Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

The best part of this five-day trip is the change of pace. You begin on the quiet Lares route, where blue lakes, llamas, alpacas, and traditional Quechua villages replace the usual Inca Trail crowds. Then you finish on the Short Inca Trail, entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

I like the strong local focus and the excellent camp support. Guides including Manolo, Anthony, Gilbert, Sara, and Elias have been praised for explaining Andean culture clearly and encouraging hikers at a steady pace. I also like the food operation: cooks such as Oscar, Vidal, Augusto, and Tiburcio prepare full meals in the mountains, with hot drinks waiting in the morning.

The main caution is altitude. The second day reaches 4,700 meters, or 15,354 feet, and includes seven hours of walking. You need a moderate fitness level, sensible acclimatization, and a willingness to camp in cold, remote conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• 4,700-meter Condor Pass: Day two is the physical test, with a long climb followed by a three-hour descent.
• Remote Quechua culture: Cancha Cancha has no electricity, internet, drainage system, or cellphone service, and Quechua is the local language.
• A quieter start: Lares feels far less crowded than the famous main Inca Trail, with more contact with rural mountain life.
• Short Inca Trail finish: You enter Machu Picchu via Chachabamba, Wiñay Huayna, and the Sun Gate rather than arriving only by bus.
• Good support system: Horses carry up to seven kilograms of your personal belongings, while cooks, porters, and guides manage camp.
• Small groups: The maximum is 12 people, a useful size for a demanding route and personal guide attention.

Why combine Lares with the Short Inca Trail?

Many people come to Peru focused on Machu Picchu. That is understandable, but the citadel is only one part of this experience. The Lares section gives you several days among high valleys and farming communities before the famous ruins appear.

That order works well. You first get quiet mountain scenery and a sense of how people live in the Andes. Later, you walk a historic stone path into Machu Picchu. The contrast makes the arrival feel earned rather than simply scheduled into a train-and-bus day.

The route also suits you if you want a less crowded start. The Short Inca Trail is busy in places, especially around its ruins and stairways, but the Lares Valley offers much more solitude. You trade the full four-day classic Inca Trail for a route with stronger village contact and a shorter but meaningful Inca Trail finish.

The tour costs $980 per person. That is not a budget walk, but the price covers transport, two nights of camping, two hotel nights, meals, a seven-kilogram duffle allowance, guides, cooks, porters, horse support, and the train connections required for the Machu Picchu section. For you, the value rests in convenience and labor: the crew handles food, camp equipment, luggage support, and route logistics while you concentrate on walking.

One point needs checking before you pay. The details say admission tickets are included at the daily stops, but the included list separately says entrance fees and optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are not included. Ask exactly what Machu Picchu entrance is covered, and confirm any mountain permit separately.

Day one: Lares baths, Kiswarani, and the blue lake camp

The morning begins very early, with a stated meeting time of 4:30 am and hotel pickup described elsewhere as around 5:30 am. Confirm your exact pickup time with the operator. You will drive toward the Sacred Valley and stop at a local market before reaching the Lares thermo-medicinal baths at about 8 am.

The hot pools are a clever opening. They sit at different temperatures and give you a chance to loosen your muscles before the trek begins. You can use the stop as a gentle introduction to the high Andes, though do not mistake a relaxing morning for a low-altitude day ahead.

After breakfast, the walking starts with a two-hour uphill stretch to Kiswarani village. Lunch follows, then another two hours to camp beside a blue lake at 3,750 meters. The listed distance is nine kilometers, and the day is rated easy, but altitude can make an easy route feel less easy.

The support team is part of the appeal here. Your tent is prepared when you arrive, and hot tea is available. At night, you can stargaze and hear about Inca astronomy, assuming the weather cooperates. The camp setting sounds simple, but that is the point: this is a quiet mountain night rather than a crowded base camp.

