Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

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Peru Travel Insights

Lima, Cusco & Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 6 Days
Map of Lima, Cusco & Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 6 Days
Lima, Cusco & Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - 6 Days

A shorter alternative to the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek offers an experience just as stunning. Despite the high altitudes, this trek follows a less rigorous route through local communities, making it ideal for those who are looking for something accessible, unique, and immersive.

Beautiful Andean landscape
Map of Lares Lodge-to-Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days
Lares Lodge-to-Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days

The five-day Lares Trek takes you high up in the Andes, hiking during the day and overnighting in luxurious lodges along the way. Providing impressive views of snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes, it’s a relatively demanding hike that will test your fitness.

Girl walking home in the Lares Valley
Map of Lares Valley Trek & Short Inca Trail - 8 Days
Lares Valley Trek & Short Inca Trail - 8 Days

Trek through the Lares Valley, where you'll pass between glacier-capped mountains where llamas and alpacas graze in the surrounding hills. You'll visit the town of Lares, a colourful traditional town in the heart of the valley. Combined with the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this is a trek that combines two wonderful valleys & mountain ranges with very different ecologies & landscapes.

View from the Santa Cruz trek in Peru
Map of Best 10 Treks in Peru
Best 10 Treks in Peru

Peru — a nation with abundant natural diversity, from coast, to mountains, to jungle — has long attracted lovers of the Great Outdoors. The Peruvian Andes, running like a backbone down the centre of the country, contain mesmerizing variations in landscape that make for some of the best trekking in the world. Cloud forests, 5000m+ cordilleras (mountain ranges), the world’s deepest canyon and the striking remains of ancient civilizations all await.

Making a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu on one of these two treks makes your arrival even more spectacular
Salkantay Trek vs the Inca Trail: Which is Right for You?

Trekking to Machu Picchu is a dream for many travelers—but there's more than one way to get there. The classic Inca Trail lets trekkers walk in the steps of the Incas, while the more remote Salkantay route offers solitude and wildlife. Compare your options for getting to Peru's most famous place on foot, from distance and cost to overnight options.

Huchuy Qosqo
Map of Best Day Hikes in the Sacred Valley near Cusco
Best Day Hikes in the Sacred Valley near Cusco

Peru is famous for the Inca Trail and other multi-day hikes, but if you are short on time, there are plenty of excellent day hikes throughout the Sacred Valley. These hikes are a great way to visit some of the rural communities and lesser-visited ruins throughout the Valley.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Peru
Travel specialist Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
active 4 mins ago

Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca

Peruvian food, culture, and history aren’t just things I love—they’re a part of who I am. As a proud Cusqueñian, I carry my roots with pride and love sharing my culture with others. I've lived...

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Travel specialist Johanna Fabian
active 2 hours ago

Johanna Fabian

I enjoy slow travel, ideally being in one country for a month where I can really get to know the local people, their way of life and of course their food! I am Peruvian-American and have traveled...

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Travel specialist Kristy Tizon
active 14 mins ago

Kristy Tizon

Kristy, a Peruvian-American originally from Los Angeles but now based in Lima, Peru, has a deep passion for travel. She founded Miski Travels, a travel agency that offers customized trips to...

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Travel specialist Jimena Salazar
active 15 mins ago

Jimena Salazar

Creating travel experiences and connecting the world with the soul of my country is what more excites me about being a travel curator. I remember discovering with my eyes the richness of my...

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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Amazing Peru Experience.
Peru | Apr 12 - Apr 19, 2025

Inna
Inna G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 20, 2025

Guido was an amazing guide, he gave us so much value able information and excellent recommendations!!! He had so much knowledge about everything!!! The whole family loved him! We all had a great experience with the travel agency and all the communications!!!

Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Apr 21, 2025

Hello Inna 😊

Thanks for taking the time to leave this review, I am glad you had a great time with Guido, and overall in Peru!

Great trip!
Peru | Apr 12 - Apr 19, 2025

S
Supriya M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 20, 2025
Andes Travel planned a great trip for us. We had excellent guides, cars and support while traveling. There were a few of hiccups (confusion of breakfast inclusion at our first hotel, a flight schedule change - not their fault but some communication would have been useful, and an unnecessary baggage fee), all other aspects of the trip were wonderful. Read more

Andes Travel planned a great trip for us. We had excellent guides, cars and support while traveling. There were a few of hiccups (confusion of breakfast inclusion at our first hotel, a flight schedule change - not their fault but some communication would have been useful, and an unnecessary baggage fee), all other aspects of the trip were wonderful.

Hotel Reviews
Innside Lima Miraflores by Melia Hotels International
Miraflores
Authenticity & Character
Location
Could not beat the central Miraflores location!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tocuyeros Boutique Unaytambo
Cusco

This was our favorite hotel of the trip. So much character, large rooms, incredible view from the terrace. Wish we would’ve stayed longer!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inti Punku MachuPicchu Hotel & Suites
Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes

This was the worst hotel of our trip but we were only staying one night so it was fine. I would recommend an alternative although it did have hot water and many hotels in aguas calientes do not. It was quite noisy at night.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Found hair in the room when we arrived
Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Puerto Maldonado

For what it was, it was a great hotel. Was it a luxury hotel? Not at all. Was it comfortable? Yes. Power is only available certain times of the day and there was no air conditioning. The food and staff were wonderful. It would have been nice to have more activities and not so much down time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca

The KimKim Team were all very good. Everyone...
Peru | Apr 8 - Apr 16, 2025

MikeL71221
MikeL71221 M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2025

The KimKim Team were all very good. Everyone showed up on time and took good care to make sure everything was right and I enjoyed my time. I did get very sick, however, but the KimKim Team took care of me and got me to appropriate medical care etc. I needed that as I would not have been able to navigate on my own.

I would use KimKim again in a minute for another trip. Hopefully one where I do not become ill. Well worth the $$ to use them as they coordinated everything! Special thanks to Eddy my guide in Cisco and Machu Picchu. He was very helpful and knowledgeable.

Local specialist: Kristy Tizon
Kristy
Kristy Tizon
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Apr 21, 2025

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing to book your trip with us. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your overall experience, despite the unfortunate sickness. Your health and safety are always our top priority, and I am glad our team was able to assist you promptly and ensure you received the necessary medical care.

I'll make sure to pass on your special thanks to Eddy for his guidance in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Feel free to reach out whenever you're ready for your next journey.

Warm regards,
Kristy

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