4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu from Cusco

The best part of this four-day trip is the route itself. Instead of rushing straight toward Machu Picchu, you spend two hard but rewarding days in the high Andes, passing glaciers, mountain lakes, llamas, alpacas, crop fields, and small communities. Then the trail gives way to a comfortable hotel night and an early visit to the ruins.

I like the small-group format, with an average of four people and a maximum of 15. I also like that the price includes a cook, camping gear, horses to carry supplies and 7 kilos of your belongings, trains, buses, and a guided Machu Picchu visit. The main drawback is the altitude: the trail reaches 4,400 meters, so this is a serious hike, not a gentle scenic walk.

Key points to know before booking

• The high point is 4,400 meters: The Ipsayccocha Pass is the physical test of the trip and requires good fitness and warm clothing.
• You camp near local communities: Wakawasi and Patacancha offer a closer look at rural Andean life than a standard Machu Picchu package.
• Percy is one named guide: He is described as experienced, funny, helpful, considerate, and comfortable speaking English.
• Fresh meals are part of the experience: The cook prepares breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, with vegetarian dishes available if requested in advance.
• Your luggage support is limited but useful: Horses carry camping equipment and 7 kilos for each hiker during the first three days.
• Machu Picchu is not rushed: You receive a two-hour guided tour, followed by time to explore independently.

Why choose the Lares route to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek works well if you want Machu Picchu to be the finish line of a mountain journey rather than the only event. The first two days are about the Andes themselves: high passes, cold air, lakes, livestock, farmland, and communities living at serious elevation.

That gives the trip a different feel from a simple train package. You are not only checking off a famous archaeological site. You are walking through the setting that makes the Cusco region so memorable.

The route is also practical. You do not need to carry every piece of camping gear, and the group size is kept small. At the end of the trek, you sleep in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes instead of camping for a third night. That overnight pause matters after two long days on foot.

At $847 per person, this is not a bargain-basement excursion. But the cost covers transport from Cusco to Lares, camping, a cook, horses, meals, the tourist train, hotel accommodation, buses to Machu Picchu, entrance to the site, and guiding on the trek and at the ruins. Once you add those pieces separately, the price becomes easier to understand.

Still, you should budget for extras. The sleeping bag costs $15 to rent, Lares hot springs cost 10 soles, bottled water is not included, and lunch on the final day is your responsibility. Tips, snacks, optional mountain hikes, and accommodation in Cusco also sit outside the package.

Day 1: From Cusco to Wakawasi at 3,850 meters

The day begins early, with pickup from your Cusco accommodation around 6:00 am. A van takes you to Lares Town, at about 2,900 meters, where you can pay to use the hot springs before the hike.

The hot springs are optional, but they can be a good way to loosen up before the trail. Do not treat them as part of the included price, and bring a swimsuit if you plan to use them.

From Lares, the route climbs for about six hours and covers 14 kilometers. The uphill section zigzags toward Wakawasi, a community at roughly 3,850 meters. You can expect views of glaciers, wildlife, mountain slopes, and local communities along the way.

The first day is not the highest point of the trek, but altitude begins working on you here. The distance is manageable on paper, yet the climb and thin air can make six hours feel much longer. Walk steadily, drink often, and do not turn the first morning into a race.

Camping near Wakawasi gives the evening a local setting rather than a generic campground. You may have a chance to meet families from the community and see how farming and daily life continue at high altitude. The package includes your tent, a basic sleeping mattress, lunch, dinner, and a snack, but not breakfast. You need to eat before pickup or bring money and food for the morning.

Day 2: Crossing Ipsayccocha Pass at 4,400 meters

Day two is the toughest section. The group climbs for about four hours to Ipsayccocha Pass, which reaches 4,400 meters. That is high enough for cold, wind, and altitude symptoms to become real concerns, even for fit hikers.

The route then drops for about 40 minutes to a lake, where lunch is served. The lake gives you a welcome pause after the pass, and the change from climbing to descending lets your legs recover before the afternoon walk.

