summit of Condor Pass, we will serve you a well-deserved cup of coca tea, and you can take some time to rest while your tour guide performs a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred mountains. It is then over a 3-hour descent through the breathtaking scenery to the second campsite. You can see lagoons, exotic birds, llamas, alpacas, vizcachas (which look a lot like rabbits), and Wallatas along the way.

Our campsite is at Canchacancha (3750 m / 12 303 ft) –  the only Lares Valley village completely isolated from modern technology. This includes no drainage system, computers, internet connection, or cellphone service. Here they speak only Quechua – the ancient language spoken by the Incas. You will have time in Canchacancha to meet and interact with the local people, visit a local school, and help teach and play games with the children.

The villagers will welcome any donations of food, school supplies, or anything else you would like to give to help support this isolated community's health and education. Your guide will visit one of the family's homes late afternoon. Here you can first experience their traditional lifestyles passed down from the Incas, sample traditional food, and see how they raise guinea pigs, llamas, and alpacas. Our chef will have prepared dinner to enjoy together before a well-earned night's rest by the evening.

• Campsite Altitude: 3750 m / 12303 ft
• Distance: 16 km/ 910 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Day 3: Canchacancha – Salineras of Maras  – Ollantaytambo

Start the day with a beautiful view of the mountains and a delicious breakfast while you prepare for the final descent from the highlands into the Sacred Valley. First, we will say goodbye to the villagers who are still practicing Inca traditions and are isolated from modern technologies.

Along the way, you can observe different ecosystems – from the cold mountains, where only potatoes are grown, to the fertile soils of the Sacred Valley, where corn is the primary product. Our TreXperience concludes in a small town called Huaran (2700 m / 8856 ft), and from here, a private bus will drive us to Salineras of Maras and then to Ollantaytambo "Last Living Incan City." or as it is sometimes known, "World Capital of the Native American." We will take some time to explore these ancient streets and the water channel that has been in use since Inca time. We will have dinner in a local restaurant in Ollantaytambo and spend the night in a hotel.

• Campsite Altitude: 2700m / 8856 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

After an early breakfast in your hotel, we will take the train for 1 hour 30 minutes along the Urubamba River from Ollantaytambo (in the mountains) to km 104 at Chachabamba (in the cloud forest). We will head straight to the checkpoint at Chachabamba to start your TreXperience to Machu Picchu! Please note you will need your original passport to pass through the checkpoint. Our first stop is a beautiful Inca site at km 104 called Chachabamba. From here, we will hike along an ancient Inca Trail abandoned in the 16th century.

The first section of the trail is a gradual uphill hike for 4 hours until we arrive at Wiñaywayna (the place that never gets old). At this point, we will take some time to explore this stunning archaeological site and enjoy the Andes' spectacular views. A packed lunch and refreshments will be provided. Once fed and energized, we will continue our hike to the Sungate to catch your first glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas – a truly unforgettable sight. It's a one-hour downhill walk from Sungate to the city, with breathtaking views. We will arrive at Macchu Picchu in the afternoon and have the unique opportunity to experience the city almost empty. This is the perfect photo-taking opportunity! We will then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

• Aguas Calientes: 2000m / 6561ft
• Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft
• Distance: 16km / 10 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: Lunch, snacks, dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Discover Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas) – Return to Cusco

On the last day, we have to get up very early and get ready to experience the highlights of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail tour, visiting Machu Picchu. We will go straight to the queue and wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. As the sky brightens, we will enjoy incredible city views.

On a clear day, you can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu, an unforgettable sight. Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you to Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain  (tickets must be booked in advance if possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and return on the Vistadome train and private van back to Cusco. The estimated arrival time is 7.30 pm.

• Duration: 3 – 4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
• Difficulty: Easy

Price of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 5 days

Price per person:

• From US$ 798 - Adults
• From US$ 758 - Children and students

To book the Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail, you need to make an initial payment of US$ 200 per person; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees. 

Student Discount:

• 40$ off per person

All travelers under 17 will have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get a 40$ discount with your Student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.

Valid Student ID for Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:

• 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
• The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
• The ID must have a valid expiration date

Invalid Student IDs

Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:

• Traveler is older than 25
• Expired ID
• Student Id without expiration date
• ISIC cards are not valid. 

Similar tours you might be interested in: 

• Classic Inca Trail 4 days
• Short Inca Trail 2 days
• Rainbow Mountain 1 day
• Humantay Lake 1 day

Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail Tour Packing List

For the Lares Trek, you will have your daypack that you will carry every day and a duffel bag provided by TreXperience during the briefing at our office in Cusco the day before the trip. Your main luggage will remind at your hotel or in our lockers in Cusco, and you will only travel with the duffel bag with a maximum of 7 kg. Our porters will carry the duffel bag, food, and camping equipment.

During the Short Inca Trail, we will not have porters anymore. You will only travel to the IncaTrail with your backpack; the duffle bag must return to Ollantaytambo. On request, we can transfer the duffle bag directly to the hotel in Aguas Calientes. However, we recommend traveling light. 

Essentials for the Lares trek and Short Inca Trail

This is the equipment that every hiker should have: 

• Original Passport
• Small hiking backpack
• Hiking pants
• Hiking boots
• Trekking poles
• 2 liters of water
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Extra money

What to put in the bag for the Lares Trek.

The backpack will always be with you. Your responsibility is to carry it with you when hiking during the day 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 litters must be carried
• Poncho, raincoat. – Plastic poncho will be provided to you together with the duffel bag.
• 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.
• Headlights, cameras, mobile phones, sunglasses
• Toilet paper. -Must be carried at all times
• Extra cash. -Be sure to bring money with you in small denominations.

What to put in the duffle bag during the Lares Trek?

• Sleeping bag. – 4 seasons (-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 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
• 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 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.