Discover the most authentic Machu Picchu hiking tour through the Lares Valley. This 4 day adventure combines Andean culture, remote villages, and natural hot springs, offering a unique alternative to the traditional Inca Trail hike tours.
Overview:
With a fully immersive local experience with the locals and panoramic views, your trip to Machu Picchu will be nothing but spectacular. If you’re looking for the best option to get the most out what you see, then the 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu or Machu Picchu Lares Trek is truly the one for you.
Though this is a hiking trek, there are many stops along the way for you to relax. You’ll experience breathtaking scenery, small towns with amazing people, and finish off the trek with a soak in the thermal waters of Lares as you take a break and reflect on the journey.
About Lares Trek:
The 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu is the home to many villages where you’ll find traditional weavers, farmers, and other places that are famous for their handmade textiles. The indigenous people you’ll meet on this 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu speak Spanish and Quechua.
Being accessible only from Cusco, the Machu Picchu Lares Trek is a popular alternative to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Though it is only a slightly shorter trek, it is much higher in altitude than the Inca Trail.
No permits are required for this trek, and there are many different routes and variations available on the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. If you have the time and need a little extra peace and quiet, then the Lares Trek is for you.
It is also a little easier and not as popular as the traditional route using the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, especially if you go on a 4 Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Don’t get too relaxed, though. The trail may be more comfortable but you will still have to trek over three high mountain passes to get to the final destination of Machu Picchu.
This 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu offers a uniquely immersive experience that will take you step by step to the ancient Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Why Machu Picchu Tours?
We are a fully locally owned tour operator and a licensed Lares Trail operator based in Cusco. Our guides are passionate about the history and culture of Peru. They have years of experience on hiking to Machu Picchu.
We offer Lares Trail both in private and as a small group tour. It is best to experience the trek during the dru season – between March and December.
Lares Trail to Machu Picchu is a high altitude experience. The highest point is at 4830 metres (15850 ft.).We highly recommend you to spend 3-4 days in Cusco before the trail to avoid altitude sickness.
Day 1: Cusco – Pumahuanca Village – Puyoc campsite
Early morning (4:30) transfer from Cusco to Pumahuanca. Here we will have breakfast. During the section of Lares Trail, we will meet some of our locals including the local muleteers who will accompany us on this wonderful trip.
Whilst the walk is about 3 hours, we get the chance see the beautiful valleys of Pumahuanca surrounded by snow capped peaks of Andes Mountain range and extraordinary panorama. We also get the chance to meet local families and interact with them.
After lunch, we continue to climb up for 3 hours until we reach the campsite of Puyoc (14100 ft/4300m). Be sure to bring warm gear as sometime the temperature can reach to 0 degrees.
Day 2: Puyoc - Yanacqocha - Cuncani Campsite
Today is the longest day of the hike where we will climb to the top for 3 hours and a half reach Sicllakasa pass (15850 ft/4830m). You will get beautiful view of Cancha Cancha and Chicon. Be ready to have your camera ready to take many photos of this majestic and unique site. From there, we descend for another 3 hours to reach our lunch point at the community of Cuncani (12426ft/3800 m).
Once we have finished lunch, we will continue on walking for 2 hours and a half until we reach the thermal hot springs of Lares to relax our muscles and unwind.
Day 3: Cuncani - Lares Village (Hot Springs)
Today will be a relaxing day where you will have the opportunity visit a local bar and taste a typical and common drink of the Incas, Chicha.
On return we will have the last lunch with our team of Machu Picchu Tours. This will be our last day to stay with out team whre we will say goodbye and to more great adventures!
From there, you will continue the rest of the trip with our guide to the town of Ollantaytambo (3hrs) and then we take the train to Aguas Calientes (town near Machu Picchu).
Day 4: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Today we hop on a bus and make the journey (30 minutes drive approx.) to visit Machu Picchu, The lost city of the Incas.
Our tour guide will welcome you with a 2 hour guided tour and take you to the most important temples and enclosures Machu Picchu has to offer. After the tour, you will have free time for exploring Machu Picchu on your own.
If you have booked to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will direct you to the trail head. Please make sure to book your tickets months in advance.
Alternatively you can hike to Inti Punku or Sun Gate. This is the point of entrance to the citadel to those on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After the full day tour of Machu Picchu, we will depart Aguas Calientes to board the train at 2:30pm (depending on availability) to Ollantaytambo train station. Here our representative will be meeting you and will be driving you back to Cusco. We will arrive at the City of Cusco by 7:00 p.m.
Inclusions
Departure & Return Location
Cusco Hotel Transfer
Departure Time
4:00 a.m.
Price Includes
- Pick up and drop off in your hotel
- Professional Tour Leader
- Professional Chef
- Entrance to Lares hot springs
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus 7kg of your personal items
- Transportation by bus to Pumahuanca and from Lares to Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek)
- 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know
- 2 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- 3 Star Hotel on Day 3
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
- First aid kit
- Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Price Excludes
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu
- Travel Insurance
- Sleeping Bag USD 20
- Walking Stick USD 8
- Lunch and Dinner on the last day
- Any Private Expenses
Packing listPacking list for the 4 days Lares trek to Machu Picchu
Useful Info
- Level of difficulty: Moderately difficult / Challenging
- Walking Distance – 31 km / 19.2 miles
- Accommodation: Camping & 3 star Hotel (3 rd Night)
- Consideration: Entrance fee required
- Tour availability: Daily departures min 2 people
- Weather: dry from May to October, wet from November to April
- To climb Huayna Picchu mountain you need to book in advance
- 2 or 3 days Acclimatization is Recommended
- Service offered: Group service, Private Service and Luxury Service
Pricing
Small Group Tour (Personalized Experience) :
2 -3 People – 645US$ Per person
4+ People – 625US$ Per person
Children/students 595US$ Per person
Exclusive Private Tour:
2 -3 People – 795US$ Per person
4+ People – 745US$ Per person
Children/students 735US$ Per person
Frequently Asked Questions – 4 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a 4-day hike that combines stunning Andean scenery, turquoise lakes, and visits to traditional Quechua villages, ending with an unforgettable visit to Machu Picchu by train. It’s a quieter alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
It’s rated as a moderate trek, suitable for travelers with good fitness levels and some hiking experience at high altitude.
The best season is from April to October, during the dry season. The rainy season (November to March) can make trails slippery and less enjoyable.
Yes. Spend at least 2 days in Cusco before the trek to adapt to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
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Original passport
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Warm layered clothing
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Waterproof jacket and rain poncho
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Sunscreen and sunglasses
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Water bottle and snacks
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Sleeping bag and trekking poles (if not rented)
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Camera and extra batteries
