Skip to content
Local team in Cusco, Peru
USA / Canada: 1 (800) 917-4931WhatsApp
Plan Your Trip

INKAYNI PERU TOURS / MULTIDAY JOURNEYS

Private trek · 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

5-Day Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Camp above the Lares Valley, descend past Yanacocha to Cuncani and follow the trail to the Lares hot springs. From Ollantaytambo, take the train to Km 104 and walk through Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate before your guided Machu Picchu visit on day five.

Private trek · Start and finish in Cusco · Two camp nights and two hotel nights

US$879Per person · Private service for two travelers
Contact our team ↗
YOUR PACEPrivate trekGuided experiences along the route
YOUR STAYTwo camp nights and two hotel nightsAccommodation confirmed with your booking
YOUR ROUTEPumahuanca · Cuncani · Lares · Km 104 · Machu PicchuA journey shaped around these places
YOUR SUPPORTLocal English-speaking guideAsk our Cusco team about your plans

PLACES, PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES

A journey to remember.

Camp above the Lares Valley, descend past Yanacocha to Cuncani and follow the trail to the Lares hot springs. From Ollantaytambo, take the train to Km 104 and walk through Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate before your guided Machu Picchu visit on day five.

High lakes and herding communities
01 / YOUR JOURNEY

High lakes and herding communities

Follow the valley above Pumahuanca to Puyoc, then cross the high pass and descend past Yanacocha toward Cuncani.

From Cuncani to the hot springs
02 / YOUR JOURNEY

From Cuncani to the hot springs

Meet a local family in Cuncani before walking through farming communities to Lares. Continue by road to Ollantaytambo.

Into Machu Picchu on foot
03 / YOUR JOURNEY

Into Machu Picchu on foot

At Km 104 the route changes from open highlands to cloud forest. Climb to Wiñay Wayna and follow the Inca Trail to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate.

INKAYNI PERU TOURS · PUBLIC REVIEWS

See what travelers
say about Inkayni.

Read independent, company-wide reviews on the original platforms. Ratings and review totals change over time.

ONE JOURNEY. EVERYTHING CONNECTED.

Explore your route.

Follow the itinerary from your first day to your farewell. Select a day to see its route and open the full description.

Itinerary sequence · Schematic overview, not a navigation map.

YOUR JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY

5-day itinerary.

A clear view of each day: what you will discover, where you sleep and the meal arrangements to plan for.

Cusco · Pumahuanca · Puyoc

DAY 1 · Cusco · Pumahuanca · Puyoc

From Pumahuanca to Puyoc camp

Travel from Cusco to Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. Begin the climb through a side valley, visiting the small archaeological site of Pumahuanca along the way. Your guide introduces the plants and birds of the Lares highlands.

Continue above the valley to the first campsite at Puyoc. Keep a warm layer, hat and gloves handy for the evening at camp.

YOUR NIGHTPuyoc campsiteYOUR MEALSLunch and dinner

A PLACE TO REST. PART OF THE JOURNEY.

Two camp nights and two hotel nights.

The places you stay connect each stage of your journey. Confirm the exact accommodation and room arrangements before travel.

Puyoc and Cuncani2 nights

Puyoc and Cuncani

Tented camps

Sleep at Puyoc after the first ascent and near Cuncani after the second day’s trek.

Or similar · Subject to confirmed arrangements
Ollantaytambo1 night

Ollantaytambo

Casa Blanca Hotel or similar

Stay in the Sacred Valley before boarding the train to Km 104.

Or similar · Subject to confirmed arrangements
Machu Picchu Pueblo1 night

Machu Picchu Pueblo

Golden Sunrise Hotel or similar

Stay in town after reaching the Sun Gate. Return to the citadel the following morning.

Or similar · Subject to confirmed arrangements

Hotel photographs show itinerary examples; destination photographs illustrate the area. Exact rooms and selected categories are confirmed with your quote.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING

The essentials, made clear.

Read the included services alongside the exclusions and booking notes. Your confirmed quote sets the final arrangements.

INCLUDED

The core of your journey

Guiding, transport and entry

  • Pre-departure briefing and bilingual guide
  • Hotel pickup in central Cusco, train to Km 104 and return train and road transfer to Cusco
  • Short Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu admission and round-trip shuttle from Machu Picchu Pueblo

Camping, accommodation and meals

  • Two tented camps and two hotel nights as listed in the itinerary
  • Chef, dining tent, foam mattress and inflatable pillow
  • Pack animals for camping equipment and up to 7 kg (15 lb) of personal belongings on the Lares section
  • Four breakfasts, four lunches, three afternoon snacks and four dinners
  • Trail water after the first four hours, first aid kit and oxygen

PLAN SEPARATELY

Personal choices & extras

  • Tips.
  • Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
  • Walking Sticks (Can be hired from us).
  • Breakfast on Day 1, lunch on Day 5.
  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$ 85.00
  • Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Confirm your permits, hotels and final price for your dates. The published US$25 discounts are subject to eligibility for students, travelers under 18 and groups of five or more booking together.

DATES & AVAILABILITY

When would you like to go?

Tell us your preferred dates and group size. Our team will check the train, Machu Picchu entry and accommodation availability together.

Ask about dates ↗

YOUR TRAVEL QUOTE

US$879 per person.

Departures start with two travelers. Request a per-person quote for your dates, with the accommodation and included services itemized.

Request a quote ↗
01

Share your dates

Tell us when you would like to travel.

02

Discuss the journey

Review the route, stays and group size with our Cusco team.

03

Review your quote

Check the arrangements and inclusions for your departure.

MAKE THE JOURNEY YOURS

Optional arrangements.

