Lares Trek 1 Day: Ipsay Pass Hike from Cusco
A full day through genuinely lived-in Andean villages, crossing the high Ipsay Pass.
The Lares Trek 1 Day condenses the most physically demanding stretch of the full multi-day Lares Trek into a single day trip from Cusco: the climb from Huacahuasi (3,872 m) over Ipsay Pass (4,400 m / 14,435 ft) — the highest point on the entire Lares route — descending into the traditional village of Patacancha. No tents, no multi-day permits, no camping gear required.
This tour is operated in-house by Kondor Path Tours, licensed and based in Cusco — you book straight with the people leading the trek. 11.28 km of trail, roughly 5.5 hours of hiking, through quiet Andean villages, alpaca pastures, and glacial mountain scenery that sees a fraction of the Sacred Valley’s tourist traffic.
This is a standalone day hike, not a Machu Picchu tour — it does not include train tickets or citadel entrance. If you want the full Lares experience ending at Machu Picchu, see our Lares Trek 4 Days.
| 🥾 Duration | 1 day (round-trip from Cusco) |
| 📏 Distance | 11.28 km (7 mi) |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 4,400 m / 14,435 ft — Ipsay Pass |
| 🚐 Trailhead | Huacahuasi, reached by private transport from Cusco |
| 🏘️ Ending | Patacancha (traditional Andean village) |
| 💪 Difficulty | Challenging (moderate-paced ascent and descent) |
| 📅 Best season | April to December; rainy season Jan–Mar may affect trail conditions |
| 👥 Group size | 1–13 hikers (custom quote for 11+) |
| 💲 Price | Scalable $69–$309 USD per person (groups of 1–10) |
The Lares Trek 1 Day packs 1 day full of history and landscape – Climb to 4,400 m at Ipsay Pass, the toughest single push on the whole Lares route – Walk through traditional Andean villages — Huacahuasi and Patacancha – Share the trail with alpacas and llamas grazing freely across high-altitude pastures – Panoramic Andean scenery with far fewer tourists than the Sacred Valley or Inca Trail. The Lares Trek 1 Day, distilled into its best moments.
The Lares Trek 1 Day is built for travelers who want the single most rewarding stretch of the classic multi-day Lares Trek — the demanding climb to Ipsay Pass, the route’s highest and most scenic point — without committing to three nights of camping or a full trek to Machu Picchu. It’s the same trail section trekkers on the 4-day expedition cross on Day 2, compressed into a well-organized day trip from Cusco.
This is a guided day hike, not a permit-restricted route like the Inca Trail — no advance permits required, though booking ahead in high season (May–September) is recommended for guide and transport availability.
| Feature | Lares Trek 1 Day | Lares Trek 4 Days | Rainbow Mountain Trek | Sacred Valley Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 11.28 km | ~33 km over 4 days | ~10 km | Minimal walking |
| Max altitude | 4,400 m | 4,750 m | 5,100 m | 2,800–3,650 m |
| Overnight | None — same-day return | 3 nights camping | None | None |
| Machu Picchu included | ❌ No | ✅ Yes, Day 4 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Focus | High-altitude pass, Andean villages | Full immersive expedition + Machu Picchu | Iconic colored mountain | Inca archaeology, ruins |
| Best for | Fit travelers wanting a serious single-day challenge without camping | Travelers seeking the complete Lares + Machu Picchu experience | First-time visitors chasing the iconic photo | Culture and history over physical exertion |
This full-day hike brings the cultural heart of the Lares Trek — the high Andean community of Huacahuasi and the crossing of Ipsay Pass — within reach of travelers without the time for a multi-day trek. It’s a rare chance to walk through genuinely lived-in Quechua villages, rather than tourist-oriented stops, on a route still largely unknown to mass tourism.
