The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu: Your Complete Guide For Peru’s Most Underrated Trek

Why Hike The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu?

There are many reasons to head on this fantastic hike, however perhaps the biggest pull is that the Lares trek to Machu Picchu is one of the more remote and lesser-known treks around the Cusco region. This means you’re likely to see only a few other trekking groups on the route, and that’s regardless of the month too. This is a much different story compared with the Inca Trail, which is usually busier (especially in the winter season). This means you’ll experience lots of authenticity along the multi-day route. This includes passing by and meeting local indigenous groups, seeing breathtaking snow-capped mountains, as well as visiting beautiful waterfalls tucked away within the Andes. As a result you’ll want to make sure your phone and camera are fully charged, and also to bring a power bank given the amount of incredible photo opportunities! Finally, the Lares trek to Machu Picchu also combines ancient history and novelty along with its scenic landscapes. This includes visiting the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu at the end of the route, which is located on top of a mountain and is one of UNESCO’s New Seven Wonders of the World. If you choose the Five Day Lares Trek, you’ll also hike the original stone steps of the Inca Trail, as well as exploring ruins like Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna along the way.

Important Things To Know About The Lares Trek Peru

Things To Know About The Lares Trek

• Lares is the only trek that is safe during the rainy season in terms of landslides. But you need to go with a proper raincoat.
• There are many routes to hike the Lares trek. We recommend the route Huaran to Kiswarani or vice versa because this is the only place where you can see the glacier from a very close distance.
• While hiking, kids will come to you asking for candies. Bring school supplies – as candies are not good for their teeth.

Best Time To Hike Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 

In brief, the best time to hike the Lares trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season from April –  August. Also, the trail isn’t crawling with tourists or large groups of people and so much more in the rainy season from December to March. Whereas in September till November, the days are frequently sunny, but it sometimes just gets cloudy threatening to rain but it either rains or fades, overall it is still a good season. 

Who Should Choose The Lares Trek?

Take the Lares Trek to get to know about life in the Peruvian Andes mountain, because you will witness a more authentic way of life of the Quechua People living in this part of Cusco; and there you will have a chance to learn about their wisdom, religion as well as their philosophy. Besides only mountain villages and the local culture, enjoy the clear blue lakes, valleys inhabited by the wild Alpacas and Llamas, the alluring mountain peaks, and many marvels this trek has yet to offer.

How Fit Do You Need To Be For The Lares Trek Peru?

Anyone having difficulty with altitude sickness and not in regular shape may not make it when climbing high-altitude mountain passes. If not, before arriving in Peru, try to do cardio exercises and plan enough time to get acclimatized to the altitude in Cusco, and after that, there wouldn’t be anything you can´t handle.

Lares Trek To Machu Picchu Weather

Expect cold temperatures at night and early hours in winter running from May-August, but it turns out to be advisable months for doing the hike. (Temperature can dip below zero degrees). Whereas, in the summer months from December – March, the temperature gets warmer but followed by downpours. The rest of the year is mild.

Do You Need To Book The Lares Trek In Advance?

There is no need to pre-book the tour months before, as it receives unlimited tour groups year-round. Just look for a reliable tour operator and ask for the tour, then they will begin to organize the hike. There is always availability.

Are There Any Age Restrictions?

There is no age restriction for this particular trek, but there are some aspects to take into account: First, elder people have to be aware of how their bodies respond to a mountain hike. If you are going with kids, the key is to stay well-hydrated, have snacks for them, and take breaks. It all depends if the kid has previous experience, then route 2 would be recommended for 8 years old kids and up. 

Do You Need Hiking Poles?

If you are used to hiking with poles, bring them, they are going to be worth it. You are going to use them to avoid nasty falls hiking down as well as to keep your ankle joints and knees safe on the mountain trail.

Is There Internet On The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu?

No, for most of the hike, there is no Internet in route 2 until the Ollantaytambo town, or if there is, it will be a slow and broken internet connection. 

Is There Any Drinking Water?

No, the river streams running on the trail are not reliable, therefore bring your own bottled water or fill boiled water on your camel bag before leaving the camp. 

What About Medications?

This is just a reminder because not everyone can take the same drug. According to specialists and pharmacists, it is essential to have some Paracetamol and ibuprofen as painkillers. The next thing that could get annoying on a trek is diarrhea, so to help it halt, consider taking Imodium pills, and of course, Acetazolamide for altitude sickness.

No tour guide nor a tour agent is allowed to prescribe any recipe or pills of any kind. What they do is carry a basic first aid kit with pharmacy medicines where if the tourist agrees to take it because it is the same as the doctor´s suggestion, so they take it. 

The Best Things To See And Do On The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu

Mountain Villages And Local Indigenous Communities

You will surely see local people, focused on their daily duties, most of them farm and are llama herders, dressed in their traditional clothes as it was supposed to be in the Incan times. They live in some adobe huts plastered with mud and secure their llamas and alpacas in stone fences or into woven wired fences in summer months.

