4 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 2024

If you want Machu Picchu, but you also want the Andes on your way there, this Lares Trek to Machu Picchu route is a smart choice. You start with Lares hot springs, hike high up toward Condor Pass, then finish with a sunrise-focused arrival at Machu Picchu.

Two things I really like about this trip are the small-group feel (up to 10 people) and the way the plan is built around good food and real support. The chef and team get repeated praise, with people calling out standout meals like pachamanca.

One consideration: this is not a stroll. You’ll be at altitude most days, including a big climb to 4,750 m at Condor Pass, and nights can be chilly, so plan for cold and pace yourself.

Key things that make this trek worth your attention

• Lares hot springs on Day 1: You soak in natural pools before hiking.
• Condor Pass altitude day: The route pushes high, then descends to settle into the rhythm.
• Village time, not just viewpoints: You stop in places like Kiswarani and meet local families and children.
• Machu Picchu at sunrise with guidance: First bus arrival, checkpoint, viewpoints, then a guided 2-3 hour tour.
• Chef-driven camp meals: Multiple reviews highlight meal quality, comfort, and even cold-night hot drinks.
• A focused group size: Max 10 travelers, so you’re not lost in a crowd.

Lares to Machu Picchu: why this route feels more real

This trek is interesting because it strings together three different sides of Peru you can feel in your body: high Andean walking, village life in the Sacred Valley area, and then the big moment at Machu Picchu. Most trips rush straight from Cusco to the Inca site. Here, you earn it with hikes that include lakes, llamas and alpacas, and mountain views that change as you climb.

I also like that the day flow is built around transitions. Day 1 starts with a long drive, but then you settle into hiking right away. Day 3 pivots from trekking down into the Sacred Valley world with Maras and Ollantaytambo, then hands you off to the train for Aguas Calientes. By Day 4, you’re ready for an early, organized Machu Picchu rhythm.

Finally, the small group size matters. When there are only up to 10 people, guides can actually check in on how you’re doing, and the team can pace the campsite experience without turning it into a production line. In reviews, guides like Soledad and Walter are praised for keeping morale up and adjusting to the group’s speed.

Day 1 Lares Hot Springs, Kiswarani, and the first 3,900 m campsite

Day 1 begins in Cusco with a private van ride of about 3 hours to Lares hot springs. You’ll have time to enjoy the natural pools with different temperatures. Practical tip: go early if you can, because soaking first helps your legs feel less beat up when the hiking starts later.

After breakfast, you hike for about 4 hours to your first campsite at roughly 3,900 m (12,795 ft). This is your altitude warm-up day, not your hardest climb, but you’ll still feel the elevation. Along the way you get mountains and waterfall views, plus a stop at Kiswarani Village.

Why this Day 1 works: it gives you a clear reward for effort right from the start. Soaking, then hiking with village scenery and animals (llamas and alpacas), keeps the walk from feeling like pure grind.

What to watch: you’ll be starting at elevation and then sleeping there, so plan for wind, cold air, and slower breaths. Nothing in the itinerary claims easy mode, so expect a “steady pace beats hero pace” kind of day.

Day 2 Condor Pass at 4,750 m and lakes around Canchacancha

Day 2 is the altitude headline. You wake up with coffee or coca tea and breakfast, then hike about 4 hours up toward Condor Pass at 4,750 m (15,583 ft). After that, you descend for around 3 more hours to Canchacancha village at about 3,750 m (12,303 ft).

This is the day most likely to test you. Even if you’re fit, the climb to Condor Pass is steep by Andean standards, and high-altitude exertion slows everyone down. The good news is the scenery keeps changing. You’ll see several lakes, birds, and plenty of animal life along the route, and there are moments that feel like you’re walking through Sacred Valley highland scenery rather than a trail.

Another highlight here is people time. The plan includes interactions with local children. That matters because it turns the trek into something cultural, not just scenic. In reviews, guides and teams like Soledad and Walter are described as friendly and informative, which usually means you’re not just passing by communities, you’re learning what you’re seeing.

Practical drawback: if you’re prone to altitude discomfort, don’t assume Day 2 is automatically manageable because the route is “only” one pass. It’s the pass height that makes it demanding. Bring your headlamp, hydrate well, and keep your pace conservative near the top.

Day 3 Sacred Valley switch, Maras salt flats, Ollantaytambo, and train to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 shifts gears from high-hiking to a broader Sacred Valley day. You wake up in your tent, have breakfast, then visit local villagers to learn about their lifestyle. After that, you hike downward for about 4 hours toward the Sacred Valley.

You’ll have a special picnic lunch along the way, then you visit the Salineras of Maras (the famous salt ponds) and Ollantaytambo. After sightseeing, you take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Why Day 3 is valuable: it adds variety without breaking the trek rhythm. You still get walking time, then you get the iconic stops that pair naturally with Machu Picchu logistics. It also reduces the total trekking stress because you’re not hiking all the way until late evening.

What you should know: this is also the day where fatigue can sneak in. You start higher than sea level, you hike down, and then you do multiple visits plus train time. I’d plan on being flexible with energy, and I’d keep your posture easy on stairs and uneven ground around Maras and Ollantaytambo.

One more nice note from reviews: people talk about excellent support from the mule side of the operation and strong teamwork between guide and chef. Names that come up include Segundino (horseman) and cooks like Raymundo and German, who are praised for meal quality. That’s a good sign the day’s logistics are handled by a team used to the route.

Day 4 sunrise Machu Picchu, the checkpoint, and a 2-3 hour guided tour

Day 4 is built around an early start. You’ll eat breakfast at the hotel, then board the first bus to Machu Picchu to see sunrise above the Inca citadel. You’ll pass through the Machu Picchu checkpoint, then hike to the viewpoints before a guided tour.

The guided portion is about 2-3 hours. Your guide points out highlights and explains the site’s history, secrets, and engineering. This is where a good guide makes the difference between seeing ruins and actually understanding why they’re arranged the way they are. In reviews, guides like Wilian and Soledad are highlighted for both history and keeping the experience enjoyable, not stiff.

After the guided tour, you can explore on your own. There’s also the option to arrange additional hikes to Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu, but these are not included and must be booked far in advance. Huayna Picchu has an extra cost of $50 USD according to the info provided, and the itinerary makes it clear you need to plan ahead if you want it.

Lunch happens back in Aguas Calientes, on your own. Then you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and a private vehicle to Cusco, with return scheduled for around 7:30 pm.

If you’re wondering how early you’ll need to be organized: the meeting start time listed is 5:00 am, which matches the “early bus, early sunrise” style of the Machu Picchu day.

Camping comfort, meals, and the team that makes it work

This trek is more enjoyable when you’re not constantly worrying about the basics. Here, camping is supported with tents, chairs, and tables (camping equipment is included), and you’ll have 2 nights of camping plus 1 night in a hotel.

The meals are a standout. You get 3 dinners, 4 breakfasts, and 3 lunches, plus a professional chef is included. Reviews repeatedly praise food quality, including calls for standout meals like pachamanca, and people also mention hot drinks and blankets helping during cold nights. Even if you’ve camped before, Andean nights can be sharp, so that comfort detail matters more than you’d think.

You’re also traveling with a team: tour guides for the full trek and guides are supported by porters and other staff. In reviews, people credit named team members for responsiveness and planning, including Walter, Soledad, Wilian, cooks Margot and Alejandro (head chef is mentioned in one review), and other kitchen staff. The big takeaway for you: you’re not doing this alone, and the operation seems designed to keep you fed and moving.

One gear note that’s easy to miss: sleeping bags, air mattresses, and trekking poles are not included. If you run cold, consider bringing what you need to stay comfortable. You can absolutely do the trek without everything, but you’ll feel it more in the tent.

Price and logistics: is $600 good value?

At $600 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled, not from what’s missing. Your cost includes:

• All transportation (private van, Consetur bus, and Expedition train)
• Entrances for the Machu Picchu archaeological site and the Lares Trail
• Tour guide for the all tour
• Professional chef
• Camping equipment
• Meals across the days, plus one hotel night
• The guided Machu Picchu portion with time to explore

What’s not included is also clear:

• Huayna Picchu (and the extra peak options) are extra, with Huayna Picchu listed at $50 USD
• Sleeping bag, air mattress, and trekking poles (rental or purchase options aren’t described, so plan to bring your own if you prefer)
• Gratuities for the team

So, is it a good deal? For me, it looks like it’s pricing you for a lot of “hands-on” work: guiding every day, feeding you reliably, handling campsite setup, and managing the Machu Picchu early logistics. If you were to add up those pieces yourself, you’d likely spend time and money even before considering the effort required to coordinate train times and Machu Picchu entry smoothly.

The other practical point: maximum group size is 10 travelers, so you get that guided experience without a huge crowd dynamic. In other words, you’re paying for organization plus support, not just for a bed and a bus.

Who should book this 4-day trek, and who should think twice

This is best for you if you have moderate physical fitness and you’re ready for altitude and hiking days that are paced to the terrain. You’ll be walking 4 hours to the first campsite, then 4 hours up and 3 down on Day 2, and then another long descent day on Day 3. None of this is described as gentle.

You should also book it if you care about getting more than a photo at Machu Picchu. The plan includes villages (Kiswarani and local villagers), village interactions, and a full guided Machu Picchu tour with time afterward.

You might think twice if:

• You’re very sensitive to altitude and you cannot pace yourself.
• You hate cold camping. Cold is not guaranteed to be extreme, but the trek operates at high altitude and camping nights can be chilly.

On the plus side, there’s no hidden complexity around participation listed beyond fitness. Service animals are allowed, and it says the tour is near public transportation. Confirmation is promised within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Should you book this Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

I’d book it if you want a trek that treats Machu Picchu as the final chapter, not the whole book. The combination of Lares hot springs, village stops, a high pass day, and a sunrise Machu Picchu guided tour gives you a full Peru feeling in just 4 days.

I’d also feel good about booking when you see the consistent praise for the food and support, with named guides like Soledad and Walter coming up again and again for being friendly, accommodating, and morale-focused. That kind of operational care matters on a trek like this.

One final nudge: take the extra peak option seriously. If you want Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu, you’ll need to plan early because they are not included and must be booked far in advance.

If you’re ready for altitude, cold-camping nights, and steady hiking days with strong guidance, this is the kind of trip that can stick with you long after the last train ride.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

The trek runs 4 days (approx.).

What is included in the price ($600 per person)?

The tour includes all transportation (private van, Consetur bus, and Expedition train), entrances for Machu Picchu and the Lares Trail, a tour guide for the all tour, a professional chef, camping equipment, 2 nights of camping and 1 night of hotel, plus 3 dinners, 4 breakfasts, and 3 lunches.

What is not included?

Not included are the entrance fee for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (50 USD), sleeping bag (20 USD), air mattress (20 USD), trekking poles (15 USD), and gratuities.

How many travelers are in the group?

This tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What fitness level do I need?

The information says you should have moderate physical fitness.

When do we meet and start?

The meeting start time is listed as 5:00 am.

What happens on the Machu Picchu day?

You’ll have early breakfast, take the first bus to Machu Picchu for sunrise, go through the checkpoint, hike to viewpoints, then enjoy a 2-3 hour guided tour. After that, you can explore on your own, and you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own.

Can I add hikes to Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu?

Yes, but they are not included and must be booked far in advance.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.