Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail 5 days 

Travel off the beaten path with the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, visiting isolated villages to experience the Inca culture as you interact with Locals, visit the glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls, and hiking the shorter version of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco to Lares Hot Springs

• Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Lares Hot Springs.
• Enjoy a relaxing soak in the natural volcanic hot springs.
• First breakfast surrounded by mountain views.
• Start a 4-hour hike to Blue Lake, your first campsite.

Day 2: Blue Lake to Canchacancha via Condor Pass

• Coffee with mountain views in the morning.
• Challenge yourself with a 4-hour ascent to Condor Pass (highest point).
• Admire stunning vistas, glacial lakes, llamas, and possibly condors.
• Descend 2 hours to Canchacancha Village for your second camp.

Day 3: Canchacancha to Sacred Valley via Salineras

• Explore Canchacancha village and its unique way of life.
• Descend for 4 hours, passing potato and bean farms.
• Experience a temperature change as you enter the Sacred Valley.
• Enjoy a special Pachamanca underground hot stone barbecue.

Day 4: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

• Take the train to Km 104 to start the Short Inca Trail.
• Visit Chachabamba Inca Sites and hike for 4 hours to Wiñaywayna.
• Lunch along the way.
• Arrive at Sungate, enjoy your first view of Machu Picchu.
• Descend to Aguas Calientes for a shower and dinner.

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

• Early breakfast at your hotel.
• Catch the first buses to Machu Picchu.
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu, including temples and palaces.
• Free time to explore or hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included).
• Bus down to Aguas Calientes, lunch (not included).
• Vistadome Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo, then van to Cusco.

This encapsulates the highlights of your Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail 5-day journey.