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 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 9 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 Jorge Ramirez
active 2 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 2 hours 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

Trip to Peru for a group of 12 with 4 teenagers
Peru | Jul 24 - Aug 3, 2026

Y
Yelena D.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2026
We had an amazing trip to Peru, although there was a stressful period leading up to it. We initially worked with another travel agent to plan our trip, but at some point communication stopped and we didn’t hear from her for about a month. I also take some responsibility for not reaching out to Kimkim sooner. As our trip got closer, Kimkim connected us with Liz, who took over our itinerary. From that point on, Liz and the Kimkim team went above and beyond. Liz had to step into a trip she... Read more

We had an amazing trip to Peru, although there was a stressful period leading up to it. We initially worked with another travel agent to plan our trip, but at some point communication stopped and we didn’t hear from her for about a month. I also take some responsibility for not reaching out to Kimkim sooner. As our trip got closer, Kimkim connected us with Liz, who took over our itinerary.

From that point on, Liz and the Kimkim team went above and beyond. Liz had to step into a trip she hadn’t originally planned and make sure everything was rebooked and confirmed. She was incredibly responsive and made us feel that we were being taken care of. Once we arrived in Peru, everything ran seamlessly. We loved all of our hotels, our guides were knowledgeable and engaging, and every transfer and transportation arrangement was on time.

There were so many memorable experiences. We loved the farm experience where we learned about traditional cooking and enjoyed a Pachamanca lunch. Lunch high in the Andes surrounded by mountains and llamas was another unforgettable experience.

We also had a fantastic time in Cusco with our guide, Natalie. She was knowledgeable, fun, and made our time there even more special.

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was hiking the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A few people in our group struggled with altitude sickness, and our guides were incredibly patient, attentive, and helpful. We were also surprised with an amazing freshly prepared lunch halfway through the hike—definitely not what we expected while hiking the Inca Trail! Reaching Machu Picchu after the hike was an experience we will never forget.

What could have been a very stressful situation before our departure turned into a fantastic trip. We really appreciate how Liz and Kimkim stepped in, took ownership, and made sure we had the experience we had been looking forward to. We would absolutely recommend Liz and Kimkim.

Hotel Review
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Urubamba

Beautiful and peaceful hotel. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, the food was great, and they had nightly entertainment that our group really enjoyed. The one thing I wish I had understood beforehand was the location. If you’re using the hotel as a base for day trips and traveling to Machu Picchu, there can be a lot of driving. We encountered quite a bit of traffic and ended up spending more time in the car than we expected. Knowing that now, I might have chosen to stay in Ollantaytambo instead. That has nothing to do with the hotel itself, though—the hotel was fantastic and we really enjoyed our stay.

Staff
The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Shared Ziplining & Via Ferrata in The Sacred Valley
Shared Ziplining & Via Ferrata in The Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Short Inca Trail 1/2
Private Short Inca Trail 1/2
Peru
Quality of Experience
Food
The food was delicious, and all of our dietary restrictions were accommodated. We were especially impressed that they could prepare such a wonderful multi-course meal right on the trail. It was completely unexpected and made our Inca Trail experience even more memorable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A few people in our group struggled with altitude sickness, and our guides were incredibly patient, attentive, and helpful.
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca

Peru 2026
Peru | Aug 3 - Aug 11, 2026

A
Aleen L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
Our guide in Cusco Julio Cesae was fantastic, he went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful experience and treated us like family. I highly recommend him! We only had 1 negative experience, on arrival our guide Bosco slept then entire drive to the hotel. I wonder if he might have sleep apnea or just had a late evening. Overall we had a wonderful trip! Read more

Our guide in Cusco Julio Cesae was fantastic, he went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful experience and treated us like family. I highly recommend him!

We only had 1 negative experience, on arrival our guide Bosco slept then entire drive to the hotel. I wonder if he might have sleep apnea or just had a late evening.

Overall we had a wonderful trip!

Hotel Review
Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción
Puerto Maldonado
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Exploring the Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo
Exploring the Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo
Peru
Quality of Experience
Food
Food was amazing everywhere.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our Guide Julio Cesae was amazing and treated us like family. He went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. He is also very well educated regarding the Incan history and ruins.
Transport
Lima Market & Hands on Cooking Program
Lima Market & Hands on Cooking Program
Lima
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jimena Salazar
Jimena
Jimena Salazar
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Aug 18, 2026
Hello Aleen! Thank you so much for sharing this review with us. Julio, our official guide, also told us how happy he was to have you and your family in Cusco, his home. He is truly passionate and kind, so it is really nice to know that you could feel that during your time together and that he left such a good impression on your family. We truly believe that every trip is also about the connections we make along the way, and those are what make the experience so special and memorable. We are... Read more

Hello Aleen!

Thank you so much for sharing this review with us. Julio, our official guide, also told us how happy he was to have you and your family in Cusco, his home.

He is truly passionate and kind, so it is really nice to know that you could feel that during your time together and that he left such a good impression on your family. We truly believe that every trip is also about the connections we make along the way, and those are what make the experience so special and memorable. We are very happy your family could experience this! :)

As we are always looking for ways to improve, I will definitely take your feedback about Bosco into consideration and make sure we work to avoid a similar experience in the future.

We hope you continue having the chance to travel around the world with your family through KimKim. Wishing you all the best in your future journeys!

Warm regards from Lima, Peru
Jimena

SUPERB
Peru | Aug 2 - Aug 16, 2026

Idgar
Idgar V.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2026
In one word: SUPERB!
We had an amazing family trip that showed us many different sides of Peru including cities (Lima, Cusco) and desert landscapes, rainforest and wildlife, history and culture . Everywhere we went the people were extraordinarily nice and the food was always delicious. A special mention goes to the Inca Trail experience culminating in Machu Picchu, led by the wonderful Iza.
We had a packed program with lots of travel and activities in 2 weeks, and all the transitions were...
Read more

In one word: SUPERB!
We had an amazing family trip that showed us many different sides of Peru including cities (Lima, Cusco) and desert landscapes, rainforest and wildlife, history and culture . Everywhere we went the people were extraordinarily nice and the food was always delicious. A special mention goes to the Inca Trail experience culminating in Machu Picchu, led by the wonderful Iza.
We had a packed program with lots of travel and activities in 2 weeks, and all the transitions were managed very smoothly and we never experienced any problems. Really great how the program was designed and executed on the ground.
Would recommend this to anyone.

Local specialist: Anne Godoy
Anne
Anne Godoy
Local specialist in Lima | Replied on Aug 17, 2026

Hi Idgard,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. It was a true pleasure to host you and your family in Peru. I’ll make sure to share all your kind comments with the rest of our team.

The best reward for us is knowing that you created lifelong memories together throughout Peru, and we are truly grateful to have been part of your journey.

If you ever decide to come back please reach out. We wish you the best in your future journeys!

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