4 Days
Daily Tour
9 people
English, Espanol, Francais
The Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu offers hikers the best of everything in just four days. You’ll journey through remote indigenous communities that keep the Inca culture alive, giving you the unique opportunity to interact with the locals. Our special route is incredibly scenic, featuring towering glaciers, stunningly blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, and herds of llamas and alpacas. On the Inca Trail, you’ll tread the original stone paths as the ancient Incas once did. Along the way, you’ll explore ancient Inca religious sites and make your entrance into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. This trek allows you to visit Machu Picchu twice, experiencing both the sunset and sunrise on different days.
Early in the morning, we'll pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM and head for a one-hour drive to the Sacred Valley. We'll make a stop at a viewpoint to take panoramic photos of the valley, and the guide will provide a brief explanation of the area. Next, we’ll continue to the town of Calca for a short visit and explore the local market, where you can find traditional products. After that, we'll drive for approximately 2 more hours to reach Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), the starting point of our trek. Here, we'll introduce you to our team who will accompany us during the trek (chef and muleteer).
Before starting the hike, you'll have the opportunity to relax in the thermal baths of Lares, where the water temperature ranges from 28°C to 34°C. After enjoying the thermal baths, we’ll begin our adventure with a flat, 2-hour walk to help acclimatize to the altitude, eventually reaching the Vilcabamba bridge, where our team will have a delicious lunch prepared for us. After lunch, we’ll take a short break before continuing our hike for another 3 hours to reach the village of Wacahuasi (3,750 m / 12,303 ft). Along the trek, you’ll encounter local children in traditional attire who will warmly welcome us to this valley.
Wacahuasi will be our campsite for the first night. The temperature at night can drop to -5°C, so we recommend bringing warm clothing. After setting up camp and exploring the village, we’ll enjoy a tea time, ideal for sharing experiences, and our guide will give a talk on the customs and traditions of this small community. Later, we’ll have dinner and then rest to prepare for the next day.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will begin our hike at 6:00 AM, taking in the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains. We will ascend for 3 hours, reaching Paso Sacsallaully (4,646 m / 15,242 ft.). This viewpoint offers stunning vistas of the valleys, snow-capped peaks, and the Aruray Cocha Lake. We will also observe native bird species, including Cara Cara geese, ducks, and other typical animals of the area such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. From Aurora Cassa Pass, we will descend to the two lakes known as Aruraycocha and Yuraccocha, surrounded by the Queuña forest (a tree native to the Incas). We will enjoy our Andean lunch with beautiful views next to one of the lakes.
As we continue hiking for the next two hours, we will experience a significant change in scenery. The trail descends through a picturesque Queuña forest valley, providing ample opportunities for photographing Andean flora. We will then arrive at Yanahuara (2,780 m / 9,120 ft.), a warm and welcoming village with a comfortable climate, located near the Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley of the Incas). Here, we will spend our second night camping.
After breakfast at 6:45 AM, we will transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo. At 7:45 AM, we will board the train heading to km 104, which is about a 1-hour journey (the starting point of the Inca Trail).
At km 104 (2,200 m / 7,217 ft), we will begin our trek. We will cross a bridge over the Urubamba River, also known as Willkamayuc, which means Sacred River in Quechua and was very significant to the Incas. Upon reaching the checkpoint, we will need to present identification documents, such as a passport, foreigner's ID, or national identity card.
Just 15 minutes into the hike, we will encounter the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy, nestled in the subtropical forest. After visiting these sites, we will ascend through terraced steps to the next location. Along the way, we will observe the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, and various types of orchids from the subtropical forest. After a 3-hour walk, we will reach Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), which showcases Inca agricultural practices with numerous circular terraces used for cultivating various crops. Wiñaywayna means "Forever Young" in Spanish, named after the abundant orchids in the area. This site features over 20 structures, including the Temple of the Rainbow, also known as the Temple of Fertility. We will spend about an hour exploring the site before enjoying a box lunch to regain our energy. We will then proceed to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint.
In the second part of our journey, we will walk for 2 hours through Andean terrain, stone steps, and rest areas until we reach Inti Punku – the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,923 ft). This point was used as a control gate to enter Machu Picchu during the Inca era. From here, we will have a stunning panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley. We will then descend for about 30 minutes to reach the world wonder of Machu Picchu (2,490 m / 8,169 ft) and finally take a bus to Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Pueblo (2,160 m / 7,086 ft), a 25-minute ride. We will spend the night in a very comfortable hotel. If you are not too tired, you can visit the hot springs located just 10 minutes from the village for a fee of 10 soles. For those who enjoy nightlife, Aguas Calientes offers a variety of bars and restaurants, along with an ATM for banking needs. We will also have a delicious à la carte dinner in a cozy restaurant in the village.
On this day, we will begin our tour early in the morning. After breakfast, we will head to the station to catch the bus for a 30-minute ride to the Machu Picchu Citadel. Once there, we will embark on a 2-hour guided tour to explore the most significant sites within Machu Picchu. After the tour, you will have free time to further explore the site on your own. You can choose to hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge. (Optional: Hiking Huayna Picchu is available for an additional $75 USD per person.)
At the designated time, we will descend from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes. Here, you can enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants in the town. In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Cusco (please arrive at the train station 30 minutes before departure). Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station, a representative from our company will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco (a 1.5-hour drive).
The best time to take the Lares to Machu Picchu tour is during the dry season, from April to October. This period offers the most stable weather conditions for trekking and sightseeing.
Yes, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The trek involves hiking through varied terrain at high altitudes, so it's important to be prepared for physical activity and altitude changes.
Essential items include sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, a rain jacket, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), a sleeping bag, trekking poles, and a small backpack for daily essentials.
While there is no strict age limit, participants should be in good health and capable of handling the physical demands of the trek. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting the trek if you have any health concerns.
During the trek, you will stay in camping tents. On the final night in Aguas Calientes, you will stay in a comfortable hotel.
Yes, having comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. It should cover trekking activities, trip cancellations, and medical emergencies.
Yes, there are opportunities to buy local crafts and souvenirs in the villages along the trek and in Aguas Calientes.
If you have any dietary restrictions or special meal requirements, please inform us in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your needs during the trek.
In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the tour guides will assess the situation and make necessary adjustments to ensure safety. This may include changing the itinerary or seeking alternative routes.
Yes, you can extend your stay in Cusco or Aguas Calientes. Please let us know in advance so we can assist with additional accommodation and travel arrangements.
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