Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

The best thing about this five-day trip is the contrast: you begin in the quiet Lares Valley, crossing high mountain country and isolated Quechua villages, then reach Machu Picchu by the Short Inca Trail. I like the hot springs on day one and the peaceful campsite beside a blue lake. I also like the human side of the route, especially the chance to see traditional village life rather than spend every day in a line of hikers.

The main drawback is altitude. Day two reaches 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet, and includes seven hours of walking. The route is less crowded than the classic Inca Trail, but it is not easy. You should arrive ready for steep climbs, cold nights, and a very early start.

Key points to know before booking

• Lares begins with hot springs: You can soak in several pools before the first mountain hike.
• Day two is the test: The climb to Condor Pass is the hardest part, with a high point of 4,700 meters.
• Cancha Cancha is truly remote: The village has no electricity, internet, drainage system, or cellphone service.
• The food is a major strength: Chefs prepare generous meals, often including several courses and occasional cakes in camp.
• Machu Picchu arrives in two stages: You enter through the Sun Gate on day four, then return for a longer visit on day five.
• The $980 price covers a lot: Transport, guides, porters, horses, camping equipment, meals, hotels, and the train route are included, but optional mountain tickets cost extra.

Why the Lares route feels different

Most people come to Peru focused on Machu Picchu. That is understandable, but the approach matters. The Lares route gives you three days of mountain scenery and village life before the ruins enter the picture.

You walk past llamas and alpacas, along clear lakes, through broad valleys, and over a high pass. The route also brings you close to communities where Quechua remains the main language. Cancha Cancha is especially striking because modern connections are absent. There is no phone signal or internet, and the village has no electricity.

That quiet has real value. You are not simply collecting photographs of ruins. You are seeing how remote Andean communities remain connected to farming, animals, weather, and the mountains. Guides such as Manolo, Anthony, Gilbert, Rosmel, and Sara have been praised for explaining local culture, plants, animals, and Inca history in clear English.

The route does not avoid people entirely. The Short Inca Trail becomes busier, especially compared with Lares. Still, the two parts work well together. Lares gives you solitude and culture. The Inca Trail gives you stonework, cloud forest, and the dramatic arrival at Machu Picchu.

Day one: Sacred Valley, Lares baths, and a blue-lake camp

Your morning starts early, with pickup around 5:30 am. The stated meeting time is 4:30 am, so confirm the exact pickup time with the operator before bed. The drive heads toward the Sacred Valley and includes a stop at a local market.

The Lares thermal baths come next, at roughly 8:00 am. Several pools sit at different temperatures, giving you a relaxed start before the walking begins. The warm water is particularly welcome if you have come straight from Cusco and still feel stiff from travel.

After breakfast, you hike uphill for about two hours to Kiswarani village. Lunch follows, then another two hours of walking to camp beside a blue lake at 3,750 meters. The first day covers about 9 kilometers and is rated easy, but altitude can make an easy distance feel harder.

Your tent, hot tea, dinner, and snacks are included. This is also a good night for stargazing and learning about Inca astronomy, assuming the sky cooperates. Remember that a mountain camp is not a hotel. Temperatures can drop sharply, and you will appreciate the optional sleeping bag and mattress if you do not bring suitable gear.

Day two: Condor Pass at 4,700 meters

Day two is the heart of the physical challenge. A hot drink arrives at your tent in the morning, then you begin a four-hour climb to Condor Pass. At 4,700 meters, this is higher than many visitors have ever walked.

The reward is huge Andean scenery, but the climb deserves respect. You cover about 16 kilometers in seven hours, including a three-hour descent. The route is rated moderate to challenging, and this is the day when a steady pace matters more than speed.

Good guides make a difference here. Manolo is known for encouraging hikers with poco poco, or little by little. That is the right approach. Tell your guide early if you feel unwell, and do not treat altitude sickness as a test of willpower.

The night at Cancha Cancha is one of the most unusual parts of the trip. The village has no electricity, internet, cellphone service, or modern drainage. Quechua is the local language. You will have dinner prepared by the camp chef, then a quiet night at 3,750 meters.

The isolation is a benefit, but it also means you should pack carefully. Keep essential medication, warm layers, and personal items in your daypack. The included duffle service carries up to 7 kilograms by horse, but you should not depend on it for anything you may need during the day.

Day three: A gentle descent and Ollantaytambo

After breakfast, you walk downhill for around four hours. The route covers 12 kilometers and finishes in Huaran at 2,700 meters. Compared with the previous day, this should feel much easier, and the lower altitude gives your body a useful break.

A private bus takes you onward to Salineras and Ollantaytambo. The schedule gives you time to explore Ollantaytambo, often called the last living Incan city. Its old streets and working water channels remain part of the town’s character.

You spend the night in a three-star hotel rather than a tent. That change matters. You can shower, charge devices, sleep in a bed, and prepare for the Machu Picchu section. Dinner is included at a local restaurant.

The name Salineras appears in the schedule, but the precise amount of time at each stop is not stated. Ask your guide about the day’s timing, especially if you want to know how much time is set aside for Ollantaytambo.

