The Epic Off-The-Beaten-Path Combo Trek
If you want to skip the crowds and still enjoy an epic trek to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu, look no further and venture on this combined Lares Trek & Inca Trail. This 5-day tour will take you through the most stunning scenery while interacting with rural Andean communities and retracing ancient steps on one of the best treks in the world, the Inca Trail.
Expect to see majestic mountain glaciers, shockingly blue and green lakes, waterfalls, streams, llamas, and alpacas along this gorgeous picturesque route. Spend three days in the Andean heights before dipping into the Short Inca Trail for the best of both worlds. You’ll connect with nature while visiting incredible archaeological sites before ending your trip in the magical Machu Picchu.
This package is for intrepid adventurers who like to avoid big crowds and get the best possible experience in the mountains. You’ll feel at one with nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You can enjoy this trip alone, with your partner, or as part of a larger group.
The Lares section of this incredible route will take you through rural Andean communities, where you’ll get to spend time with the locals and learn more about their customs and traditions. It’s fascinating to see how they live far away from the nearest town or city and live off their land, growing all their own products. These communities are all about preserving Inca traditions and keeping them alive today.
After spending time among the glaciers and chilly mountain tops, you’ll make your way to the Short Inca Trail. You’ll hike through the warm climate on the edge of the Peruvian jungle and visit some enigmatic archaeological sites to learn about this astounding ancient culture.
Finally, your trip closes with a flourish on a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu — a bucket list for many travelers worldwide. You’ll enjoy a guided tour and discover the secrets of this mystical site. Don’t forget to buy your Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets in advance to get the ultimate view over the Inca citadel. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it? Don’t miss out, and book your trek today!
Day 1: Cusco | Calca – Lares Hot Springs – Cuncani – Willkikasa Pass – Quishuarani
Start your trip with a dip in the Lares hot springs to relax before beginning your hike. You’ll visit the Pacchayocc waterfall and Willkikasa pass before heading to our camp in Quishuarani. There you’ll spend time with the locals before dinner and bed.
Day 2: Quishuarani | Qoyalay Lake – Pachacutec Pass – Cancha Cancha
Head up to the trek´s highest point, the Pachacutec pass, before making your way down to the camp in Cancha Cancha. There, you’ll learn all about the local customs and traditions and spend the night.
Day 3: Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Maras Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo
Enjoy the last leg of the Lares trek to Huaran before boarding our transport to the Maras Salt Mines. In the afternoon, we’ll take you to Ollantaytambo for dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 4: Ollantaytambo | KM 104, Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Begin your Inca Trail journey today and visit Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna archaeological sites. See Machu Picchu for the first time from the Sun Gate and then spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Spend the morning exploring the magical Citadel of Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch. From there, you’ll catch the train to Ollantaytambo and then our private car back to your accommodation in Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Relaxing at the Lares hot springs and hiking the impressive Andes.
Take a Dip in the Hot Springs and Embark On Your Exciting Trek.
We’ll start this epic adventure with an early pickup from your hotel, and a drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll travel for an hour and a half and stop at Calca town for a visit to its market and to do some last-minute shopping. We’ll then make our way for two-and-a-half hours to the Lares Hot Springs (3,200 m / 10,499 ft) for our first energizing breakfast.
Before embarking on the trail, you’ll take a dip in the hot thermal springs, a complex of pools of different sizes and temperatures. Its volcanic waters have therapeutic properties for the body, so it’ll be your perfect spot to relax before setting off on the hike. After that, we’ll continue driving to our hike starting point in Cuncani (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) and meet the rest of our trekking team, including horsemen and cooks who’ll accompany us on the route.
The first leg is to find the impressive Pacchayocc waterfall and get to a little lake region, where you’ll enjoy your first lunch served by our cook in the middle of the mountains! Then, we’ll continue to beat the highest point of the day, the Willkikasa Pass (4,400 m / 14,436 ft), and from there, walk downhill for an hour-and-a-half to our first campsite in Quishuarani. Here, you’ll have enough time to explore the small town, visit local houses and learn about their lifestyle and traditions.
You’ll also get to visit the school where children speak Quechua, their native language, and what the Incas used to speak. You can bring toys or other school supplies to share with them; it’ll be a wonderful touch, given their remote location. We’ll later enjoy a hot drink and indulge in a fresh dinner as the sky darkens and the stars begin to appear. For the night, you’ll be able to stargaze and take refuge in your tent.
Highlight of the day: Spending time with rural Andean locals and learning about their way of life.
Immerse Yourself in Andean Culture As You Enjoy Stunning Surroundings.
