Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

The best thing about this five-day trip is the contrast. You begin on the quiet Lares Trek, passing high lakes, llamas, alpacas, and Quechua villages far from the busiest hiking routes. Then you finish on the Short Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate rather than simply taking the train in.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives the guides room to adjust the pace. I also like the mix of comfort and effort: hot springs, cooked meals, hot drinks in your tent, two hotel nights, and horses carrying the camping gear. The main caution is altitude. Condor Pass reaches 4,700 meters, and the second day is a serious seven-hour hike.

Key points to know before booking

• Lares begins with hot springs: Soak in several temperature-controlled pools near the start, then hike toward Kiswarani and a high mountain lake.
• Condor Pass is the test: The second day climbs to 4,700 meters before a long descent to the isolated village of Cancha Cancha.
• The route feels genuinely remote: Cancha Cancha has no electricity, drainage system, internet, computers, or cellphone service, and Quechua is the main language.
• You enter Machu Picchu on foot: The Short Inca Trail includes Chachabamba, Wiñay Huayna, the Sun Gate, and a first arrival at the citadel in the afternoon.
• Food is a major strength: Chefs such as Oscar, Vidal, Augusto, and Tiburcio prepare filling multi-course meals, even producing birthday cakes in camp.
• The $980 price covers a lot: Transport, guides, cooks, porters, horses, meals, camping, and two hotel nights are included, but optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits cost extra.

Why the Lares route is worth choosing

The Lares Valley offers a quieter way to approach Machu Picchu. Instead of spending several days on the more famous full Inca Trail, you walk through a high Andean region where farming, herding, and Quechua culture remain part of daily life.

That difference matters. The route is not just a substitute for the classic Inca Trail. Its appeal is the scenery and the contact with small communities. You pass llamas and alpacas, see blue mountain lakes, and walk through valleys shaped by snow peaks and traditional agriculture. The ruins are fewer, but the sense of open space is stronger.

You should not mistake quiet for easy. The second day reaches 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet. At that height, even a steady uphill walk can feel slow. A moderate level of fitness is required, and you should be comfortable hiking for several hours on uneven ground.

The reward is a route that feels less arranged for sightseeing. At Cancha Cancha, the only village in the valley without modern technology, your evening is likely to be about dinner, conversation, stars, and rest. There is no cellphone service to pull you away from the setting.

Day 1: Lares hot springs to a blue mountain lake

The day starts early, with pickup listed around 5:30 am and a meeting time of 4:30 am. Confirm the exact pickup with the operator, since those times do not perfectly match. You drive toward the Sacred Valley and stop at a local market before reaching the Lares thermal baths at about 8:00 am.

The baths are a smart beginning to a demanding trip. The pools have different temperatures, and the warm water can loosen tired muscles before you put on your hiking boots. This is also one of the few parts of the five days that feels restful rather than strenuous, so enjoy it.

After breakfast, the first hike climbs for about two hours toward Kiswarani village. Lunch follows, then another two hours of walking to camp. The total distance is about 9 kilometers, with the campsite at 3,750 meters.

A hot drink is ready when you arrive, and the tents are set up beside a striking blue lake. The camp setting gives you a chance to slow down, watch the sky, and hear about Inca astronomy. The listed difficulty is easy, but altitude can make an easy day feel harder than the distance suggests.

The included duffle service is useful here. You can give up to 7 kilos of personal belongings to be carried by horse, leaving your daypack for water, rain gear, snacks, and warm layers. Optional sleeping bags, mattresses, and trekking poles are not included, so ask what equipment you need before departure.

Day 2: Crossing Condor Pass at 4,700 meters

This is the hardest day and the one that should guide your booking decision. You wake with coffee or cocoa tea in your tent, eat breakfast, and start a four-hour climb to Condor Pass.

The pass reaches 4,700 meters. That is high enough for cold, thin air and a slower pace, even if you are fit. Your guide should help set a sensible rhythm. Manolo, one of the guides praised for patient encouragement, is known for using poco poco, or little by little, when the route gets tough. That is exactly the right attitude here.

At the top, take time to look around before beginning the three-hour descent. The scenery changes as you drop toward Cancha Cancha, with broad mountain views and remote valleys below. The full distance is about 16 kilometers, and the day takes around seven hours, not counting longer breaks.

Cancha Cancha is one of the most distinctive stops on the trip. There is no electricity, internet, cellphone service, computer access, or drainage system. Quechua is spoken there, and the village remains isolated from modern technology.

This remoteness is a gift, but it is also a practical consideration. You cannot rely on a signal, online maps, or a quick message home. Bring anything you need for the night in your daypack, and tell family or friends in advance that communication may be impossible.

Day 3: Leaving the mountains for Ollantaytambo

After another hot drink and breakfast, you make a four-hour downhill walk to Huaran. The route covers about 12 kilometers and drops to roughly 2,700 meters.

This is the easiest hiking day, though downhill walking can still work your knees. Trekking poles are worth considering if you have ankle or knee concerns. They are optional, not included, so arrange them ahead of time if you want them.

At Huaran, a private bus takes you toward Salienras and Ollantaytambo. The town is often called the Last Living Incan City because its old streets and water channels still show the shape of an active Inca settlement.

Ollantaytambo is a good transition between remote trekking and Machu Picchu. You spend the night in a three-star hotel rather than a tent, eat dinner in a local restaurant, and get a bed before the next early start. The change in comfort is welcome after two nights at altitude.

Day 4: Chachabamba, Wiñay Huayna, and the Sun Gate

The fourth day brings the Short Inca Trail. You walk to the station, board the train at Ollantaytambo, and ride for about 90 minutes beside the Urubamba River to kilometer 104 at Chachabamba.

