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Follow high Andean passes, Quechua villages, and the Short Inca Trail to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun. This five-day route mixes remote Lares wilderness, hot springs, and a final day on Inca stonework.
Follow high Andean passes, Quechua villages, and the Short Inca Trail to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun. This five-day route mixes remote Lares wilderness, hot springs, and a final day on Inca stonework.
At dawn the Andes breathe cold air down narrow valleys and a ribbon of trail climbs toward a jagged pass. Hikers on the Lares route set out from the Sacred Valley, moving through potato terraces and high puna that stares back with wind-sculpted grasses. Llamas graze at the edge of villages; streams dare you to follow their crystalline courses toward glacial hollows.
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Operated by Lares Trip · Cusco, Cusco Region
At dawn the Andes breathe cold air down narrow valleys and a ribbon of trail climbs toward a jagged pass. Hikers on the Lares route set out from the Sacred Valley, moving through potato terraces and high puna that stares back with wind-sculpted grasses. Llamas graze at the edge of villages; streams dare you to follow their crystalline courses toward glacial hollows.
This five-day expedition combines traditional Lares tracks with the final 14km of the Short Inca Trail, delivering a layered history of Quechua life and Inca engineering. The route crosses Siclla Qasa at about 4,850m, where uplifted Andean bedrock and glacial scouring shape steep ridgelines and bowl-shaped lakes like Yanacocha. Villages such as Cuncani keep Quechua textiles and livestock practice alive; hot springs at Lares speak to the region's geothermal pulse.
Practically, expect varied terrain: river terraces and rocky switchbacks, muddy sections in the wet months, and steep altitude gain that tests breathing and pace. Daily distances include a roughly 14km opening hike and the 14km Inca road approach to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Nights alternate between mountain camps and hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
Plan for altitude acclimatization in Cusco, bring layered insulation, sturdy boots, water purification, and a compact duffel limit (about 8kg). Best traveled in the dry season (May–Sep) for firmer trails and clearer views. With preparation, the Lares–Short Inca combo rewards perseverance with sunrise over Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun.
challenging.
4–5 days.
Good cardiovascular fitness and experience with multi-day trekking at altitude; able to sustain 6–8 hours of hiking on consecutive days.
Yes — the Short Inca Trail has capacity limits and requires advance permits; book through your operator well before travel dates.
The highest point is around 4,850m at Siclla Qasa; many people experience mild symptoms—acclimatize in Cusco, hydrate, and descend if symptoms worsen.
Camping is standard expedition style with communal tents; nights 3 and 4 include hotel stays in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes respectively.
Yes—the hot springs are suitable for soaking after hiking, but facilities vary and water temperature can be hot; bring a quick-dry towel and modest swimwear.
The route links pre-Columbian Inca roads with living Quechua agricultural communities; terraces and stonework along the final approach reflect Inca route planning toward Machu Picchu.
Stick to established campsites, pack out waste, and use locally run services—guides and porters often come from nearby communities and sustainable practices protect fragile puna ecosystems.
Lares Trip operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
At dawn the Andes breathe cold air down narrow valleys and a ribbon of trail climbs toward a jagged pass. Hikers on the Lares route set out from the Sacred Valley, moving through potato terraces and high puna that stares back with wind-sculpted grasses. Llamas graze at the edge of villages; streams dare you to follow their crystalline courses toward glacial hollows.
At dawn the Andes breathe cold air down narrow valleys and a ribbon of trail climbs toward a jagged pass. Hikers on the Lares route set out from the Sacred Valley, moving through potato terraces and high puna that stares back with wind-sculpted grasses. Llamas graze at the edge of villages; streams dare you to follow their crystalline courses toward glacial hollows.
This five-day expedition combines traditional Lares tracks with the final 14km of the Short Inca Trail, delivering a layered history of Quechua life and Inca engineering. The route crosses Siclla Qasa at about 4,850m, where uplifted Andean bedrock and glacial scouring shape steep ridgelines and bowl-shaped lakes like Yanacocha. Villages such as Cuncani keep Quechua textiles and livestock practice alive; hot springs at Lares speak to the region's geothermal pulse.
Practically, expect varied terrain: river terraces and rocky switchbacks, muddy sections in the wet months, and steep altitude gain that tests breathing and pace. Daily distances include a roughly 14km opening hike and the 14km Inca road approach to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Nights alternate between mountain camps and hotels in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
Plan for altitude acclimatization in Cusco, bring layered insulation, sturdy boots, water purification, and a compact duffel limit (about 8kg). Best traveled in the dry season (May–Sep) for firmer trails and clearer views. With preparation, the Lares–Short Inca combo rewards perseverance with sunrise over Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun.