⛰️ ¿Cuál es la altitud máxima del Lares Trek y cómo evitar el soroche?

La altitud máxima es de 4,430 m / 14,534 pies en el paso Ipsaycocha. Para evitar el mal de altura (soroche), se recomienda aclimatarse en Cusco al menos 2 días antes de iniciar la caminata, beber abundante agua y tomar mate de coca.

🥾 ¿Qué tan difícil es la caminata comparada con el Camino Inca Clásico?

El Lares Trek se considera de dificultad moderada. A diferencia del Camino Inca, tiene menos escaleras empinadas de piedra, pero se camina a una mayor altitud promedio. Es ideal para quienes buscan una experiencia menos masificada.

♨️ ¿En qué momento visitamos los baños termales de Lares?

Los baños termales de Lares se visitan en la mañana del Día 1. Es la primera parada del tour después de viajar en transporte desde Cusco. Podrás relajarte en las piscinas medicinales antes de empezar la caminata.

🎒 ¿Qué equipaje debo llevar en la mochila de trekking?

Debes llevar una mochila pequeña para el día con agua, poncho de lluvia, protector solar, cámara y medicamentos. El resto de tu equipaje (hasta 7 kg por persona) será transportado por arrieros y caballos incluidos en el servicio.

🚆 ¿Cómo es el retorno desde Machu Picchu a Cusco?

El retorno se realiza en tren de Aguas Calientes a Ollantaytambo (servicio Expedition o Voyager), y desde allí en transporte turístico directo hasta tu hotel o centro de Cusco.

Lares Trek a Machu Picchu 4D/3N ® Caminata y Aguas Termales

Description

The 4-day Lares & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the ultimate cultural route in Cusco 🏔️. You will enjoy the medicinal hot springs of Lares, camp in native Quechua communities at high altitude, and conquer the Ipsaycocha Pass at a maximum altitude of 4,430 m / 14,534 ft 🥾.

Embark on the most authentic cultural trek in Cusco, far from the crowds. Share textile traditions with local Quechua weavers, relax in therapeutic hot springs, and hike alongside herds of alpacas and llamas in the high Andes. This alternative circuit perfectly combines physical adventure, cultural contact, and the mystical arrival at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

Aspect	Lares Trek (Cultural)	Inca Trail (Classic)	Salkantay Trek (Scenery)
Maximum Altitude	4,430 m / 14,534 ft (Ipsaycocha Pass)	4,215 m / 13,828 ft (Dead Woman’s Pass)	4,630 m / 15,190 ft (Salkantay Pass)
Difficulty Level	Moderate (Steep Andean hiking)	Moderate to Difficult (Many stone steps)	Difficult (Physically demanding and technical terrain)
Main Focus	Interculturality, hot springs, and remote lagoons	Inca history, archaeological sites, and cloud forests	Alpine landscapes, glacial lagoons, and mountain views
Overnight Accommodation	Rustic Andean camping (2 nights) & Hotel (1 night)	Designated campsites within the National Park (3 nights)	Camp in dome tents/tents (2 nights) & Hotel (1 night)

Itinerary

Cusco - Lares (Hot Springs) - Wacawasi

⛰️ Maximum altitude: 3,750 m / 12,303 ft (Wacawasi Camp)
⏱️ Hiking time: 4 hours (approx. 8 km)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
🍽️ Meals included: Lunch and Dinner

The tour begins heading towards the town of Lares, where we will enjoy its famous hot springs, and then we will continue our ascent to the Wacawasi camp where we will spend our first night. We will share with the communities of herders and farmers who maintain ancestral ways of life in the heights of Cusco.

Wacawasi - Ipsaycocha - Yanahuara

This morning, we will visit a traditional textile workshop to observe the creation of alpaca weavers. Afterward, we will begin our ascent toward the Ipsaycocha Pass or Condor Pass (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). From there, we will enjoy the incredible view of Mount Veronica (5,750 m / 18,864 ft) before continuing to Lake Ipsaycocha, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we will begin the final hike of the day to reach Yanahuara, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Yanahuara - Ollantaytambo - Wiñay Wayna - Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we will take a bus to Ollantaytambo and continue by train to Km 104. There, we will visit the archaeological ruins of Chachabamba, where we begin our hike towards Wiñay Wayna, featuring impressive views of Inca agricultural terraces. After lunch, we will continue hiking towards the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), which offers a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Finally, we will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before exploring Machu Picchu the following day.

Machu Picchu - Cusco

The fourth day of the tour is dedicated to exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. For those who booked any of the optional mountains, “Huayna Picchu” or “Machu Picchu Mountain” (+70 USD), you can climb at your own pace and return to Aguas Calientes later.

In the archaeological complex, we will have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, after which you will have free time, and finally, descend to the town of Aguas Calientes to wait for our return train to Cusco.

Tour Details

Below are the details and characteristics of the 4-day Lares & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:

Start & Return

Cusco

Start Time

To coordinate

Included

Hotel pick-up in Cusco
Round-trip transport (tourist transport from Cusco and final transfer back)
Full board meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
Professional bilingual tour guide (Spanish and English)
Accommodation for 3 nights (2 nights in equipped campsites and 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes)
Train tickets Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (return service)
Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
Official entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
First aid kit and emergency oxygen tank
Entrance ticket to the Lares Thermal Baths
Horsemen and pack horses for group equipment and up to 7 kg of personal luggage

Not Included

Trekking poles
Sleeping bag
First-day breakfast and last-day lunch
Additional entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Personal expenses, extra drinks, and tips

Recommendations

Warm clothing, thermal jacket, and windbreaker for cold nights
Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip and waterproof rain poncho
Sun hat, high-protection sunscreen, and sunglasses with UV filter
Reusable water bottle or canteen
Portable power bank, headlamp, and charger adapters
Extra cash in Peruvian Soles (PEN) for local expenses and tips
Original identification documents (valid Passport or ID)
Personal medication and basic toiletries

Frequently Asked Questions

⛰️ What is the maximum altitude of the Lares Trek and how to prevent altitude sickness?

The maximum altitude is 4,430 m / 14,534 ft at the Ipsaycocha Pass. To prevent altitude sickness (soroche), we highly recommend acclimatizing in Cusco for at least 2 days before starting the hike, staying well-hydrated, and drinking coca tea.

🥾 How difficult is the hike compared to the Classic Inca Trail?

The Lares Trek is considered moderate. Unlike the Inca Trail, it has fewer steep stone steps, but you will hike at a higher average altitude. It is ideal for travelers looking for a less crowded, authentic trail.

♨️ When do we visit the Lares hot springs?

We visit the Lares thermal baths on the morning of Day 1. This is the first stop of the tour after driving from Cusco. You will have time to relax in the medicinal pools before beginning the trek.

🎒 What luggage should I carry in my daypack?

You should carry a small daypack with water, a rain poncho, sunscreen, a camera, and personal medication. The rest of your luggage (up to 7 kg per person) will be transported by pack horses and horsemen included in the tour.

🚆 How do we return from Machu Picchu to Cusco?

The return is by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition or Voyager service), followed by a direct tourist bus transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Lares & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu