4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The best part of this four-day trip is that Machu Picchu comes at the end of a real mountain journey. You walk from the hot springs town of Lares through high passes, alpaca country, and small communities before trading your tent for a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

I like the small-group format, with an average of four people and a maximum of 15. I also like the practical mix of camping, cooked meals, train travel, and a guided Machu Picchu visit. The main caution is simple: this is a hard high-altitude trek, with most of the walking above 4,000 meters.

Key points to know before booking

• 4,400-meter Ipsayccocha Pass: The highest and hardest point comes on Day 2, after a four-hour uphill walk.
• A quieter route to Machu Picchu: You pass through Wakawasi and Patacancha rather than following the crowded classic Inca Trail.
• Percy may be your guide: He has been praised for his humor, helpfulness, careful pacing, and good English.
• Three nights with different comforts: You camp for two nights, then sleep in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Food is a real part of the trip: A cook prepares three breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks, with vegetarian meals available in advance.
• You carry only part of your gear: Horses carry camping equipment and up to seven kilograms per trekker during the first three trekking days.

Why choose the Lares route to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek gives you a different way to reach Machu Picchu. Instead of spending several days on the famous Inca Trail, you walk through the Cusco highlands, where farming communities, llamas, alpacas, glaciers, and mountain lakes shape the journey.

That difference matters. You get fewer archaeological stops during the trek, but more contact with present-day rural life. The route passes through Wakawasi and Patacancha, where families continue to live with crops and animals at high altitude. You should not expect a polished village show or a long cultural program. The value is in seeing how daily life continues in a difficult mountain setting.

The price is $847 per person. That is not a budget walk, but it covers a lot: transport from Cusco to Lares, two nights of camping, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, meals, a cook, horses for gear, trains, buses, a guide, and admission-related transport at Machu Picchu. You still pay extra for a sleeping bag, hot springs, bottled water, tips, and optional mountain hikes.

I see the price as reasonable if you want one organized package and do not want to arrange the moving parts yourself. The value is weaker if you already have camping equipment, prefer independent travel, or want to spend less time on scheduled transport.

Day 1: Lares hot springs and the climb to Wakawasi

Your morning begins around 6:00 am with pickup from your Cusco accommodation. The bus takes you to Lares Town, at about 2,900 meters. You can visit the local hot springs before the trek, but entry costs 10 soles and the stop is optional.

The hot springs can be a pleasant start, especially if you arrived in Cusco tired. Still, remember that you have a six-hour walk ahead. A long soak before a demanding uphill day may not suit everyone. Bring a bathing suit if you plan to go in, and keep your morning moving if you need more time to adjust.

From Lares, the route climbs in a zigzag pattern toward Wakawasi, at approximately 3,850 meters. The day covers about 14 kilometers and takes around six hours. The ascent is the main challenge, since your body is still adapting to the altitude and the trail rises steadily rather than giving you a gentle introduction.

The payoff comes in the views. You may see glaciers, high mountain scenery, wildlife, and local communities along the way. Since the campsite is near the Wakawasi community, you have a chance to see a more personal side of the highlands rather than sleeping at a large commercial camp.

Your first night is in a tent. Couples receive their own tent, while solo participants share with another person. A basic sleeping mattress and tent are included, but you must bring or rent a sleeping bag. The listed rental cost is $15.

Dinner is prepared by the camp cook. Meals use typical Peruvian ingredients, and the menu can include soup, quinoa, rice, chicken, beef, potatoes, pasta, dessert, and hot drinks. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it at least two days before departure.

Day 2: Crossing Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters

Day 2 is the physical center of the trek. You begin with about four hours of uphill walking to Ipsayccocha Pass, at 4,400 meters. This is high country by any standard, and the altitude can make a normal walking pace feel slow.

The pass is the part to respect. Good fitness helps, but fitness alone does not guarantee an easy day at altitude. Walk steadily, drink water, use the breaks, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Warm clothing is important even when the morning begins under sun, since temperatures can change quickly at these elevations.

After the pass, you descend for about 40 minutes to a lake, where lunch is served. The descent should feel welcome after the climb, but uneven ground can still tire your legs. This is a good time to eat properly instead of relying only on snacks.

