Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

The best part of this five-day trip is the contrast: you begin in quiet Andean villages and finish at Machu Picchu by the Short Inca Trail. The Lares route brings hot springs, blue lakes, alpacas, and a high pass at 4,700 meters, while the final two days add ruins, trains, and the famous citadel.

I like the strong cultural side and the care built into camp life. Guides such as Manolo, Sara, Anthony, and Gilbert bring local knowledge, while the cooks have produced birthday cakes and three-course meals in mountain camps. The tradeoff is real: altitude and long hiking days demand decent fitness, especially on Day 2.

Key points to know before booking

• Lares hot springs start the trip: You bathe in several temperature pools before the first hike.
• Condor Pass reaches 4,700 meters: Day 2 is the toughest section, with four hours uphill and three hours down.
• Cancha Cancha is far from modern life: There is no electricity, internet, drainage system, or cellphone service.
• The Short Inca Trail begins at Km 104: You pass Chachabamba and Wiñay Huayna before reaching the Sun Gate.
• Camp support is a major strength: A chef, assistant, porters, horseman, and mules or horses handle much of the heavy work.
• The price is $980 per person: It covers transport, meals, camping gear, hotels, guides, and a 7-kilogram duffle bag, but optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets cost extra.

Why the Lares route feels different

If you picture the Inca Trail as a steady stream of hikers heading toward Machu Picchu, Lares offers a quieter opening. The route passes through high valleys, farming communities, mountain lakes, and grazing llamas and alpacas. You get more time with the countryside before the ruins take center stage.

That matters because the Lares Trek is not only a route to Machu Picchu. It is also a look at present-day Andean life. Cancha Cancha, your second campsite, is especially striking. The village has no cellphone signal, electricity, internet, or modern drainage. Quechua is the main language. For some people, this is the heart of the trip. For others, two nights without modern comforts may feel like a stretch.

The route is quieter than the classic Inca Trail, but quiet does not mean easy. The altitude is the main issue. Cusco itself sits high, and this trip quickly moves into still higher country. You should arrive ready for cold nights, thin air, and steep paths. The company lists the activity for people with moderate physical fitness, which is a fair guide.

Day 1: hot springs, blue lakes, and a gentle start

The morning begins very early, with pickup listed around 5:30 am. The meeting information also gives a 4:30 am start, so confirm your exact pickup time before bed. The first drive heads toward the Sacred Valley, with a stop at a local market before continuing to Lares.

The Lares thermo-medicinal baths make a smart first stop. The pools sit at different temperatures and are intended to soothe muscles, bones, stress, and headaches. I like this as a way to loosen up before hiking, though you should not mistake a relaxing soak for altitude preparation.

After breakfast, the first hike takes about four hours. You walk uphill for roughly two hours to Kiswarani, stop for lunch, then continue for another two hours to camp beside a blue lake at 3,750 meters. The distance is about 9 kilometers, or 5.5 miles.

This is listed as an easy day, but altitude can make an easy route feel less easy. Your tent should be ready when you arrive, with hot tea waiting. Evening activities may include stargazing and a look at Inca ideas about astronomy. The setting offers a calm first night, though the temperature at 3,750 meters can be sharp after sunset.

Day 2: the hard climb to 4,700 meters

Day 2 is the test. A cup of coffee or coca tea arrives at your tent in the morning, followed by breakfast and the climb to Condor Pass. The uphill section takes about four hours, reaching 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet.

That elevation is high enough that you should move slowly and follow your guide’s pace. Manolo, one of the guides praised for steady encouragement, used the phrase poco poco, meaning little by little. That is exactly the right approach here. A guide who watches your pace and explains what lies ahead can make a major difference.

At the pass, the views open across the high Andes. The route then drops for about three hours through mountain scenery to Cancha Cancha. The full day covers around 16 kilometers, or 9.9 miles, and takes about seven hours of hiking. The published difficulty is moderate to challenging, and I would treat it as the hardest day by a clear margin.

