Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail: Two Legendary Routes, One Unforgettable 4-Day Journey
A misty sunrise over a glacial lake with no one else in sight. Alpacas grazing on a hillside while the only sounds are the wind and distant Quechua conversations. A hot spring soak beneath snow-capped peaks. And then, two days later, stepping through a stone doorway carved by the Incas themselves to see Machu Picchu appear below you for the first time.
That’s what the Lares Trek offers and it’s why travelers who do their research keep choosing the Lares Trek over the standard route.
The Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail is a 4-day combination journey that brings together the cultural authenticity of the Lares Trek with one of the most iconic endings in South America: walking through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. This Lares Trek experience is not a compromise between two lesser adventures. Instead, the Lares Trek offers a unique way to discover remote Andean communities, ancient traditions, high mountain passes, and natural hot springs before continuing toward Machu Picchu.
Unlike many traditional trekking routes, the Lares Trek takes you away from the busiest trails and into the heart of the Andes. During the Lares Trek, you can experience authentic local culture, meet Andean communities, see alpacas and llamas, and walk through valleys surrounded by impressive mountain peaks.
The Lares Trek is also an excellent alternative for travelers who want to experience the Andes without the booking difficulties of the Classic Inca Trail. By combining the Lares Trek with the Short Inca Trail, you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Lares Trek and still enter Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate.
For travelers looking for a more authentic adventure, the Lares Trek provides a perfect balance between culture, hiking, nature, and history. The Lares Trek route allows you to explore a less crowded side of the Cusco region while discovering the traditions and daily life of the people who continue to live in the high Andes.
After completing the Lares Trek, the journey continues with the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This combination makes the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail one of the most complete trekking experiences in Peru.
If you are searching for an alternative to the Classic Inca Trail, the Lares Trek is an excellent choice. If you want an authentic cultural experience, the Lares Trek is the perfect adventure. And if your dream is to combine remote Andean villages with the magic of Machu Picchu, the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail offers one of the best ways to experience both.
The Lares Trek is more than just a hike. It is a journey through living Andean culture, ancient traditions, mountain communities, natural hot springs, and the history of the Incas ending with the unforgettable moment of arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Why Do This Trek?
- Because permits for the Classic Inca Trail sell out 5–6 months in advance. If you’re planning a trip on shorter notice, or your ideal dates already show «sold out» everywhere you look, this combo is often your best remaining path to walking through the Sun Gate on foot. The Lares portion has no daily quota, and the Short Inca Trail’s limit (around 250 people per day) is far less competitive than the Classic Trail’s 500.
- Because you want real culture, not just ruins. The Classic Inca Trail is spectacular, but its four days are shared with hundreds of other trekkers on a route optimized for archaeology. Lares takes you somewhere different: working villages where Quechua is the first language, where weaving techniques haven’t changed in centuries, and where your presence is genuinely unusual rather than routine. You’ll likely see more alpacas and condors than tourists.
- Because you still get the ending everyone comes for. Some alternative treks Salkantay, for instance end with a bus ride and a ticket gate. This one doesn’t. The final approach on Day 3 is the actual historic Inca Trail, arriving at Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) on foot, with Machu Picchu unfolding beneath you exactly as it did for travelers centuries ago. You get the postcard moment without the postcard crowd.
- Because the landscapes span an entire continent’s worth of ecosystems in four days. You’ll cross a high alpine pass above 4,700 meters surrounded by glaciers, descend through green farming valleys, and finish in humid cloud forest thick with orchids and hummingbirds. Few treks anywhere offer this much variety in this little time.
- Because it’s physically achievable without being extreme. This is a moderately challenging trek, not an expedition. With reasonable fitness and a few days of acclimatization beforehand, most healthy trekkers complete it comfortably supported by horses, an experienced guide, and a crew that handles the logistics so you can focus on the experience.
