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Machu Picchu

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

Hiking

Category

5 Days

Duration

Open to all

Experience

Medium

Fitness

From 1 to 12

Participants

What you'll do

Embark on a 4-day trip through the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu. Experience cultural immersion in remote Andean villages, relax in natural hot springs and explore traditional salt mines. This family-friendly trek offers a slower pace, perfect for all ages, leading to the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes and genuine connections with local communities year-round.

Itinerary

Arrive in Cusco (we recommend you to land by 5 PM) and settle into your hotel to rest after the journey. If you get in early, stroll through the city’s cobblestone streets, admire its mix of Inca and colonial architecture, and enjoy the lively plazas. Have an early dinner and a good night’s sleep—your adventure starts tomorrow morning.
Start your 4-day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with a pickup from Cusco, heading towards the famous Lares hot springs. You will be picked up from your hotel at 5 AM. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley and Andes before relaxing in volcanic water pools renowned for their health benefits. Trek to Kiswarani Waterfall Campsite 3,850 meters (12,631 ft), engaging with local communities and learning about traditional potato farming and medicinal plants. Engage in a llama ceremony, showcasing the cultural significance of these animals in Inca traditions. Distance: 10 km (6.21 mi) | Elevation Gain: +750 m (+2,460 ft) | Time: 5-6 hours
Your day starts at 5 a.m. with hot drinks and scenic views of the Kiswarani Valley. After breakfast and packing, you’ll begin a 3–4 hour uphill trek to Condor Pass (4,680 m / 15,354 ft), with stunning views of lakes, waterfalls, llamas, and alpacas. An emergency horse is available if needed. At the summit, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views and a hot drink, then begin your descent. After a one-hour downhill hike to El Mirador, you’ll have lunch and continue hiking another three hours to Cancha Cancha (3,750 m / 12,303 ft), a remote village without electricity or vehicles. Most homes are traditionally built, and residents still follow Incan customs. You’ll have time to meet local children, offer school supplies, and learn about the village lifestyle and traditional textile weaving. The evening ends with dinner and hot drinks at the campsite. Distance: 14 km (8 mi) | Elevation Gain: +830 m (+2,723 ft) -930 m (-3,051 ft) | Time: 7–9 hours
Your day begins with a hot drink and breakfast provided by porters, followed by a visit to a village and a local school where Quechua is still taught. You’ll then start the final four-hour descent of the Lares trek, passing llamas, alpacas, and traditional farms. As you reach the Sacred Valley, the climate and crops change, offering insights into Incan and modern Peruvian agriculture. The trek ends in Huaran, where you part ways with the trekking team. From there, a van takes you to the Salineras salt pans in Maras, a pre-Incan site with over 3,000 salt evaporation ponds. Afterwards, you drive to Ollantaytambo, an original Inca village, where you’ll tour the town and have dinner. Finally, you take a train at 7 PM to Aguas Calientes, where you check in to your hotel and rest before visiting Machu Picchu. Distance: 9 km (6.2 mi) | Elevation Gain: -430 m (-1,411 ft) | Time: 3–5 hours
Rise early for the bus ride to Machu Picchu AT 5.30 AM, witnessing an unforgettable sunrise over the ruins. Enjoy a guided tour and free time to explore or hike Huayna Picchu (this is a separate entrance ticket not included). Return to Cusco by train and bus in the afternoon, reflecting on a journey that has blended breathtaking natural beauty with deep cultural immersion. We recommend departing the next day just to have a nice, good sleep.

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance
Medical and luggage insurance
Travel cancellation insurance
Hiking Guide
Accommodation
Lunch
Dinner
Personal chef
Breakfast
Private transportation provided for each segment of the tour
Porter service to carry duffle bags, accessible only at evening campsites
Pre-tour briefing held at our office at 6:30 pm the day before your Lares trek
Emergency Horse in case you need a break from the trekking
2 nights of camping
1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Equipment
A morning snack
Water
First Aid
Satellite Phones
1 night in Cusco (3-star hotel)
Flight
Visa (if applicable)
Extra accommodation
Transport from airport
Transport to airport
Snacks and drinks
Park entrance fee
Extra transfer
Tourist tax
Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”
Sleeping bag: rent for US$25.
Walking poles: rent for US$15.
Tips
Single Room supplement
Lunch on the last day
Inflatable Air Mattress: rent for US$15
Dinner on Day 1

Accomodations

3-start hotel in Cusco

Your classic 3-star hotel in Cusco offers comfort and charm double rooms. You can enjoy friendly services, and warm décor with local touches. Perfect for resting before setting off on the adventure.

Tent camping - Day 2-3

You spend the first two nights under the stars, tent camping at the campsite. The team ensures your tents and duffel bags are ready upon our arrival. Warm water is provided for you to freshen up and slip into warm clothes for the evening. A happy hour featuring hot chocolate or coffee, followed by a hearty cooked meal, awaits you. As night falls, you gaze up at the clear sky adorned with visible Inca constellations.

Aguas Calientes Hotel - Day 4

This marks you final rest stop before visiting Machu Picchu. Your exceptional hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi, hot showers, and offers a cozy spot to relax after our day's hike. Nearby, you find local hot springs available for an entry fee of ten soles. In the evening, your local partner treats you to our last dinner, preparing you for the next day's adventure.

Guides

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul is the owner and director of Alpaca Expeditions. They have tour guides 100% local. They mastered the craft of leading groups through the most beautiful places and over the highest elevations without losing any bit of information and any tip to make the hiking more enjoyable. All the guides have graduated in Tourism and passed tests to be able to guide along the treks.

Meeting point

-13.1631988-72.5452621
Machu Picchu

Frequently asked questions

Departures

All departures are guaranteed to run

October 2025
Fri
3 Oct
5:00 PM
Tue
7 Oct
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Fri
24 Oct
5:00 PM
Tue
28 Oct
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Wed
12 Nov
5:00 PM
Sun
16 Nov
8:00 PM

Confirmed

9 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Wed
26 Nov
5:00 PM
Sun
30 Nov
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Fri
5 Dec
5:00 PM
Tue
9 Dec
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Fri
19 Dec
5:00 PM
Tue
23 Dec
8:00 PM

Confirmed

11 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Wed
17 Jun
5:00 PM
Sun
21 Jun
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Wed
16 Sep
5:00 PM
Sun
20 Sep
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
Mon
21 Sep
5:00 PM
Fri
25 Sep
8:00 PM

Confirmed

17 spots left
1340 €
(442 € deposit)
68c47c5cb3263f44901e8824
Ambassador

1340 €

(442 € deposit)