Lares Trek 3 Days + Short Inca Trail Permit — The Cultural Alternative Trek + Sun Gate Combo 2026

05:00 AM — Private Pickup at Your Cusco Hotel

Very early start — 05:00 AM sharp from your Cusco hotel.

Pre-tour preparation (night before):

• Set two alarms for 04:00 AM.
• Pack for 3 days with only essential gear.
• Bring your original passport (mandatory).
• Wear broken-in hiking boots for Days 1 and 2.
• Dress in layered clothing for changing mountain temperatures.
• Bring sun protection: SPF 50+, wide-brim hat and sunglasses.
• Carry at least 2 liters of water.
• Pack snacks and energy bars.
• Bring rain gear for cloud forest sections.
• Warm hat and gloves for high-altitude areas.
• Camera and spare batteries.

Transportation: Private van equipped with a first-aid kit and portable oxygen.

05:00–08:20 AM — Cusco → Calca → Huacahuasi (~3h20 drive)

Scenic drive through the Sacred Valley before ascending into the Lares Valley.

Landscape transitions:

• Cusco outskirts (3,350m).
• Descent into the Sacred Valley (Calca 2,900m).
• Ascent through the Lares Valley.
• Traditional Quechua villages.
• Progressive altitude gain.

08:20–09:00 AM — Trailhead Preparation at Huacahuasi

Huacahuasi Andean community at approximately 3,900m.

Activities before the trek:

• Meet local Quechua families.
• Traditional weaving demonstration by local women.
• Introduction to Andean textile traditions.
• Coca leaves provided to help with altitude.
• Final equipment check with your guide.

09:00 AM–02:30 PM — 🥾 Lares Trek: Huacahuasi → Ipsay Pass (4,410m) → Patacancha

14 km hike (approximately 5.5 hours) through spectacular Andean scenery.

Section 1: Huacahuasi → Ipsay Pass (2.5–3 hours)

• Gradual ascent from 3,900m to 4,410m.
• Alpaca herds grazing across the highlands.
• Traditional Quechua shepherds.
• Panoramic mountain landscapes.

Section 2: Ipsay Pass (4,410m)

• Panoramic Andes viewpoints.
• Traditional Pachamama offering ceremony explained by your guide.
• Photography stop (20–30 minutes).

Section 3: Ipsay Pass → Ipsacocha Lake (4,200m)

• Descent to the glacial lake.
• Photography opportunities.
• Short rest and snack break.

Section 4: Ipsacocha Lake → Patacancha

• Descent through Andean grasslands.
• Arrival at Patacancha weaving community.
• Welcome by local families.

12:00–01:00 PM — 🍽️ Box Lunch Included

Box lunch INCLUDED at a scenic viewpoint near Ipsacocha Lake.

Typical lunch: sandwich, fresh fruit, energy bar and water or juice. Vegetarian options available with 48 hours’ notice.

02:30–03:30 PM — 🏛️ Patacancha Weaving Community

Patacancha is a traditional weaving village located at approximately 3,700m.

Cultural experience:

• Traditional Andean textile demonstration.
• Ancient weaving techniques passed down for centuries.
• Natural dye preparation using native plants.
• Alpaca wool spinning demonstration.
• Opportunity to purchase directly from local artisans.
• Cultural interpretation by your guide.

03:30–05:30 PM — Patacancha → Ollantaytambo (~2h drive)

Descent to Ollantaytambo (2,800m), with a dramatic change in altitude.

The scenery transitions from the high Andes into the Sacred Valley.

05:30–06:00 PM — Hotel Check-in at Ollantaytambo

Accommodation is not included. Travelers book their preferred hotel independently.

Recommended hotels:

• Budget ($30–60): Hostal Iskay, Ollantaytambo Lodge.
• Mid-range ($80–150): Apu Lodge, Kamma Hotel.
• Premium ($200–400): Sol Ollantay, Pakaritampu.

Advantage: Most hotels are only a 10-minute walk from the train station, allowing a later wake-up on Day 2 compared with tours departing directly from Cusco.

Evening — Free Time in Ollantaytambo

Suggestions:

• Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
• Prepare your gear for the Short Inca Trail.
• Go to bed early for the 06:50 AM pickup.
• Explore the village if time and energy allow.
• Rest well for the next day’s hike.

Overnight: Ollantaytambo (hotel not included).

06:50 AM — Pickup at Your Ollantaytambo Hotel

10-minute walk advantage: Staying in Ollantaytambo allows you to sleep about 90 minutes longer than tours departing from Cusco.

Bring in your day pack:

• Original passport.
• Camera and spare batteries.
• 2 liters of water.
• Rain jacket.
• Snacks and energy bars.
• Cash (S/150–300).
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat.

Overnight bag: Transported separately to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

07:45 AM — PeruRail Expedition 83P Departs Ollantaytambo

Train service:

• Company: PeruRail.
• Service: Expedition 83P.
• Route: Ollantaytambo → Km 104 (Chachabamba).
• Departure: 07:45 AM.
• Arrival: 08:55 AM.

Enjoy panoramic windows overlooking the Urubamba River canyon as the scenery changes from the Sacred Valley into the cloud forest.

