This trek combines the two sides of the Andes: the living culture of the Lares villages and the Inca road into Machu Picchu. Day one passes the Calca market and the Lares hot springs on the way to camp at Wacahuasi; day two climbs to the Sacsallaully pass (4,646 m) among glacial lakes and llamas, then descends to camp at Yanahuara.
On day three the train takes you to Km 104 for the Short Inca Trail: up through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu appears below you, before a hotel night in Aguas Calientes. Day four is the guided visit of the citadel and the train back. Horses carry the gear, a chef cooks on the trek, and the permit, train, hotel and Machu Picchu entrance are included for US $820. More in our Lares and Inca Trail guide.
Camp near communities that still herd llamas and weave in traditional dress.
Sacsallaully pass
The high point at 4,646 m, with glacial lakes such as Aruray Cocha.
The Short Inca Trail
From Km 104 through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna.
Through the Sun Gate
Your first view of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku.
Lares hot springs
An optional soak on the first day.
Machu Picchu with a guide
A full guided visit on the last day, entrance included.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Lares and Inca Trail 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco, Calca, Lares hot springs and Wacahuasi
A 5:30 AM pickup drives to the Sacred Valley and the Calca market, then on to Lares (3,100 m) and its soothing thermal baths. A gentle two-hour walk reaches the Vilcabamba bridge for lunch, then three more hours to camp at Wacahuasi (3,750 m), welcomed by children in traditional dress.
Distance
11 km
Duration
~5 hours
Campsite
3,750 m
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 2
Wacahuasi, Sacsallaully Pass and Yanahuara
A three-hour climb to the Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m) reveals valleys, snow peaks and Aruray Cocha lake, with llamas, alpacas and vicuñas en route. You descend past glacial lakes and Queuña forest to camp at Yanahuara (2,780 m).
Distance
14 km
Duration
5–6 hours
Max altitude
4,646 m
Campsite
2,780 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 3
Ollantaytambo, Km 104, Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu
A transfer to Ollantaytambo and the train to Km 104 (2,200 m) start the Short Inca Trail. After Chachabamba you climb past waterfalls and orchids to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m), then on to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and a first view of Machu Picchu, descending to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.
Distance
12 km
Duration
5.5–6 hours
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,160 m
Meals
Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Moderate
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
DAY 4
Machu Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco
A morning two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with free time for the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge (optional Huayna Picchu, $75), then lunch in Aguas Calientes, the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to Cusco.
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Lares and Inca Trail 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport Cusco to Lares
Bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
Meals as detailed (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
Chef and cooking equipment
Horses and muleteers for gear
Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
Train and bus connections
One night hotel in Aguas Calientes
Oxygen and first aid kit
Return transfer to Cusco
Not Included
Final day lunch
Hot springs entrance (optional)
Sleeping bag and poles (rent in Cusco)
Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Lares and Inca Trail 4 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Moderate, at high altitude. The Lares stages cross the Sacsallaully pass (4,646 m) between Andean villages, with 5–7 hours of walking; the last trekking day follows the Short Inca Trail on stone steps to the Sun Gate.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,646 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $820 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $779 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $738 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Yes, for the Short Inca Trail section. We request it in your passport name when you book; the Inca Trail closes every February.
Moderate at high altitude: 5–7 hours of walking on the Lares days and a few hours of stone steps on the Inca Trail.
Two nights camping (Wacahuasi and Yanahuara) and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Lunch on the last day, the hot springs entrance, sleeping bag and poles, optional Huayna Picchu and tips.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
