4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

Mountain air, hot springs, and Machu Picchu await. This four-day Lares trek gives you a quieter route to Peru’s famous Inca site, with two nights camping high in the Andes, a night in Aguas Calientes, and a small group capped at 15 people. I especially like the chance to meet families in the Wakawasi community and the care put into the meals, which one traveler praised along with guide Percy.

The trip also includes the major transport links, Machu Picchu entry and guiding, a cook, camping gear, horses, and a 3-star hotel for $847 per person. The main drawback is the altitude: the trek reaches 4,400 meters, and the walking days are long. You need solid fitness, warm gear, and a willingness to trade comfort for mountain scenery and local contact.

Key Points Before You Book

• The highest point is 4,400 meters: The climb over Ipsayccocha Pass is the hardest part of the trek and requires good physical condition.
• Wakawasi offers local contact: Your first campsite is near families who live and farm in the mountain community.
• Food is a major strength: A cook prepares fresh Peruvian meals, snacks, and vegetarian dishes with advance notice.
• Transport is mostly covered: The package includes trains, buses, the Machu Picchu shuttle, and the return bus to Cusco.
• The group is small: The maximum is 15 people, with an average group size of four.
• You must attend a briefing: A 6:00 pm meeting at the Cusco office the evening before covers departure details and packing advice.

Why Choose the Lares Route

The Lares Trek is a good choice if you want Machu Picchu without spending every day on the most famous Inca Trail. The route passes through mountain communities, high lakes, grazing llamas and alpacas, and wide views of glaciers. It is less about ancient stone paths and more about present-day Andean life.

I like the way this trip combines a demanding hike with practical comforts. You camp for two nights, but you do not need to carry all your food and camping equipment. Horses transport the group gear and up to seven kilos for each trekker during the first three days. That allowance includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag and mattress, plus 2.5 kilos of personal belongings, so pack carefully and confirm exactly how the remaining weight is handled.

The tour is led by a local bilingual guide and includes a separate two-hour guided visit at Machu Picchu. The small average group size should make it easier to ask questions, keep a steady pace, and receive help if altitude affects you. The group can reach 15 people, though, so do not assume every departure will feel like a private trek.

Day 1: Cusco to Lares and Wakawasi

Your pickup begins around 6:00 am in Cusco. The van takes you to Lares Town at 2,900 meters, where you can visit the hot springs before the hike. The pools cost an extra 10 soles, and you should bring a swimsuit if you want to use them.

The hot springs are a pleasant option after the early transfer, but they are not included and should not be treated as a guaranteed long stop. The first day still covers 14 kilometers in about six hours, so your guide will need to keep an eye on timing.

The trail climbs in zigzags toward Wakawasi at 3,850 meters. Along the way, you can expect views of glaciers, wildlife, and small mountain communities. The climb gains a great deal of height, so the scenery comes with real physical cost. Even if the distance looks moderate on paper, altitude can make each uphill section feel longer.

The night’s campsite is at the Wakawasi community. This is one of the most meaningful parts of the route because you have the chance to meet local families and see a way of life closely tied to the surrounding mountains. It is not a staged cultural show. The focus is on being near a working community, so you should be respectful, ask before taking photographs, and bring a small gift if you wish.

The first day includes lunch and dinner, but not breakfast. Eat before pickup, and carry water or cash to buy supplies along the way. Bottled water is not included.

Day 2: Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 Meters

Day two is the physical test. You begin with about four hours of uphill walking to Ipsayccocha Pass, at 4,400 meters. This is a serious altitude, especially for anyone not used to high mountain travel.

After reaching the pass, the route drops for about 40 minutes to a lakeside lunch stop. The relief of going downhill is welcome, although steep descents can be tiring on your knees. After lunch, you continue for another three hours to Patacancha at 3,800 meters.

The full day covers about 15 kilometers and takes roughly eight hours. You will camp near llamas, alpacas, and native crop fields. This setting gives the trek a strong sense of place. You are not simply crossing mountains between tourist stops. You are walking through communities where farming and herding remain part of daily life.

This is also the day when good equipment matters most. Warm layers, gloves, a hat, rain protection, sturdy trekking boots, and hiking poles are sensible choices. The suggested packing list also includes thermals, rain pants, sun protection, a flashlight, extra batteries, and waterproof bags for electronics.

Electricity may be limited or unavailable during the trek, so charge devices before leaving Cusco and keep extra batteries or a power solution with you. Carry hand sanitizer, personal medication, and a small first aid kit even though the guide carries a larger kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

Day 3: Patacancha, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes

The third day is shorter on foot. From Patacancha, you walk about four hours to Ollantaytambo, covering approximately 12 kilometers. After lunch, you board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.

This change from trail to train is useful. You have two demanding mountain days behind you, and the hotel night gives you a proper bed before the early visit to the ruins. The package includes one night at a 3-star hotel, with couples receiving a private room and single travelers sharing with another person.

Your guide will meet you in Aguas Calientes to explain the next morning’s plan. The guide does not accompany you on the bus and train transfers, so pay attention to instructions and keep your tickets and departure information safe.

Aguas Calientes gives you time to rest or walk around town. The supplied details note internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, shops, and places to relax. You can also arrange an extra night here when booking if you want more time before returning to Cusco.

Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cook’s role is one of the trip’s strongest practical features. Menus may include soups, quinoa, eggs, pancakes, 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.

Day 4: Early Buses and Machu Picchu

The final day begins early. You are scheduled to catch a bus around 5:30 am for the 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The purpose is to reach the site while morning mist may still be lifting, before the day becomes hotter and busier.

Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours, covering the principal buildings and the story of the site. Afterward, you have time to explore independently and take photographs. The guided portion is valuable because Machu Picchu can otherwise become a grand collection of impressive stones without much context.

You can add Huayna Picchu, the steep peak inside the archaeological site, for an extra fee. The climb takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can be muddy. Only 400 people are allowed each day under the stated arrangement, with 200 entering at 7:00 am and 200 at 10:00 am. You must request and buy this ticket at least two weeks ahead.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional paid hike, and its ticket must be arranged at least one week in advance. Optional ticket prices can change, so confirm the current cost before departure.

After visiting the ruins, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. The town’s marketplace near the station is a convenient place to shop before the train. The return train goes to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus to Cusco, where arrival is expected around 8:00 pm. Drop-off is at Plaza San Francisco, and you make your own way to your accommodation.

That final transfer makes day four long. You should not plan an important evening activity in Cusco or an onward flight that night.

What the $847 Price Really Covers

At $847 per person, this is not a budget walk, but the price includes a substantial amount of logistics. You receive Cusco pickup, transport to Lares, two camping nights, one hotel night, three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, snacks, a cook, horses, tents, basic sleeping mattresses, trains, buses, Machu Picchu transport, admission, and guiding.

The package also includes a bilingual guide for the trek and Machu Picchu. The train and bus transfers are not guided, which is normal for a package of this kind but worth understanding before you go.

You still need to budget for a sleeping bag rental, priced at $15, hot springs, bottled water, breakfast on day one, lunch on day four, tips, and any optional mountain hike. You also pay for your Cusco accommodation and your own return from Plaza San Francisco to that accommodation.

The seven-kilo porter allowance is a useful value. You can hike with a lighter daypack while horses carry shared supplies and part of your personal gear. Remember that the allowance is limited, and the sleeping bag and mattress count toward it.

Guides, Food, and Group Size

Guide Percy received special praise for being experienced, funny, helpful, considerate, and strong in English. That combination matters on a high-altitude trip. A guide needs to explain local life, manage the pace, give clear instructions, and notice when someone is struggling.

The food also received strong praise. The cook prepares fresh meals in the mountains, with a large menu and snacks such as popcorn, crackers, and cookies. Hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk are available with meals and snacks.

The group maximum is 15, with an average of four. Small groups usually make campsite routines and trail pacing easier, but the maximum gives you a realistic upper limit. Couples have their own tent, while solo participants share a tent and a hotel room with another person.

Fitness, Altitude, and Packing

You should treat this as a difficult trek, not a casual hike with a Machu Picchu visit attached. The route includes two long days, an 8-hour day, and a pass at 4,400 meters. A moderate fitness level is required, but strong preparation is wise.

Warm clothing is essential even if Cusco feels mild. Pack layers, thermal clothing, gloves, a warm hat, rain pants, a poncho, warm socks, trekking boots, and sun protection. Bring a refillable water bottle, though bottled water and sports drinks may cost more along the route.

The minimum age is seven, but the altitude and walking times matter more than the age limit. Families should judge each child’s ability to handle cold, steep climbs, long hours, and basic camping.

You must carry your original passport. Passport details must match the information used for permits and entrance tickets, and the passport must be valid for at least six months after the travel date. If you renewed your passport after booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy.

A mandatory briefing takes place at 6:00 pm the evening before departure at the Cusco office on Calle Matara 242, second floor. This is when you receive the final packing list and confirm departure arrangements, so plan your Cusco schedule around it.

Should You Book This Lares Trek?

Book this trip if you want a high-altitude mountain route, direct contact with Andean communities, strong meals, and a guided Machu Picchu visit in one package. It suits people who value local settings and practical support more than luxurious camping.

Think twice if you dislike early mornings, shared tents, long climbs, uncertain weather, or high altitude. The non-refundable booking terms also make travel insurance and careful planning especially important.

For fit hikers who want a quieter alternative to the classic route, this is a well-balanced package. The combination of local guide Percy, excellent cooking, small-group pacing, included transport, and time at Wakawasi gives the trek real character. Just respect the mountain, pack for cold conditions, and do not underestimate the 4,400-meter pass.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days and includes two nights camping, one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu.

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters.

How difficult is this trek?

The trek is described as difficult and requires good physical condition. The longest day covers about 15 kilometers and takes roughly eight hours.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Day one breakfast and day four lunch are not included.

Can I request vegetarian meals?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at least two days before departure.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You can rent one in Cusco for $15.

Are the hot springs in Lares included?

No. Entry costs 10 soles and is paid separately.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Huayna Picchu is an optional extra-cost hike. The ticket must be requested at least two weeks ahead, subject to availability.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 15 people, with an average group size of four.