The perfect blend of culture, scenery, and adventure.
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best alternatives to the Classic Inca Trail. Over 4 days, you’ll hike through breathtaking Andean landscapes, visit authentic Quechua villages, and soak in natural hot springs before finishing your journey with the unforgettable reward: Machu Picchu.
Unlike other treks, the Lares Trail offers not only stunning mountain scenery but also a rare chance to immerse yourself in local Andean culture — a journey where people, traditions, and landscapes connect.
Why Book This Tour?
✔️ Discover authentic Andean life in remote villages far from the crowds
✔️ Relax in natural thermal hot springs at the start of your adventure
✔️ Trek past waterfalls, high passes, and the famous Maras Salt Mines
✔️ Camp under the stars in the Andes, supported by professional guides, cooks, and porters
✔️ Finish your trek with a guided visit to Machu Picchu
✔️ Moderate difficulty — perfect for families or trekkers seeking a cultural and scenic alternative to the Inca Trail
Ready to Experience the Andes Off the Beaten Path?
Book your Lares Trek now or reach out for more information — let us help you plan your adventure to Machu Picchu.
Overview
- Price: From USD 640 per person
- Group service: Group guided trek (up to 8 participants)
- Language: English & Spanish
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Day 1: Cusco – Lares Hot Springs – Kiswarani Waterfalls – Campsite
- Early morning pick-up in Cusco and scenic drive through the Sacred Valley to the Lares hot springs. Here you can relax in thermal baths before the trek begins.
- Begin your hike towards Kiswarani, passing through agricultural communities where potatoes and corn are cultivated.
- The trail follows streams and waterfalls until you reach the village of Kiswarani, known for traditional weaving.
- Evening at the campsite under a clear Andean sky.
Distance: ~8 km / 5 miles (4–5 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day 2: Kiswarani – Condor Pass – Cancha Cancha – Campsite
- This is the most challenging day, but also one of the most spectacular.
- Begin the gradual climb toward Condor Pass (Abras Condor), the highest point of the trek, at approx. 4,450 m / 14,600 ft. Stunning views of snow-capped peaks and turquoise glacial lakes reward your effort.
- Descend through highland valleys and arrive at Cancha Cancha, a traditional Quechua village where locals live much as their ancestors did.
- Overnight at the campsite near the village.
Distance: ~15 km / 9 miles (7–8 hours)
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Maras Salt Mines – Train to Aguas Calientes
- Continue your trek downhill toward the Sacred Valley, passing farmlands and alpine scenery.
- Arrive at Huaran, where the hiking portion ends.
- Visit the Maras Salt Mines, a dramatic site where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountainside.
- Take a train through the valley to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
Distance: ~12 km / 7.5 miles (6 hours)
Hotel altitude: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco
- Early morning bus to Machu Picchu. Enter the citadel before the crowds for the iconic sunrise experience.
- Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour exploring the temples, terraces, and sacred plazas.
- Optional: pre-book a climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views.
- Afternoon return to Aguas Calientes for the train to Ollantaytambo, and final transfer to Cusco.
Distance: ~5 km / 3 miles (2 hours of light walking inside Machu Picchu)
Difficulty: Easy
Expert local knowledge — decades of experience in sustainable tourism in Cusco;