Day two: the hard climb to Condor Pass

Day two is the serious hiking day. You wake with coffee or coca tea in the tent, eat breakfast, and begin the four-hour climb to Condor Pass.

At 4,700 meters, this is high enough to challenge strong hikers. The route is not just about leg strength. Thin air affects your pace, breathing, and confidence. Walk slowly, keep your effort controlled, and listen carefully to your guide. The right attitude is poco poco, little by little, a phrase guide Manolo used to encourage hikers without rushing them.

At the pass, take time to look around before starting the three-hour descent. The scenery includes high Andean valleys, mountain peaks, and broad views across remote country. The distance is 16 kilometers, or almost 10 miles, and the day is rated moderate to challenging.

You finish at Cancha Cancha, a village at 3,750 meters. This is one of the most distinctive stops because it has no modern technology, electricity, internet, cellphone service, or drainage system. Quechua remains the only language spoken there, according to the tour details.

That isolation is valuable, but it is also a clear comfort warning. Do not expect a signal, a hot shower, or an evening online. You will have a tent, dinner, and the company of your group. If you want a genuine break from connected life, Cancha Cancha may be memorable. If you need regular communication, plan ahead.

Day three: downhill to Huaran and old Ollantaytambo

The third day is gentler. After breakfast in the village, you walk four hours downhill to Huaran, covering 12 kilometers. The route drops to 2,700 meters, so the air should feel easier after the high camps.

The Lares trek ends in Huaran. From there, private transport takes you toward Salineras and Ollantaytambo. The route description includes time in Ollantaytambo, known for its old Inca streets and water channel still in use from Inca times.

This is a welcome change from tents. You spend the night in a three-star hotel and eat dinner at a local restaurant. The hotel is not just a luxury add-on. After two nights above 3,700 meters, a bed, walls, and a proper wash can make the next day much better.

Ollantaytambo also gives the trip historical texture before Machu Picchu. Its stone streets and water system are part of a living town, not only a preserved monument. Keep your energy for exploring, but do not turn the evening into a late night. Day four begins with a train and a four-hour hike.

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

You leave the hotel around 6 am and walk to the station for a 90-minute train ride along the Urubamba River. The train runs from Ollantaytambo to kilometer 104 at Chachabamba, where the Short Inca Trail begins.

Your first site is Chachabamba, an Inca ruin in the cloud forest. From there, you hike for about four hours toward Wiñay Huayna, whose name is often translated as forever young. A packed lunch and refreshments are provided, which matters because this is a long walking day with many stone steps.

The route then continues to the Sun Gate. This is the moment many people remember most: your first view of Machu Picchu appears from above rather than from the usual bus arrival point. The final walk into the citadel takes about an hour downhill.

The timing is smart. You reach Machu Picchu in the afternoon, when the main crowds may have thinned. The word empty would be too strong, since this is still a major attraction, but the afternoon can feel calmer than the early rush.

You then take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, eat dinner, and sleep in another three-star hotel. The day combines a train, ruins, a long hike, the Sun Gate, and a bus. It is rewarding, but not restful. Take care of your feet and keep your evening quiet.

Day five: sunrise and a guided visit inside Machu Picchu

The final morning starts early. After breakfast, you take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. In clear weather, you may see the sun rise over the citadel, though sunrise views always depend on clouds and mountain weather.

Your guide leads a two to three-hour tour of Machu Picchu. This is where a strong guide matters. Manolo has been praised for making Inca history and Quechua culture easy to understand, while guides such as Jason and Miguel have been noted for clear explanations during the Inca Trail section.

After the guided visit, you have time to explore independently or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Those tickets must be booked well ahead, and they are optional extras. Do not assume you can decide at the gate.

You receive instructions for taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Lunch is not included. The return uses the Panoramic train and bus back to Cusco, where the TreXperience team meets you at the train and returns you to your hotel.

That final transfer is useful after five demanding days. You do not need to arrange separate trains, buses, or a Cusco connection while tired. Still, ask for the exact return schedule so you understand how long the final journey will take.

