4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

Lares offers a fine alternative to the crowded Inca Trail. You’ll cross a 4,400-meter mountain pass, camp near llama-filled communities, and see a quieter side of the Andes before arriving at Machu Picchu by train. I like the local focus and the small groups, which make it easier to ask questions and connect with your guide.

I also like that the package handles the tricky pieces: tents, a cook, horses for gear, trains, buses, and your Machu Picchu entry. The catch is serious altitude. Two long days above 3,800 meters demand good fitness, warm clothing, and time in Cusco to adjust.

Key points

• High point: Cross Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters on day two.
• Local contact: Camp near Wakawasi and Patacancha, with views of Andean communities, llamas, alpacas, and native crops.
• Small groups: Maximum 15 people, with an average group size of 4.
• Comfort upgrade: Sleep in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes after two nights of camping.
• Strong food program: A cook prepares fresh Peruvian meals, snacks, and vegetarian dishes with advance notice.
• Machu Picchu finish: Enjoy a two-hour guided visit, then free time inside the sanctuary.

Why Choose the Lares Route to Machu Picchu?

The Lares Trek gives you two very different Peru experiences in four days. First comes the high-country walk through mountain communities, glacier views, wildlife, lakes, and pastureland. Then the trail gives way to a train, a hotel, and the famous stonework of Machu Picchu.

That mix is the main reason to choose this trip. You are not spending four straight days on a trail. Instead, you get two demanding hiking days, a shorter third day, and a major archaeological site at the finish.

Lares is also a good pick if you want contact with rural life. The camps are set near Wakawasi and Patacancha, where you might see families living close to the land, llamas and alpacas around the tents, and native crops growing nearby. A small gift for local communities is not included, so bring something suitable if you wish to contribute.

The route is not easy. Much of the walking takes place at 4,000 meters or higher, and the second day includes a steep climb to Ipsayccocha Pass. You need a moderate fitness level at minimum, with good preparation for uphill walking at altitude.

Day One: Lares Hot Springs and Wakawasi

The day begins early, with pickup in Cusco around 6:00 in the morning. The van takes you to Lares Town, at about 2,900 meters. You can visit the hot springs before hiking, but admission costs 10 soles and is not included.

The hot springs are a pleasant option if you arrive with time and want to loosen your legs before the trek. The tradeoff is timing. This is already a full day, so ask your guide how much time is available before setting off.

The first hike covers roughly 14 kilometers in about six hours. The route climbs in a zigzag pattern toward Wakawasi at 3,850 meters. Along the way, you can expect views of glaciers, high mountain scenery, wildlife, and local communities.

This day is a gradual introduction to the route, but do not mistake gradual for easy. You gain a great deal of elevation, and the altitude begins to matter. Walk at a steady pace, drink regularly, and keep warm layers close at hand.

Your first night is camping in or near the Wakawasi community. Tents and basic sleeping mattresses are provided, with two people sharing a tent. If you are traveling alone, you will share with another person. Couples receive a private tent.

The camp setting is part of the value here. You are not simply sleeping beside a generic trail. You are near a community where families live in close connection with the surrounding mountains. Electricity is limited or unavailable, so pack a flashlight, spare batteries, and a power bank if you carry one.

Day Two: Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 Meters

Day two is the physical test. You begin with about four hours of uphill walking to Ipsayccocha Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,400 meters. At this altitude, even a modest incline can feel steep, so give yourself permission to walk slowly.

The pass is the big visual payoff of the Lares route. From high ground, you get broad views of the surrounding Andes and the lake country below. Weather can change quickly, so bring a rain poncho, warm layers, gloves, a hat, and waterproof protection for electronics.

After the pass, a downhill walk of about 40 minutes brings you to lunch beside the lake. This is a useful pause after the hardest climb. Your cook prepares the meals, and hot drinks are part of the food service.

The afternoon continues for roughly three hours to Patacancha, covering about 15 kilometers and eight hours in total. The path leads through mountain scenery toward a community at 3,800 meters.