The 4-Day Itinerary
Day 1 (Lares): Cusco → Lares Hot Springs → Wacawasi/Cuncani — approx. 7 km Your adventure begins with an early pickup in Cusco and a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley. Before a single step of trekking, you’ll stop at the Lares hot springs to soak beneath the mountains the perfect way to relax and acclimatize before the trail begins. From there, a gentle 4–5 hour walk through pastureland and small farming communities brings you to your first campsite, at roughly 3,750–4,000 meters, with your crew already setting up camp and a hot meal waiting.
Day 2 (Lares): Wacawasi/Cuncani → Condor Pass → Ollantaytambo — approx. 11–12 km This is the day that makes the whole trip worth bragging about. A steady climb takes you to the trek’s highest point, Condor Pass, at roughly 4,700–4,800 meters — higher than Dead Woman’s Pass on the Classic Inca Trail. The reward is immense: 360-degree views of glaciated peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, and valleys that seem to stretch forever. After soaking in the views, you’ll descend through changing terrain toward Huacahuasi or Cancha Cancha before transferring by vehicle or train to Ollantaytambo for a comfortable night’s rest.
Day 3 (Short Inca Trail): Ollantaytambo → Km 104 → Wiñay Wayna → Machu Picchu — approx. 11 km This is the day you came for. A scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo drops you at the Km 104 checkpoint, where the historic Inca Trail begins. A focused 3–4 hour uphill hike passes the terraced ruins of Chachabamba and the stunning archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna before delivering you to Inti Punku — the Sun Gate. Nothing quite prepares you for that first glimpse of Machu Picchu from above. You’ll descend into the citadel for a guided tour that brings the history to life, then spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Extension & Return to Cusco Most trekkers use this final morning for a second, unhurried visit to Machu Picchu — this time without a schedule to keep, free to wander, photograph, and simply take it in. From there, it’s a scenic train back to Ollantaytambo and a comfortable transfer to Cusco, where your 4-day journey comes full circle.
Across the full route, you’ll cover approximately 29–30 km (18 miles), crossing from high alpine terrain above 4,700 meters down to subtropical cloud forest at around 2,400 meters — a dramatic range few multi-day treks can match.
What Does It Cost?
- Standard group tours: approximately $700–$950 per person
- Premium or private tours: $1200 –$1,200+ per person
A well-designed package should include private transport, an experienced English-speaking guide, all camping equipment and meals for the Lares portion, a pack horse for your personal belongings (typically up to 5–7 kg), the Short Inca Trail permit, train tickets, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu entrance. Common optional extras include Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (around $65–$85 per person — book these early, as they sell out months ahead), sleeping bag rental, and tips for your guide, cook, and horsemen (typically $50–$90 total for the group). (Confirm exact pricing and inclusions directly with your operator, as rates and permit policies are updated seasonally.)
Tips to Make the Most of Your Trek
- Acclimatize before you arrive at the trailhead. Condor Pass sits above 4,700 meters, so spend at least 2–3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand to let your body adjust.
- Pack for four seasons in four days. You’ll need warm layers, gloves, and a hat for the high pass, plus lighter, breathable clothing and rain protection for the cloud forest on Day 3.
- Bring a swimsuit. The Lares hot springs stop on Day 1 is one of the trip’s quiet highlights — don’t skip it.
- Reserve Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance if you want to add either climb; these permits are separate from your trek booking and sell out fast.
- Carry small bills in soles and dollars for tips, snacks, and any extras your package doesn’t cover.
- This route is a smart backup plan. If your preferred dates on the Classic Inca Trail are sold out, this combo can often be arranged with much shorter notice.
- Bring your original passport. It’s checked against your permits at both the Lares community checkpoints and the Km 104 control point.
Ready to Trek Both Worlds?
Four days. Two legendary routes. One unforgettable arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Spaces for the Short Inca Trail portion are limited daily, so if this itinerary speaks to you, don’t wait until your ideal dates disappear.
Check Availability & Book Your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail Today
