Lares Trek 4 Days Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Huaran – Cancha Cancha – Acopata
You start your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights with an early pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 5:30 am. You travel through the Sacred Valley, passing small villages, farms, and terraces that show daily life in the Andes.
You arrive in Huaran (3,000 m), where the hike begins. Here, you meet the muleteer team and prepare your gear before starting the trek.
The trail follows the Cancha Cancha Valley along a gentle ascent. You walk beside the river and pass traditional houses and cultivated fields. As you continue, the landscape becomes quieter and more remote, offering your first real connection with the Andes.
After about three hours, you reach Cancha Cancha, where you stop for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, you continue uphill for around 1.5 hours.
As you gain altitude, the valley opens up and the views become more expansive. You arrive at Acopata (4,200 m), where your campsite is set in a wide mountain area. In the evening, you enjoy dinner surrounded by the silence of the highlands.
- Meals: Lunch / Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Walking Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: ~6 hours
- Max Altitude: 4,200 m
Day 2: Acopata – Pachacutec Pass – Qoyalay Lake – Quishuarani
You wake up early with a hot drink and breakfast prepared by your trekking team. This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the trek.
After breakfast, you begin a steady ascent toward Pachacutec Pass (4,700 m). The climb takes around three hours. As you move higher, the air becomes thinner and the landscape more open, with wide views in every direction.
At the summit, you reach the highest point of the Lares Trek 4 Days. From here, you enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Sahuasiray and Chicón.
After a short rest, you begin the descent. The trail leads toward Qoyalay Lake, where you stop for lunch beside the water. This is a peaceful spot to recover and enjoy the scenery.
In the afternoon, you continue descending through open valleys. You will see herds of alpacas and llamas grazing freely, along with occasional Andean wildlife.
You arrive at Quishuarani (3,850 m) in the late afternoon. After settling into camp, you can walk around the village or relax before dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Walking Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: ~7 hours
- Max Altitude: 4,700 m
Day 3: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, you begin the day with a gradual ascent toward Willqaqasa Pass (4,200 m). The climb takes about three hours and offers clear views of the Vilcanota mountain range.
From the pass, you descend through highland terrain toward the community of Cuncani. Along the way, you pass small lakes, grazing areas, and agricultural fields used by local families.
In Cuncani, you observe daily life in the Andes. You may see locals working in the fields or caring for animals, offering a closer look at traditional lifestyles.
After the hike, transport takes you to the Lares hot springs. Here you can relax in the thermal waters and recover after the trek. Lunch is served in this area.
In the afternoon, you travel by road to Ollantaytambo. This historic town marks the transition from trekking to train travel.
Later, you board the train to Aguas Calientes. The scenery changes as you move from highlands into a more lush environment near Machu Picchu.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Walking Distance: 13 km
- Hiking Time: ~6–7 hours
- Max Altitude: 4,200 m
Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You wake up early to begin your visit to Machu Picchu. After breakfast, you take one of the first buses from Aguas Calientes to the entrance.
You arrive early, when the site is quieter and the light is ideal for panoramic views. From the upper viewpoints, you get your first full view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.
Your guide leads you through the main sectors of the citadel. You explore terraces, temples, and ceremonial areas while learning how the site functioned during the Inca period. The guided tour lasts around 2 to 3 hours.
After the guided visit, you have time to continue exploring on your own or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the site. If you have pre-booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can coordinate your entry time with your guide.
Later, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes. You have free time to walk around the town, relax, or have lunch before your return journey.
In the afternoon, you take the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, private transport takes you back to Cusco and your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Not included
- Tour Duration: 2–3 hours guided visit
