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Lares Trek

Peru🇵🇪 | hikesLares TrekWeaving villages, hot springs, Ipsaycocha lakes, alpaca herds | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Lares Trek
👌 Worth visitinghike ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The big decision on the Lares Trek is whether to book a guided group or a cheaper local operator, and what tips it is how much you value hot-spring access and a cook carrying your food. Lares Trek runs through the high Andes northeast of Cusco in Peru, crossing passes above 4,500 meters and linking herding villages with weaving cooperatives. Tour prices swing wildly, so confirm that park fees, the return bus and the Machu Picchu train are included. Altitude catches people out, so spend two nights in Cusco first. I still hear the bleating of alpacas and the clatter of a weaver’s wooden beater echoing across a village courtyard. Book your Machu Picchu entry before you pay for the trek.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.
Best time to go: May - September
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 33 kilometers
Total ascent: 1500 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 hike in PeruReasons people choose to hike the here

Lares Trek gives you the Andes without the Inca Trail’s permit scramble. Trekkers choose it for its village encounters, where families in Lares-area communities still weave and trade potatoes, and you can buy textiles straight from the makers. The route crosses the Ipsaycocha Pass at roughly 4,450 meters, with glacier-fed lakes and herds of llamas on open puna. Permits are not capped the way the Inca Trail’s are, so you can often book on shorter notice. Flexible endings matter too. Many itineraries finish at Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes, so the trek folds neatly into a Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu loop. Hot springs at the start soothe legs before the climbing begins.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while hiking the Lares Trek

  1. Lares Hot Springs: Thermal pools beside the Vilcanota tributary at the start of the route, with mountain views. They are popular as a first-day soak or a finish, and they charge a small entry fee.
  2. Ipsaycocha Lakes: Turquoise high lakes beneath glaciated peaks, with grazing alpacas on the shoreline. This is the best camping scenery on the route.
  3. Ipsaycocha Pass: The highest crossing, at about 4,450 meters, with sweeping views of snowcapped Andean ridges and valleys falling away on both sides.
  4. Huacahuasi Village: A weaving community where women demonstrate natural dyeing and spinning. Textiles are sold directly, so your money reaches the makers.
  5. Patacancha and Ollantaytambo descent: Terraces, stone houses and llama herds appear as the trail drops toward the Sacred Valley, finishing near Inca ruins
… read more 👉
  1. Lares Hot Springs: Thermal pools beside the Vilcanota tributary at the start of the route, with mountain views. They are popular as a first-day soak or a finish, and they charge a small entry fee.
  2. Ipsaycocha Lakes: Turquoise high lakes beneath glaciated peaks, with grazing alpacas on the shoreline. This is the best camping scenery on the route.
  3. Ipsaycocha Pass: The highest crossing, at about 4,450 meters, with sweeping views of snowcapped Andean ridges and valleys falling away on both sides.
  4. Huacahuasi Village: A weaving community where women demonstrate natural dyeing and spinning. Textiles are sold directly, so your money reaches the makers.
  5. Patacancha and Ollantaytambo descent: Terraces, stone houses and llama herds appear as the trail drops toward the Sacred Valley, finishing near Inca ruins and the train station.
Start with the Lares Hot Springs, because soaking before the climb loosens your legs and eases the first night’s altitude.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Lares Trek

Lares Trek & Machu Picchu 4-DayTour – Cultural Immersion & Nature

Lares Trek & Machu Picchu 4-DayTour – Cultural Immersion & Nature

0.0(0) 96h
From €1,180
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (May to September): Lares Trek is at its most reliable from May to September, with sunny days of 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) and nights that drop to around -5 to 0°C (23 to 32°F) at the passes, which top out near 4,500 m. Days are crisp and bright. This is also when crowds and prices peak, especially June to August.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October): Fewer groups share the trail, and showers come mostly in the afternoon. Guided trek prices often ease a little.
  • Wet Season (November to March): Expect daily rain, muddy paths and cloud over the passes. Cold nights, sometimes with snow at altitude, are common. Daylight stays close to 12 hours all year.
Book Machu Picchu entry before your trek dates, since June to August slots sell out weeks ahead.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
Peru - the Lares Trek

