4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

Machu Picchu is only part of the story. This four-day trip reaches the ruins by way of the Lares Valley, where you walk past glaciers, llamas, mountain lakes, native crops, and small communities before joining the train to Aguas Calientes. I like the local feel of the route, and I like that a cook, horses, camping gear, meals, trains, and Machu Picchu transport are included in one package. The main caution is the altitude: you cross a 4,400-meter pass, so this is a hard trek, not a gentle sightseeing holiday.

I also like the small-group setup, with a maximum of 15 people and an average group size of four. Guide Percy earned special praise for being funny, considerate, experienced, and easy to understand in English, while the food received equally warm approval. The tradeoff is a busy final day, starting before sunrise and ending with an evening return to Cusco.

What makes this four-day route worth considering

• The 4,400-meter Ipsayccocha Pass: This is the trek’s big physical test, with mountain views and a lake-side lunch afterward.
• A local community route: Camping near Wakawasi and Patacancha gives you a closer look at rural life than a standard rail trip.
• A real mountain kitchen: The cook prepares fresh Peruvian meals, snacks, hot drinks, and a vegetarian choice with advance notice.
• A small average group: With an average of four people and a maximum of 15, the guide can usually keep the pace personal.
• A practical Machu Picchu finish: The package includes the train, buses, a two-hour guided visit, and transport back toward Cusco.
• A built-in night in Aguas Calientes: You sleep in a three-star hotel after the trek instead of going straight from the mountains to the ruins.

Is the $847 price good value?

At $847 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Machu Picchu. It is also not simply a four-day hike. The price covers transport from Cusco to Lares, two nights of camping, a hotel night in Aguas Calientes, meals, a cook, horses for equipment and luggage, a bilingual guide, the Machu Picchu entry visit, buses, trains, and the ride back to Cusco.

That package matters because organizing these pieces separately can be a nuisance. The horses carry cooking and camping equipment plus up to seven kilos for each trekker during the first three days. You still need to carry your day gear, but you are not hauling a full camping load over the pass.

The package does leave some costs to you. Day one breakfast, day four lunch, bottled water, sleeping bag rental, the Lares hot springs, tips, Cusco accommodation, and optional mountain hikes are extra. A sleeping bag rental is listed at $15, and the hot springs cost 10 soles. Bring cash, since drinks and snacks along the route can cost much more than they do in Cusco.

For me, the value is strongest if you want one organized booking and do not already have trekking equipment or a support team. If you only want to see Machu Picchu, a shorter rail-based trip may be more efficient. You are paying here for the mountain route and the support that makes it possible.

Day one: Cusco to Lares and Wakawasi

Pickup from your Cusco accommodation is planned for about 6:00 in the morning. Breakfast is not included, so eat before pickup or carry something with you. The bus takes you to Lares Town at 2,900 meters, where you can visit the hot springs for an additional 10 soles before the hike begins.

The hot springs are a useful option, but they are not part of the main price. Bring a swimsuit if you want to use them. Do not linger too long if you need time to prepare for the six-hour walk to camp.

The first day covers about 14 kilometers. The route climbs in zigzags toward Wakawasi at 3,850 meters, with views of glaciers, wildlife, and local communities. This is a good introduction to the Lares route because you begin in a town and gradually enter high mountain country rather than rushing straight into the toughest pass.

You camp near the Wakawasi community. The setting gives you a chance to meet local families and see how people live alongside the surrounding mountain environment. Keep your expectations practical: this is camping at altitude, with limited electricity and basic sleeping arrangements. Tents are shared by single participants, while couples have a tent to themselves.

Lunch and dinner are included on day one, but not breakfast. The cook also provides a snack, and the menu can include soup, quinoa, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pasta, vegetables, fruit, and hot drinks. Vegetarian food is available if you request it at least two days before departure.

Day two: Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters

Day two is the hardest section for most people. You start with a four-hour uphill climb to Ipsayccocha Pass, which reaches 4,400 meters. That altitude is the key fact to respect. Even fit hikers can feel slow, short of breath, or headachy at this height.

The route then drops for about 40 minutes to a lake, where lunch is served. The lake-side stop breaks up the day and gives you time to eat before the longer descent and walk toward Patacancha. The full day covers around 15 kilometers and takes about eight hours.

After lunch, you continue for roughly three hours to Patacancha at 3,800 meters. The camp is surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the trip, since the walking route is tied to working mountain communities rather than only scenic viewpoints.

You receive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack on this day. Hot coca tea, coffee, chocolate, and other drinks are part of the camp meal service, though you should still carry a refillable water bottle. Bottled water is not included, and the packing notes warn that water and sports drinks become more expensive along the route.

The support team makes a real difference here. Horses carry the heavy gear, while the cook handles the meals. One particularly positive account singled out both the food and the cook, which matters after a long, cold day at altitude. Do not expect restaurant service, but you should expect fresh food prepared in camp.

Day three: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then the train

Day three changes the rhythm. From Patacancha, you walk for about four hours to Ollantaytambo, covering roughly 12 kilometers. Compared with day two, this is a shorter and less demanding walking day, though the high elevation and accumulated fatigue still matter.

You have lunch in Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. The train is included, as is a night in a three-star hotel. That hotel night gives you a proper bed, a shower, and a chance to reset before Machu Picchu.

The train connection also means you do not walk directly to the ruins from the Lares route. That is worth understanding before booking. The trip combines a mountain trek with a classic rail approach, so part of the experience involves managing your own station and transfer time.

