Self-Launched Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 Days / 3 Nights)
4 days · Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru
Action Peru Treks charges £555
No-markup version: ~£242 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Action Peru Treks' guided Lares Trek, done independently using local collectivos, a self-arranged trek with village homestays/guesthouses, the Lares hot springs, and public PeruRail/Inca Rail service to Aguas Calientes. You arrange your own Machu Picchu entry ticket and site guide on arrival, or join a small shared group on site. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget rates and assume you acclimatise in Cusco for 2-3 days first. Note: the Lares route does not require an Inca Trail permit, but Machu Picchu entry tickets sell out weeks/months ahead in high season — book those first.
Day-by-day
Cusco to Huaran, trek to Cancha Cancha & Acopata
Huaran / Cancha Cancha / Acopata
Take an early collectivo or shared van from Cusco's Puputi/Arcopata terminal toward Calca and ask to be dropped at Huaran (S/15-20, ~1.5 hrs). Start the walk on the north side of the valley, following the Cancha Cancha river upstream through cultivated fields and native Polylepis forest. The path climbs steadily to the village of Cancha Cancha (3,956 m) — an authentic Quechua community with no road access. Continue a short way to an Acopata-area camp or family-run guesthouse. Expect ~6 hrs / 12 km at altitude; take it slow and drink plenty of water. Buy supplies and snacks in Calca before Huaran — there are no shops after that.
🚌Shared collectivo Cusco–Huaran (~£3-4)
🛏Basic family guesthouse or organised camp in the Acopata/Cancha Cancha area (~£10-15 pp)
- →Collectivo from Cusco to Huaran
- →Trek Huaran to Cancha Cancha village (~6 hrs, 12 km)
- →Overnight in Acopata area camp/guesthouse
Acopata over Pachacutec Pass to Quishuarani
Pachacutec Pass / Pitusiray / Quishuarani
The hardest day. Leave early to climb to the Pachacutec Pass (4,780 m), the high point of the trek, with views of the Pitusiray and Sahuasiray peaks. Descend past turquoise glacial lakes — a great spot for a packed lunch — then continue down the valley toward Quishuarani village (~7 hrs / 12 km). Hire a local arriero (muleteer) in Cancha Cancha or Huaran the day before if you want your pack carried (roughly £25-35/day for the mule and handler — split between a small group it's cheap). Altitude is the main challenge today, so pace yourself and watch for headache/nausea.
🚌On foot
🛏Village guesthouse/camp near Quishuarani (~£10-15 pp)
- →Trek over Pachacutec Pass (4,780 m)
- →Glacial lake lunch stop
- →Descend to Quishuarani village
- →Optional muleteer hire for luggage
Quishuarani over Willcaccasa to Lares Hot Springs, then Ollantaytambo & Aguas Calientes
Willcaccasa / Cuncani / Lares / Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes
Climb to the Willcaccasa pass (4,458 m), then descend through the village of Cuncani into the Lares Valley (~6-7 hrs / 13 km). At the end of the trek, soak at the Lares hot springs (entry around S/15-20) — a perfect reward for the knees. From Lares, take a shared van or collectivo to Calca/Ollantaytambo (S/20-30, ~2-3 hrs). Have dinner in Ollantaytambo, then board the evening PeruRail or Inca Rail service to Aguas Calientes (book online in advance; ~£35-55 one way depending on class and how far ahead you book — Expedition/Voyager class is cheapest).
🚌Shared van Lares–Ollantaytambo (~£5-7); PeruRail/Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes (~£35-55)
🛏Aguas Calientes hostel/guesthouse (~£15-25 pp)
- →Trek to Willcaccasa Pass (4,458 m)
- →Walk through Cuncani village
- →Soak at Lares hot springs
- →Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu & return to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes / Cusco
Queue early for the Consettur bus up to Machu Picchu (round trip ~£20/US$24; the first buses leave around 5:30am for sunrise). Enter with your pre-booked Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 2/classic view, ~£38-42 — buy weeks ahead as slots sell out). Either explore independently with a downloaded guide app, or hire a licensed guide at the gate (~£20-30 shared among a few people) for the classic 2-hr circuit. Optional extra: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (separate ticket, ~£15-20, book far in advance). Bus back to Aguas Calientes, then take the PeruRail/Inca Rail train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, and a collectivo/bus or shared taxi back to Cusco (~£3-5).
🚌Consettur bus (~£20 RT); PeruRail/Inca Rail to Ollantaytambo/Poroy (~£35-55); shared transport to Cusco (~£3-5)
🛏Not included — own hostel in Cusco (~£10-20 pp)
- →Bus up to Machu Picchu
- →2-hr guided or self-led Machu Picchu circuit
- →Optional Huayna Picchu climb
- →Train and collectivo back to Cusco
Self-launched vs. Action Peru Treks
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Action Peru Treks | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£242 | £555 |
| Duration | 4 days | 4 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £313 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Action Peru Treks-style trips? Check them out here.~£242
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 Days / 3 Nights) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £242 per person for 4 days in Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Action Peru Treks?+
Yes — Action Peru Treks charges around £555 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £242 — a saving of roughly £313 (56%) per person.
How long is the Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 4 days, covering 4 day-by-day stops through Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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