Culture in context
The route passes communities where the current product describes respectful cultural exchange.
Inkayni Peru Tours
Cultural trek · high Andes · Machu Picchu
Lares Trek through communities and high-Andean landscapes
Follow Inkayni’s current 4-day Lares route through Pumahuanca, Puyoc and Cuncani, then connect onward to Machu Picchu.
+4,000traveler review references*
4 daysprimary Lares route
Route high point4,830 m
Primary route4-day Lares
High point4,830 m
OvernightsCamp + hotel
FinishMachu Picchu
Why Lares
A trek shaped by living landscapes
Lares combines high-Andean hiking with the current product’s verified encounters around Puyoc, Cuncani and Lares before the onward Machu Picchu visit.
High-altitude trekking
Sicllakasa Pass reaches 4,830 m, so acclimatization and preparation matter.
Camp, then hotel
The 4-day route uses camps in Puyoc and Cuncani, then a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu connection
The trek and the Machu Picchu visit are distinct phases of one itinerary.
Narrow, real inventory
Choose the Lares route or the combined trail
The 4-day product is the primary Lares experience. The 5-day option is a combined Lares + Short Inca Trail itinerary, not an equivalent duration variant.
4 days · cultural route · Machu Picchu connection
04 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
- Puyoc and Cuncani camps
- Optional Lares hot springs entry
- Hotel night before Machu Picchu
5 days · Lares + Short Inca Trail
05 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu│Lares + Short Inca Trail
- Lares cultural route first
- Short Inca Trail from Km 104
- Distinct combined itinerary
Living Andes
Culture belongs to the route, not to a staged theme
The current Lares products describe traditional villages, Quechua exchange and local textile work. This hub summarizes those verified moments without inventing partnerships or ceremonies.
HIGH-ANDEAN CAMPS
Sleep along the route, then connect onward
The primary route camps at Puyoc and Cuncani before transferring through the Sacred Valley to the hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
Days in the primary route
The detailed route model follows the current 4-day product only.
COMMUNITIES
Puyoc and Cuncani
Village encounters are presented as route context using current product evidence.
- Respectful, factual language
TEXTILES
Current product evidence only
The combined product describes alpaca crafts in Cuncani; this is not generalized into a formal partnership claim.
- No invented cultural promise
CONNECTION
Lares to Machu Picchu
The trek ends before the separate rail, hotel and Machu Picchu phase.
- Clear ownership boundary
Open the selected product for current inclusions, timing and operational detail.
View the primary routeTraveler trust
+4,0004,000+ traveler review references across Inkayni journeys.
Global review totals remain owned by the shared Inkayni reviews source.
Tripadvisor
3,412 reviews
Read reviews ↗TourRadar
740+ reviews
Read reviews ↗103 reviews
Read reviews ↗WeTravel
60+ reviews
Visit WeTravel ↗
Lares route landscapeCommunities · valleys · high pass
A route through living high-Andean landscapes
The primary route links the Sacred Valley approach, high camps, Yanacocha, Cuncani and Lares. Community references follow the wording and limits of the current Inkayni product.
- 01 · Pumahuanca and Callorumiyoq
The current route begins in the Sacred Valley and visits the archaeological site of Callorumiyoq.
- 02 · Puyoc and Sicllakasa
The route climbs to high camp and crosses the 4,830 m pass.
- 03 · Yanacocha and Cuncani
The descent connects high-Andean landscape with the community of Cuncani.
- 04 · Lares
The trekking phase reaches Lares before the onward Sacred Valley and rail connection.
Primary 4-day route · route information
Understand Lares day by day
Explore the primary 4-day Lares route below, from Pumahuanca through the high Andes to Machu Picchu. For the 5-day Lares + Short Inca Trail journey, open the combined itinerary.
ApproachHigh AndesCommunitiesConnection
Conceptual route · four-day itinerary
PumahuancaSicllakasa · 4,830 mMachu Picchu
Day 1 · Callorumiyoq
Cusco – Pumahuanca – Puyoc
Begin in the Sacred Valley, visit Callorumiyoq and climb through the high-Andean valley toward Puyoc.
- Movement
- Transfer + hike
- Effort
- Challenging
- Sleep
- Puyoc camp · 4,300 m
- Highlight
- Callorumiyoq
Day 2 · Sicllakasa Pass · 4,830 m
Puyoc – Yanacocha – Cuncani
Cross Sicllakasa Pass, pass Yanacocha and descend toward the community of Cuncani.