Remote Camping Establishments  

The camping sites are less crowded as it is less trodden and have several versions. There are only outhouse toilets so go prepared for it. Water may not be safe, therefore needs to be purified too. As for taking a shower, it will depend on the time and weather conditions. Usually, the temperature is cold, so you barely take a birdbath.

Thermal Hotsprings

Most Lares treks pass by Lares town so you can soak in the thermal Hotsprings. It is a very charming place to relax, but before starting the tour, ask your tour operator if there will be time for it, as mentioned in Route 3, the hike begins away from Lares.

How Difficult Is The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu? 

Lares Trek Difficulty

Because it is a multi-day hike, it varies each day, but depending on which route you choose, here you are a general estimation:

• Route 1: Moderate to Difficult
• Route 2: Moderate
• Route 3: Moderate
• Route 4: Difficult
• Route 5: Strenuous

Lares Trek Distances

The most common Lares trek covers a 37 km pathway, starting in Lares Hotsprings, throughout Quiswarani camp to Huaran hamlet in the Sacred Valley. It involves a 3-day trek, and after the 37 Km hike, the adventure ends with a magical visit to Machu Picchu park on the fourth day.

What Is The Highest Point Of The Lares Trek?

The highest point to get to, when hiking the standard Lares trek to Machu Picchu, is the 15 400 ft / 4 700 mountain pass, a mountain pass by the name of Pachakuteq pass. And this mountain hike is completed on the second day of hiking, then on the third day is the entry on the Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo, and subsequently the train ride to Aguas Calientes town.

Can You Hike The Lares Trek Without A Guide?

Hiking Lares on your own is possible, however, it will depend on your previous experience doing solo hiking over 13 000 ft, also the time spent acclimatizing in Cusco before Heading to Lares. As it is known, the Lares trek is not only one way, it is more than one, and each one presents a different difficulty level.

Still, want to do it on your own? Well, let´s talk a little more, the changeable weather in the mountains, especially in the wet season make it difficult, sometimes the heavy snow covers all hints of the pathway.  Unless there is a guided group so you can follow them, although the locals are friendly, they won´t speak English, therefore Spanish or Quechua is a very useful resource for communicating. Also, be careful of the countryside dogs, they would be aggressive at times.

Lares Routes Options

1: Lares – Quiswarani – Huaran

Tour groups drive the way to Calca City in the sacred valley, where they can stock up on some recommended essentials if needed, then turn in another valley way up and down on the other side to Lares Valley. This is the most common route amongst all routes in Lares trek to Machu Picchu, beginning with Lares Hotsprings. In the upcoming days, the path reaches up to 4 700 m which is the Pachakuteq pass. It is a 37 km hike for three days, and Machu Picchu is visited on the fourth day, so this is a 4D/3N Lares trek Package. Some other tour companies do the same route, but beginning on the opposite side, it is like Huaran  – Quiswarani – Lares. Don´t be surprised!

2: Lares – Huacahuasi –  Patacancha

As well as in route 1, travelers arrive in Lares town and undertake the trail towards Huacahuasi, an Andean village in northwest Lares. Then, for the next couple of days, the path goes up to Ipsaycocha pass, reaching 4 400 m, and again down to Patacancha and Huilloc villages on the last day of the hike almost nearing Ollantaytambo. This is about a 35 km hike which takes three days of hiking plus a Machu Picchu visit on the fourth day.

3: Quishuarani – Huacahuasi – Patacancha

 Unfortunately, there is no way of visiting Lares hot springs because the hike begins at Quiswarani village, which is before Lares Town. Then the path climbs up to Huilquijasa Pass at 4 200 m to get to Cuncani Andean village for overnight rest. In the following days, it continues to Huacahuasi village and again up to Ipsaycocha pass as in route 2, then throughout the Patacancha valley to Ollantaytambo. It is a three-day hike, covering 39 km plus a Machu Picchu visit on the fourth day.

4: Quishuarani – Huacahuasi – Yanahuara

 This route takes the same trail as route 3 until Huacahuasi village. From Huacahuasi, it takes a different way, traversing the Huacahuasijasa pass at 4 500 m. and then down to Yanahuara village in the sacred valley near Ollantaytambo. It covers a length of 45 Km, being this a less trodden trail. 

5: Huaran – Huacahuasi – Yanahuara

 Another nonpopular route amongst the routes is due to its strenuous hike but suits well to more experienced hikers. Beginning at a small hamlet named Huaran in the sacred valley, tourists ascend to Cancha Cancha camp before Pachacuteq passes at 4 700 m. The next day the descent begins behind the mountain pass while seeing some lakes in that magical Lares valley approaching Quiswarani village. In the upcoming days, the path gets to Cuncani and Huacahuasi villages for camping and continues towards Huacahuasijasa pass as in route 4. The hike ends in Yanahuara village near Ollantaytambo in the sacred valley before taking the train. It is a four-day hike plus a Machu Picchu visit on the fifth day in this case.

How To Prepare For The Lares Trek

As with any multi-day trek, proper preparation is essential in order to have the best experience possible. This is even more important on the Lares trek Peru, given we’ll be hiking at high altitudes, as well as through a variety of different terrains and biomes.

Pack A Range Of Clothes

Packing a range of clothes is extremely important, given how temperatures can vary wildly throughout the day. The early mornings will be brisk, so having a jumper to hike with is recommended as you start warming up. Daytime temperatures can get hot up in the Andes, so you’ll want thin hiking layers and lots of sunscreen. On the other hand, the evenings and nights can get very cold – so be sure to bring a thick coat, gloves and a hat. If hiking during the wet season, then you’ll also need a poncho or rainproof jacket.

Acclimate Properly Before Your Hike

The Lares trek to Machu Picchu is a high altitude hike, given its location deep within the Cusco Andes. It’s usual for elevations during the route to pass over 4000m, which can often cause altitude sickness symptoms in hikers who haven’t prepared prior. We highly suggest spending at least 2/3 days in Cusco before so your body can get acclimated, as well as bringing medications (Diamox is a popular western course of tablets, while Soroche Pills and Coca Leaf Teas are local remedies).

Follow Our Ideal Trekking Tips

Now that you’re properly acclimated and have everything you need, it’s important to approach the Lares Trek in a certain way. First you’ll want to walk slowly and not rush – since it’s a marathon and you don’t want to burn out too quickly (not to mention it will be easier to appreciate the scenery and culture by taking frequent pauses and stops). It’s also essential to drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself well hydrated – not just because of the warm daytime temperatures, but also due to the higher altitudes of the region.

Booking Your Lares Trek To Machu Picchu

Ready to start booking your very own adventure around the Lares region of Cusco? Given both treks (as covered below) include entrance to the ever-popular Machu Picchu, it’s vital you book your trek at least 2 months in advance in order to guarantee your spot. This is even more important in the winter season months between May and August, where tourism levels peak at the sacred site. The most popular trek you can choose is the Four Day Lares Trek To Machu Picchu, which is the minimum time needed to properly explore the region. Here you’ll see all of the key destinations and sites mentioned earlier in this article, such as waterfalls, local indigenous groups, Machu Picchu and unforgettable Andean mountains. You’ll also have all meals, permits, lodging and transport included. For those who want a more complete trekking experience, then consider our Five Day Lares Trek And Inca Trail To Machu Picchu. Here you’ll follow the same route as above, but with a major advantage – you’ll then join onto the Short Inca Trail and access Machu Picchu the same way the ancient Inca once did – seeing ruins like Wiñay Wayna and Chachabamba along the way. You’ll also have everything included when you book your trek with us here at AB Expeditions.

Why Hike The Lares Trek With AB Expeditions?

Here at AB Expeditions, you’ll be getting much more than just a multi-day trek seeing the sights. Our local guides are experts in the region with decades of experience, and as such know awesome hidden spots and lesser-known highlights along the way. This includes also meeting local indigenous Quechua groups along the way – where our guides can directly translate as we get to know them and their ways of life. You’ll also receive the very best attention and quality along the hike too. Our professional chefs join us along the route, preparing buffet-style meals three times a day, where we’ll also stay at scenic campsites with warm gear and equipment provided. Finally our hiking groups are small – with a maximum of 8 trekkers – which helps guarantee a much more intimate and personal experience along the Lares to Machu Picchu route.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, as well as anything else important that you need to know before visiting.

Does The Lares Trek Go To Machu Picchu?

Yes the Lares Trek does go to Machu Picchu, however not by pure hiking like you would do when heading on the Inca Trail. On the third day of the Lares trek, you will pass through to Saywa where we’ll then take a private ride to Ollantaytambo. From here we’ll then take the train to Aguas Calientes, before reaching the wonder that is Machu Picchu. If heading on the Five Day Lares Trek, then you’ll instead enter via the Short Inca Trail route.

Is The Lares Trek Worth It?

If you want incredible landscapes, mysterious Inca ruins and virtually no other tourists around – then yes, the Lares trek is 100% worth it. Along the way we’ll also have many opportunities to meet and get to know local indigenous communities, thus making this trek one of culture and fond memories rather than just seeing beautiful landscapes. Overall the four or five days treks are amazing in their own rights, and should be considered by anyone visiting Cusco.

How Difficult Is The Lares Trek?

In terms of difficulty, the Lares trek remains one of the more gentle multi-day hikes you can do around the Cusco region. While Ausangate and Salkantay reach higher altitudes, the Lares trek is more gentle – although we’ll still need to acclimate for a few days in Cusco before heading on the trek. As always, being in good shape and preparing properly are clear determinants in how well tourists manage the altitudes when hiking the Lares trek to Machu Picchu.

Overview Of The Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 

And that’s all for this complete guide on the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. Famed for its ancient ruins and breathtaking Andean scenery, Cusco is already a very popular place for hiking – with treks like the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek already welcoming many tourists monthly. While the Lares trek Peru remains much lesser-known, here we can enjoy equally rewarding landscapes and cultural experiences without other crowds on the trails. Here at AB Expeditions, we offer an unforgettable trek through this remote region of Cusco. During Our Four Day Lares To Machu Picchu Trek, you’ll have all meals, lodging, private transport and an experienced lead guide all included.