The crew, food, and camping support

The people supporting this route are a major part of its value. The named guides include Manolo, Anthony, Gilbert, Elias, Sara, José Abad Cortez, Rosmel, Eddy, Jason, Miguel, and William Elvis. Their roles may vary by departure, so you should not assume a particular guide is guaranteed.

The best guide qualities described here are local knowledge, clear English, patience, and encouragement. That combination matters on a high route. You need explanations about history and culture, but you also need someone who notices when the pace is too fast.

The cooking is another strong point. Cooks named in the trip details include Oscar, Vidal, Augusto, Tiburcio, and their assistants. Meals are described as plentiful and varied, with full breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and hot drinks. A birthday cake prepared at camp and another cake made for breakfast show the level of effort possible in the kitchen.

Your package includes breakfast five times, lunch four times, and dinner four times. A Pachamanca cooking demonstration is also included. Tell the company about dietary needs when booking. Vegetarian food is available, but it must be requested ahead.

Two nights of camping equipment are included, along with a duffle bag allowance of up to seven kilograms carried by horse. A mattress, sleeping bag, and trekking poles are optional extras. Ask what equipment is supplied before arrival, especially if you do not want to rent these items separately.

Who should book this five-day route?

I would choose this trip if you want Machu Picchu but prefer a quieter approach than the classic Inca Trail. It is especially suitable for people interested in rural Andean life, Quechua culture, high mountain scenery, and a small-group format.

Families with fit teenagers can manage it, provided everyone understands the altitude and the long second day. Solo hikers may also appreciate the guide support and group structure. One departure had only two hikers, showing that a small group can sometimes be very small, though that is not guaranteed.

You should think twice if you dislike camping, cold nights, early starts, steep climbs, or limited communication. The second day is not a casual walk, and the remote camp has no modern services. A moderate fitness level is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum group size is not reached, the company offers another date, another experience, or a full refund. Since the activity is usually booked about 13 days ahead, do not leave passport details and optional mountain tickets until the last moment.

Is the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail worth $980?

For five days, the price buys more than a guided hike. It covers a complex chain of transport, two remote camps, hotels, meals, luggage support, a horse team, cooks, porters, and the Short Inca Trail access. That is a fair package if you value having the hard work organized.

The price is less attractive if you already have camping equipment, prefer to arrange your own trains, or want a very low-cost trek. The optional sleeping gear and mountain tickets may also raise your total.

I would book it for the blend of quiet mountain walking and a proper Machu Picchu approach. I would first confirm the entrance fee wording, pickup time, sleeping equipment, and exact train arrangements. Those are small questions, but clear answers prevent expensive surprises.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a small-group, well-supported route with a demanding high pass, remote Quechua villages, and a Short Inca Trail finish. The food, guides, horse support, and hotel nights make the physical challenge easier to manage.

Choose another plan if your main goal is a relaxed Machu Picchu visit or if you are not ready for 4,700 meters. For the right hiker, this is a strong five-day choice because it gives you both the quiet Andes and the famous citadel, without making the entire journey about crowds and ruins.

FAQ

How long is the Ultimate Lares Trek and Inca Trail experience?

The experience lasts approximately five days, beginning in Cusco and ending with transport back to your Cusco hotel.

How high does the trek go?

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

How difficult is the trek?

Day one is rated easy, day two moderate to challenging, and day three easy. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Are hotels included?

Yes. The package includes two nights in three-star hotels, one in Ollantaytambo and one in Aguas Calientes.

Are camping nights included?

Yes. Two nights of camping in the mountains with camping equipment are included.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes five breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners, and snacks. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.

Are Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets included?

No. These are optional tickets and must be booked as far in advance as possible.

What documents are needed to book and join the tour?

Your passport name, number, expiry date, and country are required for every participant. You must carry a current valid passport on the day of travel.