The Different Lakes You Can See Along The Inca Trail

The most impressive thing no doubt about the Inca Trail are the varied scenery that you will see along the way. 

This ranges from tall snow-capped peaks to waterfalls within the high Amazon jungle. There are also some worthy lakes too, so you’ll want to read on to find out how many you’ll see, as well as where you’ll see them on the route.

In this guide we’ll explore the different lakes that you can see along the Inca Trail, and the importance of each one. We’ll also take a look at some of the other awesome lake hikes that you can do in and around the Sacred Valley region.

 

differents lakes you can see along the inca trail

The Different Lakes You Can See Along The Inca Trail

Quick Answer: We’ll find a couple of lakes along the Inca Trail, so it’s worth keeping an eye out and knowing when you’ll pass them.

It’s first important to mention that we will only see lakes on the second day of the Inca Trail (the classic 4 Day Inca Trail Hike, that is). This means we won’t see any on the first, third and final day.

The first and main lake is unofficially known as Laguna Yana Cocha, which is just a short 15 minute walk after the ruins of Runkurakay (not to be confused with the popular Yanacocha Lake that you can visit from Cusco). As well as being a great stop for resting on our way up this mountain, if we’re lucky we may even spot Deer and other animals that come to feed here.

There are two other smaller lakes nearby, however they only appear during the wet season (and dry out quickly during the dry season). We don’t directly visit these lakes, however we will see them when climbing up to Runkurakay Pass. Given mist can partially block views on this section of the route, you may need to wait a short while for it to clear to get those memorable photos.

Alternative Lake Hikes In The Sacred Valley

As we’ve seen, there are numerous lakes (and rivers) that we’ll spot along the Inca Trail. However to be completely honest, these aren’t the drop-dead gorgeous lakes that you’ve probably seen on Instagram. 

To reach these we’ll need to go on a separate tour before or after the Inca Trail (preferably after once you’re adjusted to the altitudes). Below we’ll cover some of the very best.

Humantay Lake

This is by far the most recognisable and popular lake in the Cusco region. Here we can enjoy spectacular views of the bright-blue lagoon, with a backdrop of giant icy mountains on the other side.

It’s important to mention that Lake Humantay has an overall altitude of 5473m, which usually causes altitude sickness symptoms. For this reason it’s best to do it after other treks (such as the Inca Trail), and also to take Coca Leaves or Soroche Pills with you to prevent any altitude-related issues.

The 7 Ausangate Lakes

Slowly growing in popularity, the 7 lakes around Ausangate Mountain is by far the best-kept secret of this region. 

Here we can spot various colored lakes that vary from bright red to deep blues and greens, and always gets raving reviews from travelers who visit all of them when walking the circuit. On the 1 Day Tour you’ll visit all of them, hiking at an average altitude of 4200m (although there are horses available too). 

We also offer various multi-day treks in Ausangate, where we’ll also hike around this scenic mountain.

The Different Lakes You Can See Along The Inca Trail

And that’s all for this guide on the different lakes you can see along the Inca Trail.

Whilst the ruins and mountain views generally steal our attention (and they are incredible in their own right), we’ll also find many lakes along the way too which are great for catching a quick breath next to. If we’re lucky we may even see animals resting at these lagunas too!

Wondering what else you will see along the Inca Trail? Then be sure to read this article on why it’s worth hiking the Inca Trail.

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