That first cold-morning bus ride sets the tone. This 4-day route pairs high-Andes hiking (up to Ipsayccocha Pass) with a guided Machu Picchu morning that helps you see the place before the crowds thicken.

I like the small-group feel (max 15, average around 4) and the fact that you’re not hiking alone: you get a professional bilingual guide for both the trek and the Machu Picchu tour. You also have a vegetarian meal option built in—fresh meals, not just plain survival food.

One drawback to plan for: parts of the trip aren’t guided. You’ll handle some bus and train legs on your own, and the overall schedule is long on Day 4 because you’re moving from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo and on to Cusco after the visit.

Key points to know before you go

• Small-group trekking (max 15, avg ~4): less waiting, more attention from your guide.
• Bilingual guidance on trek + Machu Picchu: you get context, not just photos.
• Camp comfort that matters: tents plus sleeping mattress included, with horses carrying most gear.
• Vegetarian meals every day: tell them at least 2 days ahead to lock it in.
• Early Machu Picchu timing: catching the first bus helps you see the site as the mist lifts.
• Optional Huayna Picchu hike with limited passes: book in advance if you want that extra viewpoint.

Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for

The price is $847 per person for a 4-day package that combines two big things: (1) a multi-day trek with camping and meals, and (2) a Machu Picchu day that includes train, buses, and a 2-hour guided site visit.

Compared to doing everything solo, the value here is in the hard parts:

• You don’t have to coordinate the trek logistics and camping setup.
• You’re covered with a cook, first-aid kit, and even emergency oxygen.
• You also get guided context at Machu Picchu, which is where first-timers often feel lost.

What’s not included matters, because it affects your budget:

• You’ll need to rent a sleeping bag (rental listed at $15 USD).
• Day 1 breakfast, Day 4 lunch, and bottled water aren’t included.
• Optional hot springs and optional mountain hikes cost extra.
• Tips are optional (but customary in Peru), and you’ll likely want to set aside cash for the guide, assistant guide, horsemen, and cook.

A final practical point: the program requires exact passport details, and changes after confirmation aren’t allowed—so double-check that info before you pay.

Cusco to Lares Town: starting at 2,900m and walking uphill fast

Your day begins with pickup around 6:00 am in Cusco, then a bus transfer to Lares Town at about 2,900m. If you want to soothe your legs before you start (and you don’t mind extra cost), you can visit the hot springs in Lares Town (listed at 10 soles).

Then you shift into trekking mode. Day 1 is about a 6-hour hike covering 14 km, and it’s built around a zigzag climb toward Wakawasi, climbing to roughly 3,850m. The route is not just scenery; it’s about getting you slowly used to altitude while you move through real mountain communities.

Two things make this start feel worthwhile:

• You get glacier and wildlife views as you climb, which makes the effort feel earned.
• You’re not just walking through emptiness—you end Day 1 in a community area where you can see how local families live in harmony with nature.

Day 1 to Wakawasi: glaciers, wildlife, and a community campsite

Day 1 ends at a campsite in the Wakawasi community. This is one of those parts of the trip where the trek stops being only physical and becomes cultural.

What to expect:

• A first big climb that will feel steady, not chaotic.
• Cold mornings, then brighter afternoons as altitude and sun do their thing.
• Camp setup that’s handled for you: tents and a basic sleeping mattress are included, plus a tent arrangement that changes depending on whether you’re traveling solo or as a couple.

Practical drawback: Day 1 is your first altitude test, so pace yourself. Even if you feel good at the start, the climb to Wakawasi is the kind of effort where going too fast can catch up later.

Day 2 over Ipsayccocha Pass: the high point and the payoff camp

Day 2 is longer and more demanding: about 8 hours and roughly 15 km, with a high pass crossing at 4,400m (Ipsayccocha Pass). The day starts with an uphill trek of about 4 hours, then you drop for around 40 minutes to a lunch spot near a lake.

After lunch, you continue for about 3 more hours into Patacancha town at about 3,800m, where you camp surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and native crop plantations.