Cancha Cancha gives the trek its strongest cultural edge. The village is isolated from modern technology, and Quechua remains the everyday language. You should see this as a genuine rural setting, not a staged village visit. At the same time, simple conditions mean you need patience. There is no cellphone service, electricity, or internet to fall back on.

The support team helps here. The cooks prepare dinner while the horseman and porters manage camp equipment. Meals are a recurring strength of this trip. Past groups have described generous portions, varied dishes, and food far beyond basic trekking fare. Oscar, Tiburcio, Augusto, Vidal, and their assistants have all been singled out for cooking well in difficult conditions. One team even produced a birthday cake in camp.

Day 3: downhill walking and Ollantaytambo

The third day is easier on paper. You leave Cancha Cancha after breakfast and walk downhill for about four hours, covering 12 kilometers before reaching Huaran at 2,700 meters. The lower altitude should feel welcome after the previous night.

A private bus then takes you toward Salineras and Ollantaytambo. The schedule includes time in Ollantaytambo, often called the last living Incan city. Its old streets and water channels remain part of daily life, giving you a useful bridge between the remote trek and the better-known archaeological sites.

I like this transition because it avoids ending the trek in a rushed transfer. You have time to walk through the town, eat dinner in a local restaurant, and sleep in a hotel. After two nights camping, a bed and a shower are not small luxuries.

The day is listed as easy, but downhill walking can trouble knees and ankles. Bring trekking poles if you use them. Poles are optional and can be rented or arranged through the operator, so ask before departure rather than waiting until the steep sections begin.

Day 4: from Km 104 to the Sun Gate

Day 4 shifts the tone from remote villages to classic Inca sites. You walk from your hotel to the station, board a train in Ollantaytambo, and ride for about 90 minutes beside the Urubamba River to Km 104 at Chachabamba.

This is the starting point for the Short Inca Trail. The first archaeological stop is Chachabamba, followed by about four hours of hiking toward Wiñay Huayna. A packed lunch and refreshments are provided, which is useful because the day has several moving parts and limited time for a long meal stop.

Wiñay Huayna is one of the day’s major rewards. From there, you continue toward the Sun Gate, where you get your first broad view of Machu Picchu. The approach feels different from simply arriving by bus. You earn the sight gradually, with the citadel appearing after a day of walking through cloud forest and Inca sites.

The final descent to Machu Picchu takes about an hour. You arrive in the afternoon, then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a hotel night. The itinerary aims to reach the citadel when it is less crowded, but conditions can vary. The Short Inca Trail itself may feel busy, and the route includes many stairs. Anyone with ankle or knee problems should think carefully before booking.

The route is shorter than the full Inca Trail, but it is not a soft option. The combination of stairs, altitude changes, and a long day can tire you out. In return, you get Chachabamba, Wiñay Huayna, the Sun Gate, and a first look at Machu Picchu from above.

Day 5: an early Machu Picchu visit

The final morning begins early with breakfast and buses back up to the citadel. On a clear day, the sunrise can be beautiful, but it is weather-dependent. Do not book this day only for a guaranteed sunrise view.

Your guide leads a two to three-hour tour of Machu Picchu. This gives you structure and context before you have free time to explore on your own. After the guided visit, you can remain in the site or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you have purchased the required ticket in advance.

Those mountain tickets are not part of the standard cost and must be arranged ahead of time. Tell the operator if you already have one. Also check your entry details carefully, since access rules and timed tickets can affect how long you remain inside.

The guide explains how to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Lunch is not included, so budget for it. Afterward, the Panoramic train and bus return you toward Cusco, where the TreXperience team meets you and takes you to your hotel.

What $980 really covers

At $980 per person, this is not a budget day trip. It is a five-day, small-group expedition with two nights of camping and two hotel nights. The maximum group size is 12, though the actual group can be smaller. One couple ended up with a private departure, which allowed them to set a comfortable pace.