Today, we’ll wake you up around 5:30 am with a hot drink to get you going. Once the gear is ready, we’ll share a sumptuous breakfast and stock up with snacks and water. That way, you’ll have plenty of energy to start the striking hike ahead.
We’ll first take a 4-5 hour ascent toward the highest point on the trek, the Pachacutec pass at 4,700 m / 15,420 ft. The hiking will be upward in a zigzag pattern, observing the stunning landscapes of the area, so make sure you have your camera ready! From this place, you’ll also spot the beautiful lake of Qoyalay and the impressive Qanchispaccha (seven waterfalls).
Once at Pachacutec Pass, you’ll find yourself above the clouds, enjoying a beautiful 360-degree view. Right in front of you, you’ll also see the majestic Pitusiray and Qolqe Cruz mountains. Here you can snap some fantastic photos because soon, we’ll begin our hike downhill. It will be for half an hour on a slope to our lunch spot, so make sure you’ve devoured everything; we still need to walk two more hours!
Finally, we’ll arrive in the town of Cancha Cancha (3,950 m / 12,959 ft), a picturesque village with traditional houses. Our support team will set the tents here, so you’ll be free for another great afternoon, mingling with the friendly locals. You’ll also visit one of the community houses to learn about the lifestyle of these peoples’ remote regions, including a demonstration of their traditional hand-made alpaca wool textiles.
You’ll later enjoy hot drinks, and after a nourishing dinner, you can drift off to your tent.
Highlight of the day: Visiting the fascinating Maras Salt Mines and enjoying the change of scenery.
Stop Off at Amazing Sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Just like every morning, you’ll wake up with a hot drink and breakfast to start the day in the best way possible. We’ll be hiking the last portion of the Lares trek. It’s a 4-hour downhill hike observing herds of sheep, llamas, alpacas, and plenty of fields of potatoes, fava beans, and other regional products. It’ll be a great opportunity to learn about Andean agricultural techniques.
Along the descent, we’ll reach the warm Sacred Valley of the Incas, feeling the drastic change between the cold mountains and the greenery of the valley. There it grows corn, quinoa, kiwi, peaches, avocados, and many other types of fruits, so you’ll learn why it was so treasured by the Incas and be amazed by its vast history. We’ll finish the Lares trek in the small town of Huaran (2,920 m / 9,580 ft), where you’ll bid farewell to the trekking team and enjoy a lunch made with local produce.
Later, we’ll continue across the Sacred Valley for a visit to the Maras Salt Mines at 3,000 m / 9.843 ft. Here, you’ll witness its nearly 3,000 small salt pools, all fed by a nearby mountain spring. This salt has been harvested since pre-Inca times and is still mined by the locals. It has curative properties and, thanks to its minerals, boasts a unique pink color. To complete this experience, there’s a small shop where you can buy some pink salt if you wish. It’s perfect for cooking and a great gift!
After that, we’ll continue to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft), a picturesque town considered the last intact Inca town inhabited in Peru. Here, you’ll have plenty of time to indulge in dinner at a nice restaurant and sleep in a comfortable hotel. Remember to go to bed early, as your Inca Trail hike will start early in the morning.
Highlight of the day: Hiking a part of the original Inca Trail and visiting some of the most important sites in their empire.
Retrace Ancient Steps and Travel Back in Time at Historic Sites.
After breakfast, it’ll be time to head to the station and board the train towards KM 104, our Inca Trail starting point. You’ll trip beside the sacred and rushing Urubamba River as you watch the golden sun shedding its light on the towering mountains. We’ll arrive at the control point and, from there, check-in for our hike of the day.
The first stop is just a little way, the archaeological site of Chachabamba. We’ll do a short visit there and learn about its enigmatic history before we continue on our way. Next, It’ll be a 3-hour hike retracing some original Inca paths. You’ll observe waterfalls, unique wilds, orchids, and lush forests all the way to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most important sites on the route. This is a sophisticated archaeological center that shows the architectural mastery of the Incas and their great agricultural capacity.
Its name is due to an orchid that means ´forever young´ and boasts terrace fields and sheer steps you’ll get to climb. Your guide will take you on a site tour, so you’ll be well fed with incredible facts about it. After spending some time here, we’ll stop for lunch nearby and continue with the last leg of the hike. It’ll be just one hour to the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate, the official entrance of Machu Picchu (2,720 m / 8,924 ft). From there, you’ll witness the Lost City of the Incas for the first time, feeling the powerful energy as you take in the view.
From this point, it’s another hour of descent to the Machu Picchu site. By this time, the crowds will be gone, so we’ll take a chance to enjoy the unrivaled scenery in peace. Later, we’ll take the 25-min bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you’ll eat dinner in a nice restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable hotel. We recommend sleeping early tonight to make the most of the final day tomorrow.