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Peru


Best quality hotels in Peru

🥾 Hike detailsEverything you need to know before hiking Lares Trek

Lares Trek: a classic three to four day Andean trek northeast of Cusco, with route variations depending on the operator.
Total Distance: about 30 to 35 kilometers.
Duration: 3 to 4 days, most often 3 nights of camping or homestays.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, mainly due to altitude and two high passes.
Starting Point: Lares or Calca area, reached by shared van or bus from Cusco. Most trekkers arrange transport through their operator. The trek typically ends at Ollantaytambo or Patacancha with onward train or bus links.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lares Hot Springs: Thermal pools near the start.
  • Ipsaycocha
… read more 👉
Lares Trek: a classic three to four day Andean trek northeast of Cusco, with route variations depending on the operator.
Total Distance: about 30 to 35 kilometers.
Duration: 3 to 4 days, most often 3 nights of camping or homestays.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, mainly due to altitude and two high passes.
Starting Point: Lares or Calca area, reached by shared van or bus from Cusco. Most trekkers arrange transport through their operator. The trek typically ends at Ollantaytambo or Patacancha with onward train or bus links.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lares Hot Springs: Thermal pools near the start.
  • Ipsaycocha Lakes: Alpine lakes below glaciers.
  • High pass: The crossing at about 4,500 meters.
  • Huacahuasi: A weaving village with a cooperative.
Terrain and Scenery: Rocky paths, grassy puna, stream crossings and long climbs, with snowcapped peaks and glacial valleys.
Vegetation: Ichu grass, high-altitude shrubs and potato fields lower down.
Wildlife: Llamas, alpacas and vicuñas in places, plus Andean condors and hummingbirds in the lower valleys.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Lares Trek

Lares Trek is a well-managed route, and the main risks are altitude and cold rather than wildlife or difficult terrain. Camps sit around 3,800 to 4,000 m and the high pass is near 4,500 m, so spend two or three days in Cusco first and drink plenty of water. Walk slowly on the climb to the pass and tell your guide at once if headaches or nausea worsen. Nights are freezing even in the dry season, so bring a warm sleeping bag and layers. Rain can turn the paths slick, so trekking poles and waterproof boots help. Sun at altitude burns quickly, so pack sunscreen and a hat. Dogs and llamas near villages are harmless if you keep your distance. Keep your valuables with you at camp.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Lares Trek takes 3 to 4 days, covering roughly 30 to 35 km. Most itineraries run from the hot springs at Lares or a village such as Cuncani, and cross a pass near 4,500 m. The route ends at Ollantaytambo, where you continue by train to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.
Lares Trek is rated moderate. Days are 5 to 8 hours of walking, with one steep climb to a pass of about 4,500 m, and the altitude is the real challenge rather than technical terrain. Reasonable fitness and a few days of acclimatization in Cusco (3,400 m) make it manageable for most first-timers.
Lares Trek has no mandatory permit like the Inca Trail, but you need to book a licensed agency, since independent trekkers rarely arrange camping and support. Group trips cost roughly US$350 to 700 for 3 to 4 days, including guide, cook, tents and meals. Some villages charge a small community fee, usually included by the operator, and the Machu Picchu ticket is booked separately.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian hikes near Lares Trek

Explore more nearby:

  • Huchuy Qosqo Trek—Lake Piuray start, 4,400 m pass, Inca estate ruins, drop to Lamay| 29 km away
  • Inca Trail—Permit-only, Sun Gate, Dead Woman’s Pass, cloud-forest ruins| 40 km away
  • Huayna Picchu—Cabled stone stairs, rock tunnel, summit terraces, citadel overlook| 58 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the Lares Trek

Many people rush straight from Cusco to the trailhead and suffer on the first pass. Give yourself two acclimatization days first, and carry coca tea and a warm layer for camp. Buy weavings directly from the village women rather than from roadside stalls, so your money reaches the people who made them.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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