Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Including Hot Springs

Planning perspective

How I’d plan this experience

This four-day Lares trek is a demanding route through high mountain villages, lake country and a soak in Lares’ outdoor thermal springs, followed by travel toward Machu Picchu. I’d choose it for the trek itself—not as the easiest way to reach the ruins. The decision that matters most is whether you’re prepared for long walking days at altitude, then whether an extra mountain hike after the Machu Picchu visit sounds appealing or excessive.

Choose this for the mountain journey

The route is a good fit if you want several days on foot through quieter highland scenery and are interested in passing through small communities along the way. Cancha Cancha is reached on foot, and the second day includes a high pass, glacial lakes and a descent toward a lakeside camp. I’d favour this over a less strenuous approach if those landscapes are a major part of what you want from the trip.

Be realistic about the effort: the listed walking time is six hours on day one and seven on day two, with the route reaching high altitude. The tour is explicitly not recommended for people with certain health conditions and calls for a high level of fitness. If sustained uphill hiking or sleeping outdoors is not for you, I would not pick this itinerary just because the Machu Picchu visit is the headline.

Decide whether to add a Machu Picchu hike

The base trek is distinct from the optional climbs listed after the Machu Picchu Citadel visit. I’d choose the Mountain hike if you prefer a wider trail and can set aside a further three to four hours; Huayna Picchu is the shorter option in the description, but its narrow, steep trail makes it a less comfortable fit if exposure bothers you. Neither add-on sounds like a casual extra after several days of trekking, so think about your energy as well as the view you hope to get.

If Huayna Picchu is your preference, plan ahead: the listing says it must be booked with the trek and notes a daily limit. Don’t assume the add-on is included in the standard itinerary.

Pack for a self-contained trail day

Your main luggage stays in Cusco, while a small duffel is carried along the trail by the support team; you won’t have access to it during the day. I’d keep anything you need while walking—water, layers and personal essentials—in your day pack, and pack the duffel with the understanding that it is not at hand until camp. The stated carried allowance is up to 7 kg.

Meals are included across the trek, but energy snacks are not. Bring your own if you rely on snacks between meals. The itinerary also specifically says to bring a swimsuit for the thermal springs.

Keep the transition day in perspective

The hot-springs stop comes after the morning hike on day three, before the listed onward travel toward Aguas Calientes. I’d treat the soak as a welcome pause, not a reason to expect a leisurely day: it follows several hours on the trail and is part of a day that continues with transport. Pickup is listed for the first morning, and private transport to the trailhead is included.

One practical trade-off is that the supplied itinerary details are not complete for the final day. The overview describes a guided Machu Picchu visit, but I’d avoid assuming a precise final-day schedule from the information here.

Planning analysis informed by the tour itinerary · Updated November 12, 2026