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Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 4 days

Discover the Andes through its people

  • Duration 4 days / 3 nights
  • From 1120.00 USD
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 4 days

This journey is far more than a route to Machu Picchu: it is a deep experience that connects you with the living soul of the Andes.

You walk among sacred mountains and highland communities who welcome you into their homes and share their meals, their stories and their ancestral way of life in harmony with nature.

From the weavers of Wakawasi to the farmland of Patakancha, you experience genuine cultural immersion. This safe, well-organised trek combines intermediate-level hiking, breathtaking landscapes and rewarding human encounters.

Service options and prices

Same itinerary, different group format. Prices are per person.

Shared service

Group: Small groups of 4 to 6 travellers

1120.00 USD

per person

Transparent pricing and all-inclusive services: full logistics, 2 homestay nights, 1 night in a 3★ hotel in Aguas Calientes, all trek meals and a certified guide.

  • Special discounts for students, young travellers and families.
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Itinerary

A journey between ancestral wisdom and Inca wonders. Four days immersed in the life of high Andean communities, on ancestral trails, culminating in the discovery of Machu Picchu.

  1. Before departure Briefing and Discovering Experience (optional)

    The day before your Lares trek, a preparation session with your expert guide answers your questions and settles the logistics, giving you complete peace of mind.

  2. Day 1 Cusco - Ankasmarka - Lares hot springs - Wakawasi

    We leave Cusco early for the archaeological site of Ankasmarka, one of the largest food storage complexes in the Andean world. There you discover the sophisticated Inca preservation systems and enjoy a panoramic view of the valley.

    We then head to the village of Lares, where you can relax in the natural hot springs, ideal for acclimatisation.

    After lunch we begin an easy hike accompanied by llamas and local muleteers, who act as both cultural guides and hosts. We follow ancient Inca trails, passing through villages that keep their ancestral traditions alive.

    We arrive at Wakawasi, where a local family hosts us for the night. You share dinner and discover traditional weaving, farming and Andean spirituality in a genuine homestay.

  3. Day 2 Wakawasi - Ipsaycocha pass - Patakancha

    After a hearty breakfast with your host family, we begin the climb to the Ipsaycocha pass (4,420 m), the highest point of the trek. From there, exceptional views over glaciers, high-altitude lakes and snow-capped peaks framing the valley.

    Along the way you meet alpaca herders and weavers who carry on their traditions and worldview through textile art. We pause to rest and meditate, absorbing the powerful energy of the Apus.

    We end the day at Patakancha, another traditional community that warmly welcomes you for a second homestay night.

  4. Day 3 Patakancha - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

    After breakfast we head to Willoc, a community known for its textiles and strong cultural identity. There you can watch or take part in traditional weaving workshops and talk with local artisans.

    We then descend to Pumamarka, an Inca archaeological site with original terraces and irrigation canals. From there we continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the last Inca towns still inhabited.

    In the afternoon we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where a comfortable hotel awaits you for the night.

  5. Day 4 Machu Picchu - Cusco

    Early in the morning we take the bus to Machu Picchu (2,430 m), one of the seven new wonders of the world. Your guide leads you through the most important temples, squares and viewpoints, revealing the mysteries of this magnificent citadel.

    After the guided tour you have free time to explore, meditate or take photos at your own pace.

    We then return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), followed by your train and private transfer to Cusco.

Trip highlights

  • Genuine cultural immersion: two days of intense exchange with the Wakawasi, Patakancha and Willoc communities - ancestral customs, Andean cosmology and high-altitude traditional weaving.
  • An accessible pace with emotional depth: moderate to demanding hikes, balanced by rewarding cultural encounters.
  • Breathtaking natural landscapes: sacred peaks, crystalline lakes such as Ipsaycocha, high valleys, agricultural terraces and archaeological sites like Ankasmarka and Pumamarka.
  • Living history at every step: trails still used by local communities, where knowledge passes from generation to generation.
  • Machu Picchu as a transformative finale, a spiritual and visual climax after days of connection and discovery.
  • Comfort without losing authenticity: two homestay nights, nourishing home-cooked meals and a professional team at every stage.

What is included

1. Pre-trek briefing

  • Preparation session the day before with your expert guide: itinerary, practical advice and answers to all your questions.

2. Permits, entrances and authorised route

  • Authorised hiking route through the Lares valley.
  • Entrance to the Lares hot springs and to the Ankasmarka and Pumamarka sites.
  • Machu Picchu entrance ticket (circuit assigned subject to availability).

3. Support team

  • Certified bilingual cultural and mountain guide, plus local assistance.
  • Mountain cook and muleteers with llamas to carry the equipment.

4. Accommodation

  • 2 homestay nights with Andean families (Wakawasi and Patakancha).
  • 1 night in a 3★ hotel in Aguas Calientes.

5. Meals

  • All meals during the trek, prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
  • Boiled and filtered drinking water throughout the route.
  • Vegetarian, vegan or special diets at no extra cost.

6. Transport and tourist train

  • Private transport: Cusco - Ankasmarka - Lares valley.
  • Train: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (outward) and return.
  • Bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu.
  • Private transfer: Ollantaytambo - your hotel in Cusco.

7. Full logistics and safety

  • Complete route coordination, communication and safety protocols.
  • First-aid kit and emergency assistance.

Not included

  • Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket (optional).
  • Optional tips for the team: never compulsory, but a lovely way to thank your guide, cook and muleteers.
  • Travel insurance: optional but strongly recommended. Make sure your policy covers trekking.

Interested in this trip?

Write to us and we will arrange your departure, at your pace and with your dates.

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