Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days

Five days combining the Lares valley's mountain villages and hot springs with a short stretch of the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. You get the cultural, quieter side of the Andes first, then the classic approach through the Sun Gate.

The trek moves through remote communities, glacier-fed lakes and waterfalls before joining the Inca Trail for the final push. You visit Machu Picchu twice, once at sunset and again at sunrise, which is unusual and worth the early start.

It ends with the Vistadome or 360° train back through the Sacred Valley to Cusco, so you finish sitting down and looking out the window rather than on your feet.

What you'll do

• Soak in the Lares hot springs
• Walk through Andean villages and meet local communities
• Pass glacier-fed lakes and waterfalls in the Lares valley
• Hike the short Inca Trail to the Sun Gate
• See Machu Picchu at both sunset and sunrise
• Ride the Vistadome or 360° train through the Sacred Valley