Patacancha is a memorable place to camp. Llamas and alpacas are part of the setting, and native crops grow around the community. This is where the trip feels most different from a standard Machu Picchu package. The focus is not only on getting to the ruins. You are also seeing how people live in the high Andes.

The altitude remains the main concern. If you have not spent time acclimatizing in Cusco, the second day can be rough. The tour requires good physical condition, and the provided emergency oxygen bottle and first-aid kit are useful safeguards, not substitutes for preparation.

Day Three: From Patacancha to Ollantaytambo

The third day changes the rhythm. From Patacancha, you walk for about four hours toward Ollantaytambo, covering approximately 12 kilometers.

Compared with the previous day, this is shorter and less punishing. It still takes place in the mountains, but the walking portion is manageable for anyone who has handled the first two days well.

In Ollantaytambo, you have lunch before boarding the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. You will not have a guide beside you for the bus and train transfers, so pay attention to the instructions given by your guide and keep your tickets and belongings organized.

The train ride is an important comfort break after camping. In Aguas Calientes, you stay one night in a three-star hotel and receive guidance from your tour leader about the next morning.

Aguas Calientes is built around the Machu Picchu connection. You can spend the evening walking around town, visiting cafes, browsing shops, or sitting somewhere with a board game or cards. Internet cafes are also available.

An extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged if you want a slower schedule. That option is worth considering if you dislike rushing from the trail to the ruins and then straight back toward Cusco.

Day Four: Entering Machu Picchu Before the Crowds

The final morning begins early. The bus to Machu Picchu departs around 5:30, and the ride takes about 25 minutes. The early start is designed to let you see the ruins as the morning mist lifts and the light changes.

Your guide leads a two-hour walking visit through the main parts of the sanctuary. This guided time matters because Machu Picchu is more than a scenic photo stop. A guide can explain how the major structures fit together and give context to what you are seeing.

After the tour, you have free time to explore and take pictures at your own pace. The exact experience depends on the site rules and your allotted access, but the planned format gives you both structure and independence.

Huayna Picchu is an optional add-on. The steep trail takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can be muddy. Only 400 permits are available each day, split between 7:00 and 10:00 entry groups, so you must request and purchase this ticket at least two weeks ahead.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional hike, with a separate extra charge and a required booking at least one week in advance. Do not assume these mountain tickets are part of the base price.

After your visit, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. There is time to browse the marketplace near the train station before the train leaves for Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 in the evening at Plaza San Francisco.

The return plan is practical but long. You are responsible for getting from the plaza to your Cusco accommodation, since drop-off is not included.

Food, Camping, and the 7-Kilo Gear Allowance

Food is one of the strongest parts of this trip. A dedicated cook prepares three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. The menu may include quinoa, oats, eggs, pancakes, fresh bread, soups, potatoes, chicken, beef stew, fried rice, pasta, traditional Peruvian dishes, desserts, and hot drinks.

Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at least two days before departure. Special dietary needs also require advance notice. Do not wait until the first breakfast to explain an allergy or restriction.

The food service is more substantial than the basic fuel often associated with mountain trekking. One cook, praised by name in the feedback as excellent, prepares fresh meals in camp and serves snacks such as popcorn, cookies, and crackers.

The horses carry cooking and camping gear, plus up to seven kilos for each person during the first three days. That allowance includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag and mattress, as well as 2.5 kilos of personal belongings. The wording leaves some room for confusion, so confirm the exact packing arrangement at the pre-departure briefing.

A sleeping bag is not included. You can rent one in Cusco for $15. Bring or rent trekking poles as well, especially for the steep climb and the downhill sections.

What the $847 Price Really Covers

At $847 per person, this is not a bargain-basement trek. It is also not simply a hiking guide with a campsite. The price includes transport from Cusco to Lares, camping equipment, a cook, horses for gear, meals, a hotel night, tourist train service, Machu Picchu buses, Machu Picchu admission, and guided visits on the trail and at the ruins.

