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 5 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 12 mins 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 Io Gillhuber
active 2 days 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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Travel specialist Jorge Ramirez
active 27 mins 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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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

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
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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
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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
Transport
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

Perfect trip to Peru
Peru | Jul 6 - Jul 14, 2026

C
Chris A.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2026
All of the pre-trip planning and communication from Jimena was excellent. The activities selected were exactly what I had in mind and the choice of hotels was perfect. Once on the trip, every person we met was friendly, knowledgable and did everything they could to make our trip special and personalized. This includes the drivers and logistics staff (Bosco, Alan etc) and of course the truly wonderful guides Nancy and Edward, who spent several days with us. Overall it was the perfect visit to... Read more

All of the pre-trip planning and communication from Jimena was excellent. The activities selected were exactly what I had in mind and the choice of hotels was perfect. Once on the trip, every person we met was friendly, knowledgable and did everything they could to make our trip special and personalized. This includes the drivers and logistics staff (Bosco, Alan etc) and of course the truly wonderful guides Nancy and Edward, who spent several days with us. Overall it was the perfect visit to Peru for my wife's 40th Birthday and would not have been possible without the team making it happen

Hotel Review
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
Cusco

Wonderful hotel, truly top class luxury and service

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
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Local specialist: Jimena Salazar
Jimena
Jimena Salazar
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jul 16, 2026

Hi Chris

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to all of us. It was an absolute pleasure helping you celebrate such a special occasion and I'm so happy to hear that everything exceeded your expectations. I'll be sure to share your lovely feedback with Bosco, Alan, Nancy, Edward, and the rest of the team, they'll be delighted to hear it. We hope to welcome you back to Peru one day!

All the best
Jimena

Unforgettable Trip!
Peru | Jun 26 - Jul 6, 2026

J
Jennifer T.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2026
Our family of 5 had an unforgettable trip to Peru! Anne was very helpful and informative in the planning and booking stages of our trip. She was available during our trip as well to answer any questions or to help things run smoothly.
We had a great time at the Explorer's Inn. The accommodations were very nice and the staff was all very helpful and happy to share their beautiful home with us. Raul was a terrific guide. We really enjoyed our rainforest walks, visiting the tower, night...
Read more

Our family of 5 had an unforgettable trip to Peru! Anne was very helpful and informative in the planning and booking stages of our trip. She was available during our trip as well to answer any questions or to help things run smoothly.
We had a great time at the Explorer's Inn. The accommodations were very nice and the staff was all very helpful and happy to share their beautiful home with us. Raul was a terrific guide. We really enjoyed our rainforest walks, visiting the tower, night walks, the clay lick and seeing Giant River Otters at the lake.
We were next in the Sacred Valley where we met Edwar and Guido. They took great care of us exploring the Sacred Valley and Macchu Picchu. Guido was a great driver both in the busy towns and on the winding roads of the valley. Edwar has an amazing amount of knowledge that he openly shared with us. The pace of our days was perfect. It was nice to have such an awesome guide to help navigate the train and 1 day hike on the Inca trail. We also went on a beautiful hike in the Colca Valley and saw Andean Condors. Edwar was the perfect guide both on the nature aspects and historical aspects of our trip.
He has a great energy and was a lot of fun to explore with. Edward and Guido make a great team.
Thank you to all the members of Peruvian Soul and the KimKim team!

Hotel Reviews
Casa San Blas Boutique
Cusco

This boutique hotel was such a nice spot. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The rooms were unique with plenty of room. It was very comfortable and the location was great.

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Staff
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El Mapi by Inkaterra
Cusco

Macchu Picchu town was so fun! The El Mapi was a very nice hotel right in the middle of town with plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. The staff was very welcoming and both dinner and breakfast were very good.

Authenticity & Character
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Staff
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Ava Valle Sagrado Spot
Urubamba

This hotel was a fun surprise. Although hidden from the main road, as you drive up its a little garden oasis. The rooms were very nice and spacious. The staff was nice and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
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Explorer's Inn Tambopata

We had a great time at the Explorer's Inn. The rooms were very comfortable and spacious. The lodge was a nice place to relax. The food was delicious and the staff were all friendly and helpful. We loved the boat ride to get to the Inn. Our guide Raul kept us busy exploring the rainforest and the surrounding area. Everything was well planned and organized.

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Crowne Plaza
Lima

The location in Miraflores was perfect. We were able to walk and explore. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was very good .

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Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Jul 13, 2026

Hi Jennifer,

It was truly a pleasure helping your family plan this adventure, and it makes me so happy to hear that Peru left such a special impression on all of you.

I loved reading about your experience, I will certainly share your message with the team; they will be incredibly happy to know they were such an important part of your experience.

Thank you as well for your trust throughout the planning process and for allowing us to be part of such a special family trip.

Thank you for choosing Peru and for allowing us to share our country with you.

Warm regards from Lima,
Anne

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