08:55 AM — Arrival at Km 104 Trailhead

Ministry of Culture checkpoint:

• Passport verification (must match your permit).
• Official Inca Trail permit inspection.
• Backpack size check (maximum 5 kg).

Final trail briefing, trekking poles and water check before starting the hike.

09:00–11:30 AM — Hike: Km 104 → Chachabamba → Wiñaywayna

Begin hiking through the lush Andean cloud forest.

🏛️ Chachabamba (approximately 09:30 AM): Visit this ceremonial Inca archaeological site, accessible only with an official Inca Trail permit (20–30 minutes).

12:00–01:00 PM — 🏛️ Wiñaywayna Archaeological Site

Explore the spectacular Inca complex of Wiñaywayna, famous for its agricultural terraces and ceremonial structures. Visit lasts approximately 45–60 minutes.

Your Inca Trail guide will explain the history and importance of this remarkable site.

01:00–01:45 PM — 🍽️ Box Lunch Included

Box lunch INCLUDED at the Wiñaywayna viewpoint before beginning the final ascent to the Sun Gate.

01:45–03:00 PM — Final Ascent to the Sun Gate (2,715m)

The final climb takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes through the cloud forest.

Physical note: This is the most demanding section of Day 2. Maintain a comfortable pace, stay hydrated and take breaks as needed.

~03:00 PM — ☀️ Arrival at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)

The highlight of Day 2: Your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu from the original Inca entrance.

Photography opportunities:

• Panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• Cloud forest landscapes.
• Group photos at the Sun Gate.

Enjoy approximately 20–30 minutes at the viewpoint.

03:30–04:30 PM — Descent to the Guardian’s House

Descend approximately 40 minutes while enjoying continuous views of Machu Picchu.

04:30–04:50 PM — 🏛️ Guardian’s House

Spend 15–20 minutes at the iconic Guardian’s House viewpoint, one of the most famous photography locations overlooking Machu Picchu.

Photography highlights:

• Classic panoramic view of the citadel.
• Golden afternoon light.
• Group celebration photos.

05:00–05:30 PM — Consettur Shuttle Bus to Aguas Calientes

25-minute descent by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes (2,065m).

05:30 PM — Arrival in Aguas Calientes

Hotel accommodation is not included. Guests book their preferred hotel independently.

Recommended hotels:

• Budget ($20–40): Hospedaje Los Caminantes.
• Mid-range ($60–120): El MaPi Hotel, Casa Andina Standard.
• Premium ($150–300): Sumaq, Inkaterra.
• Luxury ($800+): Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

Evening — Free Time in Aguas Calientes

Suggestions:

• Dinner at a local restaurant (not included).
• Optional visit to the Aguas Calientes Hot Springs (S/20–30).
• Get an early night’s sleep for Day 3.
• Back up your photos to your phone or the cloud.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes (hotel not included).

Early Morning — Breakfast at Your Aguas Calientes Hotel

Breakfast at your hotel (not included).

07:30–08:00 AM — Consettur Shuttle Bus to Machu Picchu

25-minute scenic ride along the winding mountain road to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

08:00 AM — Machu Picchu Circuit 3B Entry (Recommended)

Flexible entry: Your Short Inca Trail permit allows entry between 06:00 AM and 11:00 AM. The final entry time is coordinated with your guide according to the group’s pace.

Circuit 3B is automatically included with your official Short Inca Trail permit.

08:00–10:00 AM — 2-Hour Private Guided Tour of Machu Picchu

Highlights:

• Royal Residential Sector
• Temple of the Sun (Torreón)
• Temple of the Condor
• Water Mirrors
• Andean Vegetation Zone

Your guide explains the history of Pachacuti, Inca astronomy, Andean cosmology and the rediscovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

10:00–10:30 AM — Return to Aguas Calientes

Consettur shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch and free time.

10:30 AM–02:30 PM — Free Time in Aguas Calientes

Enjoy approximately 4 hours at your leisure.

Suggested activities:

• Lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
• Souvenir shopping.
• Relax at a coffee shop.
• Return to your hotel before check-out (usually 12:00 PM).

02:55 PM — PeruRail Expedition 74P Return Train

Train service:

• Company: PeruRail.
• Service: Expedition 74P.
• Route: Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo.
• Departure: 02:55 PM.
• Arrival: 04:31 PM.

04:31–06:30 PM — Ollantaytambo → Cusco

Private van transfer back to Cusco (approximately 2 hours).

~06:30–07:00 PM — Drop-off at Your Cusco Hotel

Your 3-day Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail adventure concludes.

After the tour we recommend:

• Celebrate your achievement with dinner in Cusco.
• Take a rest day after two consecutive days of trekking.
• Back up all your photos.

Total Tour Stats

• ⏱️ Total duration: ~62 hours (3 days / 2 nights)
• 🥾 Total trekking distance: ~26 km (14 km + 12 km)
• ⛰️ Highest elevation: Ipsay Pass (4,410m)
• 🏛️ Inca sites visited: 3 (Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu)
• 🎫 Machu Picchu experience: 2-hour private guided tour
• 🍽️ Meals included: 2 (Box Lunch Day 1 and Box Lunch Day 2)
• 🎫 All entrance tickets and permits included
• 💪 Physical difficulty: Demanding