Highlight of the day: Visiting the one and only Machu Picchu and exploring every corner of this World Wonder.
Explore the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
The most special day is finally here! You’ll need to wake up before dawn to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu. You’ll catch the bus from Aguas Calientes to the site entrance at 6:00 am when it opens. This way, you’ll get your first views over Machu Picchu as the morning sun glow hits its massive stones.
There’s nothing better than walking through the Inca citadel at dawn, almost in silence. Tourists crowd this place in a few hours, so you’ll enjoy the tranquility of these moments. You’ll have an hour-and-a-half tour of the most important places while your guide explains all the mysteries that this wonder possesses. Take lots of pictures and let your spirit be filled with the energy of this sacred place.
If you get a ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in advance, it’ll be the time to hike to their tops and get stunning citadel views. Otherwise, you can walk to the Inca Bridge and get a different perspective from the rest of the Wonder. Later, you’ll head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
After putting your feet up and getting some rest, we’re sure your heart will be beating the Andean rhythm for years to come!
At Pacha Peru Explorers, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
Entrance Ticket for Lares Hot Springs
Entrance Ticket for Maras Salt Mines
Permits abd Ticket for the Inca Trail
We will secure all necessary permits once we receive your complete information and reservation deposit. Permits are subject to availability and are issued for a specific date and under your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Changes in passport number are only permitted for renewal reasons. In that case, you must provide both your old and new passports.
Entry Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site (Circuit 1)
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. There, we’ll provide you with the duffle bags, which our horses will carry. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide
Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
We have spacious dining rooms and kitchens at each campsite so you can enjoy your meals comfortably and worry-free. Our horses will carry all equipment like tables, chairs, and cooking supplies.
Portable Travel Toilet
One Duffle Bag
On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Pacha Peru Explorers guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Lodging in Campsites
We have a series of campsites that offer you true comfort. Besides that, just like our ancestors, we have a profound link of affection and respect for our Mother Earth. Because of this, we are insistent that our campsites don’t generate any negative environmental impact. Remember that the accommodations are double and shared.
Our Sleeping Tents
Pacha Peru Explorers uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Kaylas-Doite tents with a capacity for 4 people.
Hostel in Ollantaytambo
The third night of this trek is spent in a hostel in Ollantaytambo.
Confortable Hotel in Aguas Calientes
The last night of this trek is spent in a hotel in Aguas Calientes with a double or triple room, private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
4 Breakfast, 4 Lunchs, 4 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.
Water on the Trail
We’ll provide you boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your hike, from your first lunch to your last breakfast. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters)
Wake up Tea
Every morning at the campsite, you’ll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won’t have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite!
Snacks on the Trail Daily
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
Round-Trip Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Train Tickets
Personal Belongings Transportation
On days 1,2, and 3, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
ll our travelers need a sleeping bag to camp. Inflatable mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but highly recommended. If you do not have them, don’t worry, you can rent them with Pacha Peru Explorers.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
You can climb the famous mountain you always see in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill, and coming back down can be scary if you fear heights. You can take this excursion once your guided tour to Machu Picchu ends. The permit must be issued at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, mainly due to weather conditions.
The ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 80.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider, and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can secure for you if we have time in advance.
The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 80.00 per person.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco (Day 5)
Personal Hiking Clothes and Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
During this tour, your main luggage will remind in your hotel in Cusco, or you can leave with us. To the Trek, you will take your daypack plus a duffle bag that Pacha Peru Explorers will provide during the briefing held the day before your tour in our office in Cusco.
During the briefing at 6.00 pm, your tour guide will provide the final details of your trip and give you the duffle bags to put up to 7 kilos of your stuff. Our porter will carry this bag together with the food and camping equipment.
For 3 days, you will be out in the mountain with no route, electricity, or cellphone signal. Having all the necessary equipment for this hike with you is essential; still, pack very light.
The backpack will always be with you; you are responsible for carrying it while hiking during the day, and it must be as light as possible. Remember that duffle bags you will find only at the campsite and all you need during the day must be in your daypack.
The duffle bag will be provided during the briefing held the day before in our office. You can out up to 7 kilos, including your sleeping bag and air mattress.
“Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days” can leave any day of the week, from March through December, We do not operate this itinerary in february because of the rayni season & maintenance of the route.
2025 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 880.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 300.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 580.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal, credit cards charge a 6% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is just for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (the briefing day) without charges.
Extras & Upgrades
There are complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price won’t increase, whatever the circunstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to [email protected]
Thank you for your interest in having and adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Pacha Peru Explorers. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. the Pacha Peru Explorers Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availlability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 950 705034 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Pacha Peru Explorers is a 100% peruvian, separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
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