Countless travelers arrive every year in Peruvian lands in search of the realization of dreams and unforgettable moments. We know that, of this large number of international and national tourists, many have a tireless adventurous spirit and are always looking for new emotions and stories to tell.
As we said before, and we are always proud to repeat, Peru’s diversity enchants not only for its beauty and cultural richness, but also for the gigantic range of activities for all types of travelers and, as if that weren’t enough, within each tourist segment, it is still necessary to research a lot to decide, among so many possibilities, which one will be carried out during your itinerary.
In this context, here we will present one more option to reach the famous postcard of Peru, the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. This attraction is, without a doubt, one of the most sought after in our territory and there are countless ways to get there and make your experience even more magical, whether on a beautiful train ride or doing some of the most exciting trails of your life. , we are sure that this moment will be unique.
If you’ve been researching treks to Machu Picchu or trekking in Peru for some time, you must surely already know the popular Inca Trail and also the Salkantay Trail, but it is still possible to surprise you by showing you another beautiful path, full of stories and adventures. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, write it down on your wishlist: cross the Lares Trail, through the Peruvian Andes, and towards Machu Picchu.
This route may or may not be new to you, however, in any case, you will like to know a little more about this other trail that leads to the ancient Inca citadel, passing through incredible landscapes and bringing you even closer to the beauties, culture and of Peruvian history. Come on!?
Discover the Lares Inca Trail
As we said before, there are other more well-known trails in which small groups of adventurous travelers endeavor to reach the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, however, the Lares Trail is still a jewel in the middle of the Andes, leading to all the hikers who embark on this journey through paths full of green valleys, waterfalls, crystal clear lagoons and much more.
This trail has an extension very similar to the Classic Inca Trail, reaching about 43 km in total. It takes around 4 days to cover the entire route, from a small town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu. However, it is worth mentioning that, on the third day, the route ends in the small village of Aguas Calientes.
In terms of altitude, it is possible to say that the Lares Trail is also very similar to the most popular possibilities, the point with the highest elevation is approximately 4,645 meters above sea level. This factor is one of the most relevant during the preparation for this adventure, because, in general, it is what leaves the level of difficulty of the entire route as being moderate. Even so, it is possible to consider it more “tranquil” compared to the other paths.
The highlight of this trail is the wonderful landscapes that will surround you along the way, in addition to mountains and snowy peaks, you will still be able to see some splendid bodies of water, hot springs to relax your muscles, and much more. And to take advantage of every moment of this adventure, be sure to prevent yourself from altitude sickness.
If you want to know more details about what awaits you with open arms, read on and find out what the highlights of our day-to-day itinerary are in the next section of this article!
Lares Trail to Machu Picchu itinerary
Day 1 – Departure from Cusco, passing through the hot springs of Lares and Huacawasi
The first day of this incredible adventure will be a lot of locomotion at the starting point of the trail. The departure will be made from the city of Cusco and the journey, at first, will be done by car, in a trip of about 4 hours through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There will be a stop for you to have an energizing breakfast and meet some locals and stock up in Vila de Calca.
After a few more hours of travel, when you arrive in Lares you will be able to relax before entering this 4-day hike, as one of the attractions of this place is the thermal water baths. However, this is not yet the starting point for our trail, which starts in Pascana, from where we follow a 3-hour walk to the first accommodation, in the city of Huacawasi, where you will be surrounded by the Andean Mountains.
Day 2 – From Huacawasi to the Sacsayllame Gorge and one of the most beautiful scenery on the way
Compared to the first day, it can be said that we have a higher level of difficulty on the second day of walking. It will be an 8-hour hike from Huacawasi, passing through the Sacsayllame Gorge, where the highest point of the route, at 4,450 meters above sea level, on Ipsay Mountain, is located.
However, all the effort will be rewarded when you sit in the middle of nature, overlooking the beautiful lagoons, to have lunch, recover energy and contemplate the natural wonders of the region. After this moment, we will continue walking to Patacancha, where you will rest for the night in the camp, at an altitude of 3,800 meters.
Day 3 – From Patacancha to Ollantaytambo and finally Aguas Calientes
The third day’s hike is very easy, despite the 5 hours duration, there will be no obstacles, such as the altitude or slope of the route, to make the trail more difficult. The route will leave the camp in Patacancha towards the famous city of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo.
It will be in this city where you will have dinner and learn more about this ancient Inca village, as well as some local attractions, including the Handicraft Market, where you will find the best Peruvian handicrafts. The last activity of this day will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night before reaching the height of this adventure: arriving at Machu Picchu.
Day 4 – Discovering Machu Picchu and returning to Cusco
The journey from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will be carried out on foot, on the way you will be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful views before reaching the imposing Inca Citadel. Upon arrival, you will take a guided tour of the entire archaeological complex, delving even deeper into the local history.
After realizing your dream and facing all the challenges of this unique experience, you will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will take the train back to the Imperial City of Cusco, ending your adventure and taking with you incredible memories of your trip.
The Lares Trail, despite the similarities, is less difficult than the Inca Trail and, especially, the Salkantay Trek. However, if you still have doubts, contact Viagens Machu Picchu to receive more information, and together we will build a travel itinerary tailored to you and your interests!
Also, get inspired by our packages to Machu Picchu and numerous destinations in Peru and list all the places you want to know, we will certainly design the ideal experience for your trip.