The afternoon continues for roughly three hours to Patacancha, a mountain town at about 3,800 meters. The full day covers approximately 15 kilometers and eight hours. You camp near llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations, which gives the evening a strong sense of place.

This night is likely to feel more remote than the hotel stay ahead. Electricity can be limited or unavailable during the trek, so keep a flashlight, spare batteries, and a power plan in your day bag. A waterproof bag is useful for your phone, camera, and other items if rain arrives.

The support system helps here. Horses carry cooking and camping equipment plus up to seven kilograms for each trekker during the first three days. The allowance includes about 2.5 kilograms for your sleeping bag and mattress and 2.5 kilograms of personal items, according to the trip details. Pack carefully and confirm with the operator how the remaining weight is handled.

Day 3: From Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then the train

The third trekking day is shorter, at about 12 kilometers and four hours. From Patacancha, you walk downhill toward Ollantaytambo. After two demanding days, this shorter distance gives you a better chance to enjoy the route without rushing.

Ollantaytambo is the point where the mountain walk gives way to the Sacred Valley rail journey. You eat lunch, then board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The train is included, but you will not have a guide accompanying you during the bus and train transfers. You need to follow the instructions given by your guide and pay attention to meeting points.

Aguas Calientes is a useful change of pace. You sleep in a three-star hotel rather than a tent, and you can spend some free time walking around town. The area has cafes, shops, internet cafes, and places with board games and cards. You may also want to keep the evening quiet, since the next morning begins very early.

Your guide meets you to explain the Machu Picchu plan. This briefing matters because entry times, bus timing, and the return train require attention. Ask any questions before separating for the night, especially if you are considering Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Solo participants share a hotel room with another participant, while couples receive a private room. If you want more time in Aguas Calientes, an extra night can be arranged when booking.

Day 4: Early buses and your Machu Picchu visit

The final day starts with one of the first buses, around 5:30 am. The ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes about 25 minutes. Going early gives you a chance to see the site as morning mist lifts, although weather can affect the view.

Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours. The focus is on the key parts of Machu Picchu and the story of the site. After the guided portion, you have free time to explore and take photographs at your own pace.

That arrangement works well for many people. You get enough context to understand what you are seeing, then time to pause at viewpoints, study the stonework, or simply take in the setting. The visit is not a full-day private guiding service, so you should use the two-hour tour to ask your main questions.

Huayna Picchu is an optional extra. The climb takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can be muddy and steep. Only 400 people are allowed up each day, with 200 permits at 7:00 am and 200 at 10:00 am. You must request and pay for the ticket at least two weeks in advance.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional hike and must be arranged at least one week ahead. Prices for both additions can change, so confirm the current cost before departure. Do not book either climb simply because it is available. After three days of trekking, your legs may prefer the main site and an unhurried visit.

After Machu Picchu, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You can shop at the marketplace near the train station before the train leaves for Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, with arrival expected around 8:00 pm at Plaza San Francisco.

The final return is long. There is no drop-off at your Cusco accommodation, so arrange your own way back from the plaza. Do not plan an important evening flight or a tight onward connection after this tour.

Guides, meals, and group size

The operator provides a bilingual guide for the trek and the Machu Picchu visit. Percy has been specifically praised for his experience, humor, helpfulness, care on the trail, and English. That combination matters on a high-altitude route, where a guide needs to do more than point out scenery.

The group size is capped at 15, with an average of four. A small group usually makes it easier to keep a steady pace, ask questions, and manage the early starts. The exact group size can vary by departure date, since departures are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with daily departures possible when four or more people are booked.

Food is one of the strongest practical features. The cook prepares three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Breakfast may include porridge, quinoa, oats, eggs, pancakes, bread, fruit, and hot drinks. Lunch and dinner can include soup, quinoa, potatoes, rice, pasta, meat, vegetables, dessert, coffee, tea, or coca tea.

You should still carry snacks and water. Bottled water is not included, and drinks or sports beverages can cost more along the route. Bring a refillable water bottle, then confirm where safe water is available during the trek.

What to pack for cold, wet mountain days

Pack for several kinds of weather. The route reaches 4,400 meters, and the supplied advice specifically calls for warm clothing, rain protection, and sturdy footwear.

