Full itinerary of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco – Puyas de Raimondi – Lares Hot Springs – Blue Lagoon

We’ll start early, collecting you around 4:30 a.m. from any hotel, hostel, Airbnb, or private address in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley near Pisac. A one‑hour drive brings us to Calca, where we’ll wander through the lively market, chat with friendly vendors, and select the fresh produce that will fuel our trek.

From Calca, we continue uphill to the rarely‑visited Inca site of Ancashmarca. You’ll enjoy a short, guided walk among ancient storehouses and terraces while your guide explains how this hilltop complex once controlled trade through the valley. A further scenic drive leads to a high‑altitude plateau dotted with the Puyas de Raimondi—spectacular bromeliads that live for up to a century and shoot towering flower spikes only once before they die. They’re a rare sight and a great photo stop.

Descending toward Lares, we reach the famed Lares Hot Springs. Slip into pools ranging from warm to steaming while gazing at snow‑capped peaks; meanwhile, your trekking chef prepares a delicious breakfast. After soaking, we visit ADAL, a women‑run weaving co‑operative where master artisans demonstrate natural‑dye techniques and back‑strap looms. It’s the ideal place to purchase ethically made textiles and directly support the community.

A short drive delivers us to Pampacorral, the trailhead. The afternoon hike begins gently, following quiet valleys past potato fields and herds of alpacas. After about two hours, we stop in the village of Kiswarani for lunch made with the market’s fresh ingredients. Re‑energised, we tackle another two‑hour ascent beside the cascading Kiswarani waterfall toward our first campsite by the Blue Lagoon at 3,900 m / 12,795 ft. Your tent, a hot coca‑tea or coffee, and a serene Andean lake surrounded by grazing llamas will be waiting. With luck, a blanket of stars crowns the evening.

• Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
• Duration: 4 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Blue Lagoon – Condor Pass – Canchacancha Community

Start your day with a warm cup of coffee or coca tea in your tent, then begin getting ready for the most challenging part of the Lares Trek. After breakfast, we’ll grab some snacks from the chef and begin a 4-hour hike to the highest point of the trail: Condor Pass, located at 4,750 m (15,583 ft). Beautiful lakes teeming with Wallatas, often known as Andean geese or "lovebirds," mountain caracaras, llamas, alpacas, and unobstructed views of the Andes await you along the journey.

Once we arrive at the summit, you’ll enjoy a 360° view of the surrounding mountains and lakes while your guide leads a spiritual offering ceremony to the sacred peaks above Condor Pass. We’ll serve you a warm cup of coca tea to celebrate your effort. From there, we'll continue a two-hour descent to Acopata, where a well-deserved lunch will be waiting for us.

After lunch, we'll continue downhill for another two hours through breathtaking landscapes until we reach the village of Canchacancha (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Once there, you’ll have time to relax, sip on a drink, and rest in your tents, all while you take in the mountain scenery around you.

You'll also have the chance to meet the local community, walk through the village, chase after llamas and alpacas, play soccer with the children, share a few English words, or learn some Quechua.

• Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi
• Hiking Duration: 7 hours
• Campsite Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft
• Highest Altitude: 4,700 m / 15,354 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 3: Canchacancha – Maras Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

After crossing the highest mountain passes, we’ll start packing for the day and enjoy a healthy breakfast with breathtaking views of the mountains. You’ll have a bit of extra time to relax and explore the village before starting a 4-hour descent into the Sacred Valley. Along the way, we’ll visit the local homes and the community’s elementary school, where you’re welcome to donate school supplies like notebooks, pens, or toys. Canchacancha is one of the last villages without electricity or road access, so Quechua is still the main language spoken.

From there, the trail is mostly downhill, transitioning from the high, chilly mountains, where potatoes and beans are grown, to the warmer and greener Sacred Valley, where locals farm corn and avocados. The Lares Trail ends in Huaran (2,700 m / 8,856 ft), where we’ll enjoy a scenic picnic lunch and say goodbye to our chef and team of muleteers.

After lunch, a private van will take us to the Salineras of Maras to explore the stunning salt ponds, still harvested by local families using traditional Inca techniques. Our final stop before the train is Ollantaytambo, known as the “Last Living Incan Town” and recently recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO. We’ll explore the archaeological site and its ancient streets, along with the original canals and narrow passageways from Inca times, many of which remain in use.

We’ll have dinner at a local restaurant and finally board the 7:00 pm Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, where a comfortable 3-star hotel will be waiting for you.

• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.4 mi
• Duration: 4 hours
• Aguas Calientes Altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Highest Altitude: 3,650 m / 11,972 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Explore Machu Picchu - Cusco

The day starts early with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu. We aim to arrive with the first light, and if the weather allows, catch the morning mist lifting over the citadel, an atmosphere that makes the place feel even more timeless.

Before the guided tour, we’ll take a moment at the classic viewpoints to appreciate the scale and setting of the site. Then, during a 2 to 3-hour tour, your guide will walk you through the main areas of Machu Picchu, sharing its history, architectural details, and the stories behind some of its most iconic spots. 

