Begin your adventure at 5:00 a.m., departing from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. After a 3-hour drive, you'll arrive at the Lares hot springs, a paradise of pure volcanic waters with pools of varying temperatures—perfect for relaxing your muscles before starting the hike. Enjoy your first breakfast surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, prepared by our skilled trekking chef using fresh, local organic ingredients.

Then, take a 30-minute drive to the trailhead at Pampacorral (3559 m / 11,676 ft). The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu begins with a gentle uphill hike of two hours to the village of Kiswarani (3820 m / 12,532 ft). Along the way, you’ll see various bird species, vibrant flowers, native plants, and extensive potato fields, offering a glimpse into local agriculture. Lunch is served in the village, featuring a delicious dish made by our chef with fresh organic products from the area.

After lunch, meet the full trekking team, including cooks, porters, and muleteers. Explore the village of Kiswarani, visit the local school, interact with organic potato farmers, and accompany llamas and alpacas on a two-hour walk. Learn about their importance in local traditions, their role in the community, and their unique lifestyle. A gentle uphill walk leads to the first campsite beside the Blue Lagoon (3950 m / 12,959 ft). Along the way, you’ll pass the Kiswarani waterfalls and may see local children returning from school. Upon arrival at the campsite, your trekking team will set up the tents, provide warm water for washing, and prepare tea and dinner. This campsite is perfect for stargazing and connecting with the night sky.

• Campsite altitude: 3950 m / 12,959 ft
• Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
• Hiking time: 4 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping under the stars
• Difficulty: Easy

Start your day waking up in your cozy tent. Enjoy a cup of coffee or coca tea while taking in the stunning scenery of majestic mountains, the serene lagoon, and locals guiding their llamas across the hills. Today you’ll tackle the most challenging, spectacular, and rewarding section of the trek.

After a delicious breakfast, begin a four-hour ascent to reach Condor Pass (4680 m / 15,354 ft). The trail features a steep and winding climb, offering breathtaking views of glacial lagoons, llamas, alpacas, and Andean caracaras. With some luck, you might even spot a majestic condor soaring overhead. Upon arriving at Condor Pass—the highest point of the trek—take a moment to explore and enjoy the extraordinary panoramic views. Your dedicated trekking team will serve you a comforting cup of coca tea to help with the altitude.

The second part of the day is a two-hour descent to the picturesque village of Canchacancha (3750 meters — 12,303 ft), where you’ll have lunch and spend the night. After the meal, explore the village, interact with local children, play with llamas and alpacas, or even join a friendly soccer match with the kids and the trekking team.

Canchacancha is a remote village with no vehicle access, no cell service, and no internet connection. The residents still speak Quechua, the native language of the Incas, and maintain their traditional lifestyles as potato farmers, llama and alpaca herders, and guardians of Inca customs. Take time to visit their thatched-roof homes, learn about their unique way of life, and consider supporting the local school to make a meaningful contribution to the community.

• Campsite altitude: 3750 meters (12,303 ft)
• Maximum altitude: 4680 m / 15,354 ft
• Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Campsite
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

After breakfast in the village, get ready for your final descent into the picturesque Sacred Valley. While in the village, you’ll learn about guinea pigs and discover how they’ve become one of Peru’s most iconic dishes.

The next part of the journey is a 4-hour descent to the village of Huaran in the Sacred Valley (2939 m / 9642 ft). During this stretch, you’ll pass through potato and bean farmlands and experience a rapid temperature shift as you transition from the mountain’s cold climate to the warm embrace of the lush vegetation in the Sacred Valley.

After lunch, it will be time to say goodbye to your dedicated trekking chefs, porters, and muleteers. Then, continue your journey by van to the Salt Mines, where you’ll witness more than 3,000 salt pools used by locals to harvest salt through the evaporation of salty water.

Following this fascinating visit, you’ll travel by car to Ollantaytambo. There, you can explore the charming town, stroll through its streets, and spend the night in a comfortable hotel. End your day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

• Altitude of Ollantaytambo: 2850 m / 9350 ft
• Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Duration: 4 hours
• Meals: breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up around 5:40 a.m. and transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there, you’ll board the first train to Km 104, marking the beginning of your Short Inca Trail adventure. The 1.5-hour train ride offers captivating views as you travel alongside the Urubamba River, witnessing the landscape transition from the Andes to the Cloud Forest.

Upon arriving at Chachabamba at Km 104 (2156 m / 7073 ft), you’ll need to show your original passport at the checkpoint, use the restroom facilities, and then begin your hike on the shorter version of the renowned Classic Inca Trail.

Almost immediately, you’ll come across the Inca site of Chachabamba, which features splendid structures, water temples, and sacred altars. From there, you’ll begin a gradual 4-hour uphill hike along the left side of the Urubamba River until you reach Wiñaywayna (2639 m / 8658 ft). This site is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological complexes on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, with waterfalls, temples, houses, aqueducts, and agricultural terraces. Lunch will be a box lunch provided at the start of the trek.

After lunch, continue hiking for another hour until you reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you’ll be welcomed with your first and likely most spectacular view of Machu Picchu. Then, walk for one more hour to reach the upper part of Machu Picchu. Arriving in the afternoon, when there are fewer visitors, gives you a unique opportunity to experience this awe-inspiring citadel in a peaceful setting—ideal for taking stunning photos.

After exploring, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (2056 m / 6745 ft), where you can refresh with a revitalizing shower at your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

• Maximum altitude: 2708 m / 8884 ft
• Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner
• Accommodation: Susanna INN (or similar)
• Difficulty: Moderate

On the final and most important day of your journey, start early with breakfast at your hotel. You can conveniently leave any extra bags at the hotel that you won’t need for your visit to Machu Picchu.

Take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. After passing the checkpoint, begin your exploration of this iconic site. Discover the highlights of Machu Picchu, including its temples and palaces, accompanied by informative explanations about its history.

Once the guided tour ends, you’ll have some free time to continue exploring Machu Picchu or choose an additional hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (note that these hikes require separate tickets and are not included in the standard visit to the citadel).

After completing your visit, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch (not included). Later in the afternoon, board the Vistadome panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo. There, the Ultimate Trekking staff will be waiting to transfer you by van to Cusco. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel around 7:30 p.m., marking the end of your adventure on the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

• Maximum altitude: 2490 m / 8169 ft
• Duration: 3–4 hours tour in Machu Picchu
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
• Difficulty: Easy