This section begins in the cloud forest rather than the high mountain country of Lares. Your first stop is the Inca site of Chachabamba. From there, expect about four hours of hiking toward Wiñay Huayna, whose name means the place that never gets old.

The route includes stone steps and uneven ground. A packed lunch and refreshments are provided, but you should still carry water and useful snacks in your daypack. The altitude is lower than on the Lares section, yet the stairs can be tiring, especially after three days of hiking.

The approach to Machu Picchu is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary. From Wiñay Huyna, you continue to the Sun Gate, where you get your first view of the citadel. The final walk down takes about an hour.

You reach Machu Picchu in the afternoon, then take a bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a hotel night. The timing may let you see the citadel with fewer people than during the busiest morning hours, though conditions can change.

This first arrival is more satisfying than simply taking a bus from town. You have crossed mountains and walked through ruins before the site comes into view. The destination has context because you have earned the approach.

Day 5: A full morning at Machu Picchu

The final morning begins early. You take a bus up to Machu Picchu, and on a clear day you may see sunrise over the citadel.

A guide leads a two to three-hour tour of the site. Afterward, you have time to explore on your own, subject to the entry rules and circuit assigned to your ticket. Optional permits for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain must be booked well ahead and are not included.

Do not treat those climbs as automatic add-ons. You already have a long trip behind you, and the guided visit itself is the central event. If you want an extra mountain, confirm availability, ticket rules, and whether your energy fits the plan before paying for it.

After your visit, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, which is not included. The return uses the Panoramic train and a bus toward Cusco. The tour team meets you after the train and takes you back to your hotel.

Food, camping, and the human side of the trip

The strongest practical feature is the support crew. Guides, chefs, porters, horsemen, and assistant cooks handle the work that lets you focus on walking.

Meals are included throughout the trip: five breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners, along with snacks. The food is not limited to basic trail fare. Chefs such as Oscar, Vidal, Augusto, and Tiburcio are praised for varied, filling meals and for producing impressive dishes in mountain camps.

One chef made a full birthday cake while camping without an oven. Another team prepared cake for breakfast. Those details matter because food affects your energy and morale on a high-altitude trek. You should provide dietary requirements when booking, and vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.

A Pachamanca cooking demonstration is also included. It adds a cultural element to the meals rather than treating food as simple fuel.

Two nights are spent camping with comfortable equipment, and two nights are in three-star hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. The horse team carries the camping supplies and your included 7-kilo duffle. You still need to carry your daily essentials.

Is $980 a fair price?

At $980 per person, this is not a bargain-basement trek, but the package includes substantial support. You are paying for private transport during the route, train travel, buses, guides, cooks, porters, horses, two nights of camping equipment, two hotel nights, and most meals.

The value is strongest if you want a managed trip rather than a self-supported hike. The logistics between Lares, Huaran, Ollantaytambo, kilometer 104, Aguas Calientes, and Cusco would be awkward to arrange alone. The price also covers the staff who carry supplies and prepare meals in remote places.

Check the exact treatment of Machu Picchu admission before paying. The itinerary lists admission tickets as included, but the package details separately identify Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain as optional extras. Ask which standard entry circuit and site entrance are covered, and budget separately for lunch in Aguas Calientes, optional gear, and any extra mountain permit.

The small group limit of 12 improves the value. A guide can keep better track of the group, and the pace is less likely to be dictated by a large crowd. The actual group size may be smaller, and a private-feeling trip is possible, but you should not assume a private departure unless confirmed.

Who should book this trek?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quieter route, care about Quechua culture and village life, and like the idea of reaching Machu Picchu on foot without committing to the full classic Inca Trail.

It is also a good fit for active families with teenagers. The route is demanding, but the support system, patient guides, cooked meals, and hotel nights soften the rougher edges. Solo hikers can also feel well supported, especially with a guide who explains the route clearly and adjusts the pace.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, camping, steep climbs, long descents, or high altitude. The phrase moderate physical fitness should be taken seriously. Condor Pass is not a casual walk, and the stairs on the Short Inca Trail may bother anyone with ankle or knee trouble.

The booking terms are strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather or an insufficient group cancels the trip, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. A current passport is required, and passport details are needed at booking.

Should you book it?

Book this five-day route if your ideal Peru trip combines remote mountain scenery, traditional communities, strong food, and a memorable first approach to Machu Picchu. The Lares section gives you quiet and culture, while the Short Inca Trail supplies the ruins and Sun Gate arrival.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sightseeing trip or a simple Machu Picchu visit. This is a real trek, with an early start, a 4,700-meter pass, two nights in tents, and a long day of stone steps. For the right hiker, the mix of silence, support, and ancient sites makes the $980 cost reasonable.

FAQ

How difficult is the five-day Lares and Inca Trail trip?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Day 1 is listed as easy, Day 2 as moderate to challenging, and Day 3 as easy. The highest point is Condor Pass at 4,700 meters, and the Short Inca Trail includes several hours of hiking and many stairs.

What is included in the $980 price?

The package includes hotel pickup, transport during the trip, guides, chefs, porters, horse support, a duffle service for up to 7 kilos, two nights of camping, two hotel nights, five breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners. A Pachamanca cooking demonstration is also included.

Are sleeping bags and trekking poles included?

No. A mattress, sleeping bag, and trekking poles are optional extras. The operator can provide guidance about arranging them.

Are Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain included?

No. Entry tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are optional and must be booked as far in advance as possible. Confirm the standard Machu Picchu entry details when booking.

Can I request vegetarian or special meals?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available. You should provide vegetarian requests and any other dietary requirements when booking.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people. The actual number may be smaller, but a private departure is not guaranteed unless confirmed.

What documents and information are needed?

A current valid passport is required on the day of the trip. At booking, you must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country. Children must be accompanied by an adult.