The Lares trek is the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail: fewer hikers, no permit and a close look at life in the Andes. Day one passes the Calca market and the Lares hot springs before an easy walk to camp at Wacahuasi, a village where families still weave in traditional dress. Day two climbs about three hours to the Sacsallaully pass (4,646 m), with views of glacial lakes such as Aruray Cocha, llamas, alpacas and sometimes vicuñas.
Day three is the easiest: a walk down to Yanahuara, a stop in Ollantaytambo and the train to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night. On day four you enter Machu Picchu early for a guided visit and return to Cusco by train. Horses carry the gear and a chef cooks every meal on the trail; the train, hotel and Machu Picchu entrance are included for US $490. Read what makes the Lares trek special.
A soak in natural thermal pools on the first day of the trek.
Living Quechua culture
Villages where families herd llamas and weave in traditional dress.
Sacsallaully pass
The high point at 4,646 m, with glacial lakes and snow peaks around you.
Fewer hikers
A quiet route compared with the Inca Trail and Salkantay.
Ollantaytambo and the train
The living Inca town and the scenic train to Aguas Calientes.
No permit needed
Only the Machu Picchu ticket, included in the price.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Lares to Machu Picchu 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco, Calca, Lares and Wacahuasi
A 5:30 AM start visits a Sacred Valley viewpoint and the Calca market before reaching Lares (3,100 m) and its hot springs. A gentle two-hour walk reaches the Vilcabamba bridge for lunch, then three hours to camp at Wacahuasi (3,750 m) among welcoming villagers.
Distance
11 km
Duration
4–5 hours
Campsite
3,750 m
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 2
Wacahuasi, Sacsallaully Pass and Mantanay
A three-hour climb to the Sacsallaully Pass (4,646 m) gives panoramas of valleys, snow peaks and Aruray Cocha lake, with Andean wildlife along the way. You descend past glacial lakes and Queuña forest to camp at Mantanay (3,850 m).
Distance
15 km
Duration
6–7 hours
Max altitude
4,646 m
Campsite
3,850 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 3
Mantanay, Yanahuara, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
The easiest day descends about an hour to Yanahuara, then a short drive to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town. After lunch the early-afternoon train carries you to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m) for a hotel night and final briefing.
Distance
3 km
Duration
~1 hour hiking
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,000 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Easy
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
An early 5:00 AM hike up lets you enter Machu Picchu among the first for the sunrise and a two-hour guided tour, with optional Huayna Picchu, then the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 PM.
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and bus to Cusco
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.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Lares to Machu Picchu 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: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Chef and cooking equipment
Horses and muleteers for gear
Train tickets Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
One night hotel in Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
Oxygen and first aid kit
Return transfer to Cusco
Not Included
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 to Machu Picchu 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 trekking days cross the Sacsallaully pass (4,646 m) between Andean villages, with 5–7 hours of walking on open mountain paths. Two or three days of acclimatization in Cusco are recommended.
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 $490 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $466 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $441 / 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.
Moderate, at high altitude: 5–7 hours on the main trekking days, with the 4,646 m pass on day two. Acclimatize in Cusco for two or three days.
No. Lares does not need an Inca Trail permit; the Machu Picchu entrance is included.
Two nights camping (Wacahuasi and Mantanay) and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
