THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
A five-day trek combining the quieter Lares route with a section of the Inca Trail leads through high Andean passes, community camps, and Inca sites before arriving at Machu Picchu. This itinerary balances cultural encounters, dramatic mountain scenery, and guided logistics for a less-crowded approach to the citadel.
A five-day trek combining the quieter Lares route with a section of the Inca Trail leads through high Andean passes, community camps, and Inca sites before arriving at Machu Picchu. This itinerary balances cultural encounters, dramatic mountain scenery, and guided logistics for a less-crowded approach to the citadel.
Morning light slices across Andes ridgelines as your group gathers at a mountain pass, oxygen thin and the trail already humming with wind and distant streams.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Salkantay Trekking · Cusco, Cusco
Morning light slices across Andes ridgelines as your group gathers at a mountain pass, oxygen thin and the trail already humming with wind and distant streams.
This five-day itinerary stitches together the quieter Lares valleys with a final stretch of the classic Inca Trail, moving from steaming hot springs and pastoral highlands to terraced Inca sites and the ruined citadel of Machu Picchu. The route climbs high passes (Pachacutec Pass reaches about 4,700 m / 15,420 ft), crosses puna grasslands and glacial-fed lakes, and passes working Andean communities where textiles, llamas and Quechua traditions remain central to daily life.
Geologically the region is carved by uplifted volcanic and metamorphic rock, with steep river-cut valleys and mineral-rich soils that feed the patchwork agriculture in the Sacred Valley. Culturally, the trek provides repeated contact with modern descendants of the Inca who maintain traditional weaving and highland farming.
Expect camp nights under clear high-altitude skies, one night in village-run camps, two nights in small hotels, and a final approach along the polished stone steps of the Inca Trail to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Guides handle logistics and permits, but altitude and prolonged climbs make pacing and pre-acclimatization essential.
Practical guidance: arrive in Cusco 48–72 hours early to acclimatize, use layered clothing for large temperature swings, and keep a steady hydration and calorie plan on high passes. Bring cash for local markets, and be prepared for rocky, sometimes muddy trails—this is trekking that rewards fitness and cultural curiosity in equal measure.
Yes—permits are required and limited; operators obtain them in advance, so book at least three months ahead, especially in high season.
The route reaches ~4,700 m; altitude can cause headaches and fatigue—acclimatize in Cusco, hydrate, ascend slowly and notify guides of symptoms.
This tour includes porters, an expert chef, meals on the trail and a personal duffel allowance (up to 5 kg), as listed in the itinerary.
Children aged 12 and over may participate with a responsible adult; the trip is not recommended for younger children or those with significant health issues.
Salkantay Trekking operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Morning light slices across Andes ridgelines as your group gathers at a mountain pass, oxygen thin and the trail already humming with wind and distant streams.
Morning light slices across Andes ridgelines as your group gathers at a mountain pass, oxygen thin and the trail already humming with wind and distant streams.
This five-day itinerary stitches together the quieter Lares valleys with a final stretch of the classic Inca Trail, moving from steaming hot springs and pastoral highlands to terraced Inca sites and the ruined citadel of Machu Picchu. The route climbs high passes (Pachacutec Pass reaches about 4,700 m / 15,420 ft), crosses puna grasslands and glacial-fed lakes, and passes working Andean communities where textiles, llamas and Quechua traditions remain central to daily life.
Geologically the region is carved by uplifted volcanic and metamorphic rock, with steep river-cut valleys and mineral-rich soils that feed the patchwork agriculture in the Sacred Valley. Culturally, the trek provides repeated contact with modern descendants of the Inca who maintain traditional weaving and highland farming.
Expect camp nights under clear high-altitude skies, one night in village-run camps, two nights in small hotels, and a final approach along the polished stone steps of the Inca Trail to Inti Punku (Sun Gate). Guides handle logistics and permits, but altitude and prolonged climbs make pacing and pre-acclimatization essential.
Practical guidance: arrive in Cusco 48–72 hours early to acclimatize, use layered clothing for large temperature swings, and keep a steady hydration and calorie plan on high passes. Bring cash for local markets, and be prepared for rocky, sometimes muddy trails—this is trekking that rewards fitness and cultural curiosity in equal measure.