Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days with Panoramic Train

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Cusco - Puyas de Raimondi - Lares Hot Springs - Blue Lagoon Campsite⌄

   Begin your adventure with an early morning hotel pickup from Cusco or the Sacred Valley near Pisac.

   Travel to Calca and explore its lively market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, colorful textiles, and Andean specialties.

   Continue to Ancashmarca, a little-known Inca site with ancient terraces and storehouses that once controlled trade routes in the valley. Drive to a high plateau to admire the rare Puyas de Raimondi, giant plants that flower only once in a century.

   Descend into Lares and relax in soothing thermal baths nestled among the Andean peaks, followed by a scenic breakfast. Later, visit a women-led weaving cooperative to discover the art of natural dyes and traditional backstrap weaving techniques passed down through generations.

   After breakfast, we’ll head to the tranquil town of Pamparrocal. From there, we’ll stop in Kiswarani to enjoy a freshly prepared meal before beginning our scenic hike through serene valleys, where llamas and alpacas graze freely. As the trail ascends, we’ll reach the awe-inspiring Kiswarani waterfall, a dramatic cascade tucked deep within the heart of the Andes.

   Then we’ll continue our ascent to the Blue Lagoon campsite, perched at 3,900 meters. Awaiting you are a cozy tent, a steaming cup of tea, and a sky ablaze with stars, an unforgettable Andean night under the highland heavens.

   Meals: Breakfast: at Lares Hot Spring · Lunch: at Kiswarani village · Dinner: at Blue Lagoon campsite

   Overnight: Blue Lagoon Campsite

2. 2Blue Lagoon campsite – Condor Pass - Canchacancha Community⌄

   Wake up with a warm cup of coca tea or coffee delivered to your tent. After breakfast, begin the most challenging yet rewarding day of the trek. Hike steadily uphill through highland valleys filled with turquoise lakes, herds of alpacas, and Andean geese known as Wallatas. Reach Condor Pass at 4,750 m, the highest point of the journey, where the 360° views of the Andes are unforgettable. Take part in a traditional offering to the Apus, the sacred mountain spirits, led by your guide. Celebrate your achievement with a hot cup of coca tea at the summit. Descend for two hours to Acopata, where a hearty lunch will be ready. Continue walking downhill through dramatic andean valleys.

   Arrive in the community of Canchacancha at 3,750 m, where you’ll set up camp near local homes. Spend the evening meeting villagers, playing soccer with children, practicing Quechua words, or simply relaxing as the sun sets behind the mountains.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: at Acopata · Dinner: at Canchacancha Campsite

   Overnight: Canchacancha Campsite

3. 3Canchacancha - Maras Salt Mines - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes town⌄

   Enjoy breakfast with sweeping views of the Andes. Spend time visiting local homes and the community school, where donations of notebooks, pens, or toys are welcome.

   Begin a gentle 4-hour descent through fertile valleys. Watch the landscape transform from potato and bean fields in the highlands to corn and avocado crops in the Sacred Valley. Arrive in Huaran at 2,700 m for a scenic picnic lunch and say farewell to the muleteers and chef.

   Continue by private transport to the Salineras of Maras, where thousands of salt pools have been harvested since Inca times.

   Explore Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca Town,” where ancient stone streets, original water canals, and local people bring history to life. Afterward, enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant, soaking in the charm of this timeless Andean village.

   Board the evening train to Aguas Calientes, winding through breathtaking Andean landscapes. Upon arrival, check into a cozy 3-star hotel and unwind in comfort, preparing for the unforgettable adventure that awaits at Machu Picchu.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch: At Huaran Town · Dinner: At a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes Town

   Overnight: 3-star Hotel in Aguas Calientes

4. 4Machu Picchu (Lost City of The Incas) - Cusco⌄

   Start with an early breakfast at your hotel. Take the bus up to Machu Picchu to arrive at sunrise and watch the morning mist lift over the citadel.

   Visit the classic viewpoints for unforgettable photos of the Inca city. Join your guide for a 2–3 hour walking tour through temples, terraces, and ceremonial areas while learning about the history, engineering and daily life of the Incas. With advance tickets, you can hike Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu for even more incredible views.

   Return to Aguas Calientes for free time and lunch at your own pace.

   In the afternoon, board the panoramic Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco.

   Arrive in the evening with memories of mountains, communities and Machu Picchu that will last a lifetime.

   Meals: Breakfast: at 3 star Hotel