4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The best part of this four-day trip is the route itself: you reach Machu Picchu by walking through high Andean communities rather than simply taking the train from Cusco. The 4,400-meter Ipsayccocha Pass is a serious test, but the reward is wide mountain views, glacial peaks, llamas, alpacas, and quiet villages far from the main tourist track.

I like the small groups, which average four people and never exceed 15. I also like the practical mix of camping, local cooking, a night in a three-star hotel, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu. The main drawback is the altitude and effort. Two days reach above 3,800 meters, and the second day includes about eight hours of walking.

Key points to know

• Cross the 4,400-meter Ipsayccocha Pass on the trek’s hardest and most scenic day.
• Camp near Wakawasi and Patacancha, with local families, llamas, alpacas, and native crops nearby.
• Travel with a local bilingual guide, including guides such as Percy, praised for clear English and considerate support.
• Eat fresh Peruvian meals prepared by a dedicated cook, with vegetarian dishes available if requested ahead of time.
• Reach Machu Picchu early, then take a two-hour guided tour followed by free time to explore.
• Carry only part of your gear, since horses transport camping equipment and up to seven kilograms per person for the first three days.

Why the Lares route feels different

The Lares Trek is a strong choice if you want Machu Picchu to be the end of a real mountain journey, not the only event of the trip. The path climbs through high country where local communities still farm native crops and raise llamas and alpacas.

You will not be walking on the famous Inca Trail, so you do not get the same archaeological ruins along the route. What you gain is a more rural setting and a closer look at life in the Cusco highlands. The route also avoids four straight nights of camping by placing you in an Aguas Calientes hotel on the third night.

The price is $847 per person. That is a substantial amount, but it covers transport from Cusco to Lares, camping, a hotel, meals, a cook, horses for supplies, the train, the Machu Picchu buses, entrance arrangements, and guide services. You still pay for a sleeping bag, bottled water, Lares hot springs, optional mountain hikes, tips, and your Cusco lodging.

I see the price as reasonable for a guided four-day package, especially since the train and Machu Picchu transport can add up quickly when arranged separately. It is less appealing if you already have camping equipment, know the route well, and prefer to organize every piece yourself.

Day 1: From Lares hot springs to Wakawasi

Pickup from your Cusco accommodation is around 6:00 in the morning. The van takes you to Lares Town at about 2,900 meters, where you can pay an additional 10 soles to use the hot springs before the hike.

This is a useful option if you arrive ready for a gentle start, but do not count on it as a long relaxation session. The day still includes around six hours of walking and a steady zigzag climb to Wakawasi at 3,850 meters.

The first day covers about 14 kilometers. As you climb, you can expect views of glaciers, high mountain slopes, wildlife, and local communities. The setting changes quickly from the lower town to a much colder, more exposed camp.

You spend the night camping near the Wakawasi community. That location gives you a chance to meet local families and see how people live in close contact with the mountains. Camping is basic, with a tent for two and a sleeping mattress supplied. Solo hikers share a tent with another person, while couples have their own tent.

Lunch and dinner are included, but breakfast on this first morning is not. Eat before pickup or bring food for the journey. The operator also suggests extra cash for snacks, water, and sports drinks, which cost more along the trail.

Day 2: The hard climb over Ipsayccocha Pass

Day two is the physical center of the trip. You begin with about four hours of uphill walking to Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters. At that height, the difficulty comes from both the climb and the thin air.

After the pass, you walk downhill for about 40 minutes to a lake, where lunch is served. You then continue for another three hours to Patacancha, at roughly 3,800 meters. The full day covers around 15 kilometers and takes about eight hours.

This is where honest preparation matters. The tour asks for moderate fitness, but I would treat that as a minimum. You should be comfortable with long uphill walks and cold conditions. Warm layers, gloves, a hat, rain protection, and sturdy trekking boots are not optional extras here.

The camp near Patacancha is surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and native crop fields. That setting helps explain why this route appeals to people who want more than a direct transfer to Machu Picchu. You are moving through working communities, not just passing through a scenic recreation area.

Your cook prepares breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during the trek. Menus can include quinoa, soups, eggs, pancakes, rice, chicken, beef stew, pasta, potatoes, plantains, and cake. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it at least two days before departure.

Day 3: Walking to Ollantaytambo, then taking the train

The third morning is easier on paper. From Patacancha, you walk about four hours and 12 kilometers to Ollantaytambo. You have lunch there, then board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes.

This change from trail to rail is well timed. After two demanding mountain days, you get a bed, a shower, and a little freedom to move around town. The included hotel is rated three stars, and solo visitors share a room with another person. Couples receive a private room.

Aguas Calientes is a practical overnight stop rather than a quiet village. You can find cafes, internet cafes, shops, and places with board games and cards. Your guide meets you to explain the next day’s plan, but you are on your own during the train and bus transfers.

That distinction matters. You have guide support during the hike and the Machu Picchu visit, but not while boarding or riding the train and buses. Keep your tickets, passport, and daypack organized, and pay attention to instructions from the group leader.

An extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged if you want more time there. The standard schedule, however, moves quickly because you return to Cusco on day four.

Day 4: First buses into Machu Picchu

The day starts early. You take one of the first buses at about 5:30 in the morning, with the ride to Machu Picchu taking around 25 minutes. The early timing is meant to let you see the site as morning mist clears.

Your guide gives you a walking tour of about two hours. The visit covers the major parts of the archaeological site and explains its history. Afterward, you have free time to explore and take photographs at your own pace.

I like this balance. A guided walk helps you understand what you are seeing, while free time keeps the visit from feeling like a nonstop lecture. Still, your time inside is shaped by the day’s schedule, so do not expect unlimited wandering.

Huayna Picchu is an optional add-on. The climb takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes and can be muddy and steep. Only 400 passes are available each day, split between 7:00 and 10:00 entry times, so you must request the extra ticket at least two weeks ahead.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another paid option, and its ticket must be arranged at least one week in advance. Prices for these hikes can change, so confirm the current cost before departure.

After the site visit, you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. You can shop at the local market near the train station before the train leaves for Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus takes you back to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 in the evening at Plaza San Francisco.

The final transfer is not a hotel drop-off. You make your own way from the plaza to your Cusco accommodation, so plan for that after a very long day.

What the guides and crew add

A local guide leads both the trek and Machu Picchu visit. One guide named Percy is specifically associated with the experience, with clear English, a good sense of humor, and a considerate approach on the trail.

That last quality matters at altitude. A good guide needs to watch the group’s pace, explain what is ahead, and help people manage a hard day without making the experience feel like a race. The group size helps here. The average is four people, and the maximum is 15.

The cook is another important part of the package. Meals are prepared fresh, served in generous portions, and built around familiar Peruvian ingredients. After a cold night or a long climb, hot soup, porridge, quinoa, tea, and a full evening meal are more than a pleasant extra.

Horses carry the cooking and camping equipment, plus up to seven kilograms per hiker for the first three days. That allowance includes 2.5 kilograms for a sleeping bag and mattress and 2.5 kilograms for personal items, according to the supplied breakdown. You still need a daypack with water, rain gear, warm clothing, sun protection, and personal medicine.

Packing for high altitude and cold camps

Pack for changing conditions. The route reaches 4,400 meters, and the supplied guidance specifically calls for warm clothes. You should also bring rain pants, a poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, thermal layers, gloves, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a flashlight.

Electricity is limited to nonexistent during the camping nights. Bring spare camera batteries and memory cards, and protect electronics in waterproof bags. A refillable water bottle is useful, but bottled water is not included.

You can rent a sleeping bag in Cusco for $15. Hiking poles are also suggested, especially for the steep climb and the downhill sections. A swimsuit is useful only if you plan to pay for the Lares hot springs.

Do not forget your original passport. The passport details used for the booking must match your documents exactly, including your full name, date of birth, nationality, number, and expiration date. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the travel date.

If you renew or replace the passport used for booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy. Permit and entrance changes cannot be made after confirmation without financial consequences.

Timing, departure dates, and practical limits

The regular departure days are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Daily departures can be arranged for groups of four or more. A mandatory briefing takes place at the Cusco office at 6:00 in the evening on the day before departure, where you receive the packing list and final departure details.

The minimum age is seven, but that does not mean the trek is easy for every child. The two high-altitude days require stamina, and parents should judge fitness carefully rather than relying only on the age rule.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes travel insurance worth considering, particularly because the tour requires passport information and secures Machu Picchu and train arrangements in advance.

Who should choose this trek?

I would choose this route if you want mountain walking, local communities, and Machu Picchu in one organized trip. It suits hikers who prefer a small group and appreciate having meals, tents, horses, trains, and site transport handled together.

It is also a good fit if you want a gentler cultural alternative to the main Inca Trail, while still accepting serious altitude. The scenery and community contact are the main reasons to choose Lares.

I would look elsewhere if you dislike camping, struggle with long uphill days, or want a relaxed Machu Picchu holiday. The second day is demanding, the final day is long, and several costs remain outside the $847 price.

Should you book the Lares Trek?

Book it if you are prepared for cold, high-altitude walking and want the journey to feel as important as the ruins at the end. The combination of the 4,400-meter pass, local camps, a helpful guide such as Percy, hearty cooking, and a comfortable Aguas Calientes night gives the trip a strong balance.

Before paying, confirm the current price of optional hikes, arrange a sleeping bag if needed, request vegetarian meals in advance, and make sure your passport details are correct. If you do those things and train for the altitude, this is a well-organized way to reach Machu Picchu by foot without giving up the convenience of rail travel on the final approach.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days, including two camping nights, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, and the Machu Picchu visit.

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters. Camps are located around 3,850 meters near Wakawasi and 3,800 meters near Patacancha.

Is the trek difficult?

Yes. The tour describes it as difficult and recommends good physical condition. The second day involves about eight hours of walking and includes the climb to the 4,400-meter pass.

What is included in the $847 price?

The package includes Cusco pickup, transport to Lares, camping equipment, a three-star Aguas Calientes hotel, meals, a cook, horses for equipment and limited personal baggage, tourist train service, buses to Machu Picchu and Cusco, a bilingual guide, and the two-hour Machu Picchu guided visit.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You can bring your own or rent one in Cusco for $15.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available with advance notice. You should request them at least two days before departure.

Is the Lares hot spring included?

No. The hot springs in Lares cost an additional 10 soles.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Huayna Picchu requires an extra ticket and must be requested at least two weeks in advance. The hike takes about 45 to 60 minutes.

Are guides present during the train and bus rides?

No. A guide accompanies you during the trek and Machu Picchu tour, but the train and bus transfers are unaccompanied.

Where does the tour end in Cusco?

The bus arrives around 8:00 in the evening at Plaza San Francisco. You arrange your own transport from there to your Cusco accommodation.