Lares Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — Self-Launched (5 Days)

Leave Cusco at dawn (buses from Terminal Santiago or Calca-bound colectivos from Av. Grau run from ~04:00; a shared tourist van can be arranged the night before for ~£6-8). Stop in Calca for the produce market and to buy last supplies, then continue to Lares. If you want muleteer support, arrange it in Calca or Lares the day before (ask at the Lares municipal tourism office; ~£25-40/day for a horseman with animals, split between hikers). Walk the Pampacorral → Kiswarani stretch, detour to the Ankasmarka ruins and look for Puya raimondii plants, then soak in the Lares hot springs (entry ~£2) before camping at the Blue Lagoon. Self-catering or cook with your horseman's help; nights at 3,800m are cold.

🚌Local bus/colectivo Cusco–Calca–Lares, ~£6-10 total; short walk to trailhead

🛏Own tent at Blue Lagoon campsite (~£5 pitch fee) or a basic Kiswarani village guesthouse (~£10)

• →Calca market
• →Ankasmarka archaeological site
• →Puya raimondii viewing
• →Lares hot springs
• →Hike Pampacorral to Blue Lagoon

The big day: climb steadily to Condor Pass at 4,750m — go slow, drink coca tea, and start early to avoid afternoon cloud and rain. From the pass descend toward Cancha Cancha village beneath the Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Qolquecruz peaks. Cancha Cancha is a genuinely remote Quechua community with no road access; stay in one of the simple family homestays (ask in the village or arrange via a Cusco community-tourism outfit such as those linked with Lares community associations, ~£12-18 including dinner and breakfast). Bring small gifts or buy weavings from families. Self-launched travellers must carry their own food unless a horseman is along.

🚌On foot — no road access to Cancha Cancha

🛏Cancha Cancha family homestay (~£15 with meals) or tent

• →Summit Condor Pass (4,750m)
• →Pitusiray & Sawasiray mountain views
• →Quechua homestay and village visit

Descend to Huaran on the Sacred Valley floor (3–4 hours), where colectivos to Urubamba/Calca pass frequently (~£1.50). From Urubamba take a colectivo or shared taxi to Maras (~£2), then a shared taxi up to the Salineras salt pans (entry ~£2.50, ~£2 return ride) — walk down through the terraces if you have time. Continue by colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£2) and check into a hostel near the plaza. Optionally climb the Ollantaytambo Inca terraces (entry ~£4) and eat at a local menu del día spot (~£5). Buy your Ollantaytambo → Km 104 train ticket (PeruRail or Inca Rail, ~£45-55 one way) and confirm your Short Inca Trail permit for tomorrow — this must be booked in advance with your Machu Picchu entry.

🚌Colectivos Huaran–Urubamba–Maras–Ollantaytambo, ~£8 total

🛏Ollantaytambo hostel dorm or budget private room (~£12-18)

• →Descent hike to Huaran
• →Maras Salt Mines (Salineras)
• →Ollantaytambo town and Inca terraces
• →Buy train ticket and confirm permits

Take the early PeruRail/Inca Rail service from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (the trailhead stop — you must tell the operator you're alighting there when booking). Check in at the control point with your Short Inca Trail permit and passport. Walk up to Chachabamba, then through cloud forest past waterfalls to the beautiful Wiñay Wayna terraces, and on to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) for your first view down over Machu Picchu in the afternoon light. Descend to Aguas Calientes (~2 hours), drop your bag at a hostel, and book your Machu Picchu shuttle bus ticket for the morning. Licensed guides can be hired in Aguas Calientes for the next day (~£30-50 for a small group) or pre-booked via GetYourGuide.

🚌Train Ollantaytambo–Km 104 (~£50); on foot Km 104–Aguas Calientes

🛏Aguas Calientes hostel dorm or budget guesthouse (~£15-22)

• →Chachabamba ruins
• →Wiñay Wayna
• →Intipunku (Sun Gate)
• →First views of Machu Picchu

Take the first Consettur shuttle buses up (~£8 return) for a timed Circuit 3 entry (ticket ~£30, booked in advance with your name and passport — this is separate from the trek permit). Circuit 3 covers the lower terraces and gives access to Huayna Picchu; if you pre-booked a Huayna Picchu slot (extra ~£55, sells out quickly) it's a steep but doable 2-hour round trip with huge views. Bring your passport for the stamp, then ride back down, lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£6), and take the afternoon PeruRail/Inca Rail train to Ollantaytambo (~£50) followed by a colectivo or bus to Cusco (~£4, ~2 hours). Arrive Cusco early evening.

🚌Consettur bus up/down (~£8); train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£50); colectivo/bus to Cusco (~£4)

🛏Not included — Cusco hostel (~£10-15 if you stay the night)

• →Machu Picchu Circuit 3 with licensed guide
• →Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike
• →Return train and bus to Cusco