The Lares Trek combines high altitude walking with visits to local communities before Machu Picchu.
Meals and horses for camping gear are included; solo travellers share a tent and a room, and an evening briefing in Cusco is mandatory. 4.98 from 47 reviews at €772 per person for 4 days.
In our comparison: #13 of 25 in Lares, Inca Jungle & Other Treks, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
Round Trip Tourist Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Horses to carry cooking and camping equipment plus a total of 7 kilos for each trekker for the first 3 days of the trek. (This includes 2.5 kilos for your sleeping bag & mattress plus 2.5 kilos of personal items.
Bus Ollantaytambo to Cuzco
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Cook who is responsible for preparing and serving all delicious Peruvian meals and snacks
Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 4
Van Cuzco - Lares Town (starting point of trek)
Meals: 3B/3L/3D/3 snacks with typical menus (special dietary considerations available with prior notice)
1-night 3* Hotel Accommodation at Aguas Calientes
Professional Bilingual Guide on trek & Machu Picchu tour
Camping Accommodation during trek (including basic sleeping mattress & tent for 2 people)
Guide for bus and train transfers (these portions are on your own)
Hot Springs Lares town (10 soles)
Optional Huayna Picchu Trek (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance
Optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike (at an extra cost) must be booked at least 1 week in advance
Small gift for communities
Accommodation in Cuzco
Tips (Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.) Guide: 40-60 soles per trekker Assistant Guide: 30-40 soles per trekker Horsemen: 60-80 soles for each horseman from the whole group Cook: 150-200 soles for the cook from the whole group
Note: Prices for optional activities are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please confirm these prices before departing on the trek.
Child prices by age band are shown at checkout. Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 8 November 2026.
Reviews
5.0
47 ratings Tripadvisor 45 · Viator 2
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 47 of 47
Star breakdown of all 47 ratings
5 stars
46 · 98%
4 stars
1 · 2%
3 stars
0 · 0%
2 stars
0 · 0%
1 star
0 · 0%
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise the quiet trails, food and attentive guides; the walking can be demanding at altitude.
Praised
Knowledgeable guides explain Andean life, history and nature
Quiet mountain trails with few other tourists
Encounters with local families and insight into village life
Fresh, varied meals, including well received vegetarian cooking
Patient guides adapt the pace and allow breaks when needed
Complaints
Some find the trek demanding at altitude, while others describe it as manageable
Cold nights while camping in the mountains
Written by Guidekin from the 43 most recent English reviews on Tripadvisor & Viator (11 July 2016 to 18 April 2025). Refreshed as new reviews arrive; last checked 8 November 2026.
Latest reviews
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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
Meeting point and route
Meeting point
Departure
05:00, 05:30, 06:00 on Mon, Wed, Sat; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Operator
Bamba Travel; booking and payment are completed on Viator
About this tour, from the operator
Enjoy a 4-day trek along a great and less crowded alternative to the Inca Trail called the Lares Trek. This high altitude trek will be enjoyed by hikers interested in interacting with the local communities and seeing their way of life in the countryside.
Walking, children and accessibility
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
Walking and health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Physical Requirements: This hike is difficult, good physical conditions are needed as most of the hike is at high altitudes of 4000 meters (don't forget to bring warm clothes).
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: Bring or Rent in Cuzco: hiking poles, rain pants, rain poncho, trekking boots, sandals, warm socks, sweater, thermals, hat, gloves, sun hat, sun block, sun glasses, flashlight/torch, camera, extra batteries and memory card (there is limited to no electricity available during the trek), waterproof bags for your camera, hand sanitizer, personal first aid kit, water bottle. Bring extra cash for snacks, water, gatorade which doubles or triples in price along the trail. Bathing suit for hot springs in Lares town (this activity is available at an additional price).
Children
Minimum age is 7 years
As of June 11, 2022, all travelers over 18 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means two regular doses plus a booster. Passengers from 12 to 17 years old must prove they are vaccinated with two doses. If they do not have a complete scheme, they must present the negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding in their country of origin.
Accessibility
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Note: There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco office the evening before your trek. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details
Typical Meals on the Trek: On all of our Inca Trail Treks and Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu we search for the best cooks who put forth their best effort to provide you with the best tasting meals on the mountain. All of our cooks pride themselves on their delicious specialty menus with the freshest local ingredients available. Every meal is prepared fresh with plenty of variety and an abundant quantity of food including a vegetarian option for every meal (please advise prior to departure). Here is an idea of what you will be eating during your trek. *Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request (please advise at least 2 days in advance). BREAKFASTS: Hot porridge, quinoa or oats, fried eggs, egg omelet or pancakes with fresh bread, fried bananas and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. LUNCH & DINNER: First Course: Quinoa, corn, noodle, asparagus, mushroom or vegetable soup, stuffed avocado or potatoes. Second Course: Chicken breast, beef stew, quinoa, fried rice, hamburgers, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, typical dishes: aji de gallina (chilli pepper chicken), escabeche de pollo (marinated chicken) or ajiaco de olluco (spicy potato stew). Desserts: Fried plantains, chocolate pudding, chocolate or vanilla cake and boiled water for hot tea, coca, coffee, chocolate and milk. SNACKS: Boiled water for hot tea, coca tea, coffee, chocolate and milk with popcorn, cookies, crackers.
Accommodation options: Days 1-2: Single travelers will share a tent with another traveler & couples will have a tent to themselves / Day 3: Single travelers will share a room with another traveler & couples will have a private room.
Departure dates for trek: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday (Daily departures with a group of 4 or more)
Important: You must provide the following information upon booking: Full name (exactly as it appears on the passport), Date of birth, nationality, passport number, date of passport expiration, which must be valid for at least 6-months past the date of travel. Without this information, the local tour operator will be unable to make the booking. Please be aware that your complete and correct passport information must be provided. Absolutely no modifications can be made once your booking has been confirmed. Any changes or discrepancies in the information provided will result in a complete loss of permits and entrance tickets, for which you will be held responsible and will need to pay for again.
Max 15, Avg 4
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged. (Please let us know whether you would like to stay an extra night when booking your tour.)
DON'T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, visa (if applicable), insurance card, personal medications.
Travellers who booked their trip using one passport, then renewed or replaced it afterward, must carry the old passport they used to make the booking or a photocopy with them on the trip.
You will have a guide during the trek and on the Machu Picchu tour. However, during your bus and train transfers you will not be accompanied by a guide.
*Please note that there is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cuzco Headquarters one day prior to departure at 6 PM. You will receive detailed information on your excursion, a list of what to bring and confirm your departure details. Meeting time: 6 PM Bamba Experience is located at: Calle Matara 242, Second Floor. Cuzco, Peru Emergency Contact: Ruth: +51 984 008 440 Sekwanele: +51 957 625 445
Good to know
Food included Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Age rule Minimum age is 7 years
Non-refundable no free cancellation
Cancellation policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
0+ days: No refund
Compared with other Lares, Inca Jungle & Other Treks
Tour
Price
Duration
Rating
Group
This tour · #13 of 25
€772
4 days
4.98 (47)
shared
Lares Valley Trek with Hot Spring 4-Day, 3-Night
€592
4 days
5.0 (705)
shared
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Including Hot Springs
€640
4 days
4.98 (549)
shared
Inca Jungle Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu
€391
4 days
5.0 (150)
shared
Ranked #13 of 25 in Lares, Inca Jungle & Other Treks by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €103 to €1028, median €592; typical length 4 days. 1 of 25 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 25 Lares, Inca Jungle & Other Treks