4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

High passes, hot springs, and Machu Picchu await. I like the route’s quieter feel, with mountain communities, llamas, alpacas, glaciers, and native crops replacing the crowds of the classic Inca Trail. I also like the small-group format, with a maximum of 15 people and an average group size of four.

The catch is the altitude. You will spend much of the trek above 4,000 meters, including a 4,400-meter pass, so this is a serious hike rather than a gentle walk with a famous ruin at the end. Guide Percy has earned praise for his humor, good English, helpful attitude, and care on the trail, while the cook receives equally strong marks for the food.

Key points to know before booking

• The highest point is Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters, reached on a demanding second day.
• You camp for two nights and spend the third night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• A local guide, cook, and horse team support the trek, with horses carrying camping gear and up to seven kilos per trekker.
• The route includes real community encounters, with camps near Wakawasi and Patacancha, plus llamas, alpacas, and crop fields.
• Machu Picchu receives a two-hour guided visit, followed by free time for your own photos and exploring.
• The $847 price includes major transport and meals, but not a sleeping bag, hot springs, bottled water, tips, or optional mountain hikes.

Why choose the Lares route to Machu Picchu?

The Lares Trek gives you a different kind of Andean experience. Its main attraction is not a chain of Inca ruins along the trail. Instead, you hike through high mountain country where local communities still farm, raise animals, and live close to the land.

That makes the route a good choice if you want your Machu Picchu trip to include more than the final archaeological site. You get two full days of mountain walking, a pass above 4,000 meters, nights under canvas, and time near communities in Wakawasi and Patacancha.

You also avoid carrying a full camping load. Horses transport the cooking and camping equipment, along with seven kilos for each trekker during the first three days. That allowance includes 2.5 kilos for a sleeping bag and mattress, plus 2.5 kilos of personal items, according to the stated breakdown. Check the remaining allowance with the operator before packing, since the listed figures do not account for every kilo in a simple way.

The group size is another plus. The maximum is 15, but the average is four. A small group usually makes it easier to keep a steady pace, ask questions, and share meals without the feel of a large procession.

Day 1: Lares hot springs and the climb to Wakawasi

Your pickup from Cusco is scheduled for about 6:00 in the morning. The van takes you to Lares Town at 2,900 meters, where you can visit the hot springs before the hike. The springs cost an additional 10 soles, and the activity is optional, so bring a bathing suit and some small cash if you want a warm start.

The trek then begins with a long, zigzagging climb toward Wakawasi. The day covers about 14 kilometers in six hours, with camp at 3,850 meters. Along the way, you may see glaciers, wildlife, and farming communities.

This is an excellent first look at what makes the route different. The focus is on open mountain scenery and daily life in the Andes, not on checking off one ruin after another. At Wakawasi, the camp gives you a chance to meet local families living in the community.

The main concern is the quick gain in altitude. You begin at 2,900 meters and sleep at 3,850 meters on the same day. If you have just arrived in Cusco from a low elevation, that first climb may feel harder than the distance suggests.

Breakfast on this day is not included, so eat before pickup or bring something with you. Lunch and dinner are included, along with camping and the transfer from Cusco to Lares.

Day 2: The 4,400-meter Ipsayccocha Pass

The second day is the physical test. You begin with about four hours of uphill walking to Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters. After reaching the pass, a 40-minute descent takes you to lunch beside the lake.

You then continue downhill for roughly three hours to Patacancha, at 3,800 meters. The day covers about 15 kilometers and takes around eight hours. That combination of high altitude and long duration means you should arrive with a reasonable level of fitness.

The pass is the dramatic center of the trek. The reward is not simply reaching the highest point, but seeing the high lake and broad mountain views before the trail drops toward Patacancha. I would use hiking poles here, especially for the descent, and keep rain gear close at hand. Conditions can change quickly in the high Andes, and the packing advice specifically calls for warm layers, rain pants, a poncho, gloves, and sturdy trekking boots.

Patacancha provides a gentler finish to a hard day. You camp among llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations. This is one of the most appealing parts of the route because the setting feels tied to working communities rather than arranged only for sightseeing.