The package includes hotel pickup, all transport during the trek, four breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners, snacks, camping equipment, guides, chefs, porters, and horse support. A duffle bag of up to 7 kilograms is carried for your personal items. That allowance is useful, since you can hike with a smaller daypack.

The food helps explain the price. Meals are not just fuel. The cooks prepare varied dishes, and the support team provides hot drinks at camp. You should still bring personal snacks if you have particular preferences, but you are unlikely to be left with only soup and crackers.

The package includes two nights in three-star hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. It also includes the Pachamanca cooking demonstration, an Andean earth-oven tradition that adds a cultural element beyond the walking itself.

The supplied details say entrance tickets are included, while optional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are extra. Because the wording can be confusing, ask for a written breakdown of Machu Picchu and Short Inca Trail entry fees before paying. You should also confirm the conflicting 4:30 am and 5:30 am start times.

Food, guides, and camp support

The human side of this trip gets the strongest praise. Guides including Manolo, Elias, Sara, Jose Abad Cortez, Anthony, Gilbert, Jason, Miguel, Rosmel, Eddy, and William Elvis have led different departures. Manolo is especially good at encouraging tired hikers without making them feel rushed. Anthony and Gilbert bring local ties and strong English, while Sara is known for explaining the day clearly.

The cooks are just as important. Oscar and Beto, Vidal and Andreas, and Augusto and Paulino are among the camp teams associated with this route. Expect hot drinks, filling meals, and food prepared with care. A three-course dinner in a tent at high altitude is an impressive touch, but it also means you should tell the company about vegetarian needs or other dietary requirements when booking.

The duffle service keeps your walking load manageable. Still, you need to carry your own daypack with water, layers, rain protection, personal medication, and essentials. The company offers optional sleeping bags, mattresses, and trekking poles, so find out exactly what camping equipment is included and what costs extra.

Who should book this trek

I would choose this trip if you want Machu Picchu but care about the route getting there. It suits people who value remote villages, Quechua culture, mountain scenery, and a small group more than a quick arrival at the ruins.

It also works well for adventurous families with older teenagers. One family found the guides encouraging and the mix of scenery and culture rewarding. Solo hikers can fit in too, since the guides provide steady support and the group size is capped at 12.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold camping, steep climbs, early starts, or basic village conditions. Day 2 is not a casual walk, and Day 4 includes plenty of stairs. You should have moderate fitness and enough time in Cusco to adjust before heading higher.

The cancellation terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended after booking. The exceptions are weather or minimum-group cancellations by the operator, when you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Ultimate Lares Trek and Inca Trail?

Book it if you want a two-part Peru experience: three demanding but rewarding days in the Lares Valley, followed by the Short Inca Trail and two visits to Machu Picchu. The mix of high mountains, isolated Quechua communities, excellent camp food, and famous ruins gives you more substance than a simple rail-and-bus visit.

Skip it if you want a gentle holiday or guaranteed comfort. The altitude is serious, the second day is long, and the remote campsite has no modern connections. For the right person, $980 buys strong logistical support and a memorable route. Just confirm the entry fees, pickup time, camping extras, and mountain tickets before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the Ultimate Lares Trek and Inca Trail?

The experience lasts approximately five days. It includes three days on the Lares route, the Short Inca Trail on Day 4, and a guided Machu Picchu visit on Day 5.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The highest point is Condor Pass at 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet, reached on Day 2.

How difficult is the route?

The company lists Day 1 and Day 3 as easy, Day 2 as moderate to challenging, and the Short Inca Trail as a substantial hiking day. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes five breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners, along with snacks during the trek. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.

Are hotels and camping included?

Yes. You spend two nights camping in the mountains with camping equipment and two nights in three-star hotels, one in Ollantaytambo and one in Aguas Calientes.

Are Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain included?

No. Tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are optional and must be booked in advance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.