Day four: Chachabamba, Wiñay Huayna, and the Sun Gate

Day four combines a train ride with a serious hike. You leave your hotel around 6 am, walk to the station, and take a train for about 90 minutes along the Urubamba River. You get off at kilometer 104, near Chachabamba, in the cloud forest.

The first archaeological stop is Chachabamba. From there, the route climbs for about four hours toward Wiñay Huayna, whose name means the place that never gets old. A packed lunch and refreshments are provided.

The day ends with the walk to the Sun Gate. This is one of the finest ways to first see Machu Picchu because the citadel appears from above rather than all at once from the main entrance. From the Sun Gate, you walk downhill for about an hour into the site.

Arrival is scheduled for the afternoon, when the citadel may feel quieter than during the morning rush. That timing is appealing, but conditions vary. Entry rules, crowd levels, and weather can change, so treat the promise of a nearly empty visit as a possibility, not a guarantee.

You then take the bus to Aguas Calientes, eat dinner, and sleep in a hotel. This is another useful comfort break after a long day on stone paths.

Day five: Machu Picchu with time to look closely

The final morning starts early. You take the first buses up to Machu Picchu, with the chance of sunrise if the weather is clear. Sunrise is never guaranteed in the Andes, but the early start gives you cooler conditions and more time inside the citadel.

Your guide leads a two to three-hour tour. This is when a good guide earns their place, explaining how the site worked and pointing out details you could easily miss while moving through a large archaeological complex.

After the guided visit, you can explore on your own. Optional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain must be booked well in advance and are not included. These climbs are separate additions, so decide early if you want one.

Lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included. Afterward, you take the panoramic train and bus back toward Cusco, where the TreXperience team meets you and returns you to your hotel.

Food, camps, and the people who make it work

The support crew is a major reason this trip feels manageable. Guides organize the pace and explain the region. Chefs prepare food in difficult conditions. Porters and horsemen move equipment, set up camp, and help keep the schedule on track.

The meals are much more than basic trail food. Chefs including Oscar, Vidal, Tiburcio, Augusto, and their assistants have prepared generous breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and even birthday cakes in camp. Expect enough food to keep your energy up, with Peruvian dishes and varied menus rather than the same meal every night.

Two nights are spent camping with comfortable equipment. The other two nights are in three-star hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. The included duffle limit is 7 kilograms, carried by horse, which lets you keep your daypack small.

A pachamanca cooking demonstration is included. This traditional style of cooking adds cultural context to the meals, not just calories. Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it when booking. The same applies to other dietary needs.

The company limits the group to 12 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on everyone, though the actual group may be smaller. One past departure had only two hikers, which allowed a very personal pace. A small group can also mean fewer social options, so consider what kind of company you prefer.

Is $980 good value?

At $980 per person, this is not a cheap hike, but the price covers an unusually broad package. You receive hotel pickup, transport throughout the trip, the train rides, buses to Machu Picchu, two camping nights, two hotel nights, five breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners, snacks, guides, chefs, porters, horse support, and the 7-kilogram duffle service.

You are also paying for logistics in a high-altitude region. Moving food, tents, cooking equipment, and bags between remote camps is not simple. The hot meals and private transport reduce the planning burden considerably.

Check the final price details before paying. Optional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are extra. The booking information also refers to an entrance fee, so ask exactly which Machu Picchu admissions are covered and which are not.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum group causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That strict policy makes travel insurance sensible.

Who should book this trek?

I would choose this route if you want mountain scenery, local culture, and Machu Picchu in one trip. It suits people with moderate fitness who can handle long days and high altitude without needing luxury on the trail.

Families with teenagers can enjoy it, provided everyone understands the demands of day two. Solo hikers can also feel well supported, especially in a small group with an attentive guide.

I would not choose it if you want a relaxed sightseeing holiday, dislike camping, or have serious concerns about steep climbs and altitude. The Lares route is quieter than the classic routes, but quiet does not mean gentle.

Final verdict: choose Lares for the approach, not just the ruins

Book this tour if you want Machu Picchu to be the final chapter of a real mountain journey. The strongest parts are the peaceful Lares Valley, the remote Quechua villages, the thoughtful camp support, and the excellent cooking.

Skip it if the 4,700-meter pass sounds overwhelming or if you want every day to be comfortable. For the right hiker, the combination of hot springs, high lakes, local life, two nights under Andean skies, and a Sun Gate arrival gives you far more than a quick visit to the citadel.

FAQ

How long is the Ultimate Lares Trek and Inca Trail?

The experience lasts approximately five days, including the Lares Trek, the Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and return transport to Cusco.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup begins around 5:30 am on day one. The stated meeting time is 4:30 am, so confirm your exact pickup time before departure.

How high does the trek go?

The highest point is Condor Pass at 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet, on day two.

How difficult is the trek?

The first and third days are rated easy. Day two is rated moderate to challenging because of the long climb to Condor Pass and the seven-hour walking time. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included on all five days. Four lunches and four dinners are included, along with snacks. Lunch on the final day in Aguas Calientes is not included.

Is camping equipment provided?

Two nights of camping with comfortable equipment are included. A mattress, sleeping bag, and trekking poles are optional extras.

Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, but those tickets are optional, cost extra, and should be booked as far in advance as possible.

What documents and personal details are needed?

A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. At booking, you must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country.