Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days)
Overview
Available languages
4 days
Mobile ticket
The trip from Lares to Machu Picchu 4D3N is a spectacular way to visit one of The New Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. On the other hand, the Lares trek from Cusco offers you many unique opportunities to enjoy your Machu Picchu adventure.
The Lares Trek, Peru combines beautiful lakes, snow-capped mountains, local Quechua communities and herds of llamas, alpacas and Vizcacha (Andean Rabbit). You will visit communities of farmers and weavers who are still living traditional lifestyles in the mountains, cultivating the practices of ancient knowledge and continuing to build stone houses similar to those of Inca times. Therefore, after three days of hiking and reaching a summit of 4850m (15912 ft), you will finish the trek in the Lares Hot Springs. The Lares Trek is an exciting adventure to make your way to Machu Picchu.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Cusco - Pumahuanca - Puyoc
Accommodations
Camping
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
We leave early in the morning to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pumahuanca), where you start hiking all the way up the Pumahuanca valley to get the first lunch place - Paqcha Pata "Waterfall", covering approx 14 km in total, along the walk there is a small Inca ruin "CHUPANI" to explore, you see native plants, spectacular rocky/sharpy mountains and a small crystalline stream along the Lares hike to get the BASE campsite - Puyoc at (4150m). ✎ NOTE: The coldest campsite of the three nights Includes: Lunch - Dinner (Extra snack in the morning and happy hour before dinner).
Puyoc - Yanacocha Lake - Cuncani Village
Accommodations
Camping
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
After breakfast, we start ascending for three hours to reach the highest point of the Lares expedition "Siclla Qasa" pass at 4850m - 15,682 ft. The highest point of Lares Cusco trekking- After the summit you start going down to the lunch spot "Yanacocha" or Black lake. Today you see beautiful sceneries, landscapes, andean lakes, potato fields, vizcacha "Andean rabbit" and local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. The campsite is going to be close to a small Quechua village - Cuncani. Note: Hikers might go directly to the Lares hot springs, where you can have plenty of time to relax/enjoy of the thermal bath in Lares Valley. Meal Includes: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner (Extra snack in the mornings and happy hour before dinner).
Cuncani Quechua Village - Lares Hot springs - Aguas Calientes
Accommodations
Presidente hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes town
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Machu Picchu HotSprings
After organic breakfast, you only hike in the morning focusing to meet local Quechua people, see typical andean huts and farming lands on the way to the hot springs that takes you 2 hours, after enjoying the hot springs we have the last lunch with our Happy Gringo team. Since this place the trip is easier because you take bus to Ollantaytambo to take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the last night in a hotel before to visit Machu Picchu. → Meal Includes: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner (Extra snack in the morning and dinner in Machu Picchu Pueblo). Note: We stay in Presidente hotel or similar in Aguas Calientes town. → ☼ After taking Inca hot springs (Entrance fee does not include s/10 soles or $3 per person) – We take bus to Ollantaytambo train station for 2 and half hours, then train to Aguas Calientes for two hours where we spend the last night of Lares trek. → Say goodbye your amazing team, give them your gratitude according your satisfaction. The Company recommends S/60 per assistant cook and horsemen and double for the cook. The tour guides recieves their tip after Machu Picchu tour.
Machu Picchu “The wonder of the world”
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Machupicchu
The tour starts very early in the morning to take the first bus up to Machu Picchu to visit the citadel for the guided tour which lasts 2 hour while you explore the most important temples of the citadel. After the guided tour you have free time to walk around the site by yourself. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where you will carry on by bus to Cusco city. Meal Includes: Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner on your own after Machu Picchu you can have lunch in Aguas Calientes town). → The Final destination to get back to Cusco. Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station by train 2 hours and Ollantaytambo to Cusco another two hours. We will drop off in your hotel or by the center of the city.
Options
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 days)
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Tips for guide, cook and porters
Travel and health insurance.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great service! Machu picchu tickets
Júlia C,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Frank is great he help us with the Machu picchu tickets at last minute. I recommend happy gringo tours. We are so grateful!
Unforgettable experience
643tessak,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00De omgeving van de trek was magisch, onderweg zijn we enorm goed begeleid door een lieve, relaxte, down to earth gids, Jorge Elder. He was amazing, along the way he kept telling us more about our environment with the highlight Machu Picchu where he passionately told us about the history. The cooking along the trek was amazing and we never had too little to eat. Everyone on the team was super friendly!
Well Worth
nostuhy,Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience with an awesome team! The food cooked by Milton and Caesar was spectacular, our Guides Frank and Jorge were the best. Jorge helped me out immensely when i was feeling sick on the trail, would not have made it without him! 5 stars!
Incredible hike to Machu Picchu
G6227WIjo om,Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We originally booked the inka trail to Machu Picchu but ended up doing the Lares trek instead and boy were we lucky! What a great experience, to be able to enjoy the marvelous Andes Mountain with such a knowledgable and friendly guide, that was Maurito! Couldnt have asked for a better way to see one of the Wonders of the World.
Lares private tack
joao-v-jesus,Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing trip with incredible views and even more amazing people. With Mauro as our guide we had the best experience of Perú so far. The food was absolutely amazing every day. A definite must!
Fantastic!
sophielU928VE,Mar 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Mauro was incredible. Mauro was very knowledgeable and taught us all about the Quechua culture and language, he was also great company. Chef Edgar created delicious dishes and Jonathan our horseman was very helpful. I would really recommend this trek and the company.
Amazing experience meeting local people and seeing Machu Picchu
kathrynsD3061ZW,Mar 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Lares trek was an amazing way to see the Andean mountains and see the way of life of the local people. Mauro was an excellent guide, always taking the time to explain the nature and history of the Quechua culture. The trek took us over a high mountain pass with two nights camping and then the trip to Machu Picchu on the train with a night in a hotel. We had excellent support from the horseman Jonathan carrying the equipment and our chef Edgar who cook great food. I have never been so well fed on a camping trip! I would really recommend the Lares trek as an alternative to the busy Inca trail
Amazing experience
Safari41145381195,Oct 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It has been 4 very special days, we as at home, the team did everything possible to be as good as possible, both with food and with tents. Special mention to our Guide Mauro, who has accompanied us these 4 days and has taught us all the history of Peru, from the Quechuas to the plants and animals that we found. It is certainly a very good tour and it really brings you closer to Peruvian culture and its people.
Excellent trip and Mauro was amazing
evanbO3467CF,Oct 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing trip with Mauro, we hiked through the mountains with constantly changing scenery and animals, with a great team looking after us. Mauro was very insightful and we learned a lot throughout the trip - definitely coming back to do another!
Lares trek
sarahhV5064OE,Apr 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everyone at Happy Gringo worked very hard to ensure our trip was perfect. From the orientation to the tent setup, the horseman, the chefs and of course our guide Mauro. It was a tough hike, but a fun experience. Perfect time of year.
Related Experiences
Operated by Happy Gringo Tours