- Movement
- Hike
- Effort
- Challenging
- Sleep
- Cuncani camp · 3,800 m
- Highlight
- Sicllakasa Pass · 4,830 m
Day 3 · Lares hot springs · optional entry
Cuncani – Lares – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Walk through small communities to Lares. The hot springs visit is optional, followed by the onward connection toward Aguas Calientes.
- Movement
- Hike + transfer + train
- Effort
- Moderate
- Sleep
- Aguas Calientes hotel · 2,050 m
- Highlight
- Lares hot springs · optional entry
Day 4 · Machu Picchu · 2,490 m
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Complete the journey with the guided Machu Picchu visit and the planned return to Cusco.
- Movement
- Visit + return
- Effort
- Easy
- Sleep
- Return to Cusco
- Highlight
- Machu Picchu · 2,490 m
Elevation profile
The pass defines the effort
Route high point · 4,830 m
Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4
Schematic elevations from the four-day itinerary, including transfers. This is not a GPS trail profile.
Primary route at a glance
Four days, two distinct phases
- 01Key momentCallorumiyoqEffortChallengingSleepPuyoc camp · 4,300 m
- 02Key momentSicllakasa Pass · 4,830 mEffortChallengingSleepCuncani camp · 3,800 m
- 03Key momentLares hot springs · optional entryEffortModerateSleepAguas Calientes hotel · 2,050 m
- 04Key momentMachu Picchu · 2,490 mEffortEasySleepReturn to Cusco
Camp + hotel + optional hot springs
Where recovery changes across the route
Puyoc and Cuncani are camping nights. Day 3 reaches Lares, where hot-springs entry is optional and paid by the traveler according to the current product, before the Aguas Calientes hotel night.
- Day 1Puyoc camp · 4,300 mCamping
- Day 2Cuncani camp · 3,800 mCamping
- Day 3Aguas Calientes hotel · 2,050 mHotel night
- Day 4Return to CuscoNo trail camp
Accommodation and optional-entry details must be reconfirmed on the selected product.
Plan the high route
Altitude, weather and respectful preparation
Prepare for a 4,830 m pass, cold high camps and changing conditions. Use current product guidance for exact packing and operations.
ALTITUDE
Acclimatize before Lares
The current primary route reaches 4,830 m at Sicllakasa Pass.
Read hiking FAQsRoute high point4,830 m
WEATHER
Cold, wind and rapid change
The product describes cold and windy high sections. Confirm current conditions before departure.
May–SepDrier tendency
Nov–MarWetter tendency
CONNECTION
Trek first, Machu Picchu second
The walking phase reaches Lares before private transport, rail and the Aguas Calientes hotel.
- 1Cusco to Pumahuanca
- 2High camps and Cuncani
- 3Lares to Ollantaytambo
- 4Train, hotel and Machu Picchu
PACKING
Prepare for high camps
Warm layers, rain protection and route-specific equipment should follow the current product guidance.
Open hiking guidance- High campCold and wind protection
- DaypackConfirm allowance and support
Why Inkayni
A clear route model without romanticizing the experience
Explore the route, communities and overnight stops, then choose the Lares journey that fits your travel plans.
- 01
One primary route owner
The current 4-day product owns the detailed route.
- 02
Combined option stays distinct
Lares + Short Inca Trail is not presented as a simple duration variant.
- 03
Cultural claims stay bounded
Only current Inkayni product evidence is used.
Culture is part of the real route context, not a decorative theme.
Keep exploring
Explore the tours and plan your journey
Use route-specific planning pages and compare other current trekking families.
Lares essentials
Questions before the trek
Find practical answers about the Lares trek. Confirm final arrangements and inclusions on your selected tour.
How high does the Lares route go?
The primary itinerary reaches Sicllakasa Pass at 4,830 m, so acclimatization and preparation are important.
Where do travelers sleep?
The primary route camps at Puyoc and Cuncani, then uses a hotel in Aguas Calientes before the Machu Picchu visit.
Are the Lares hot springs included?
The visit is optional and the traveler pays the entrance directly. Confirm current operating details before departure.
How are the two Lares options different?
The 4-day itinerary follows the primary Lares route. The 5-day option combines Lares with the Short Inca Trail.
Plan your Lares journey
Explore the current Lares trek
Compare the two itineraries and choose the route that best matches your travel plans.