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 Jimena Salazar
active 1 hour 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...

read more...
Travel specialist Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
active 44 mins 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 Io Gillhuber
active 3 mins 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 Anne Godoy
active 1 day ago

Anne Godoy

I fell in love with Peru's landscapes, culture, food, and people—not only because of what I learned in college but also because of what I had seen and lived my whole life. That passion and love...

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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Amazing trip to Peru
Peru | Apr 29 - May 8, 2026

J
Julia S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 13, 2026
We could not have been happier with our trip to Peru. We worked with Anne and Jesus in planning the perfect trip which included multiple hikes and interesting tours. We loved Blanca who took us on a walking food and art tour in the Barranco district in Lima that was incredible. The best ceviche we have ever tasted. And we can't say enough about our guide Edwar who guided us through Cusco's history, the Sacred Valley, the short Inca trail and Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. He was knowledgeable,... Read more

We could not have been happier with our trip to Peru. We worked with Anne and Jesus in planning the perfect trip which included multiple hikes and interesting tours. We loved Blanca who took us on a walking food and art tour in the Barranco district in Lima that was incredible. The best ceviche we have ever tasted. And we can't say enough about our guide Edwar who guided us through Cusco's history, the Sacred Valley, the short Inca trail and Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. He was knowledgeable, upbeat and took great care of us. He felt like family by the end of our 8 days touring with him. Peru was so beautiful and we hope to make it back.

Local specialist: Anne Godoy

Family Journey to Peru
Peru | Apr 21 - Apr 28, 2026

N
Nicole B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 29, 2026
We had such a fantastic time. Jimena carefully curated the itineraries, hotels and restaurants that all surpassed our expectations. Our guide Guido was excellent - he was always attentive and had an incredible breadth of knowledge about the Incas, the sites we visited and all local customs and foods. We had a lot of fun with him! I can’t stress enough how perfect the hotels were - beautiful spots we would not have found on our own. Read more

We had such a fantastic time. Jimena carefully curated the itineraries, hotels and restaurants that all surpassed our expectations. Our guide Guido was excellent - he was always attentive and had an incredible breadth of knowledge about the Incas, the sites we visited and all local customs and foods. We had a lot of fun with him! I can’t stress enough how perfect the hotels were - beautiful spots we would not have found on our own.

Hotel Review
Antigua Casona San Blas
Cusco

Nestled in the Cuzco downtown - this hotel was had a beautiful lush courtyard, lovely breakfast, and we loved the hot water bottles tucked I your beds and the nighttime tea! The staff was excellent and very accommodating.

Authenticity & Character
Modern but rustic
Location
Right in the downtown
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Really nice showers!
Activity Reviews
Moray circular terraces and soft hike to Maras salt mines
Moray circular terraces and soft hike to Maras salt mines
Peru

This is a fascinating site. We strongly recommend seeing it and buying the pink salt!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Visit to Machu Picchu: The Royal Design
Morning Visit to Machu Picchu: The Royal Design
Peru

Words cannot do justice to seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guido knew exactly where to go to get the best photos and how to avoid the crowds.
Transport
Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari
Lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari
Sacred Valley

What a stunning property and the food was fantastic!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jimena Salazar
Jimena
Jimena Salazar
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Apr 30, 2026

Hi Nicole!

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovey review :) We’re delighted to hear that your time in Peru was fantastic. Guido was also happy to read that you enjoyed his company. He is passionate and incredibly dedicated so hearing that has absolutely make his day.

Thank you again for letting us be part of your journey. We hope Peru stays close to your heart.

Warmest greetings from Peru,
Jimena

Peru
Peru | Apr 8 - Apr 20, 2026

A
Alda A.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026
We just came back from a 2 week trip to Peru. KimKim did an amazing job. We had a well rounded tour, starting in Lima to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Puno, then back to Lima. Everything went according to plan. The tour guides were wonderful. Pick ups were always on time. It could not have been better.
Thank you!
Read more

We just came back from a 2 week trip to Peru. KimKim did an amazing job. We had a well rounded tour, starting in Lima to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Puno, then back to Lima. Everything went according to plan. The tour guides were wonderful. Pick ups were always on time. It could not have been better.
Thank you!

Activity Review
Urban Kitchen Experience
Urban Kitchen Experience
Lima
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
Liz Karen
Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
Local specialist in Cusco | Replied on May 06, 2026

Hi Alda,
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊
We’re truly happy to hear that everything went smoothly and that you had such a wonderful experience in Peru. It means a lot to us to know you enjoyed the itinerary and our team along the way.
Thank you for traveling with us. It was a pleasure being part of your journey, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime.
Warmly,
Liz

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