Useful items include:

• Trekking boots and sandals
• Warm socks, thermals, a sweater, hat, and gloves
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Rain pants and a rain poncho
• Hiking poles
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Water bottle and personal medications
• Small personal first-aid kit and hand sanitizer
• Waterproof bags for your camera and phone
• Extra memory card and batteries
• Original passport and any required visa
• Insurance card

Your passport must match the information used for the booking. It must be valid for at least six months after the travel date. If you renewed your passport after booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy of it.

A mandatory briefing takes place at 6:00 pm the evening before departure at the Cusco office on Calle Matara 242, second floor. You receive the packing list, departure details, and final instructions there. Airport pickup and Cusco accommodation are not included, so plan those separately.

Is $847 good value?

At $847, this is a full-service trek rather than a bare-bones hiking package. The cost includes transport at both ends, camping, a hotel, three days of meals, a cook, horses, a guide, Machu Picchu buses, the tourist train, and the two-hour site visit.

The strongest value comes from the logistics. You do not have to arrange separate transport from Lares, find a cook, hire pack animals, reserve the train, or coordinate the early Machu Picchu bus. Those details can become tiring when handled independently.

The price does not cover everything. Add $15 for a sleeping bag rental if needed, 10 soles for the Lares hot springs, money for water and snacks, possible tips, and optional mountain permits. You also need to pay for your Cusco accommodation and your own transport from Plaza San Francisco at the end.

Tipping is optional. Suggested amounts are listed for the guide, assistant guide, horsemen, and cook, but you decide based on the service you receive. Carry some Peruvian soles for this and for small community gifts.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want Machu Picchu paired with a demanding mountain route, local community scenery, and a small group. It suits people who value organized transport and cooked meals but still want two nights under canvas.

You should think twice if you want a relaxed holiday. The first two days are long, the pass is high, and the final day involves an early start followed by a long return to Cusco. The route is listed as difficult, and you need moderate fitness at minimum.

Children from age seven can join, but the altitude and eight-hour second day deserve careful thought. The operator requires current passport details at booking, and health or vaccination documentation requirements should be checked before travel.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Read the dates, passport information, optional hikes, and physical requirements closely before paying.

Final verdict: a strong alternative to the classic trail

Book this Lares Trek if you want the road to Machu Picchu to feel like a mountain journey, not just a transfer to an archaeological site. The high pass, community camps, alpacas, lake, local cooking, and small group give the trip substance.

Choose another plan if you need flexible cancellation, dislike camping, or are not ready for altitude. For fit hikers who want good support and a clear route, the combination of local guiding, strong meals, and well-handled transport makes the $847 price defensible.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days. The trekking portions cover about 14 kilometers on Day 1, 15 kilometers on Day 2, and 12 kilometers on Day 3.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The route crosses Ipsayccocha Pass at approximately 4,400 meters.

How difficult is the trek?

It is described as difficult and requires good physical condition. Most of the route is at high altitude, including walking above 4,000 meters.

Where do I sleep during the trek?

You camp for two nights, at Wakawasi and Patacancha. A basic tent and sleeping mattress are included. Couples have their own tent, while solo participants share with another participant.

Where do I sleep on the third night?

You stay in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Couples receive a private room, while solo participants share a room with another participant.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Day 1 breakfast and Day 4 lunch are not included.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available when requested at least two days before departure.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You can rent one in Cusco for a listed cost of $15.

Can I climb Huayna Picchu?

Yes, but it costs extra and must be requested at least two weeks in advance. The climb takes about 45 to 60 minutes and may be muddy and steep.

Does the guide accompany me on every transfer?

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

Is transport from Cusco included?

Pickup from your Cusco accommodation at the start is included. The return bus from Ollantaytambo reaches Plaza San Francisco around 8:00 pm, but accommodation drop-off is not included.

When is the pre-departure briefing?

The mandatory briefing takes place at 6:00 pm the evening before departure at the operator’s Cusco office.

How far ahead should I book?

The average booking time is 19 days before departure. Optional Huayna Picchu tickets must be requested at least two weeks ahead, and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets at least one week ahead.