4 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco – Sacred Valley – Huaran – Cancha Cancha
1 stop
1
Sacred Valley
We start with hotel pickup in Cusco and travel through the Sacred Valley, enjoying mountain and river views while the guide shares local history. After a traditional Andean breakfast in Calca, we continue to Huaran (2,840 m), where we meet the muleteers and begin the trek. The hike begins with a gradual ascent through Andean vegetation, agricultural terraces, rivers, and herds of llamas and alpacas. Along the way, the guide explains local plants, wildlife, and cultural traditions. We stop for a picnic-style lunch with views of the Pitusiray and Sawasiray mountains. The final stretch leads us to the traditional community of Cancha Cancha (3,900 m), where we set up camp. You’ll have time to rest before enjoying a warm dinner prepared by the camp chef and a peaceful night under the stars.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Cancha Cancha – Abra Pachacutec – Laguna Coyalayo – Quiswarani
1 stop
2
Sacred Valley of the Incas
You wake up with a warm coca tea as the sun rises over the Andes. After a nutritious hot breakfast, the ascent begins toward the Abra Pachacutec (4,700 m), the highest and most challenging point of the trek. Along the way, you’ll see glaciers, alpine meadows, and high-Andean wildlife. At the top, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of mountain ranges and turquoise lagoons before descending toward the Coyalayo Lagoon for a short break. Lunch is served picnic-style by the water. The final stretch continues through waterfalls, rock formations, and traditional farmlands until reaching the community of Quiswarani (3,850 m). Once there, the camp is set up, followed by a hot dinner featuring local products and a peaceful night under the stars.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Quiswarani – Aguas Termomedicinales – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
1 stop
3
Ollantaytambo Archeological Site
We start the day with a warm cup of coca or muña tea, followed by a nutritious Andean breakfast. The trek begins with a scenic descent from Quiswarani through green valleys, potato and corn fields, and small waterfalls, while the guide explains local agriculture and traditions. Reaching the Lares Hot Springs, we enjoy a relaxing bath in mineral-rich thermal waters surrounded by mountains. After a countryside lunch, we take private transport through the Sacred Valley toward Ollantaytambo, where we have time to explore the historic stone streets. Next, we board a panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, admiring canyon and mountain views along the way. Upon arrival, we have dinner and spend the night at a hotel, preparing for the Machu Picchu visit the following day.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Machu Picchu – Cusco
1 stop
4
Machu Picchu
We start before sunrise with a light hotel breakfast to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu and enjoy the golden morning light. Then we take the bus up the Hiram Bingham road to the main entrance, with stunning canyon and mountain views along the way. Inside the citadel, we enjoy a guided tour of about 2.5 hours through the main archaeological areas. After the visit, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) or a final walk through the town. We then take the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, enjoying views of the Urubamba River and the Andes. From there, a tourist bus brings us back to Cusco, with arrival between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m., marking the end of this unforgettable adventure.
7 hours • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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