Your guide meets you in Aguas Calientes to explain the next morning. During the train and bus transfers, you are not accompanied by a guide, so pay attention to the instructions and keep your tickets and personal items together.

Aguas Calientes has internet cafes, cafes with games, shops, and places to sit. You can walk around town, but do not stay out late. The next morning begins with one of the earliest buses, scheduled for 5:30.

Day four: Machu Picchu before the crowds build

The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes about 25 minutes. The early departure is one of the smart choices in this itinerary. You may see the morning mist lift as the light reaches the stone terraces, and you get the main guided visit done before the day becomes more tiring.

Your guide leads a walking tour of about two hours, covering the main areas and explaining the site’s history and design. Afterward, you have free time to explore and take photographs at your own pace. The guided portion gives structure to the visit, while the free time keeps the experience from feeling rushed.

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

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional hike, with a separate extra charge and a stated advance-booking period of at least one week. Ask about current prices before departure because optional costs can change.

After the site visit, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You can shop at the market next to the station before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, with arrival around 8:00 in the evening at Plaza San Francisco. You arrange your own walk from there to your accommodation, so do not book an airport transfer or late evening connection that depends on an exact arrival time.

The guide, cook, and small-group advantage

The human side of this trip matters as much as the route. The guide is bilingual and accompanies you on the trek and at Machu Picchu. Percy received especially strong praise for his English, humor, experience, and considerate care during the hike.

A good high-altitude guide does more than point out mountains. You need someone who can explain the pace, help the group manage the pass, and keep the mood steady when the air gets thin. The small-group format helps here. The maximum is 15 people, but the average group is four, which should feel far more personal than a large coach excursion.

The cook is another major part of the experience. Meals are prepared fresh with local ingredients, and the planned menus are generous. Breakfast can include porridge, quinoa, oats, eggs, pancakes, bread, and hot drinks. Lunch and dinner may include soup, quinoa, potatoes, rice, chicken, beef, pasta, vegetables, and dessert.

Tell the operator about vegetarian needs at least two days ahead. Special dietary requests are available with prior notice, but you should not wait until the morning of departure.

What to pack for high camps

The supplied camping setup includes a tent for two people and a basic sleeping mattress. A sleeping bag is not included, though one can be rented for $15. You should also bring warm layers, since the route reaches 4,000 meters and the nights can be cold.

Useful items include:

• Trekking boots and sandals
• Warm socks, thermals, a sweater, hat, and gloves
• Rain pants and a rain poncho
• Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Hiking poles
• Flashlight, spare batteries, and extra camera memory
• Water bottle and waterproof bags
• Hand sanitizer and personal medication
• Swimsuit for the Lares hot springs

There is limited to no electricity during the trek, so charge devices before leaving Cusco. Carry your original passport. If you renewed the passport used for booking, bring the old passport or a photocopy as well, because the permit and ticket details cannot be changed after confirmation.

Fitness, altitude, and who should book

This is described as a difficult hike requiring good physical condition. The high point is 4,400 meters, and the second day lasts around eight hours. A minimum age of seven is listed, but the age limit does not make the route easy for children. You should judge the hike by fitness and altitude experience, not by the minimum age alone.

I would choose this trip if you want a physically demanding route, community contact, organized support, and a Machu Picchu visit at the end. It suits people who are happy to camp for two nights and accept basic conditions in exchange for mountain scenery and a quieter route.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, shared tents, limited electricity, or long uphill walks. The trip also requires passport information at booking, including your full name, birth date, nationality, passport number, and passport expiration date. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date.

Departure dates are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Daily departures can be arranged for groups of four or more. There is also a required briefing at the Cusco office at 6:00 in the evening on the day before departure, where you receive the final packing and departure information.

Should you book the Lares Trek?

Book it if the trek is the main event, not just a way to reach Machu Picchu. The $847 cost makes sense for the guide, cook, horses, camps, hotel, meals, trains, buses, and site visit, especially if you value having the complicated pieces arranged together.

Choose a different plan if you want a relaxed visit or if 4,400 meters sounds like too much. For the right hiker, this route offers more than a famous archaeological site. You get two demanding mountain days, contact with rural communities, strong food support, and a carefully timed finish at Machu Picchu. Just train for the altitude, pack for cold and rain, and reserve any extra mountain hike well ahead.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days. Walking distances are approximately 14 kilometers on day one, 15 kilometers on day two, and 12 kilometers on day three, followed by the Machu Picchu visit and return transport on day four.

What is the highest point on the trek?

The route crosses Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters. The tour information describes the trek as difficult and recommends good physical condition.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. You spend two nights camping during the trek and one night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Single participants share tents and hotel rooms with another participant, while couples have private tent and room arrangements.

Are meals included?

Three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks are included. Day one breakfast, day four lunch, and bottled water are not included.

Is vegetarian food available?

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

Does the price include the Machu Picchu entrance visit?

Yes. The package includes the Machu Picchu entrance, round-trip buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, and a two-hour guided visit.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Huayna Picchu is optional and costs extra. You must request the ticket at least two weeks in advance, and only 400 passes are available each day.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A sleeping bag can be rented for $15 for the trek. A basic sleeping mattress and tent are included.

Where does the tour finish in Cusco?

The bus from Ollantaytambo is expected to reach Cusco around 8:00 in the evening. Drop-off is at Plaza San Francisco, and you make your own way to your accommodation.