Why this day hits so well:

• You earn the views. A high pass gives you that sense of reaching something real.
• The camp setting feels like you’re part of the landscape, not just passing through it.

What to consider: at 4,400m, breathing can feel different. Bring warm layers and don’t underestimate how cold it gets at night even if the day sun feels strong.

Day 3: from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo, then the train to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 shifts gears. You trek about 4 hours from the mountain community area near 3,800m to Ollantaytambo, then you take lunch and board the train to Aguas Calientes.

This is a smart pacing choice: your legs work hard on the first two days, and Day 3 transitions you toward recovery and anticipation. You’ll spend the night in Aguas Calientes at a 3-star hotel and your guide will meet with you to explain what to do next.

The evening in Aguas Calientes is mostly low-key. You can wander around the town where there are places to relax, and the itinerary notes internet cafes plus cafes with cards and board games. That’s useful because Machu Picchu Day is early—your best move is to rest and plan your morning rather than party.

Day 4 at Machu Picchu: the first bus, a 2-hour guide, then your time

Day 4 is the big one, and it’s scheduled like the smart tours do it: you catch one of the first buses at 05:30 am, with about a 25-minute ride up to Machu Picchu. The goal is to experience the site as the mist dissipates in early light.

Your guided portion is around 2 hours, with your guide walking you through the most important areas and giving you the history and layout so you can actually connect what you’re seeing. After that, you get time to explore on your own—take pictures, linger at viewpoints, and follow your curiosity at your own pace.

Optional add-on: Huayna Picchu

If you want the extra-steep viewpoint, Huayna Picchu is available as an optional hike inside the Machu Picchu area. It can take 45 to 60 minutes and is described as sometimes muddy. The key detail: you need a separate pass, limited to 400 people total (200 at 7:00am and 200 at 10:00am). The tour info also says to request this additional ticket by email and book at least 2 weeks in advance.

After Machu Picchu:

• You take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.
• You can visit the marketplace near the train station and shop until the train whistle signals your return to Ollantaytambo.
• Then you take the bus back to Cusco, arriving around 08:00 pm.
• Drop-off in Cusco is listed as Plaza San Francisco; you’ll make your own way from there to your lodging.

Day 4 can feel like a full workday in mountain time. Even if you’re excited, plan to keep moving and avoid overstuffing your schedule with extra activities the night before.

Meals on the mountain: real Peruvian food and vegetarian for every meal

A big part of why this trek feels “not miserable” is the food setup. The program includes meals each day—labeled as 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, plus 3 snacks—and a cook who prepares and serves food fresh during the trek.

Vegetarian matters here. The tour states a vegetarian option is available for every meal, as long as you request it ahead of time (it specifically says to advise at least 2 days in advance). That’s not always true on trekking packages, so it’s worth paying attention to.

What meals look like (examples given):

• Breakfasts can include hot porridge, quinoa or oats, egg dishes like omelets, pancakes, and fruit items like fried bananas.
• Lunch and dinner can include soups, quinoa and vegetable dishes, stuffed potatoes or avocados, and then a main course that may include chicken or beef stews alongside grains and pasta options.
• Snacks and drinks include coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk, plus items like cookies and popcorn.

Practical tip: bring a little extra cash for snacks and water along the way. The packing list notes that snacks and drinks like gatorade can be more expensive on the trail.

Packing and gear: keep warm, keep dry, and pack like altitude is real

Altitude isn’t a suggestion here—it’s the whole game. The trek climbs up to around 4,400m, so your comfort depends on layers and weather gear.

Rental and optional gear:

• A sleeping bag can be rented in Cusco (listed at $15 USD).
• Hot springs in Lares Town are optional and cost extra.

Suggested packing list includes:

• hiking poles
• rain pants and a rain poncho
• trekking boots (plus warm socks)
• warm sweater and thermals
• hat and gloves
• sun hat, sunblock, and sunglasses
• flashlight/torch
• personal first-aid kit
• a water bottle
• waterproof bags for your camera
• extra cash for trail snacks and drinks
• bathing suit for the optional hot springs (if you plan to go)

Two practical notes:

• Electricity during the trek may be limited to none, so charge what you can before you leave and bring extras for batteries.
• Keep your camera gear protected. Rain is not just a comfort issue; it’s a survival issue for electronics.

