5.0
4 Days 
Lares
Lares Trek: Andean Villages, Hot Springs and Machu Picchu
The Lares hike lasts two or three days in Cusco, this hike begins near the city of Lares, approximately 64 kilometers north of Cusco and 56 kilometers east of Machu Picchu. The hike route crosses typical areas of the mountains of Peru.
The cultural trek of Cusco: remote Quechua weaving communities, llama herds, glacial lakes and the Lares hot springs, with options that finish at Machu Picchu — or on the Short Inca Trail through the Sun Gate.
5.0
4 Days 
5.0
3 Days 
5.0
6 days Why choose the Lares trek
Lares crosses high passes of up to about 4,400–4,700 m depending on the route, but its real attraction is people: you walk through communities where weaving and herding are still daily life, and you meet far fewer hikers than on Salkantay. It needs no Inca Trail permit.
Our favourite combination when the Classic Inca Trail is sold out is Lares + Short Inca Trail in 6 days: several days in the Lares valleys, then the last section of the Inca road through Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Lares trek?
Moderate to challenging: daily distances are manageable, but the passes are high, so acclimatize in Cusco for two or three days first.
Does the Lares trek need a permit?
No Inca Trail permit is needed for Lares itself. The Lares + Short Inca Trail combination uses a Km 104 permit, bought by us in your name.
Lares or Salkantay?
Choose Lares for culture and quiet trails, Salkantay for big glacier scenery. Salkantay’s pass is higher and the trail busier.
Are there hot springs on the Lares trek?
Yes, the Lares hot springs are part of most itineraries and a welcome stop after the passes.