4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The best part of this four-day trip is the route to Machu Picchu, not just the ruins at the end. You walk through high Andean country, pass glaciers and native farms, camp near Wakawasi and Patacancha, then arrive at the citadel by early morning bus. I especially like the local-community setting and the fact that horses carry much of the camping gear.

I also like the small-group format, with a maximum of 15 people and an average group size of four. Guides such as Percy bring practical help, humor, and good English to a demanding hike. The main caution is simple: this is a serious high-altitude trek, with a 4,400-meter pass and long walking days. The scenery is rewarding, but you need solid fitness and warm, waterproof clothing.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4,400-meter pass is the physical high point: Day 2 includes a four-hour uphill climb to Ipsayccocha Pass.
• You camp near local communities: Wakawasi and Patacancha offer a more personal setting than a route built only around major sights.
• Your gear is partly carried for you: Horses transport cooking and camping equipment, plus up to 7 kilos per trekker for the first three days.
• The food is a real part of the experience: A dedicated cook prepares three breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks, with vegetarian meals available if requested in advance.
• Machu Picchu gets a proper guided visit: You have about two hours with your guide, followed by free time to explore.
• The price includes the complicated transport pieces: Camping, a hotel in Aguas Calientes, trains, buses, meals, and entrance transport are bundled into the $847 cost.

Why the Lares route makes sense

The Lares Trek is a good choice if you want Machu Picchu with more walking and fewer standard tourist stops before the final day. Instead of spending the whole trip on a famous rail corridor, you pass through mountain communities, see llamas and alpacas, and sleep in tents near farms and high lakes.

That quieter route comes with a price: the hiking is harder than the Machu Picchu visit itself. Most of the trek takes place at heights around 3,800 to 4,400 meters. If you have just arrived in Cusco, give yourself time to adjust before starting. The tour requires only moderate physical fitness on paper, but the high altitude makes the uphill sections feel much tougher.

The trip costs $847 per person. That is not a bargain-basement trek, but it covers a great deal: transport from Cusco to Lares, two nights of camping, a three-star hotel night in Aguas Calientes, meals, cooking support, horses, the train, buses, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu. You still need to budget for a sleeping bag rental, drinks, hot springs, tips, optional mountain hikes, and lunch on the final day.

Day 1: Lares hot springs and Wakawasi

The day starts early, with pickup from your Cusco accommodation around 6:00 am. A bus carries you to Lares Town at about 2,900 meters. You can visit the local hot springs before beginning the trek, but admission costs an additional 10 soles and you need a bathing suit.

The hot springs are optional, yet they can be a pleasant way to begin a demanding trip. Do not linger too long if you are eager to start walking, since the first hiking day covers about 14 kilometers in roughly six hours. Breakfast is not included on this morning, so eat before pickup or bring food and cash for something along the way.

From Lares, the route climbs in a long zigzag toward Wakawasi at about 3,850 meters. You will see glaciers, wildlife, and local settlements as the trail rises. The changing views give you a clear sense of how quickly Andean terrain shifts with altitude.

The night is spent camping in the Wakawasi community. This is one of the most valuable parts of the route. You are not simply crossing empty mountains and checking off trail miles. You have the chance to see how local families live among high fields, animals, and difficult terrain.

Your first-night camp is basic. Tents and sleeping mattresses are provided, but sleeping bags are not. You can rent one for $15, or bring your own. Electricity is limited to nonexistent during the trek, so charge your devices before leaving Cusco and carry a flashlight, spare batteries, and a power plan for your camera or phone.

Day 2: Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters

Day 2 is the hardest and most important hiking day. The route climbs for about four hours to Ipsayccocha Pass, which reaches 4,400 meters. This is where altitude, rather than distance, becomes the main challenge.

The pass is followed by a short downhill section of about 40 minutes to a lakeside lunch stop. That descent may sound easy, but tired legs and loose or muddy ground can make it slower. Trekking poles are a smart item to bring or rent in Cusco.

After lunch, you continue downhill for about three hours to Patacancha Town at 3,800 meters. The full day covers around 15 kilometers and takes about eight hours. This is a long day, so keep your water, rain layer, snacks, sunscreen, and warm clothing within easy reach rather than buried in your main bag.

Patacancha provides another close look at mountain life. The camp is surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations. That setting helps explain why the Lares route feels different from a standard high-altitude hike. The communities are part of the experience, not just scenery beside the trail.

The horses carry the cooking and camping equipment and up to 7 kilos for each trekker during the first three days. The stated allowance includes the sleeping bag and mattress weight, as well as some personal items, so pack carefully. You should still carry a daypack with essentials, and you should not assume every personal item can go with the horses.

Food, camping, and daily comfort

The cook prepares three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks during the trip. Meals use typical Peruvian ingredients and include soups, quinoa, potatoes, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, vegetables, desserts, and hot drinks. The food is designed to be plentiful, which matters after an eight-hour day at altitude.

Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to request them at least two days before departure. The same rule applies to other dietary needs: tell the operator before you leave, not when dinner is already being served at camp.

The camping is practical rather than luxurious. Solo participants share a tent with another person, while couples receive their own tent. A basic mattress and tent are included, but you need to arrange a sleeping bag. Bring warm socks, thermal layers, gloves, a hat, rain pants, and a rain poncho. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and the packing list specifically warns you to prepare for cold and rain.

Bottled water is not included. Carry a refillable bottle and keep extra cash for water, snacks, and sports drinks, which can cost much more along the trail. Hand sanitizer and a small personal first-aid kit are also sensible additions.

Day 3: Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then Aguas Calientes

The third morning begins with about four more hours of walking from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo. At roughly 12 kilometers, this is a shorter day than the previous two, but you will already have accumulated plenty of fatigue.

Ollantaytambo marks the change from mountain trail to rail connection. After lunch, you board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. The train is included, as is the bus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco on the final evening.

You spend the night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. This is a welcome change after two nights in a tent, and it gives you a bed and a chance to wash up before visiting Machu Picchu. Couples have a private room, while solo participants share a room with another person.

The guide meets you in town to explain the next morning. You are then free to walk around Aguas Calientes, visit shops, find a cafe, or simply rest. Do not treat this as a late-night sightseeing opportunity. The next morning starts with one of the first buses, scheduled for about 5:30 am.

One point to understand is that the guide does not accompany you on the bus and train transfers. You receive instructions, but those portions are on your own. The transport is arranged, yet you still need to pay attention to departure times, platforms, and meeting instructions.

Day 4: Machu Picchu in the early morning

The final day begins with a 25-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Going early gives you the chance to see the mist lift as morning light reaches the stone terraces and buildings. Conditions can change, so the mist may remain for part of your visit, but the early timing is still useful for avoiding a later start.

Inside the Historic Sanctuary, your guide leads a roughly two-hour walking tour. You visit the main sites and receive an explanation of the city’s history and purpose. This guided portion is valuable because the ruins can otherwise become a procession of stone walls and terraces without much context.

After the tour, you have free time to explore and take photographs. The schedule also allows an optional climb of Huayna Picchu, but this is not included and must be booked at least two weeks ahead. The climb usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, and the path can be muddy and steep. Only 400 passes are available each day under the stated system, split between 7:00 am and 10:00 am entries.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional hike, with a separate extra cost and advance booking requirement of at least one week. Ask for current prices before departure, since optional activity costs can change.

After visiting the ruins, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You can browse the marketplace beside the train station before taking the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, arriving around 8:00 pm at Plaza San Francisco.

That final day is long. You should not plan an important evening event in Cusco, and you must arrange your own way from Plaza San Francisco to your accommodation. The tour includes the return bus to the city, but not a hotel drop-off.

The guide and group size

A bilingual professional guide accompanies you on the trek and leads the Machu Picchu visit. Percy is one guide associated with this experience, and he is described as experienced, funny, helpful, considerate, and strong in English. Those qualities matter most on the high pass, when you need clear pacing and practical support rather than a stream of facts.

The group limit is 15, with an average size of four. A small group makes it easier to keep the walking pace manageable and ask questions about local communities, plants, animals, and the trail. It also makes a difference at camp, where a large group can feel crowded.

A cook and horsemen support the trek, and the tour includes an emergency oxygen bottle and first-aid kit. These are useful safeguards, but they do not remove the need to take altitude seriously. If you feel unwell, tell the guide early.

What the $847 price really covers

At $847, this tour bundles more than just a hiking guide. The price includes:

• Pickup from your Cusco accommodation
• Transport to Lares
• Two nights of camping
• A three-star hotel night in Aguas Calientes
• Meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 4
• A cook, camping equipment, and horses
• Up to 7 kilos of carried gear per trekker for the first three days
• Tourist train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
• Buses to Machu Picchu and from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• A two-hour guided visit to Machu Picchu
• First-aid supplies and emergency oxygen

You pay extra for the first-day breakfast, final-day lunch, bottled water, sleeping bag rental, Lares hot springs, and optional mountain hikes. Tips are optional, though suggested amounts are provided for the guide, assistant guide, horsemen, and cook.

The value is strongest if you want one organized package covering the mountain trek and Machu Picchu transport. It is less attractive if you already have accommodation in Cusco, camping equipment, and a way to arrange the train and permits yourself.

Who should book this trek

I would recommend it to fit hikers who want a quieter route to Machu Picchu and like the idea of spending time near Andean communities. It also suits people who appreciate having meals, gear support, trains, buses, and site guidance arranged in one booking.

You should think twice if you dislike camping, struggle with long uphill walks, or have not prepared for high altitude. The minimum age is seven, but age alone does not tell you if the trek is suitable. The 4,400-meter pass and eight-hour second day are the real tests.

Book well ahead if you want Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Also attend the mandatory briefing at 6:00 pm the evening before departure at the Cusco office. You receive the final packing advice and departure details there.

The operator requires exact passport information at booking, including your full name, birth date, nationality, passport number, and passport expiration date. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the travel date. If you renew the passport used for the booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy.

Should you book the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

Book this tour if you want Machu Picchu to be the final chapter of a real mountain journey, not a quick train excursion. The local camps, high lake, mountain pass, llamas, cooking team, and small group give the trip substance beyond the famous ruins.

Skip it if your priority is comfort, flexibility, or a relaxed schedule. The early starts, basic camping, high altitude, uncovered extras, and long return day require patience. For a prepared hiker, though, the combination of strong guide support, hearty meals, practical gear transport, and a carefully arranged Machu Picchu finish makes the $847 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days. It includes three days of trekking and transport, followed by an early morning visit to Machu Picchu on Day 4.

How difficult is the trek?

The hike is difficult and requires good physical condition. Much of the route is at high altitude, including Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters.

What is the highest point on the route?

The highest point is Ipsayccocha Pass, which reaches 4,400 meters on Day 2.

Where do I sleep during the trek?

You spend the first two nights camping at Wakawasi and Patacancha. The third night is in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You can bring your own or rent one for $15 during the trek.

Are meals included?

Yes. The tour includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch on Day 4 are not included.

Can I request vegetarian meals?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at least two days before departure.

Is transportation to Machu Picchu included?

Yes. The tour includes the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and the return bus. It also includes the tourist train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

No. Huayna Picchu requires an additional ticket and must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Machu Picchu Mountain also costs extra and requires advance booking.

What passport information is needed?

You must provide your exact full name, birth date, nationality, passport number, and passport expiration date. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date.