Sleeping bag rental: US$20. Walking stick rental: US$10. Single supplement: US$50. Additional night in a three-star hotel: US$85. Confirm arrangements in your quote.

Discuss your preferences

Sleeping bag rental: US$20. Walking stick rental: US$10. Single supplement: US$50. Additional night in a three-star hotel: US$85. Confirm arrangements in your quote.

Request a tailored quote ↗

Before you confirm

Confirm your permits, hotels and final price for your dates. The published US$25 discounts are subject to eligibility for students, travelers under 18 and groups of five or more booking together.

A LITTLE PREPARATION GOES A LONG WAY

Travel ready.

Pack for cold nights at the high camps and for warmer, wetter conditions on the Short Inca Trail. Bring water for the first four hours.

  • Original Passport
  • Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
  • Walking shoes
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
  • Warm jacket
  • Hat and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable Trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
  • Insect repellant
  • Toiletries and hand sanitizer
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and film
  • Torch with spare batteries or Headlamps.

A LITTLE CLARITY BEFORE YOU GO

Your questions, answered.

The practical details that help you plan your journey.

Is the Lares trek to Machu Picchu difficult? Do I need to be in good physical condition?

All our treks (Inca Trail hike, Salkantay trek, Ausangate trek, Lares Trek Peru, etc.) are moderately difficult, lengthy and traverse rough mountain terrain. We kindly recommend that if you plan to conquer any of these routes to be in relatively good physical condition, plus acclimatization. When do I need to arrive in Cusco? This means arriving in Cusco at least 02 days before your trek departure to adjust to the altitude. During the last two months leading up to your trek, we suggest a regular and moderate exercise routine to improve endurance and stamina. We wish for you to have the best experience possible!

Are vegetarian, vegan, and other special diet needs available?

Of course! Without any additional costs! When you make your reservation, please inform us of any dietary needs or requirements, including allergies!Vegetarian foods will be absent of all meats, chicken, or fish. We will assume that eggs and cheese or other lactose products are OK.Most of our main meals are buffet-style, leaving you the option to avoid anything undesirable to you.If there are any food items or veggies that you cannot stomach, perhaps onions, tomatoes, mushrooms.. etc., upon your request we will ask our chef to leave them out or separate this item. What if I am lactose intolerant? We can also attend lactose-intolerant or gluten-intolerant diets. We cannot accept individuals with serious allergic or life-threatening reactions.

I have a food allergy. May I still participate?

Every day we receive many clients with food allergies to nuts, wheat, etc. Please inform us in detail of your condition upon making your reservation.We kindly ask that you declare the severity of your reaction and any medication that you take in case of an emergency.If your allergy is severe, we ask that you be accompanied by a friend or individual conscious and entirely responsible for your situation and ready with any medication.WE CAN NOT ACCEPT CLIENTS WITH LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES

When must I arrive in Cusco or arrive at your office?

We require that all clients arrive in Cusco at least 48 hours before the start of your trek, although 03 nights before is ideal. You must pay your remaining balance two days before your departure for your trek. This will ensure that all individuals are acclimatized and adjusted to the high altitude conditions to begin your trek comfortably. Please note that your remaining balance must be paid in cash in our office and cannot be paid before your arrival. What are the office hours? Our office hours are Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm, 4:00pm - 8:00pm. (Please aim to arrive at 7:30 pm at the latest!)

Are hiking sticks or poles necessary?

For this trek more than any other, we do recommend hiking sticks, especially for those with any known knee problems. The poles will assist your balance and reduce the impact on your knees.Inkayni Peru Tours will rent hiking sticks for $15

Where can I store my baggage that I don't need for the trail?

Any baggage that is not necessary for your trek may be stored in your hotel in Cusco (most hotels offer this service free of charge). In the case that your hotel may not provide this service, we will store your baggage safely in our office free of charge.

What is the weather like during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu?

The best time for making the trek with good weather is between April - October when there are minimal rainfall and clear skies. The driest months are June - August, which is winter in the Andes. When is the wet season for lares trek 4 days? January to March is summer in Peru, which means the rainy season for Cusco and especially the Inka Trail, which is located mostly in the tropical cloud forest.

Where do I have to be the morning of the start of my trek, and where will I finish at the end?

We will pick you up from your hotel to begin your lares trek to Machu Picchu, and upon finishing, we will also leave you at your hotel.

I wish to have a train company or train option different from that which Inkayni Peru Tours offers, is this possible?

If you wish to change your train company or option (such as Vistadome de Peru Rail, to Ollantaytambo or the whole route to Poroy), or your departure time, additional fees may apply. You must speak with one of our sales agents to inquire about availability and the additional costs.

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION

Plan your trip.

Tell our Cusco team what you have in mind. Your details will be included in a message draft for you to review and send.

Opens your messaging or email app. Nothing is sent automatically.

5 days · 4 nightsUS$879
WhatsAppContact us ↗

Your journey at a glance

  1. Day 1 · From Pumahuanca to Puyoc camp

    Cusco · Pumahuanca · Puyoc

    Overnight: Puyoc campsite
  2. Day 2 · Yanacocha and the descent to Cuncani

    Puyoc · Yanacocha · Cuncani

    Overnight: Cuncani campsite
  3. Day 3 · Lares hot springs and Ollantaytambo

    Cuncani · Lares · Ollantaytambo

    Overnight: Casa Blanca Hotel or similar
  4. Day 4 · Km 104, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate

    Ollantaytambo · Km 104 · Machu Picchu Pueblo

    Overnight: Golden Sunrise Machu Picchu Hotel or similar
  5. Day 5 · Guided visit to Machu Picchu

    Machu Picchu Pueblo · Machu Picchu · Cusco

    Overnight: Return to Cusco