4-Day Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu: Andes Hiking & Cultural Immersion in Peru

The trek begins with an early pickup from your Cusco hotel and a drive to the trailhead at Huaran. From there, you hike gradually uphill to the isolated community of Cancha Cancha, a village so remote it had no road access until recently. The afternoon includes a visit with a local family, learning about traditional Andean life with your guide translating from Quechua. After dinner, your guide points out the Inca constellations that still guide their agriculture today.

Day two is the toughest but most spectacular. You climb to the highest point of the trek at Pachacutec Pass (4,500m/14,800ft), passing glaciers, remote lakes, and herds of alpacas. The descent takes you past the spectacular seven waterfalls and down to the Quiswarani community campsite. On day three, you cross another high pass before descending through the Puna grasslands to the Cuncani community, where you may have the chance to visit the local school and meet the children. Then it's a drive to the natural hot springs at Lares for a well-earned soak, before continuing to Ollantaytambo and taking the train to Aguas Calientes for the night.

The final day is about Machu Picchu. You'll take one of the first buses up to the citadel to watch the sunrise over the ruins, then enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the main sectors — agricultural, residential, and religious. After returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own, you'll take the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 7:00 PM. Optional add-ons include climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain (requires advance booking) or upgrading to the panoramic Vistadome train.

What sets this trek apart is the quality of the crew and the company behind it. Guides hold degrees in archaeology, anthropology, or similar fields and are passionate about Incan history. The camping gear is top-notch — Eureka Timberline four-season tents with only two people per tent, comfortable foam mattresses, and a proper bio-chemical toilet tent at each camp. The chef prepares gourmet meals that have guests raving, including vegetarian options — though some reviews suggest asking for extra protein if you're vegetarian. The company is deeply committed to local communities, hiring porters from the very villages you pass through and supporting them with fair wages and social projects.

What's included

- Airport pickup - 2 nights accommodation in 4-season Eureka Timberline tents - 1 night accommodation in a 3* hotel with private bathroom and hot shower - Delicious gourmet meals during the 4 days as per itinerary - Buffet breakfast at the hotel - Boiled water to fill your bottles - Private guided tour in Machu Picchu for 2 hours - Interaction with local kids and community people - Local licensed guide fluent in English - Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex - First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank - Comfortable foam mattress - Backpack rain cover - Chef and cooking equipment - Provision of a horse in case of emergency - Horseman and mules to carry camping and personal equipment (up to 7 kg of personal items) - 2 bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return - Private transportation from hotel to trailhead - Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes - Transfer back to Cusco

What's not included

- Flight costs - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Hotel accommodation in Cusco before or after the trek - Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes - Sleeping bag rental - $20 USD per person - Air mattress rental - $20 USD per person - Walking poles rental - 5 USD per pair - Personal tent - $30 USD - Vistadome train upgrade - $67 USD per person - Huayna Picchu Mountain hike - $75 USD per person - Additional activities not included in the itinerary