Lares Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu in 4 days
Lares Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu in 4 days

Lares Trek and Inca Trail To Machu picchu 4D-3N

Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4 Days)

The Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail is one of the most complete and authentic ways to reach Machu Picchu: two days of cultural trekking through Quechua communities in the Lares Valley, followed by two days hiking the final stretch of the original Inca Trail up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Operated by Inca Trail Classic, a local agency with an official Ministry of Culture permit to operate the Inca Trail and 7 years of experience guiding this route.

Quick Tour Facts

Quick Tour Facts

 Duration   4 Days / 3 Nights
 Difficulty   Moderate to challenging
 Max altitude   4,400 m (Ipsaycocha Pass, Day 2)
 Total distance   26 km
 Group size   Max 250 hikers/day on the Inca Trail section (official regulation)
 Price   $750 per person

Why Choose the Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail?

This combination brings together the best of two distinct routes in a single journey:
  • Lares Trek: less crowded than the Classic Inca Trail, with genuine encounters with Andean communities, walks alongside llamas and alpacas, and landscapes of lagoons and snow-capped mountains — without the stone steps of the traditional Inca Trail.
  • Short Inca Trail (Km 104): the final stretch of the original Inca Trail, with access to the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, and the iconic arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate — the same entrance used by the Incas.
It’s the ideal alternative for travelers who couldn’t secure a permit for the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail, or who are looking for a more cultural experience before connecting with the traditional Inca route.

What’s Included

  • Professional bilingual/trilingual guide (English, Spanish, Quechua)
  • Pre-trek briefing 1-2 days before departure
  • Round-trip train tickets Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes
  • One night hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket
  • Round-trip bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu
  • Full camping equipment (tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, sleeping mats)
  • Chef and kitchen staff
  • Horses for equipment + duffle bag (up to 8kg per person)
  • Emergency horse, first aid kit, emergency oxygen
  • Meals: breakfast (days 2-4), lunch (days 1-3), dinner (days 1-3), snacks
  • Hot water for washing (morning and afternoon)

Not Included

  • Sleeping bag (rental available)
  • Breakfast on day 1
  • Lunch and dinner on day 4
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

What to Bring

  1. Documents: Original passport (mandatory – copies not accepted)
  2. Clothing: Thermal layers, waterproof jacket/poncho, hat and gloves, wide-brim hat, change of clothes for Aguas Calientes
  3. Gear: Small daypack, headlamp, trekking poles (rental available), reusable water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen SPF 35+, binoculars, camera with extra batteries
  4. Toiletries: Soap, towel, wet wipes, toilet paper

Transportation & Meeting Point

Pickup at your hotel in Cusco at 5:30 AM on Day 1. We recommend staying in Cusco at least 2 nights before the trek to acclimatize (3,400m). The tour ends with a transfer back to your Cusco hotel at the end of Day 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How difficult is the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail?
Moderate to challenging. The toughest part is Day 2, ascending to Ipsaycocha Pass (4,400m). No technical mountaineering experience is required, but reasonable fitness is recommended.
  • How far in advance should I book?
6-7 months ahead, to secure your Short Inca Trail permit. Peru authorizes only 500 total daily Inca Trail permits (~250 for hikers), and they sell out months ahead, especially June-August.
  • What’s the best time of year?
Dry season (May-September) has clearer skies and less rain — June, July, August see the highest demand. Rainy season (November-March) has fewer tourists and lower rates, with more chance of rain on the Lares Trek. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
  • Do I need my physical passport?
Yes — mandatory to enter the Inca Trail, since permits are issued by name and checked at Km 104.
  • Should I worry about altitude sickness?
The trek reaches 4,400m at Ipsaycocha Pass. Arrive in Cusco (3,400m) at least 2 days early, avoid alcohol the first 48 hours, stay hydrated, and try coca tea. Our guides carry a first aid kit and emergency oxygen.
  • What’s the difference with the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail?
The Classic Inca Trail starts at Km 82. This combo replaces the first days with the Lares Trek — deeper cultural immersion, fewer hikers — connecting to the Inca Trail only on its final stretch (Km 104) to the Sun Gate.
  • What if I can’t get an Inca Trail permit?
Our team helps you find the best alternative: a different date, an alternative trek, or a train tour to Machu Picchu.
  • Do I need previous trekking experience?
No technical experience needed, but basic fitness for multi-hour hikes at altitude is recommended — especially for Day 2.

Book Your Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail

Ready to combine the Lares Trek with the Short Inca Trail? Reach out to check availability — Inca Trail permits are limited to 250 hikers per day and sell out months in advance. Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +51 954 400 642

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Sources & Further Reading

Itinerary

DAY 1: Lares Hot Springs – Huacahuasi (7 km/4.3 miles, 4 hours)

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up and begin our journey to the village of Lares , located at 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level . In this beautiful and remote place, we will meet local communities, direct descendants of the Incas , and get a closer look at their way of life in the Andes. Stepping away from modern civilization for a bit will allow us to connect with nature and imagine what Incan culture was like 600 years ago .

Upon arrival in Lares, we will visit the hot springs , located just 10 minutes from town . Here, you’ll have the chance to relax in these natural thermal waters, known for their healing properties—great for relieving stress, arthritis, and muscle tension .

Afterward, we will begin our hike to the campsite. The first day’s hike is a bit challenging, with about 2 hours of walking , but the breathtaking scenery of the Andes will make it all worthwhile. Along the way, we’ll see llamas and alpacas grazing freely in their natural habitat—a perfect opportunity to take amazing photos.

During our time here, we will also get to interact with the local people, exchange stories, and learn more about their traditions and way of life. This will be a truly unique and unforgettable experience in the Andes

  •  Meals: Breakfast/lunch/tea time/dinner
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,925
  • Highest Elevation: 4,300 (by bus untill lares town)
  • Distance to walk: 2 km
  • Approximate walking time: 1/30 hours
  • Difficulty: moderate easy
  • Camping: Huacahuasi Community

DAY 2: Huacahuasi – Ipsaycocha pass – Ollantaytambo (10 km/5 miles, 6 hours)

After enjoying a warm breakfast and a cup of tea , we will continue our journey from Huacahuasi to the highest point along the route, Ipsaycocha Pass , at 4,400 meters (14,435 feet) above sea level.  From there, we will begin our descent to our lunch spot at Ipsaycocha , located at 3,900 meters (12,795 feet) above sea level.

As we walk, we’ll witness a stunning transition in the landscape, from the dry highlands to a more humid, semi-tropical region.  This hike will be truly amazing, as we pass through beautiful and remote places such as Patacancha, Willoc, and finally Ollantaytambo.

On this second day,  we will stay overnight in a hotel in Ollantaytambo,  giving us time to explore this fascinating Inca city before starting our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  It will be a day filled with breathtaking landscapes, culture, and adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable experience

  • Meals: Breakfast/lunch/tea time/dinner
  • Lowest elevation: 3,725 meters
  • Highest elevation: 4,400 meters
  • Approximate time to walk: 6 hours
  • Distance to walk: 10 km
  • Difficulty: challenging
  • Camping: Patacancha Village

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail – Machupicchu

On this exciting day, we will embark on the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will take a short 10-minute walk to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Our train departs at 6:10 AM, taking us on a scenic 1-hour and 20 minute journey along the Urubamba River until we reach the starting point of our trek at Km 104, known as Chachabamba.

From Chachabamba, we will hike a total of 12 kilometers (6 miles) along the ancient Inca Trail , a sacred royal path leading to Machu Picchu. Along the way, we will visit fascinating archaeological sites, including Chachabamba and the stunning Wiñay Wayna, also known as «Mini Machu Picchu. These sites provide a glimpse into the incredible engineering and spiritual significance of the Inca civilization.

As we continue our journey, we will arrive at the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. After taking in this unforgettable sight, we will descend towards the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

At the end of our hike, we will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), where we will spend the night, preparing for our full exploration of Machu Picchu the next day.

  • Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
  • Lowest elevation: 2050 meters
  • Lowest elevation: 2,700 meters
  • Approximate walking: 7 hours
  • Distance to walk: 12 km
  • Difficulty: easy challenge
  • Area: Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail

DAY 4: Machu Picchu inca – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

On our final day, we will take an early bus from Aguas Calientes up the winding Machu Picchu Mountain Road to reach the entrance of this legendary Inca city.

Our Guided tour of Machu Picchu will last approximately 3 hours, during which we will explore its most important and fascinating sites. We will begin at the upper viewpoint, where you can capture the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu—a moment you won’t want to miss! After that, our guide will take you on a detailed exploration of the archaeological site, uncovering its history, mysteries, and incredible architecture step by step.

Once the tour is complete, you’ll have free time to  enjoy the surroundings at your own pace before we exit together to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes.  Here, we’ll have time for lunch before catching the train back to Ollantaytambo and continuing our journey to Cusco . This final day is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the magic of Machu Picchu before returning with unforgettable memories of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure

  • meals included: breakfast / not lunch.
  • Walking time: 3 hours
  • difficult: easy
  • accommodation: your hotel in cusco

Included

INCLUDED ON LARES TREK AND INCA TRAIL

  • Professional guide who speaks English, Spanish, and Quechua
  • Briefing in your hotel one 0r two day before your trek to explain our route and other details
  • Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
  • Train ticket from Machupicchu to Ollantaytambo
  • One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
  • Entrance to Macupicchu
  • Tickets round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu
  • Mattress
  • Two people tent
  • Kitchen tent
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • Toilet tent
  • Chef
  • Horses to carry all the equipment (food tents chairs table..)
  • Duffle bag for your personal gear 8kls and a horse that will carry your personal belongings
  • Emergency horse in case we need it
  • Two breakfasts three lunches and three dinners
  • Hot water for washing in the morning and in the afternoon
  • First Aid kit and emergency oxyg

Meals

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions. Hot meals are prepared fresh, on-site!

  • Breakfast on days 2, 3, and 4
  • Lunch on day 1, 2, and 3 (day 3 will be boxed lunch)
  • Dinner on days 1, 2, and 3
  • Snacks between meals
  • Chef, assistants, and cooking equipment
  • Dining utensils, tent, tables, and chairs
  • Water for filling water bottles

Camping

  • Spacious tents
  • Thermarest Mattresses
  • Toilet tent
  • Hot water for washing and/or filling your water bottle to put at the foot of your sleeping bag

Van/bus transportationN

  • Transportation from your hotel to the beginning of the trek
  • Tickets to Lares hot springs
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
  • Hotel arrangements for one night in Aguas Calientes
  • Transportation from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back
  • Tickets to Machu Picchu Sanctuary and Wayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain

Not Include

Not included the trek

  • Sleeping bags
  • Breakfast on day 1 is not included
  • Lunch and dinner on day 4 are not included

  What to bring for Lares Trek

  • Original Passport
  • sunscreen
  • sun hat
  • mosquito repellent
  • small Daypack
  • your own medicinal
  • warming clothes
  • Hiking shoe
  • walking stick

Equipment

  • Headlamp and camera with extra batteries
  • Sleeping bag and trekking poles (you can rent these from us)
  • Binoculars
  • Soap, towel, wet wipes, and toilet paper
  • Water bottle
  • Bug repellent

Clothing

  • Socks
  • Casual and thermal undergarments
  • Hiking tops, pants, and shoes
  • An extra change of clothes for walking around Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Warm jacket, gloves, and hat
  • Brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (we recommend broad spectrum water resistant 35 or greater S

Gallery

Price

            Price Per Person

  • 1-2 Person $750 USD Per Person
  • 1 – 5 Peson. $650 USD per person
Students:  discount of $20, but you have to supply us with a copy of your ISIC card when you make the booking. Children up to 15 years of age will be charged as students, under the condition that you supply us with a copy of the passport at the time of booking time. Note:  A minimum of two people is required to run the trek, and there is a maximum of eight people per group. let us know if you want to know about hotels in cusco city, we could help you  

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Lares Trek and Inca Trail To Machu picchu 4D-3N

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