Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu begins with an early 6:00 a.m. pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We travel by private van toward the Sacred Valley, taking the scenic route to Pisac. Along the way, we stop at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the valley, where you can admire the impressive Inca agricultural terraces covering the mountainsides.

We then visit the Pisac archaeological site, one of the most important Inca settlements in the Sacred Valley. Explore its impressive terraces, ancient religious sector, Inca tunnels, and extensive hillside cemetery, believed to contain thousands of tombs.

After exploring Pisac, we continue to Calca, where we stop at the local market to purchase any last-minute supplies for the trek. From there, we drive to Huaran, the starting point of our hike, where we meet the horsemen and horses who will assist with the journey.

Once everyone is ready, we begin our first hike, a gradual 3-hour ascent toward Cancha Cancha. Along the trail, your trekking chef will prepare a delicious lunch beside the river, giving you time to rest and recharge while enjoying the peaceful Andean surroundings.

By afternoon, we arrive at Cancha Cancha (3,900 m / 12,800 ft), one of the most remote and traditional communities in the region. With no road access, the community has preserved its traditional way of life for generations. After settling into your tents and enjoying afternoon tea, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family and learn about daily life in this authentic Andean village.

After dinner, your guide will introduce you to the Inca constellations, which have long played an important role in Andean culture and agricultural traditions. As night falls over the mountains, you can relax and enjoy the spectacular clarity of the Andean sky

we begin an approximately 7-hour hike toward Quiswarani, heading northeast through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Lares region.

The day starts with a challenging ascent toward Pachacutec Pass (4,500 m / 14,800 ft), the highest point of the trek. Although this section is demanding, the incredible scenery makes every step worthwhile. Along the trail, you’ll enjoy views of snow-capped glaciers, remote turquoise lakes, rugged valleys, and expansive mountain landscapes. Keep an eye out for Caracara falcons and Andean geese soaring above the highlands, as well as herds of alpacas grazing on the mountainsides.

After reaching the summit, we begin a gradual 3-hour descent toward Quiswarani (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), where we will spend the night. The trail takes us through remote areas where you may encounter local Quechua communities dressed in traditional clothing and herding llamas and alpacas.

This is also a wonderful opportunity to experience Andean culture firsthand. Local people may greet you in Quechua, the traditional language of the Andes. Your guide will help translate and teach you a few basic Quechua words and phrases along the way.

As we approach camp, we pass the spectacular Seven Waterfalls, a beautiful series of cascades surrounded by the dramatic mountain scenery. From here, it’s only a short distance to our campsite.

When you arrive, your tents will already be prepared. Relax with a hot drink and some appetizers while enjoying the peaceful surroundings before dinner. After a rewarding day on the trail, settle in for a well-deserved night’s rest beneath the Andean sky.

Today is the most scenic day of your Lares Trek, combining spectacular mountain landscapes, authentic Andean culture, and a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs of Lares.

After breakfast, we begin a 3-hour ascent toward Willqaqasa Pass (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). From the pass, enjoy breathtaking views of pristine glacial lakes reflecting the surrounding mountains like mirrors. The majestic Colquecruz and Pitusiray Mountains dominate the landscape, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your trek.

We continue through the high-altitude puna grasslands, traditional agricultural areas, and a series of beautiful natural lakes. After approximately two hours of descending, we reach the Cuncani community, where you can experience a glimpse of local Andean life. If possible, we may visit the local school and spend some time with the children, offering a meaningful opportunity to connect with the community.

From Cuncani, we meet our private driver and begin the scenic journey down through lush valleys filled with agricultural fields, fruit trees, native flowers, begonias, and wild orchids. Our destination is Lares (3,100 m / 10,170 ft), famous for its natural hot springs.

After the trek, enjoy approximately one hour soaking in the natural volcanic hot springs, followed by lunch and time to relax. This is also the perfect moment to say goodbye to your dedicated trekking chef and horsemen, who have supported you throughout the journey.

After lunch, we continue by private transportation for approximately 2.5 hours to Ollantaytambo. Here, we have dinner before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, where we spend the night and prepare for tomorrow’s unforgettable visit to the Inca citadel.

After an early breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, giving you the opportunity to arrive early.

Once inside Machu Picchu, your professional guide will lead you on an approximately 2-hour guided tour, visiting many of the most important areas of the archaeological site. You will learn about the fascinating history and construction of Machu Picchu, as well as how the citadel was organized into three main sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.

After exploring Machu Picchu and taking in its spectacular mountain views, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch (not included). Depending on your train schedule, you may also have time to explore the town, shop for souvenirs, visit the museum, or relax at the hot springs.

In the afternoon, board the train back to Ollantaytambo and enjoy the scenic journey through the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival, our driver will meet you outside the train station and take you by private transportation back to Cusco. You can expect to arrive at your hotel at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Note: The Machu Picchu circuit depends on availability at the time of booking. Circuit 2 is included by default whenever available. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.