Lares Trail
Discover the mystical paths of the Incas, where every step tells a story of courage, tradition, and unparalleled architecture.
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Charming villages, wandering alpacas, and authentic encounters with the locals…
The Lares Trail is the perfect trek to connect with the local communities of the Andes. Because it is less known and less visited, walking this Trail gives you a true sense of unity with the breathtaking landscapes and towering Andean mountains. This Trail is manageable for anyone with a reasonable fitness level.
Time Stands Still in the Andes…
The Lares Trail takes you through picturesque Inca villages where time seems to have stood still. You’ll see locals still working the land with oxen and plows, living in homes surrounded by alpacas and llamas, raised for their wool and meat.
While residents in Cusco often wear machine-made Inca clothing for tourists, the people of the Andes continue to wear their own handwoven, brightly colored Inca garments, dyed and woven by themselves.
The Incas are still alive!
Curious about how the Incas looked and lived hundreds of years ago? Walking the Lares Trail gives you the best answer. The indigenous communities deep in the Andes remain largely untouched by modern developments in cities like Cusco. This allows them to preserve centuries-old Inca traditions and customs. Not only have their practices been maintained, but many families have lived in the Lares Valley for hundreds of years, making them among the closest living descendants of the Incas in both culture and appearance.
Although the Lares Trail has fewer archaeological highlights than the classic Inca Trail, it is highly recommended for anyone seeking tranquility, nature, and an authentic introduction to traditional Peruvian culture.
Good to Know
- Arrival: No arrival via the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu.
- Tour: We always combine this Trail with a guided tour of Machu Picchu via Circuit 2 or 3.
What to Expect
- Duration: 4 days
- Total Distance: 35 km
- Average Walking Time per Day: 6 hours
- Highest Peak: 4,500 meters
What We Provide
- Pre-trail briefing 1–2 days before the start
- Transport to the trailhead in Lares
- Tickets for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu
- English-speaking guide for 3 days; a separate English-speaking guide may lead the Machu Picchu tour
- Cook providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 4 days (special diets accommodated)
- Horses and mules to carry tents
- Boiled, clean water at every meal where purchasing water isn’t possible
- Camping gear: 2-person tents, sleeping mats, dining tent with table and chairs
- Mules can carry up to 5 kg of your personal belongings
- Private transport from Yanahuara (Lares Trail endpoint) to Ollantaytambo train station
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (village at the base of Machu Picchu)
- Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes including a light dinner and breakfast
- 1x bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Transport from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco
What’s Not Included
- Breakfast (day 1) and lunch (day 4)
- Sleeping bags (available for rent for a fee)
- Access to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Preparation
Everything You Need to Know for Your Lares Trail Adventure
Proper preparation is the key to an unforgettable journey. That’s why we help you take the right steps from the moment you book, guiding you toward your ultimate Inca Trail adventure!
Numbers
The Lares Trail in numbers and challenges
Discover the true scale of this iconic mountain Trail that has challenged generations of adventurers.
4500
Meters
Highest mountain pass on the Trail
4
Day hike
Full Trail from start to Machu Picchu
35
Kilometers
Total Trail distance
"Beautiful vistas, few hikers, authentic villages with colorful locals, and plenty of alpacas and llamas. It was also great to spend three days on the Trail with a small group, a cook, a guide, a muleteer, and the mules. The food was excellent, even for vegetarians or vegans. Our guide Saul shared lots of knowledge about nature and taught us beautiful rituals—truly special."
Niels and Danielle
Netherlands
Why travel with Machu Picchu Travel?
Discover an unforgettable travel experience designed by local experts who know the Andes inside out. Our Trails are not just hikes—they are immersive journeys filled with stories, culture, and adventure.
- Benefit from years of hands-on Inca Trail guiding experience
- Book with confidence through a trusted European travel organization
- Enjoy competitive pricing through direct partnerships with experienced local operators in Peru
- Travel on fully organized private tours tailored to your needs
- Support fair wages and responsible employment for all staff in Peru
Peruvian
Expert local guides
Our expert guides know every Trail, every stone, and every hidden path in the Andes. They bring the landscape to life with stories you won’t find in any travel guide. All of our guides are based in and around Cusco, with years of specialist experience in the region. And our porters? They are proudly from the surrounding Andean communities, sharing an authentic connection to the mountains they call home.
Adventure
Dedicated personal guidance
More than a route, we create a journey tailored to you. Whether you prefer private travel or an international group, everything is possible. We carefully plan every step with your adventure in mind.
Our guarantee
Trusted & Reliable
Our experienced guides are local experts as well as certified first aid professionals. Your safety is our absolute priority. As a European-based travel company, we offer you the reassurance of booking with a trusted partner.
Book your trip
Ready for the Lares Trail?
Ready to truly meet the Incas? We turn your dream trip into reality.
How to Book your Lares Trail?
- Fill in the form below
- We’ll email you as soon as possible to let you know if tickets are available for your preferred date.
- We’ll send you a booking confirmation with payment details.
- Once your deposit is made, we’ll secure the highly sought-after tickets for you!
You are interested in the following Trail or day trip/tour:
Lares Trail
FAQ
Since we organize the Lares Trail entirely ourselves and it is a private trek, you can book the Lares Trail with us for a minimum of 2 people.
Although there’s no limit on the number of tickets available per day for the Trail itself, we recommend booking your Lares Trail well in advance (3–6 months). This is because you will need a ticket for Machu Picchu, and those are limited each day.
The Lares Trail is manageable with a basic fitness level. There are few steep climbs, so you can tackle the mountains at your own pace with your private guide.