Ipsay Pass sits at 4,400 m, making altitude the day’s central factor. Because this is a single push up and back down rather than a multi-day ascent, arriving already acclimatized matters — a night or two in Cusco (3,400 m) beforehand gives the body the baseline it needs before tackling the pass, and the return route retraces the same gradual descent, letting the body readjust at the same pace it climbed.
Pickup at 05:30 AM from your hotel in Cusco. Private transport heads northwest toward Calca and into the Lares Valley, with panoramic Andean views along the way — approximately 3 hours to reach the trailhead at Huacahuasi (3,872 m / 12,703 ft).
From Huacahuasi, the hike begins with a moderate-paced ascent of roughly 3 hours toward Ipsay Pass (4,400 m / 14,435 ft), the highest point of the entire Lares Trek. From the pass, enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding peaks before beginning a moderate-paced descent of roughly 2.5 hours toward the traditional village of Patacancha (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), passing alpaca and llama herds along the way.
From Patacancha, private transport takes you back via the road to Ollantaytambo, with an optional stop to view the Pata-Pata Inca platforms and a panoramic viewpoint of the Ollantaytambo fortress, then continues on to Cusco.
Day 1 stats
1BL.
Intense
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)
Looking for something different in duration or pace? Compare it with our Lares Trek 2 Days.
| Upgrade | Detail | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Horseback to Ipsay Pass | ~3.5 hours on horseback instead of hiking the ascent | +$65 per person |
The Lares Trek 1 Day is a single-day version of the classic multi-day Lares Trek, covering its most demanding and scenic stretch: the climb from Huacahuasi over Ipsay Pass (4,400 m) to the village of Patacancha. It’s a guided day hike with no camping and no Machu Picchu connection.
The Lares Trek 1 Day is a standalone day hike focused on Ipsay Pass — no camping, no Machu Picchu.
The Lares Trek 4 Days is a full multi-day expedition covering more of
the valley, camping three nights, and finishing with a train to Machu Picchu.
Choose the 1-Day if you’re short on time or want a taste of high-altitude Andean trekking; choose the 4-Day for the complete immersive experience ending at the citadel.
It’s rated Challenging overall, mainly due to the altitude (up to 4,400 m) and the full-day duration. The ascent and descent themselves are graded at a
moderate pace — steady, well-defined trail, no technical climbing — but the thin air at altitude makes any physical effort feel harder than at sea level.
Ipsay Pass, at 4,400 m (14,435 ft), is the highest point of the trek and of the entire Lares Trek route. The hike starts at Huacahuasi (3,872 m) and ends at Patacancha (3,800 m).
Yes — we recommend at least 1–2 full days in Cusco (3,400 m) before attempting this trek, given the altitude reached at Ipsay Pass. This is not a first-day-in-Cusco activity.
No. The Lares Trek 1 Day is a standalone day hike and does not include train tickets or Machu Picchu entrance. For a Lares-to-Machu Picchu itinerary, see our Lares Trek 4 Days.
No. Hot springs are not part of this itinerary.
Not as a formal included activity.
The route passes through the traditional villages of Huacahuasi and Patacancha, both known for their weaving heritage, and you’ll have the
opportunity to observe daily community life and purchase textiles directly from local artisans if you wish — but there is no scheduled weaving workshop included
in this tour.
The recommended minimum age is 14 years old, given the altitude and the demanding pace of the ascent to Ipsay Pass.
Yes. Travelers who prefer not to hike the full ascent can add a horseback option to Ipsay Pass for an additional $65 per person — see Section 10 for details.
Rates are set for groups of 1 to 10 travelers — larger groups should reach out for a tailored quote.
April to December is the recommended season. The rainy season (January–March) can make trail conditions more challenging.
Kondor Path Tours operates the Lares Trek 1 Day as a private tour service for groups of 1–10. Contact us to arrange your preferred date.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 309.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 182.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 141.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 114.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 103.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 92.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 83.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 77.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 72.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 69.00 USD |
1 Day Lares Trek
Full Day Lares Trek
Lares Trek Full Day