That makes the price easier to justify if you want a packaged trip. Organizing the train, Machu Picchu entry, hotel, camping support, and high-altitude route on your own takes time and leaves more room for costly mistakes.

You should still budget for the extras. Day one breakfast, day four lunch, bottled water, the Lares hot springs, sleeping bag rental, optional mountain tickets, tips, Cusco lodging, and your trip from Plaza San Francisco to your hotel are not included.

Bring extra cash for water, snacks, and sports drinks. Prices can rise sharply along the trail. Tipping is optional, but customary guidelines suggest 40 to 60 soles per trekker for the guide, 30 to 40 soles for an assistant guide, 60 to 80 soles for each horseman from the whole group, and 150 to 200 soles for the cook from the whole group.

Guides and Group Size

The tour uses a professional bilingual guide for the trek and the Machu Picchu visit. The group limit is 15, but the average group is 4, which usually means a more personal pace and easier communication.

Percy is one guide specifically praised for being experienced, funny, helpful, and considerate during the hike. His English was also described as strong. Those qualities matter on a route where morale, pacing, and clear advice can make a real difference.

You are on your own during bus and train transfers. That is not a major problem, but you need to understand the arrangement. This is a guided trek and guided Machu Picchu visit, not a fully escorted trip from hotel door to hotel door.

A mandatory briefing takes place at 6:00 in the evening before departure at the Cusco office on Calle Matara 242, second floor. You receive the packing list, final timing, and departure details there. Treat this meeting as essential.

Who Should Book This Four-Day Trek?

I would recommend this route to someone who wants more than the standard Machu Picchu arrival. You should enjoy long uphill walks, accept simple camping, and value rural Andean scenery and community contact as much as the ruins themselves.

It can suit families because the minimum age is 7, but the altitude and eight-hour second day mean age alone is not the key issue. Fitness, acclimatization, and a willingness to walk slowly are more important.

This is not the right choice if you want a soft adventure or a relaxed sightseeing schedule. The first two days are demanding, nights are basic, and the final return to Cusco is late.

You must provide your full passport details when booking, including the exact name, birth date, nationality, passport number, and expiration date. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the travel date. If you renewed the passport used for the booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy.

Departure dates are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Daily departures are possible with a group of four or more. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so check your dates and passport information carefully.

Should You Book the Lares Trek?

Book this trip if you want a small-group high-altitude trek with a strong food program, a local guide, and a comfortable hotel night before Machu Picchu. The Lares route offers more rural contact than a direct train journey and avoids making every day about archaeological sites.

Think twice if you are not ready for 4,400 meters, do not have time to acclimatize in Cusco, or prefer private transfers and door-to-door assistance. For fit hikers who want a demanding but well-supported route, the combination of Wakawasi, Ipsayccocha Pass, Patacancha, and Machu Picchu offers excellent value for the price.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts approximately four days. It includes two long camping days, a shorter hike to Ollantaytambo followed by a train to Aguas Calientes, and a final day at Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The route crosses Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters. Much of the hike takes place at elevations around 4,000 meters, so good physical condition and warm clothing are required.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is 15 people. The average group size is 4.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The first two nights are camping, with a tent and basic sleeping mattress provided. The third night is in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Couples have a private tent and room, while single people share with another person.

Are meals included?

The tour includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Day one breakfast and day four lunch are not included. Vegetarian meals and other dietary considerations are available with advance notice.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A sleeping bag can be rented in Cusco for $15. The horses carry camping equipment and up to seven kilos for each trekker during the first three days.

Are Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain included?

No. Both hikes cost extra. Huayna Picchu must be booked at least two weeks ahead, while Machu Picchu Mountain must be booked at least one week ahead.

Is airport pickup or Cusco hotel drop-off included?

No. Airport pickup is not included, and the final bus drops you at Plaza San Francisco in Cusco. You must arrange your own way to your accommodation.