Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

The best thing about this route is that it gets you to Machu Picchu by a quieter, more rural path, the Lares route. I like how day 1 pairs the trek with Lares thermo-medicinal baths, then day 4 and 5 deliver two very different ways to experience the citadel, including a near-empty first arrival and early sunrise access. My favorite part for most people is the feel of moving through Quechua villages and high passes, not just crossing a checklist of Inca stops.

One consideration is that you start very early and you still hit real altitude, including Condor Pass at 4,700m. Even with a supportive team and an overall manageable pacing, the hike days can feel long, especially day 2 when the climb is steady.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Quieter approach to Machu Picchu that avoids the biggest crowds on the best-known alternatives
• Lares thermo-medicinal baths right at the start, with multiple pool temperatures for recovery
• Condor Pass on day 2 (4,700m), the clear physical peak of the trek
• Cancha Cancha is cut off from modern tech, and Quechua is spoken there
• Two Machu Picchu moments: an afternoon arrival with fewer people, plus a sunrise-style early visit
• Top-notch cooking teams are repeatedly praised, including chefs such as Augusto, Oscar, Tiburcio, and Vidal

Why the Lares route feels different on the way to Machu Picchu

This is not the standard Inca Trail vibe where you spend most of your time with a wall of other hikers. The Lares route trades that for quiet villages, working fields, and long views where your day is more about the path than the photo line.

You also get a mix of high effort and good recovery. You’ll climb, yes, but the trek design includes a proper ramp into altitude, plus a hot-springs first day that helps you feel human before the walking begins.

Day 1: Sacred Valley markets, medicinal baths, and stargazing at 3,750m

Day 1 starts early, with pickup from your Cusco hotel and a drive into the Sacred Valley area. You stop at a local market, then keep going to the Lares thermo-medicinal baths where the pools run at different temperatures. This is your first payoff, because you get to soak before your legs are really taxed.

After breakfast, the trek begins with about two hours uphill to Kiswarani village. Lunch is taken there, then you walk another stretch toward your campsite on the bank of a beautiful blue lake at roughly 3,750m.

You’ll reach camp with tents set up and a hot cup of tea waiting, which matters more than people think. At this altitude, small comforts help you sleep better, and better sleep helps day 2.

One more detail I really like: you’re not just sleeping and moving on. The day includes time to relax, stargaze, and learn about Inca astronomy, which gives the mountains a cultural reason to exist beyond the views.

What to watch: this first day includes uphill, so even though it’s listed as easy, start slow and keep your breathing steady.

Day 2: Condor Pass at 4,700m and the Quechua-only village of Cancha Cancha

Day 2 is the big one. You wake up early with coffee or cocoa in your tent, then after breakfast you hike about four hours uphill to Condor Pass (4,700m). At the top, you take time to explore before the descent starts.

After that, it’s a roughly three-hour downhill through dramatic scenery, then camp is at Cancha Cancha, again around 3,750m. This village is described as isolated from modern technology: no drainage system, electricity, computers, internet, or cellphone service, and the community speaks Quechua as the main language.

That makes day 2 feel grounded in real life, not just tourism scenery. You’re seeing a place where daily rhythms are still tied to the land, and your presence changes the day less than it would in a more developed town.

Difficulty check: it’s labeled moderate to challenging, and the distance is about 16 km. If you’re the type who rushes early in a hike, this is the day to practice patience. The summit is the goal, not your time on a watch.

Day 3: Down to Huaran, then Ollantaytambo and Inca water channels

Day 3 shifts gears from mountain effort to exploration. You wake in a village setting with llamas and alpacas around, then after breakfast you trek downhill for about four hours to Huaran at roughly 2,700m. This is a satisfying change, because the altitude is lower and your body gets a break.

Then you transfer by private bus to Salineras and Ollantaytambo, often called the last living Inca city. You get time to walk its ancient streets and see the Inca water channel system, which is one of those details that makes the Inca feel practical, not just mythical.

You’ll enjoy dinner in Ollantaytambo and sleep there in a hotel. This is also where the trip becomes easier psychologically, because you trade camping for a normal bed for the night.

Tip for you: on this day, take advantage of the lower altitude to eat well and hydrate. You still have Machu Picchu coming, and day 4 starts with more early travel.

Day 4: Train to Chachabamba, Sun Gate, and an almost empty Machu Picchu

Day 4 is the bridge between trekking and the citadel. You start around 6 am and go to the train station, then take about a 1.5-hour train ride along the Urubamba River area from Ollantaytambo to km 104 at Chachabamba in the cloud forest zone.

From there, you walk to Chachabamba ruins first and explore before you continue hiking for about four hours to Wiñay Huayna. A packed lunch and refreshments are provided along the way. Then you keep going until the Sun Gate, which gives your first proper glimpse of Machu Picchu.

From the Sun Gate it’s a one-hour downhill walk into the city. A key perk here is timing: you arrive in the afternoon and get the chance to experience Machu Picchu when it’s closer to quiet.

After that, you ride the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have dinner, and sleep in a hotel.

The practical reality: day 4 isn’t only sightseeing, it’s still walking. Wear supportive shoes, and don’t assume the train makes the day gentle.

