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 Jorge Ramirez
active 8 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 Jimena Salazar
active 7 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 Anne Godoy
active 12 hours 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

The guide and ariquipaAnd Erica was exallent
Peru | Sep 14 - Oct 3, 2026

Gal
Gal K.
Israel | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2026
The guide and ariquipa
And Erica was exallent
Read more

The guide and ariquipa
And Erica was exallent

Hotel Reviews
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

Good location

Authenticity & Character
Nothing special
Location
Center
Staff
Ok
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ok
San Agustin Urubamba
Urubamba

Nice garden and atmosphere at night with fire pits

Authenticity & Character
Nice atmosphere
Location
We need taxi
Staff
Ok
Jose Antonio Cusco Hotel
Cusco

Nothing unique

Authenticity & Character
Style
Location
Could be better
Staff
Ok
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maintenance
Taypikala Lago
Puno

Far away from center every time we needed a tax time and money.

Authenticity & Character
Nothing
Location
Far from city
Staff
Nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ok
Killawasi Lodge
Yanque

Nice ,empty

Authenticity & Character
Nothing unique
Location
Far a way from hot springs
Staff
Nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nothing to do there
Casona Plaza Hotel AQP
Arequipa

Amazing ,style,atmosphere

Authenticity & Character
Amazing,bring you back to history
Location
Middle of town
Staff
Perfect
Cleanliness & Comfort
Unique
Casa Andina Select Paracas
Paracas

Nothing to do

Authenticity & Character
Like a club
Location
Nothing around
Staff
Ok
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gim room
Las Dunas
Ica

Amazing,pools ,gardens,horses,perfect breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Gardens,style
Location
After dunas a cool 🏊
Staff
Helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Vacation atmosphere
Del Pilar Miraflores Hotel
Lima

Simple, I prefer to take hotel in the old town

Authenticity & Character
Not a botic ik very simple
Location
I prefer the old town
Staff
Poor ebpnhkush
Cleanliness & Comfort
Location,style
Activity Reviews
Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
Arequipa

Very good interesting

Quality of Experience
Quality of Experience
Quality of Experience
Food
Ok
Food
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport
Transport
Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
Arequipa City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery
Arequipa

Very good interesting

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
From Paracas to Lima - Afternoon at leisure
From Paracas to Lima - Afternoon at leisure
Peru

Nothing special

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ica to Nazca: Scenic Flight over the Nazca Lines - Return to Paracas
Ica to Nazca: Scenic Flight over the Nazca Lines - Return to Paracas
Peru

To long drive for the experience

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lima – Paracas – Ica
Lima – Paracas – Ica
Peru

Very nice

Quality of Experience
Amazing
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The dunes experience
Transport
Long
Lima City Tour; The Colonial & The Modern
Lima City Tour; The Colonial & The Modern
Lima

Not proffecinal

Local specialist: Valentina LĂłpez

AMAZING!
Peru | Sep 10 - Sep 22, 2026

T
Tina B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2026
Eduardo was amazing! We are a family of five and so we had a lot of opinions and needs...which kept changing. Eduardo responded kindly and quickly to each of our last minute requests. Everything Eduardo planned for us was seam-less. I really appreciate that he was available by WhatApp throughout our trip...that really helped. Thank you for a wonderful trip Eduardo! Read more

Eduardo was amazing!

We are a family of five and so we had a lot of opinions and needs...which kept changing. Eduardo responded kindly and quickly to each of our last minute requests. Everything Eduardo planned for us was seam-less. I really appreciate that he was available by WhatApp throughout our trip...that really helped.

Thank you for a wonderful trip Eduardo!

Activity Review
Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Only Guidance  + Consetur Bus
Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Only Guidance + Consetur Bus
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All the drivers were fine, only one was less than amazing.
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Ponce

We had an amazing time! Thanks Nancy for sh...
Peru | Sep 14 - Sep 21, 2026

Janine
Janine F.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2026

We had an amazing time! Thanks Nancy for showing us Lima and talking archaeology. Thanks Julio for sharing your stories we had a great time in Cuzco and Sacred Valley. And Jimena we had a great time appreciate all the planning you did to ensure a great trip.

Local specialist: Jimena Salazar
Jimena
Jimena Salazar
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Oct 06, 2026
Dear Janine! I am so happy to know that you had such a great time in my country. It was a real pleasure to design this adventure for you, and I am especially glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Nancy and Julio. Our goal was for you to truly connect with the soul of Peru and learn more about our history, especially knowing that you have a background in archaeology. It makes me very happy to know that the journey was meaningful for you. I hope you continue creating amazing travel... Read more

Dear Janine!

I am so happy to know that you had such a great time in my country. It was a real pleasure to design this adventure for you, and I am especially glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Nancy and Julio.

Our goal was for you to truly connect with the soul of Peru and learn more about our history, especially knowing that you have a background in archaeology. It makes me very happy to know that the journey was meaningful for you.

I hope you continue creating amazing travel memories with your loved ones through Kimkim. Wishing you many more wonderful journeys around the world, and if you ever feel like returning to Peru, we would be more than happy to create another memorable adventure for you!

Warm regards from Lima, Peru
Jimena

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