The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu offers an exceptional alternative to the Inca Trail for travelers craving quieter routes. This immersive experience winds through traditional Andean settlements, past rural schools, and herds of llamas and alpacas, framed by dramatic vistas of glacial lakes and rugged peaks. Daily departures are offered throughout the year!
Begin at 4:30 AM with a private transfer from Cusco to Lares hot springs. Arrive by 8:00 AM to bathe in the mineral-rich pools, ideal for soothing tired muscles amid mountain panoramas. Savor a nourishing breakfast cooked by your trek chef.
The hike kicks off with a 4-hour journey to Cuncani village for a locally sourced lunch. Continue for 3 additional hours, traversing Andean lagoons, cascades, and alpine scenery before arriving at Kiswarani Village. A cozy campsite awaits with herbal tea.
Rise early with a hot beverage and gear up for the toughest leg. Post-breakfast, ascend 4 hours to Condor Pass (4700 meters / 15,354 feet). Admire glassy lakes hosting Andean geese (Wallatas). At the summit, partake in a traditional mountain blessing and sip coca tea.
Descend 2 hours to a valley lunch, then hike 2 more hours to Cancha Cancha. Meet villagers, explore a school, and pick up Quechua phrases. Settle into your campsite with a warm drink and alpine vistas.
After breakfast, trek 4 hours downhill from highlands to the Sacred Valley. Bid farewell to Cancha Cancha, one of the last Inca-era villages preserving ancestral traditions. Witness shifting landscapes from potato terraces to corn valleys.
Conclude your hike in Huaran (2700 meters / 8856 feet). A private transfer takes you to Salineras salt pans and Ollantaytambo’s Inca ruins. Wander its cobblestone streets and irrigation channels, then dine locally. Board the 7:00 PM train to Aguas Calientes for a hotel stay.
Catch the dawn bus to Machu Picchu for a sunrise spectacle. A guided 2-3 hour tour unveils the site’s history, myths, and architectural genius. Free time follows to wander or climb Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain (pre-booked).
Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (own expense) and board the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. A private van delivers you to Cusco by 7:30 PM.
Daily Backpack:
• Passport (in waterproof bag).
• Student ID (if applicable).
• Refillable water bottles (2L minimum).
• Rain gear or waterproof jacket.
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, long sleeves).
• Insulated jacket.
• Compact first aid kit (altitude meds, bandages).
• Flashlight, camera, sunglasses.
• Toilet paper, sanitizer.
• Extra cash (600 soles / $200 USD, with coins).
Duffel Bag (Porter-carried):
• 4-season sleeping bag (rentable).
• Inflatable mattress (optional).
• Hiking boots + 5 wool socks.
• Thermal layers + 3 trousers.
• Swimwear (for hot springs).
• Post-hike sandals.
• Toiletries (toothpaste, lip balm).
• Compact towel.
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