Dinner, breakfast, lunch, camping, and snacks are included. The cook prepares fresh meals with local ingredients, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it at least two days before departure.

Food on the trail: a real strength of the trip

Food can make or break a multi-day trek, and this trip puts a cook in charge of the camp meals. The menus include porridge, quinoa, oats, eggs, omelets, pancakes, fresh bread, and fried bananas for breakfast.

Lunch and dinner can include soups, avocado, potatoes, chicken, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, pasta, and Peruvian dishes such as aji de gallina or ajiaco de olluco. Desserts may include fried plantains, cake, or chocolate pudding. Snacks include popcorn, cookies, crackers, and hot drinks.

The meal plan is generous by trekking standards, and the cook received especially strong praise. One review singled out the food and chef, while another described the meals as excellent and the organization as very good.

You should still carry your own water. Bottled water is not included, and prices for water, sports drinks, and snacks rise along the trail. A reusable water bottle, hand sanitizer, and a small personal first-aid kit belong in your daypack.

Day 3: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then the train

Day three changes the rhythm. From Patacancha, you walk for about four hours to Ollantaytambo, covering approximately 12 kilometers. You then have lunch and board a train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.

This section is much shorter than the previous day, but you still need energy because you are finishing the trek and managing a transfer. The train is included, as is your one-night stay in a three-star hotel.

Aguas Calientes gives you a welcome break from camping. You can shower, sleep in a proper bed, and wander around town. The information provided points to internet cafes, cafes with board games and cards, shops, and places to relax. The guide meets you to explain the next morning’s Machu Picchu plan.

Single participants share a tent on the first two nights and share a hotel room on the third night. Couples receive their own tent and private hotel room. If you want more time in Aguas Calientes, an extra night can be arranged when booking.

One practical limitation is that the guide does not accompany you on the bus and train transfers. You receive help on the trek and during the Machu Picchu tour, but the transport portions are handled on your own. That is manageable, though you should pay attention to meeting points and train details.

Day 4: Early buses and the Machu Picchu visit

The final morning begins early. The planned bus leaves Aguas Calientes at about 5:30 a.m. and takes around 25 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. The early arrival is meant to let you see the site as the mist lifts and morning light reaches the stonework.

Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours. The visit covers the most important areas and explains the site’s history. Afterward, you have free time to explore and take photographs at your own pace.

The bus back to Aguas Calientes is included. Before the train, you can visit the marketplace beside the station, then take the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 p.m. The final drop-off is at Plaza San Francisco, so you must arrange your own way to your Cusco accommodation.

The schedule is full, but it makes good use of the final day. You see Machu Picchu with a guide, have time on your own, and still return to Cusco that evening. Do not count on a restful travel day. You will have an early start, a major site visit, a market stop, a train, and a long bus ride.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain

You can add a climb of Huayna Picchu for an extra fee. The steep trail takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can be muddy. It offers a different view over Machu Picchu, but it is not included in the base price.

Huayna Picchu has limited entry. The stated allocation is 400 passes, with 200 people admitted at 7:00 a.m. and another 200 at 10:00 a.m. You must request and purchase this ticket at least two weeks in advance.

Machu Picchu Mountain is also an optional paid addition, and its ticket must be arranged at least one week ahead. Prices for both options can change, so confirm the current cost before departure.

I would only add one of these hikes if you are comfortable with steep walking after completing the trek. The main Machu Picchu tour already gives you a full visit, and the optional peaks make the day longer.

What the $847 price really covers

At $847 per person, this is not a budget day trip, but the price includes a great deal. You receive Cusco pickup, transport to Lares, two nights of camping, one hotel night, the tourist train, buses to and from Machu Picchu, the return bus to Cusco, a bilingual guide, a cook, meals, snacks, camping equipment, and entrance-related transport.

The included horse support is important. Carrying only a limited personal load makes the high-altitude walking more realistic, especially on the long second day. Emergency oxygen and a first-aid kit are also carried, which is reassuring in a remote mountain setting.

You still need to budget for a sleeping bag rental at $15 if you do not bring one, the Lares hot springs at 10 soles, bottled water, day one breakfast, day four lunch, tips, and any optional mountain hike. Cusco accommodation is also separate, as are airport transfers and the final journey from Plaza San Francisco to your hotel.