Day 5: Sunrise Machu Picchu, optional climbs, and the ride back to Cusco

Your final day begins very early. You get breakfast, then board the early buses up to Machu Picchu. If the sky is clear, you can watch sunrise over the citadel, which is a major reason people love doing this itinerary instead of arriving only once.

You’ll have a guided tour of Machu Picchu for about 2 to 3 hours, then you’re free to explore on your own. If you want a higher viewpoint, you can climb either Huayna Picchu or Montaña, but tickets for those are not included and should be booked well in advance.

The guide also shows you how to get from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch, which is not included. Then you continue by Panoramic train and bus back to Cusco. The team meets you off the train and returns you safely to your Cusco hotel.

Here’s the value of doing both day 4 and day 5: you get your first dramatic look in a quieter moment, then you get the full guided story later when you’re ready to absorb it.

Price and logistics, what $980 really buys

At $980 per person for a 5-day program, this isn’t a budget hop, but it also isn’t inflated for what’s included. You’re paying for logistics that would be hard to DIY safely, plus the human crew that makes the trekking part enjoyable.

Here’s what you get that justifies the cost:

• Hotel pickup and round-trip transport tied to the trek and Machu Picchu days
• Two nights camping with comfortable equipment, plus two nights in 3-star hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
• All main meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, plus snacks
• A supported trail setup with experience chefs, porters, and guides
• A duffle bag up to 7 kilos for personal items carried by horse, so you don’t have to lug everything uphill

Food is repeatedly described as a standout on this route, with multiple chefs named for consistently high-quality meals in camp, including Augusto, Oscar, Tiburcio, and Vidal. Even if you’re picky, you’ll likely feel taken care of, because the setup is meant to keep energy steady through altitude.

What’s not included is mostly about optional items and personal choices:

• Entrance tickets for Huayna Picchu (Wayna Picchu) or Montaña are optional and need advance booking
• Lunch on day 5 in Aguas Calientes is not included
• Trekking poles and a sleeping bag are optional, and the team says they can guide you on what makes sense

What to pack and how to handle altitude and pacing

This trek reaches serious height, with the main peak at 4,700m. The campsite elevations are around 3,750m, so you’re not only dealing with the summit day, you’re sleeping at altitude too.

You should plan to go slow on day 2. The climb to Condor Pass is long, and the descent is also demanding on knees if you rush downhill. If you’re considering trekking poles, that’s usually a smart call on this kind of itinerary, and the operator says they can help with recommendations.

Packing advice based on what’s included:

• Put most of your gear into the 7-kilo duffle for horse transport. Keep your daypack light.
• Bring what you need for early starts, including a layer system. Night and mornings at altitude can feel cold even when the day warms up.
• If you have dietary needs, you should tell the team at booking, and they offer a vegetarian option when requested.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of the morning soak and the tea moments. They might sound small, but on long high-altitude days, they help you stay calm and consistent.

Who this trek is best for, and who should rethink

This itinerary is best for you if:

• You want Machu Picchu but prefer fewer crowds and a quieter approach
• You like rural Andean life, including Quechua communities and working villages
• You want a trek with structure, food, and camp support, not a self-guided adventure

It may not be for you if:

• You hate early mornings or you struggle with long hiking days at altitude
• Your knees or ankles are very sensitive, because the route includes steep sections and stairs-like footwork around the Inca sites

Families and solo travelers both show up for this kind of trek, and the group size cap at 12 travelers tends to keep the vibe personal. In practice, it means you’re not swallowed by the crowd.

If you get a guide named Manolo, Sara, Elias, or Antonio, you can expect strong English support and real explanation of local culture and history. People also highlight guides like Anthony and Gilbert for storytelling and regional context, which is a big deal when you’re walking through places that deserve more than a glance.

Should you book the Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days?

If your top priority is Machu Picchu with fewer people in your immediate line of sight, plus a quieter trek through the Lares hot springs and remote villages, then yes, I think this is a smart booking.

I’d especially recommend it if you value a complete package: transport, camp setup, meals, and the two-part Machu Picchu experience. The price reflects that, and the included crew support makes the harder parts feel manageable.

Before you hit confirm, be honest about two things: your tolerance for very early starts and your willingness to walk at altitude, especially on day 2. If you’re good with that, this trek has the kind of payoff that sticks.

FAQ

How early do you start on the first day?

Pickup starts very early, with the tour listed with a start time of 4:30 am. Day 1 also says pickup from your hotel around 5:30 am, so expect to be moving before sunrise in Cusco.

What is the highest altitude on the trek?

The highest point is Condor Pass at 4,700m on day 2. Campsites are around 3,750m, and later you drop to about 2,700m on day 3 in Huaran.

Are Machu Picchu tickets included?

Machu Picchu entrance is included as part of the tour experience, while optional tickets for Huayna Picchu (Wayna Picchu) or Montaña are not included and need to be booked ahead of time.

Where do you sleep during the trip?

You camp for 2 nights in the mountains with comfortable equipment. Then you stay 2 nights in 3-star hotels, in Ollantaytambo and in Aguas Calientes.

What meals are included, and can you do vegetarian?

Breakfast is included for all 5 days, plus lunch for 4 days and dinner for 4 days. Vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking, and you should also share any dietary requirements.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.