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 1 day 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 22 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 22 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 Hilda Aguinaga Sara
active 1 day ago

Hilda Aguinaga Sara

I design personalized travel experiences with a thoughtful, human approach. My focus is on creating meaningful, well-balanced trips, especially for couples and families, by listening closely,...

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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Amazing trip!!
Peru | Aug 22 - Aug 27, 2026

C
Caroline K.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 29, 2026

Amazing trip!! Our local guide, Julio, was a gem and we thought of him as family by the end.

Local specialist: Jimena Salazar

Amazing 10 days in Peru
Peru | Aug 18 - Aug 27, 2026

Barbara
Barbara H.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 29, 2026
Just returned from a ten day trip to Peru with three friends. With help from KimKim, we planned our trip to be exactly what we wanted. Once in Peru, everything was taken care of and any questions handled basically instantly. Guides and the main office were available via What’s App message at all times. All guides were amazing, whether it was Nancy for a half day tour in Lima, Josleen in the Amazon, Eddie for Machu Picchu, or EJ, who went above and beyond and really did become like family in... Read more

Just returned from a ten day trip to Peru with three friends. With help from KimKim, we planned our trip to be exactly what we wanted. Once in Peru, everything was taken care of and any questions handled basically instantly. Guides and the main office were available via What’s App message at all times. All guides were amazing, whether it was Nancy for a half day tour in Lima, Josleen in the Amazon, Eddie for Machu Picchu, or EJ, who went above and beyond and really did become like family in the Sacred Valley and Cusco. All four of us would use KimKim again without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

Beautiful boutique hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Finca Sachabacayoc
Authenticity & Character
Excellent eco-lodge
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Limade
Lima

Extremely well-located in Miraflores. Clean, comfortable, rooftop bar and a good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Finca Sachavacavoc -  Farewell Amazon
Finca Sachavacavoc - Farewell Amazon
Tambopata

Reviewing the rest of our time in the Amazon here - night hike, lake hike, and overall experience at the lodge - all excellent!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Finca Sachavacavoc - D2 - Chuncho Claylick and Condenado Lake
Finca Sachavacavoc - D2 - Chuncho Claylick and Condenado Lake
Tambopata

So many macaws and parrots to see! Worth getting up in the middle of the night for this experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Complete hot picnic breakfast by the side of the river.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kudos to the boat driver safely navigating the river in complete darkness.
Transport
Walking food tour at Barranco
Walking food tour at Barranco
Lima

Nancy was an excellent guide - tour is more accurately described as a food and art tour with a bit of history thrown in and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jimena Salazar

Hilda did a wonderful job with planning our t...
Peru | Aug 14 - Aug 19, 2026

K
Keerthika K.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2026

Hilda did a wonderful job with planning our trip to Peru. Our experience was seamless and safe, we had a guide and a driver with us along with us to every attraction. I would highly recommend

Local specialist: Hilda Aguinaga Sara
Hilda
Hilda Aguinaga Sara
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Aug 24, 2026

Hello Keerthika!

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip to Peru and felt safe and well taken care of throughout your journey.

It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I truly appreciate your recommendation. I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Peru someday!
Hilda

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