Tips are optional. Suggested amounts are 40 to 60 soles per trekker for the guide, 30 to 40 soles for an assistant guide, 60 to 80 soles for each horseman from the whole group, and 150 to 200 soles for the cook from the whole group. Treat these as guidelines, not compulsory charges.

Guides, camp support, and group comfort

The guide is central to this experience because the route is physically demanding and the final Machu Picchu visit depends on clear explanations. Percy is specifically praised for experience, humor, helpfulness, consideration during the hike, and strong English.

The trip also includes a cook and horsemen. That support lets you concentrate on walking, scenery, and community encounters instead of setting up camp and preparing meals. Camping remains basic, with a tent for two people and a basic sleeping mattress, so do not expect lodge comfort.

Electricity is limited to nonexistent during the trek. Bring a flashlight, spare batteries, and an extra memory card if you plan to take many photos. Waterproof bags are sensible for cameras and personal items.

Departure dates are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Daily departures are possible with a group of four or more. The minimum age is seven, but the high altitude and long walking days make fitness more important than age alone.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A quieter alternative route to Machu Picchu
• Direct contact with mountain communities
• A small group and bilingual local guide
• Two full days of demanding hiking
• Camping without carrying all your equipment
• Fresh Peruvian meals, including vegetarian choices
• A guided Machu Picchu visit with free time afterward

I would not choose it for a relaxed holiday, a short acclimatization schedule, or a trip built around comfort. The 4,400-meter pass is the key warning. Warm clothes, proper boots, rain protection, and prior time at altitude in Cusco are sensible preparations, though the supplied information does not prescribe a specific acclimatization period.

Book only after checking your passport details carefully. You must provide your full name as shown on your passport, birth date, nationality, passport number, and expiration date. The passport must remain valid for at least six months after the travel date. Once permits and tickets are confirmed, changes or discrepancies can cause you to lose those costs.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so insurance is worth considering. You also need to attend the mandatory briefing at the Cusco office at 6:00 p.m. the evening before departure. That meeting covers the packing list and final departure details.

Should you book the Lares Trek?

Book this trip if the road to Machu Picchu matters almost as much as Machu Picchu itself. The Lares route gives you high mountain scenery, community contact, camp life, strong meals, and a small group, then finishes with a well-organized visit to South America’s most famous archaeological site.

Skip it if you dislike early starts, basic camping, shared accommodation, or long climbs at high altitude. At $847, the value is strongest for someone who wants a supported trek with transport and meals bundled together, not for someone seeking the cheapest possible way to reach Machu Picchu.

For the right hiker, this is a demanding but rewarding four-day plan. Percy’s friendly guidance and the cook’s well-regarded meals add comfort where it counts, while the route itself supplies the quiet mountain experience many people hope to find in Peru.

FAQ

How difficult is the Lares Trek?

The trek is described as difficult and requires good physical condition. Much of the walking takes place around 4,000 meters, with the highest point at Ipsayccocha Pass, at 4,400 meters.

What is included in the $847 price?

The price includes Cusco accommodation pickup, transport to Lares, two nights of camping, one night in a three-star Aguas Calientes hotel, meals, snacks, a bilingual guide, cook, horse support, tourist train tickets, buses to Machu Picchu and Cusco, and the two-hour Machu Picchu guided visit.

Is the Lares hot spring visit included?

No. The hot springs cost 10 soles and are optional. Bring a bathing suit if you plan to visit.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

A sleeping bag is not included. You can rent one in Cusco for $15 for the trek.

Can I request vegetarian meals?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available with advance notice. The request should be made at least two days before departure.

How much luggage can the horses carry for me?

Horses carry camping and cooking equipment, plus a total of seven kilos for each trekker during the first three days. The stated allowance includes sleeping equipment and personal items.

Is a guide present during the train and bus transfers?

No. A guide accompanies you during the trek and at Machu Picchu, but the bus and train transfer portions are on your own.

Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, both are optional paid additions. Huayna Picchu must be requested at least two weeks ahead, while Machu Picchu Mountain must be arranged at least one week ahead. Availability and prices can change.