After lunch, you continue downhill for roughly three hours to Patacancha, at 3,800 meters. The full day covers about 15 kilometers and takes around eight hours.

Patacancha provides another strong cultural setting. The camp is surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations. This is one of the trip’s most appealing features if you want more than mountain scenery. You get a sense of how animals, crops, altitude, and community life fit together.

The altitude is the clear warning. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, but I would prepare more seriously than that phrase suggests. Much of the route sits near or above 4,000 meters. Bring thermal layers, a hat, gloves, warm socks, rain protection, and proper trekking boots. Hiking poles can be rented in Cusco and may help on both the steep climb and the long descent.

You sleep in a tent again. Single hikers share with another person, while couples have their own tent. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack are included.

Food on the trail, and what the 7-kilo allowance means

Food is one of the stronger practical features of this package. A cook prepares fresh meals rather than leaving you to rely only on packaged trail food. Breakfasts can include porridge, quinoa, oats, eggs, pancakes, bread, and hot drinks. Lunch and dinner may include soups, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, potatoes, quinoa, and Peruvian dishes such as aji de gallina or ajiaco de olluco.

The menus are filling, which matters on eight-hour hiking days. Snacks can include popcorn, cookies, crackers, and hot drinks. Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to request them at least two days before departure.

Horses carry the cooking and camping equipment, plus a total of 7 kilos for each hiker during the first three days. The stated allowance includes 2.5 kilos for a sleeping bag and mattress and 2.5 kilos of personal items, so do not read it as permission to hand over a full large suitcase.

You still need a daypack with water, rain gear, sun protection, medications, extra layers, and anything you want during the day. There is limited to no electricity during the trek, so bring extra batteries, a power solution if needed, and waterproof protection for your camera.

Day 3: Walking to Ollantaytambo, then taking the train

The third day is shorter on foot. From Patacancha, you walk about four hours and 12 kilometers to Ollantaytambo. After lunch, you board the train to Aguas Calientes.

This change of pace is welcome. After the pass and long descent, you get a morning walk followed by rail transport instead of another full day on the trail. It also links the rural trek with the more developed Machu Picchu base town.

Aguas Calientes is your first proper bed since leaving Cusco. The package includes one night in a three-star hotel, with a private room for couples and shared accommodation for single hikers. Dinner is included, but bottled water and personal purchases are not.

The evening is yours. You can walk around town, visit shops, use an internet cafe, or sit in a cafe with cards or board games. Your guide meets you to explain the next day, but you should expect to handle the train and bus portions without a guide beside you.

That detail is worth noting. You are guided on the trek and during the Machu Picchu visit, but transfers are independent. Keep your tickets safe, listen for announcements, and allow yourself time to find the correct departure point.

Day 4: Machu Picchu before the crowds build

The final morning starts very early. The plan is to take a bus around 5:30 am, with the ride to Machu Picchu taking about 25 minutes. The goal is to arrive while morning mist is lifting and the first light reaches the ruins.

Your guide leads a two-hour walking tour of the principal parts of Machu Picchu, explaining the site’s history and pointing out important structures. Afterward, you have free time to explore and take photographs on your own.

This combination works well. A guide helps you understand what you are looking at, but you are not tied to a full-day group schedule. You can use the remaining time to revisit favorite viewpoints or simply sit and take in the setting.

Huayna Picchu is an optional add-on, not part of the standard price. 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 am and 10:00 am, and the ticket must be requested at least two weeks ahead.

Machu Picchu Mountain is another optional hike, with a separate ticket that must be arranged at least one week in advance. If you want either climb, deal with it before departure. Do not assume you can decide at the gate.

After the ruins, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You can visit the market near the station before the train leaves for Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus returns you to Cusco, with arrival around 8:00 pm at Plaza San Francisco.

The final day is long, with about eight hours of scheduled activity and transport. You need to arrange your own way from Plaza San Francisco to your Cusco accommodation. Airport pickup and accommodation drop-off are not included.