Who this trek suits (and who should think twice)

This trek is rated as difficult, and the info is blunt: good physical condition is needed because so much of the hike is at altitude around 4,000m. The minimum age listed is 7 years, which tells you this route can be done by families—but only if the kids and the adults are truly ready for the climb.

Best fit:

• You want a guided multi-day trek with camping, not a day hike.
• You want to combine Lares culture and landscapes with Machu Picchu, without needing to plan train and entry pieces yourself.
• You’re okay with cold mornings, early starts, and a long Day 4.

If you should pause and assess:

• If you don’t handle altitude well, this route can be rough at the high pass.
• If you hate schedules that start at dawn and don’t slow down until late evening, Day 4 may feel intense.

For solo travelers: tent sharing is part of the plan on Days 1–2, and room sharing happens on Day 3 (couples get private options). If that’s a dealbreaker, you can ask about arrangements, but the standard setup is clearly specified.

Tipping, timing, and the briefing you can’t skip

There’s a mandatory pre-departure briefing at the operator’s Cusco office the evening before your trek. It’s listed for 6:00 pm at Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. This matters because you confirm departure details and go over what to bring.

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it is customary. If you choose to tip, the guidance lists these amounts:

• guide: 40–60 soles per trekker
• assistant guide: 30–40 soles per trekker
• horsemen: 60–80 soles per horseman for the whole group
• cook: 150–200 soles for the cook for the whole group

One more “timing” reality check: during the trek and Machu Picchu visit you’ll have a guide, but bus and train transfers aren’t accompanied by a guide. That’s totally workable, but it means you should pay attention during the instructions the night before and keep your ticket details handy.

Should you book the 4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

If your dream combo is Andes trekking plus a guided Machu Picchu morning, this is one of the stronger ways to do it. The small-group size, the included camping setup, the cook-led meals, and the 05:30 Machu Picchu plan all point to a trip designed to run smoothly, not just check boxes.

Book it if:

• you’re physically ready for high altitude walking
• you want a guide to explain what you’re seeing at Machu Picchu
• you care about having a vegetarian option handled well

Consider another option if:

• you’re very sensitive to altitude
• you want a relaxed Day 4 with minimal moving
• you dislike having some parts of the transit handled without a guide

If you can handle the early starts and you take altitude seriously with warm layers and a slow pace, this is the kind of trip that turns Machu Picchu from a photo into a memory you understand.

FAQ

What is the group size for this trek?

The tour is listed as small group with a maximum of 15 travelers, with an average group size around 4.

How long is the trek, and how does it break down by day?

It’s a 4-day experience. Day 1 is about a 6-hour hike, Day 2 is about an 8-hour hike, and Day 3 includes about a 4-hour walk to Ollantaytambo before the train.

What kind of accommodation do I get during the trek?

Days 1 and 2 use camping accommodation with tents and a basic sleeping mattress (for two people per tent setup). Day 3 includes camping-based lodging in Patacancha, and Day 3 night includes a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Do meals include a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available for every meal, as long as you request it at least 2 days in advance.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. The sleeping bag is not included, but it can be rented in Cusco for $15 USD.

What costs extra that I should plan for?

Hot springs in Lares Town cost 10 soles. Huayna Picchu is optional and costs extra, and the Machu Picchu mountain hike is also optional. Bottled water and certain meals (Day 1 breakfast and Day 4 lunch) are not included.

Do I need to book Huayna Picchu in advance?

Yes. The information says you must purchase the Huayna Picchu pass at least 2 weeks in advance and request the extra ticket by email, since only 400 passes are allowed.

What time do we go to Machu Picchu?

The plan is to catch one of the first buses at 05:30 am for the early morning visit.

Is there a guide during all parts of the trip?

There is a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. Bus and train transfers are noted as being on your own, without a guide.

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