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 3 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...

read more...
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 Liz Karen L. Jihuallanca
active 1 hour 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 Eduardo Ponce
active 19 hours ago

Eduardo Ponce

I am a travel agent specialized in creating tailor-made travel experiences designed around each traveler’s needs, preferences, and expectations. I take the time to understand my clients, their...

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Trip Reviews for Peru

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Truly amazing
Peru | Oct 17 - Nov 3, 2026

Jonathan
Jonathan C.
Argentina | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2026

An unforgettable journey. Every destination had its highlight, but Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine and the glaciers of Puerto Natales were truly breathtaking. The guides made a huge difference: Cindy in Lima and Ica, Gustavo at Machu Picchu, Daniel in Patagonia and Stefanie in Rio were knowledgeable, warm and always attentive to the group. Highlights also included the wine dinner at Bocanáriz in Santiago and our farewell dinner in Rio. A long trip with early starts and plenty of flights, but beautifully organized and worth every moment.

Local specialist: Gabriela Recalde
Gabriela
Gabriela Recalde
Local specialist in Córdoba, Argentina | Replied on Nov 05, 2026
Hi Jonathan! Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had an unforgettable journey across South America and that Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine, and the glaciers left you breathless. It's also wonderful to know that Cindy, Gustavo, Daniel, and Stefanie made such a positive impact on your experience; we will be sure to pass along your kind words to them and the rest of our operations team. From the wine dinner at... Read more

Hi Jonathan!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had an unforgettable journey across South America and that Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine, and the glaciers left you breathless.

It's also wonderful to know that Cindy, Gustavo, Daniel, and Stefanie made such a positive impact on your experience; we will be sure to pass along your kind words to them and the rest of our operations team. From the wine dinner at Bocanáriz to our final farewell in Rio, every moment was designed to be special.

Thank you for trusting Trips SouthAmerica with your adventure. We hope to welcome you back for another journey soon!

Warm regards,

Gabriela

Both Caroline and Gabriela is very helpful, t...
Peru | Oct 17 - Nov 3, 2026

Ng
Ng F.
Indonesia | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2026
Both Caroline and Gabriela is very helpful, they are well coordinated and doing good job. Your tour guide Jobathan also excellent and very help full in every situation, young and energetic, care to all of us. It's an amazing trip, Read more

Both Caroline and Gabriela is very helpful, they are well coordinated and doing good job. Your tour guide Jobathan also excellent and very help full in every situation, young and energetic, care to all of us. It's an amazing trip,

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Costaustralis
Puerto Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Santiago Kennedy
Santiago
Location
Staff
Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado
Urubamba
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Windsor Leme Hotel
Rio de Janeiro
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Novotel Cusco
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Andina Premium Miraflores
Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blue Tree Premium Paulista
São Paulo - SP
Authenticity & Character
Clean, big room space, good amenity
Location
Near City center and Paulista avenue,
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Gabriela Recalde
Gabriela
Gabriela Recalde
Local specialist in Córdoba, Argentina | Replied on Nov 04, 2026

Hi Félix!

Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s a wonderful feeling to know you enjoyed the trip so much and that the teamwork between Caroline, Jonathan, and myself made a real difference. Jonathan is indeed fantastic, and we are thrilled he took such great care of everyone.

It was an absolute pleasure helping you organize and bring this journey to life. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back again in the future!

Wishing you and the whole group all the very best.

Warm regards,

Gabriela

Our trip with Kimkim to Peru was a dream come...
Peru | Oct 25 - Oct 29, 2026

Margot
Margot L.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Oct 31, 2026
Our trip with Kimkim to Peru was a dream come true. From Jorge who planned the trip specifically addressing our individual likes and personalities to Luis our incredible guide and our wonderful and careful drivers Jorge and Donato. We learned so much from Luis and had a fabulous time with many laughs with our new friend!! The logistics were smooth. Our most fun and fondest memories were glamping above the Sacred Valley in Misminay - fun and beautiful and personal. If you consider... Read more

Our trip with Kimkim to Peru was a dream come true. From Jorge who planned the trip specifically addressing our individual likes and personalities to Luis our incredible guide and our wonderful and careful drivers Jorge and Donato. We learned so much from Luis and had a fabulous time with many laughs with our new friend!! The logistics were smooth.

Our most fun and fondest memories were glamping above the Sacred Valley in Misminay - fun and beautiful and personal. If you consider this, do keep in mind its altitude, it’s very high.

Activity Reviews
Glamping at Misminay Community
Glamping at Misminay Community
Sacred Valley

Fabulous at a high altitude. A highlight of our trip

Quality of Experience
Food
Home cooking!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Moray circular terraces and soft hike to Maras salt mines
Moray circular terraces and soft hike to Maras salt mines
Peru

Fascinating and beautiful at a good pace.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Llama Walk in The Sacred Valley
Llama Walk in The Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley
Quality of Experience
Great local guide, beautiful, and off the beaten track.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very informative, kind, and personable
Local specialist: Jorge Ramirez
Jorge
Jorge Ramirez
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Nov 02, 2026
Hi Margot! Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely review! It was a real pleasure helping plan your journey through Peru, and I'm so glad the experience reflected your interests and personalities. I'll be sure to share your kind words with Luis, Donato, and the rest of the team. They'll be delighted to know how much you enjoyed your time together. Misminay is indeed a very special place, and I'm happy it became one of your favorite memories from the trip. Thank you as well for... Read more

Hi Margot! Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely review! It was a real pleasure helping plan your journey through Peru, and I'm so glad the experience reflected your interests and personalities.

I'll be sure to share your kind words with Luis, Donato, and the rest of the team. They'll be delighted to know how much you enjoyed your time together. Misminay is indeed a very special place, and I'm happy it became one of your favorite memories from the trip.

Thank you as well for mentioning the altitude. It's an important consideration for future travelers, and we appreciate you sharing your experience.

It was wonderful having you in Peru, and I hope our paths cross again someday!

Warm regards,
Jorge

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