Cusco, Peru
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Route detail
About this route
Four days with Salkantay Trekking, including train and Machu Picchu entry.
Daily activity
5–7 hr per day.
Terrain
High Andean trails, one 4,600 m pass.
Best season
April to October
Your guide office
Salkantay Trekking
Based in Cusco, Peru
What's included
Guide, cook, horses, camping, train, Machu Picchu ticket.
Not included
Sleeping bag rental, tips.
Itinerary
- 1
Lares hot springs
Time: 3 hr
Drive from Cusco, short walk.
- 2
Ipsaycocha pass
Time: 7 hr
Lakes and villages.
- 3
Ollantaytambo
Time: 5 hr
Descent and train to Aguas Calientes.
- 4
Machu Picchu
Time: 3 hr
Guided tour of the citadel.
What to pack
Built for this route's terrain, altitude and number of days. Tick items off as you pack — without the right footwear or hard shell, a guide can refuse to take you up.
0 / 33 packed
Footwear and pack
Broken in before the trip — new boots are the most common cause of an abandoned day.
Clothing layers
Three layers, no cotton. Temperatures can swing 20 °C between valley and summit.
Technical equipment
Your guide office (Salkantay Trekking) rents most of this locally — ask when you confirm your dates.
Sun, health and altitude
UV rises roughly 10% every 1,000 m of altitude.
Hut and overnight kit
Mountain huts supply blankets and pillows, never sheets.
Boots, crampons, ice axe and harness can usually be rented from Salkantay Trekking in Cusco, Peru — confirm sizes when you agree your dates.
Traveller feedback
Ratings collected from travellers who completed this route with Salkantay Trekking.
4.7
★★★★★59 ratings
Written reviews for this departure are still being collected. Ask us for references from previous groups before you pay — we will forward them from the guide office.
Questions about this route?
Talk to the guides who run it — gear, fitness, weather windows, private dates. We answer within one working day.
€690
per person
Guide, cook, horses, camping, train, Machu Picchu ticket.
Next departure · 20 May 2027
12 of 12 spots left
Live availability updates daily and after every booking.