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A cultural and scenic trek in the mountains above the Sacred Valley: natural hot springs in Lares, traditional Andean weaving villages, a mountain pass at around 4,450 meters, an alpine lake and herds of alpacas. On the final day, trekkers reach Machu Picchu, where the trek ends.
The Lares Trek is a quiet alternative to the Inca Trail, with fewer visitors and more contact with the local villages, whose people raise alpacas and weave clothing in natural colors. Day one leaves Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Calca and then on to Lares, where travelers can soak in the natural hot springs before the hike begins. From there, trekkers walk five to six hours to the village of Huacahuasi (approx. 3,750m), a traditional weaving community, and camp for the night. On day two, the morning starts with a look at traditional weaving in the village, followed by a climb to the Ipsayjasa Pass (approx. 4,450m), the highest point of the trek. After the descent, trekkers reach Ipsaycocha Lake, where they camp among the mountains and herds of alpacas. On day three, they descend to the weaving community of Patacancha and the village of Huilloc, then drive to Ollantaytambo, board the train to Aguas Calientes, and spend the night in a 3-star hotel. On day four, travelers take an early bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of about two hours, and return to Cusco by train and transfer.
Trip details:
- Duration: 4 days, 3 nights (two nights in tents, one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes)
- Highest point: Ipsayjasa Pass, approx. 4,450m
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging, due to altitude and long hiking days
- Recommendation: 2–3 days of acclimatization in Cusco before departure
- Recommended season: May–June and September–October; less recommended in January–February due to rain
Day 1: Cusco → Lares → Huacahuasi
- Early morning hotel pickup in Cusco
- Drive through the Sacred Valley to Calca (approx. 2 hours), with a stop for breakfast and supplies
- Continue driving to Lares
- Optional: soak in the natural hot springs of Lares (entrance fee paid separately)
- Hike of approx. 5–6 hours (approx. 12 km) to the village of Huacahuasi (approx. 3,750m)
- Lunch on the trail, dinner and overnight in tents
Day 2: Huacahuasi → Ipsayjasa Pass → Ipsaycocha Lake
- Breakfast and a look at traditional weaving in the village
- Climb of about 2–3 hours to the Ipsayjasa Pass (approx. 4,450m), the highest point of the trek
- Descent of about one hour to Ipsaycocha Lake
- Lunch, dinner and overnight in tents beside the lake
- Approx. 9 km, about 3–5 hours of walking
Day 3: Ipsaycocha → Patacancha → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast
- Descent of about 2–3 hours to the weaving community of Patacancha (approx. 3,700m)
- Continue to the village of Huilloc (approx. 3,960m)
- Transfer to Ollantaytambo and lunch
- Train to Aguas Calientes and overnight in a 3-star hotel
Day 4: Machu Picchu → Cusco
- Early bus up to the citadel
- Guided tour of about two hours
- Bus down to Aguas Calientes
- Train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco (evening arrival)
What's Included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco and transfers along the route
- Licensed guide
- Cook and meals according to the route (except breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 4)
- Tents, mattresses and sleeping bags
- Dining tent and toilet tent
- Porters (duffel bag up to approx. 6 kg per person)
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back to Cusco
- One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, breakfast included
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket and buses
- First aid kit and oxygen
What's Not Included:
- Breakfast on the first day
- Lunch on the fourth day
- Entrance fee to the hot springs
- Tips
- Travel insurance
What to Bring:
- Waterproof
- Broken-in hiking boots
- Layers
- Warm jacket and rain jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Swimsuit
- Headlamp
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Personal medication
- Cash
