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 16 hours 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 Jimena Salazar
active 7 hours ago

Jimena Salazar

For me, traveling is about much more than just visiting places. It’s about opening new paths in your life—through the people you meet, the flavors you try, and the landscapes that take your breath...

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Travel specialist Jorge Ramirez
active 20 hours ago

Jorge Ramirez

I believe the best journeys start with truly listening. When I design a trip, my goal is for travelers to feel that every detail reflects who they are—their interests, their pace, and the kind of...

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Travel specialist Io Gillhuber
active 23 hours ago

Io Gillhuber

Growing up in Germany, I was lucky to spend several vacations in different places in Europe. When I finished school, I started exploring the world on my own, and I couldn’t get enough of it....

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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver ...
Peru | Jul 21 - Jul 29, 2026

J
Jenni L.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2026
It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver several times throughout our trip. Ismerelda was also very personable and knowledgeable. Our drivers, transfers, flights, trains and buses all were on schedule all the time. The guides were very helpful when our spanish just wasn't doing the job. All of the hotels were chosen carefully, and all delivered except one. But making the move to another hotel was fairly seamless, again with the help of our driver and guide. We learned a lot from this... Read more

It was great to encounter Ramiro, our driver several times throughout our trip. Ismerelda was also very personable and knowledgeable. Our drivers, transfers, flights, trains and buses all were on schedule all the time. The guides were very helpful when our spanish just wasn't doing the job. All of the hotels were chosen carefully, and all delivered except one. But making the move to another hotel was fairly seamless, again with the help of our driver and guide. We learned a lot from this trip, and will plan better for our next one. I would not hesitate to use Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Quinta San Blas by Ananay Hotels
Cusco

This is a nice hotel if you're looking for absolutely no frills. We only stayed one night of three. The staff is nice, and place is clean, and the bed was comfy. But we had a lot of down time during these days and no where to go. There is no lobby, the courtyard is outdoors in open air with no place to sit and relax. It's downright cold when the sun goes down, so you have to be in your room to stay warm. The room itself only has a small window looking out into the courtyard, so your view is a wall. We felt too enclosed to spend three nights here. The breakfast was nice, with enough selections to give us variety, but the lack of spaces was a turnoff for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the place was clean, the comfort was missing.
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

this was a very nice and clean hotel in a great location. We only had a very short time here, but the staff was very accommodating, and spoke great english. The breakfast buffet is nothing awesome, but had plenty of selections to fill your belly before treking to Machu Pichu. The bed was quite comfortable also.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo

Another gem in the middle of nowhere! Our tent, # 3, probably has the best views of the mountains of any of the tents. While the dinner menu is not extensive, the selections were more than generous portions, and tasty. The service was quick and efficient. We had a fire in our fireplace every night and all we had to ask for them to come start it. The grounds are filled with flora of all kinds in bloom, and very nicely kept.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
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Second Home
Barranco, Lima

What a gem! Walking distance to the beach, restaurants, etc... The grounds are gorgeous with views of the ocean, and a number of different places to sit and relax, or have breakfast. The staff was very friendly. The rooms were more than adequate. It's a shame we couldn't stay longer!

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
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Activity Reviews
Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes from the Sacred Valley
Peru

This is a beautiful journey. The train was very comfortable, and on time. We had purchased tickets in advance, which is really the only way to go. Otherwise, the lines are long as the crowds are everywhere.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

Lots of confusion about our reservation when we arrived here. Our driver not only didn't speak english, he also didn't understand our spanish well. After going through several management, no one could determine why we were there, but since I could prove we had prepaid, they let us order off our special menu. The food was awesome! The llamas wandering throughout the dining room only added to the ambiance! The views are also incredible from here.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

We got our tickets for Circuit 2 a year in advance, and it was well worth the wait! We had an amazing guide (Rolly, aka Roy) throughout the ruins, and even with the number of people there, he kept our pace at one that allowed us to enjoy the views without the crowds. He was also a decent photographer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Pachamanca Lunch at El Albergue Farm in Ollantaytambo
Peru