After the tour, and if you have time, you can take on one of the additional hikes like Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu (Needs extra tickets). The hike takes about 2 to 3 hours round-trip for each. Once back in Aguas Calientes, you can grab lunch at your own pace before boarding the panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. 

In Machu Picchu, we include Circuit 2 by default, as it is the most comprehensive; however, if it is sold out, we will offer the best option available, which can be Circuit 3 or Circuit 1. We strongly suggest that all guests secure their Machu Picchu trip as early as possible, as tickets to Machu Picchu are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and the best circuits and schedules sell out first.

From there, our private transport will take you back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 7:30 p.m.

• Tour Duration: 3 hours in Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu Site Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Meals: Breakfast
• Difficulty: Easy

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu Packing List

During the Lares trek, your main luggage will be stored in your hotel in Cusco, or you can leave it with us. To the Trek, you will take your daypack plus a duffle bag that TreXperience will provide during the briefing held the day before your tour in our office in Cusco.

During the briefing at 6.00 pm, your tour guide will provide the final details of your trip and give you the duffle bags to put up to 8 kilos of your stuff. Our porter will carry this bag together with the food and camping equipment.

Essentials for the Lares Trek

For 3 days, you will be out in the mountains with no route, electricity, or cellphone signal. Having all the necessary equipment for this hike with you is essential; still, pack very light.

• Small comfortable backpack
• Original passport
• Hiking boots
• Trekking poles
• Headlamp
• Warm jackets
• Gloves
• Bennie
• Sunscreen
• Good camera
• Emergency money is soles

What to put in the backpack?

The backpack will always be with you; you are responsible for carrying it while hiking during the day, and it must be as light as possible. Remember that duffle bags, you will find only at the campsite, and all you need during the day must be in your daypack.

• Passport.- Passports must always be with you in a safe and dry place; we recommend placing them inside Ziploc bags with money and other documents.
• Student Card.- if you have booked as a student, you must bring your student ID with you, especially when we enter Machu Picchu.
• Water bottle or camelback.- You must bring reusable water containers; they must be easy to handle and have a capacity of at least 2 liters.
• Rain Ponchos, rain jackets. – Plastic rain ponchos will be provided to you with the duffle bags; you still need to bring a waterproof or windproof jacket.
• Sunscreen, hat, and long-sleeved shirts.- You will be hiking over an open space without shelter and must always be protected.
• Warm jacket.- Early in the morning, the weather is chilly. You will start hiking with all your layers and remove them slowly as you begin warming up; always keep a warm jacket with you, even on the hottest day. The temperature in the Andes might vary in a matter of minutes.
• Mini First Aid Kit.- You must always have your medication and band-aids, altitude medicine, pain killers, Cipro, a pill for allergies, insect repellent, and others.
• Headlamp, camera, cell phone, sunglasses
• Toilet paper.- Must be in your day pack always with you
• Extra Cash.- It’s important to always have travel money with you; we recommend around 600 soles (200. USD) in Cash; it is better to have in small coins, about 20 Soles at least for anything to buy along the train, like water or souvenirs. The travel is not to spend; this is just for emergencies.

What to put in the duffle bag?

The duffle bag will be provided during the briefing held the day before in our office. You can out up to 8 kilos, including your sleeping bag and air mattress.

• Sleeping bag:A 4-season (-10°) sleeping bag is required for this Trek; you can bring your own or rent from us. If you rent from us, you will be provided with a liner, so you don’t need to get this. All our sleeping bags are suitable for the Lares weather and are cleaned and sanitized after every Trek.
• Inflatable mattress: We will provide a foam mattress; however, if you prefer extra comfort at night, we recommend bringing or hiring an inflatable mattress.
• Pillows: We will provide you with small camping pillows during this Trek.
• Shoes: For this Trek, we strongly recommend wearing hiking boots
• Socks: You will need about 5 pairs of thick wool hiking socks plus 3 pairs of light socks for the nights or to walk around after the Trek.
• 3 pairs of long trousers, hiking pants, or leggings work for ladies.
• Thermal Underwear.- this is very important for the nighttime.
• Swimsuit.- We will visit the Lares Thermal baths; we strongly recommend bringing a swimsuit for the first day.
• Sandals.- To change after the Trek and in the hotel.
• Toiletries.- Toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lip balm, moisturizer
• Towel.- Small and light towel
• Hand sanitizer and toilet paper

Price of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

Price per person:

• From US$640 - Adults
• From US$610 - Children and students

To book the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to make an initial payment of $200 per person. The remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card or PayPal.

Student Discount:

• All travelers under 17 or students will have a $30 discount.

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.
 

Valid Student ID for 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, the name, and the 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 4 Days - Frequently Asked Questions

There are many trekking routes to Machu Picchu, like the Salkantay Trek, Classic Inca Trail, and the Short Inca Trail, and also we have lesser-known tours like the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. This beautiful route takes you off the beaten path to explore remote villages in the Peruvian Andes, visit pristine glacier lakes, and hike along with llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat.

Below are the most popular questions a traveler must know before going on the Lares Trek.