5-Day Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Your adventure begins with an early 5 am pickup from your accommodation. We’ll take a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the town of Calca, a perfect opportunity to purchase small gifts like toys and school supplies for the local children we’ll meet. From there, another 1.5-hour journey brings us to the Cuncani hamlet, where a delicious buffet breakfast awaits.

Ready for the ascent? A three-hour climb will lead us to the breathtaking Willqaqasa Pass. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with views of stunning glacial lakes, wild ducks, and a dramatic mountain range. As our Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail continues, we’ll descend for 10 minutes to a picturesque lunch spot. After a short 30-minute rest, our two-hour descent into the town of Qiswarani begins.

Upon arrival, you’ll find your tent already set up and waiting. We’ll provide warm water for you to freshen up before you rest after a challenging yet beautiful day. In the afternoon, we’ll visit with local children, sharing a few English words and learning some romantic Quechua expressions in return. Finally, we’ll return to camp to enjoy tea time followed by a delicious dinner.

Get ready to be amazed by the fantastic Andean scenery and their lupine and potato crops.

Metric,Specification

• Hiking Distance,12 km / 7.5 miles
• Hiking Time,6 to 7 hours (total)
• Max Altitude (Willqaqasa Pass),”4,200 masl / 13,780 ft (Estimate)”
• Campsite Altitude (Qiswarani),”3,700 masl / 12,140 ft (Estimate)”
• Difficulty Rating,Moderate to Challenging (Due to sustained ascent and altitude)
• Weather,”Cold to Cool (Varies with sunlight), Expect high winds at the pass.”
• Meals Included,”Buffet Breakfast, Snacks, Buffet Lunch, Tea Time, Buffet Dinner”

At 5:00 am, we’ll gently wake you with a hot cup of coca tea or coffee delivered to your tent. A few minutes later, we’ll provide a basin of warm water for you to freshen up and prepare for another magical day.

After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll begin our 4-hour ascent to the highest point of the Lares Trek. Along this section, you’ll see a stunning waterfall with seven cascades and the majestic Yanacocha Lagoon, which is home to many species of wild ducks and other birds.

Upon reaching the Colquecruz Pass, you’ll be treated to an incredible 360-degree view of the Colque Cruz glacier and the surrounding rugged mountains. Here, your guide will share fascinating facts about the trek, glaciers, and lagoons while you enjoy a sandwich and a hot drink.

From the pass, we’ll descend for an hour to our lunch spot, where our team will be waiting with refreshing drinks and a well-deserved buffet lunch.

Continuing our hike, we’ll walk for two hours along a flatter stretch of the trail toward our second campsite in the village of Cancha Cancha. This area is full of llama and alpaca herds, as well as potato crops.

After a rest in your tent, we will visit the home of a local family. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Andean lifestyle and traditions, including the art of weaving traditional textiles from llama and alpaca wool.

While the second day of the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail is challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding. You will be surrounded by natural beauty and have a unique opportunity to connect with an Andean family and their herds of llamas and baby alpacas.

Distance

• Hiking distance: 10 miles/16 km (8 to 9 hours)
• Campsite altitude: 3.750 meters above sea level
• Considered: challenging
• Meals: Breakfast,snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner! All served as buffet

After a delicious and nutritious breakfast, we will descend for four hours to the town of Huaran. Located within the main corridor of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Huaran is one of many fertile sub-valleys that produce food for the region. As we walk, we will see fields of beets, radishes, carrots, squash, coriander, parsley, and cabbage, as well as fruit trees like peach, plum, pear, and medlar.

Upon arriving in Huaran, our support team will greet us with a delicious buffet lunch. Following a farewell ceremony to thank our team for an incredible 5-day hike to Machu Picchu, we will board our private car and head to the Maras salt ponds. Here, over 4,000 salt pools cascade down a steep mountain slope.

Next, we will drive for one hour to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. Before checking in, we’ll stop at a local “chichería,” a traditional brewery where artisanal corn beer is made. This sacred Incan beverage was considered their equivalent of a top-shelf whiskey.

This itinerary perfectly blends the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail, allowing you to enjoy the amazing food crops, visit the Maras salt ponds, and experience an authentic chichería at a slow, steady pace.

Distance

• Hiking distance: 6 miles/9 km (4 hours)
• Hotel altitude: 2000 meters above sea level
• Considered: moderate
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, ¡dinner! All served as buffet

Your adventure begins with a 5:30 AM pick-up from your accommodation, followed by a brief 10-minute walk to the train station. Enjoy a scenic one-hour train journey that descends from the Peruvian Andes into the lush beginnings of the Amazon jungle. We’ll arrive at Chachabamba, the starting point for our 2-day Inca Trail trek.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a four-hour uphill hike to the magnificent ruins of Wiñaywayna, often called a “mini Machu Picchu.” As we ascend, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of forest-clad mountains, some capped with snow. Keep an eye out for colorful birds and a wide variety of native orchids along the path.

Upon reaching Wiñaywayna, your guide will share fascinating insights about this ancient settlement, built by our ancestors over 500 years ago. Following the tour, a short 10-minute walk brings us to our lunch spot, where our expert cook will surprise you with a delicious and varied buffet.

After a brief rest, we continue with a one-hour and forty-five-minute hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From this vantage point, you’ll catch your first breathtaking glimpse of the Machu Picchu citadel. We’ll then hike downhill for another 45 minutes to the classic viewpoint, where you can capture the iconic postcard photo of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu in the background. Your guide will point out the best spots for photos, allowing you to soak in the magic of this incredible place without feeling rushed.

Finally, we’ll descend for ten minutes to board a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes. Your guide will escort you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and a hot shower. That evening, we will gather for dinner at a charming local restaurant to celebrate our trek and plan for the next day’s exploration of Machu Picchu.

Please note: Your 2-day Inca Trail tour includes a delicious buffet breakfast and lunch prepared by our expert cook.

Distance/ Hotel / Weather

• Hiking distance: 6 miles/10km (6-7 hours)
• Hotel altitude: 2000 meters above sea level (3 star hotel)
• Considered: moderate
• Weather: Warm and very humid during the day and chilly in the evening

To fully enjoy the breathtaking views, history, and lessons of Machu Picchu, we recommend starting your day early. Wake up at 5:00 AM, get ready, pack your essentials, and take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu citadel. This scenic 30-minute ride will have you arriving around 6:15 AM, just in time to witness the sunrise in this awe-inspiring location.

Your guide will ensure you have plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photos from the most picturesque spots within the citadel. They will also share fascinating insights about this iconic Inca masterpiece, highlighting its most impressive details. After the tour, we’ll head back to Aguas Calientes by bus around 12:00 PM, where you can enjoy a relaxed lunch. Please note that lunch is optional and not included in the package. During lunch, your guide will provide your train tickets. If you prefer to skip lunch, make sure to collect your tickets from the guide before parting ways at Machu Picchu.

Unless you’ve requested an upgraded train experience, we will reserve seats on the Expedition Class train departing Aguas Calientes at either 3:20 PM or 4:22 PM. The train journey will take approximately two hours to Ollantaytambo or four hours to Poroy, depending on your chosen departure. Upon arrival, an INCAS PATH driver will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel or as close as possible if vehicle access is limited.

Our service ensures a seamless, door-to-door experience, so you can focus on enjoying the magic of Machu Picchu.

Tour / Machu Picchu Hikes

• Meals Included: on this lares trek & short inca trail hike: Breakfast Only
• Huyna Picchu
• Machu Picchu MT Hike
• Sun gate

Saying Goodbye to Peru

The final day of our adventure is here, and it’s time for heartfelt goodbyes. Start your morning with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before heading to Cusco airport via private transfer.

If you’re not joining us for the Rainbow Mountain Trek extension, feel free to schedule your flight from Cusco at any time today.
Meals: Breakfast

Please note: Tour Leaders Peru reserves the right to adjust itineraries as needed based on weather, conditions, health, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you embark on a trek to the stunning Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. This hidden gem, often referred to as the “painted hills,” offers a breathtaking journey through snow-capped peaks, dramatic desert landscapes, vibrant mineral hues, and herds of alpacas.

Your day begins with an early 6:00 AM departure, followed by a scenic three-hour drive through traditional villages and panoramic views of the Andes, arriving at the trailhead at 15,000 feet in the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. From here, you’ll begin a gradual ascent through a colorful valley and a unique stone forest on your way to the summit.

At the peak of the mountain, you’ll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding Andean landscape, including the majestic Ausangate Glacier, towering at 21,000 feet. This glacier, one of the most sacred peaks (Apus) in Incan culture, adds a sense of wonder to an already extraordinary experience. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as this is one of the few places in Peru where you can spot wild vicuñas and Andean camels alongside llamas and alpacas. You’ll have ample time to soak in the stunning scenery, take photos of the vibrant mineral-streaked hills, and embrace the serene beauty of the region.

The descent will be unhurried, with opportunities to pause and appreciate the landscape before returning to Cusco. Back at your boutique-style hotel, you’ll have the evening free to unwind and reflect on the day’s adventure.

Hiking Details

Duration: 3.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Maximum Altitude: 16,000 feet
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Cusco (Shared Rooms)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 – Farewell, Peru

As your adventure comes to an end, it’s time for heartfelt goodbyes. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the airport via private transfer. Flights can be scheduled from Cusco at any time that suits your travel plans.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Gear & Footwear

Footwear

Hiking Boots: Sturdy, waterproof, and well-broken-in boots are the most critical item. Ankle support is a plus.

Camp Shoes/Sandals: Lightweight sandals, trainers, or Crocs to give your feet a break at the campsite and hotel.

Bags & Sleeping

Daypack (20-30L): For carrying water, snacks, camera, and daily layers. Must comply with the Machu Picchu size limit (max 25L is often recommended).
Rain Cover: For your daypack.Duffel
Bag: Your main luggage for the trek (provided by most tour operators and carried by support staff).
Sleeping Bag: A 4-season bag rated to at least $-10^\circ \text{C} / 14^\circ \text{F}$ is highly recommended, as it gets very cold on the Lares side. (Many companies offer rentals).
Sleeping Bag Liner (Optional): For extra warmth and hygiene.

Trekking Essentials

Trekking Poles (with rubber tips): Highly recommended for stability and reducing knee strain on steep descents. (Rubber tips are required for the Short Inca Trail section).

Headlamp or Flashlight: With extra batteries, crucial for navigating the camp at night and early morning starts.

Sunglasses: The UV index is extremely high at altitude.

Sun Hat / Cap: Wide-brimmed is best for sun protection.

Warm Hat / Beanie and Gloves: Essential for cold evenings and the high pass.

Health & Personal Items

Protection

Sunscreen (SPF 30+): Apply liberally and often.

Lip Balm with SPF: To protect against sun and windburn.

Insect Repellent: High in DEET is best, especially for the lower, humid areas around the Inca Trail and Aguas Calientes.

Hydration & Hygiene

Reusable Water Bottles or Hydration Bladder (2-3L capacity): Most tours provide boiled/purified water.

Toiletries: Travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap, etc.

Wet Wipes/Body Wipes: For quick clean-ups when showers are unavailable at the Lares campsites.

Hand Sanitizer.

Toilet Paper: In a waterproof bag (always carry some for trail use).

Quick-Dry Travel Towel.

Swimsuit (Optional): For the Lares Hot Springs on Day 1 and the Aguas Calientes hot springs.

First-Aid & Documents

Original Passport: Required for all checkpoints and entry to Machu Picchu. The name must match your ticket/permit.

Original Student ID (ISIC): If you booked with a student discount.

Personal Medications: Any prescription drugs you need.

Basic First-Aid: Blister treatment (moleskin, blister plasters), pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine (Imodium), and electrolyte salts.

Altitude Sickness Medication (Consult your Doctor): Diamox or Soroche pills.

Money & Electronics

Local Currency (Peruvian Soles): Small denominations for tips, souvenirs, and extra snacks/drinks.

Camera/Phone: With sufficient memory.

Portable Charger / Power Bank: Crucial, as there are no charging points at the Lares campsites.