This was an incredible experience! It was awesome to see how everything was done, and the food was really good, and plentiful. The only complaint was we had special ordered the cuy for our lunch, and that message never reached the right person. I would definitely make time in your trip for this. Our driver dropped us off at the top of the hill where train tickets are sold, and we were told the Farm is next door, but that was not the case. So we spent some time trying to figure out where to go asking in our broken spanish! We eventually figured it out.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly to Cusco, and transfer to the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco, and transfer to the Sacred Valley
Peru

Driver was on time for pick up, the flight was uneventful. The drive to our hotel was very long....2 hours on bumpy roads. We realize we are traveling, but it was a very long day to get to our final destination.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Cusco Tour
Half Day Cusco Tour
Peru

Our driver and tour guide were great. The tour went longer than planned, and was a bit overwhelming at the end of a busy week, but that was not their fault. We saw some cool places and learned some new things about the area, so that was nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Local specialist: Kristy Tizon

Peru trip!!!!
Peru | Jul 12 - Jul 20, 2026

Heath
Heath R.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2026

From the moment we stepped foot in Peru, everything was perfect. The communication was great. All the guides we had were amazing. They were very accommodating when it comes to changing tweaking the itinerary. Highly recommend KimKim for your trip to Peru.

Local specialist: Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca

Fabulous trip
Peru | Jul 11 - Jul 19, 2026

K
Kalyani P.
Hinsdale, IL | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2026
One of the most amazing trips we have ever done. Places were terrific. Pace of the daily trips was perfect. All guides were very knowledgeable, well spoken, very understanding and made every phase of the trip exciting and interesting. Miguel was phenomenal. Alberto and Wilson were too good. Hotels were excellent. Food was very good - all vegetarian options. We enjoyed every minute of the trip.Thanks for making this trip as one of the most memorable family vacations. Read more

One of the most amazing trips we have ever done. Places were terrific. Pace of the daily trips was perfect. All guides were very knowledgeable, well spoken, very understanding and made every phase of the trip exciting and interesting. Miguel was phenomenal. Alberto and Wilson were too good. Hotels were excellent. Food was very good - all vegetarian options. We enjoyed every minute of the trip.Thanks for making this trip as one of the most memorable family vacations.

Hotel Reviews
Antigua Casona San Blas
Cusco

It was one of the best places, close to the downtown area. comfortable rooms, loved it

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa del Sol
Machu Picchu

fantastic location by the river

Authenticity & Character
clean, comfortable.
Location
by the river, few min from train station and the market place
Staff
very helpful, courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sonesta Posada del Inca
Urubamba
Authenticity & Character
had colonial charm, very picturesque, had lovely old special feeling
Location
bit remote, however that worked well for us
Staff
very courteous
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but had too many insects. that was a problem
Innside Lima Miraflores by Melia Hotels International
Miraflores

Great location, clean rooms, good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lunch at Ama
Lunch at Ama
Peru

Food was excellent.Very special place. Loved it.Highly recommend it

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maras & Moray
Maras & Moray
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Cusco & The Sacred Valley!
Welcome to Cusco & The Sacred Valley!
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacsayhuaman & Cusco Guided
Sacsayhuaman & Cusco Guided
Cusco
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Machu Picchu Exploration
Machu Picchu Exploration
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

most loved experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Visit to Ollantaytambo
Morning Visit to Ollantaytambo
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Traditional Farming in the Andes: Amaru & Pisac arqueological site
Discover Traditional Farming in the Andes: Amaru & Pisac arqueological site
Peru

one of the best experiences, unforgetable moments.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Transfer to Lima Airport
Transfer to Lima Airport
Lima
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lima: History, Culture & Local Gastronomy
Lima: History, Culture & Local Gastronomy
Lima
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jimena Salazar
Jimena
Jimena Salazar
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jul 27, 2026

Hello Kalyani

Thank you so much for your honest feedback and nice review.

I'm so happy we could help make this trip a memorable journey for your family. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Miguel, Alberto, and Wilson, they’ll be delighted to hear them.

I wish you all the very best on your future travels. If you ever decide to return to Peru, we would be delighted to help you create another unforgettable experience.

Warm regards from Lima, Peru
Jimena

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