The guide, group size, and level of support

The small group is a real advantage on a route with difficult altitude and campsite logistics. The maximum is 15 people, but the average group is four. A smaller group usually makes it easier to ask questions, set a sensible walking pace, and communicate with the guide.

Percy is specifically named as a guide. He is described as experienced, funny, helpful, considerate during the hike, and strong in English. Another note spells his name Percey, but the references appear to point to the same guide.

The guide leads the trek and the Machu Picchu visit. A cook handles meals, while horsemen support the equipment transport. An emergency oxygen bottle and first-aid kit are carried, but that does not make the hike suitable for anyone unprepared for high altitude.

There is a mandatory briefing at 6:00 pm the evening before departure at the Cusco office on Calle Matara 242, second floor. You receive the packing list, final departure details, and trip instructions there. Plan your Cusco schedule so you can attend.

What to pack and what to arrange early

Bring your original passport. The passport details used for the reservation must be exact, including your full name, birth date, nationality, passport number, and expiration date. The passport must remain valid for at least six months after the trip.

If you renew or replace the passport used for booking, carry the old passport or a photocopy. Incorrect passport information can cause problems with permits and entrance tickets.

For the trail, pack trekking boots, warm layers, thermals, rain pants, a poncho, gloves, a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a flashlight, water bottle, hand sanitizer, personal medication, and a small first-aid kit. Bring a swimsuit for the optional hot springs.

You can rent a sleeping bag for $15. Water is not included, and prices for drinks and snacks can rise along the route, so carry extra cash. Electricity is limited during the camping nights.

The tour operates Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, with daily departures possible for groups of four or more. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, but bookings made within four days of departure may take up to 48 hours and depend on space.

The cancellation rule is severe: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Check your dates, passport details, fitness, and optional hiking plans before paying.

Who should book this four-day trek

I would recommend it to you if you want a demanding Andean hike, prefer a small group, and like the idea of reaching Machu Picchu by a less direct route. It is also a good fit if you value included meals, a support team, and a hotel night after camping.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold nights, long uphill walks, or high altitude. Families should pay close attention to the minimum age of seven, but the age rule does not change the physical demands. A child may be allowed to join and still be poorly matched to the 4,400-meter pass.

The package also suits hikers who want some independence. You have guided sections where local knowledge matters, but bus and train transfers are on your own. An extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged if you want less pressure on the final day.

Should you book it?

Book this Lares Trek if you want the journey to matter as much as the destination. The two camping nights, community visits, high pass, fresh cooking, and small-group support give the trip substance beyond a quick Machu Picchu visit.

Skip it if your main goal is comfort or if you have not prepared for altitude. At $847, the value is strongest for hikers who will use the included transport, meals, camping support, hotel, entrance, and guides. Add the sleeping bag, water, tips, optional hikes, and local transport to your real budget, then confirm your passport details and dates before committing.

FAQ

How long is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The experience lasts four days, including two camping nights, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, the trek, train travel, and the Machu Picchu visit.

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is Ipsayccocha Pass at approximately 4,400 meters.

How difficult is the hike?

The hike is considered difficult and requires good physical condition. Much of the route is at high altitude, and day two takes about eight hours.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is 15 people, with an average group size of four.

Is a guide included?

A professional bilingual guide is included for the trek and the guided visit to Machu Picchu. Bus and train transfers are not accompanied by a guide.

Are meals included?

The package includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and three snacks. Day one breakfast and day four lunch are not included.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at least two days before departure.

Is camping equipment provided?

A tent and basic sleeping mattress are included. A sleeping bag is not included, but one can be rented for $15.

Can I hike Huayna Picchu?

Yes, but Huayna Picchu requires a separate ticket and must be arranged at least two weeks in advance. The hike takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can be steep and muddy.

Is hotel accommodation included?

Yes. One night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes is included. Couples receive a private room, while single hikers share a room with another person.