Lares Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek’s Ipsay Pass crossing, followed by a complete day exploring Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu is the most time-efficient way to combine the demanding Ipsay Pass (4,400 m) — the highest point of the entire Lares Trek — with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, all in just two days from Cusco. Day 1 covers 11.28 km of trekking through Huacahuasi and Patacancha; that evening, a scenic PeruRail train takes you to Aguas Calientes. Day 2 is dedicated entirely to exploring the citadel.
Kondor Path Tours is a licensed, locally-run operator in Cusco that organizes this trip directly — no resellers standing between you and the team. If you’re looking for an alternative to the classic Inca Trail that feels less crowded and more culturally immersive, without committing to 4 days of camping, this is it.
Prefer more time in the Andes before Machu Picchu? See our Lares Trek 3 Days or the full Lares Trek 4 Days. Want just the trekking day, without Machu Picchu? See the Lares Trek 1 Day.
| 🥾 Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| 📏 Distance | 11.28 km (7 mi) — Day 1 only |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 4,400 m / 14,435 ft — Ipsay Pass |
| 🚐 Trailhead | Huacahuasi, reached by private transport from Cusco |
| 🏛️ Includes | Machu Picchu guided tour, Day 2 |
| 💪 Difficulty | Challenging (Day 1); Easy (Day 2) |
| 📅 Best season | April to December |
| 👥 Group size | 1–10 hikers |
| 💲 Price | Scalable from $357 USD per person (groups of 1–10) |
The Lares Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu: 2 days through some of Peru’s most memorable landscapes – Cross Ipsay Pass at 4,400 m — the highest and most demanding point of the entire Lares Trek – Walk through Huacahuasi and Patacancha, traditional Quechua-speaking Andean communities – Alpacas and llamas grazing freely along the high-altitude trail – Scenic evening train to Aguas Calientes, riding along the Urubamba River. Every detail here defines the Lares Trek 2 Days to Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek 2 Days takes the single most demanding and scenic day of the classic Lares route — the climb over Ipsay Pass — and connects it directly to Machu Picchu via an evening train, delivering both experiences in the shortest possible timeframe. It’s built for travelers who want more than a day hike but can’t commit to the full 3 or 4-day expedition.
| Feature | Lares Trek 1 Day | Lares Trek 2 Days | Lares Trek 3 Days | Lares Trek 4 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trekking distance | 11.28 km | 11.28 km | Longer, multi-day | ~44 km |
| Overnight | None | 1 night (Aguas Calientes) | 2 nights | 3 nights camping |
| Max altitude | 4,400 m | 4,400 m | Varies | Higher, multi-pass |
| Machu Picchu included | ❌ No | ✅ Yes, Day 2 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Lares Hot Springs | ❌ No | ❌ No | Varies | ✅ Yes |
| Best for | A serious single-day physical challenge | Time-limited travelers who still want Machu Picchu | More immersion without the full 4-day commitment | The complete Lares expedition experience |
Combining the Lares Trek’s signature Ipsay Pass crossing and Huacahuasi weaving villages with a full second day exploring Machu Picchu, this two-day itinerary brings together the cultural trekking experience the Lares route is known for with the citadel itself, without extending into a longer multi-day trek.
The trek’s hardest effort comes early: Day 1 climbs from Huacahuasi to Ipsay Pass at 4,400 m, the trip’s highest point, while trekkers are fresh off the drive from Cusco. From there, the descent to Patacancha and the transfer to Ollantaytambo drops travelers to noticeably lower elevation before the train to Aguas Calientes, so that Day 2’s visit to Machu Picchu (2,400 m) unfolds at far gentler altitude than the trek itself.
Pickup at 05:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco. Private transport heads toward the heights of the Sacred Valley — approximately 2.5 hours to reach the trailhead at Huacahuasi (3,872 m / 12,703 ft).
The hike begins with a 3-hour ascent toward Ipsay Pass (4,400 m / 14,435 ft), the highest point of the entire Lares Trek, with views of the snow-capped peaks of Pumahuanca and Chicón. From the pass, a 2-hour descent leads to Patacancha (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), passing Ipsay Lagoon and grazing alpacas and llamas along the way.
From Patacancha, private transport (~40 minutes) takes you to Ollantaytambo, where you board the evening PeruRail train (Expedition 75, departure 19:04) to Aguas Calientes, arriving at 20:45.
Day 1 stats
1BL.
Demanding
14km (9 miles)
3-4 Hrs.
Huaca Wasi: 3,750m (12,303 ft)
Patacancha: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
Ipsay Pass: 4,400m (14,435 ft)
Breakfast at your hotel at 05:30 AM. At 06:00, board the bus up to Machu Picchu. Your 2-hour guided tour of the citadel begins at 08:00 AM, exploring the Inca sanctuary’s most significant sectors with your guide.
In the afternoon, board your return train (Expedition 74, departure 14:55) to Ollantaytambo, arriving at 16:31. Private transport takes you back to Cusco, arriving approximately 18:20.
Day 2 stats
Easy
A light walk
2-hour guided tour
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Day 1 — Lares
Day 2 — Machu Picchu
Looking for something different in duration or pace? Compare it with our Lares Trek 4 Days.
| Upgrade | Detail | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Vistadome | 3 tiers available | +$85 / +$95 / +$125 per person |
| Hiram Bingham luxury train | Return journey only (Machu Picchu → Poroy) | +$498 |
| Huayna Picchu entrance | Add-on climb | +$75 |
| Machu Picchu Mountain entrance | Add-on climb | +$75 |
| Machu Picchu re-entry | Second entrance same day | +$75 |
Student discount: college students receive $20 off the Machu Picchu entrance fee — valid ID required.
Important: starting January 1, 2026, Machu Picchu entry follows fixed time slots (6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00), valid once per day.
It’s the shortest way to combine the Lares Trek’s most demanding stretch — the climb over Ipsay Pass (4,400 m) — with a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Day 1 covers the trek from Huacahuasi to Patacancha, followed by an evening train to Aguas Calientes. Day 2 is dedicated to exploring Machu Picchu.
Both share the exact same trekking day — Huacahuasi to Ipsay Pass to Patacancha, 11.28 km.
The difference: the 1-Day Trek ends there and returns to Cusco the same
day, without visiting Machu Picchu. The 2-Day Trek continues with an evening train to Aguas Calientes and a full guided tour of Machu Picchu the next morning.
The 2-Day version covers only the Ipsay Pass stretch of the route, with a single night in Aguas Calientes before Machu Picchu. The 4-Day Trek is the full
expedition: three nights of camping, the Lares Hot Springs, multiple traditional communities, and a more gradual approach to Machu Picchu. Choose the 2-Day if your time is limited; choose the 4-Day for the complete immersive experience.
Ipsay Pass, at 4,400 m (14,435 ft), on Day 1. The trek starts at Huacahuasi (3,872 m) and ends at Patacancha (3,800 m). Day 2 involves no significant altitude gain — Machu Picchu sits at 2,400 m.
Yes — we recommend 1–2 full days in Cusco (3,400 m) before attempting Ipsay Pass. This is not recommended as a first-day-in-Cusco activity.
Yes.
If Inca Trail permits are sold out, or you want a less-crowded, more culturally immersive route that still ends with a guided Machu Picchu visit, the Lares Trek 2 Days is one of the strongest alternatives — different scenery, different communities, similar sense of accomplishment.
We suggest 14 as the minimum age, given how demanding the Ipsay Pass climb is at altitude.
Yes — both PeruRail train legs (Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo) and the round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu entrance are included.
Your guided tour begins at 08:00 AM on Day 2 and lasts approximately 2 hours. Entry times to Machu Picchu are fixed by regulation (available slots: 6:00 AM–2:00 PM), so let us know at booking if you need a different time.
Both can be added for $75 per person each — full details in Section 10. Since daily permits are capped, booking early matters.
Groups of 1 to 13 hikers, with scalable pricing for 1–10 travelers. For 11 or more, contact us for a custom group quote.
April to December is the recommended season.
Hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, meals outside the itinerary (breakfast Day 1, lunch and dinner Day 2), drinking water, and tips.
Lares Trek 2 Day
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 786.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 553.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 479.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 434.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 413.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 395.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 381.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 371.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 363.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 357.00 USD |
Explore the Lares Region of Peru with this two-day trek tour to Machu Picchu! See stunning natural beauty and diverse cultures, and interact with locals on a fantastic experience—within 2 days!
