Lares Trek to Machu Picchu: A Local Guide to One of Peru’s Most Cultural Treks
- Erik Bayona
- Aug 10
- 5 min read
There are many ways to experience the Andes on your way to Machu Picchu. Lares is one I particularly value because the journey is not only about where you are going, but about everything you encounter along the way.
Here, the mountains are part of everyday life. You walk through high Andean landscapes, pass small Quechua communities, and see traditions that families have carried from one generation to the next. These are not places created for visitors. They are home to the people who live there.
When I help travelers choose a trek, I always believe the most important question is not simply how many kilometers they can walk. It is what they hope to take from the experience. If you are curious about Andean culture, enjoy quieter trails, and want to understand a little more about life in these mountains, Lares offers something very different.
In this guide, I'll share what the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu involves and the things I believe are worth knowing before you choose this route.
What Is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?
The Lares Trek is a high-altitude trekking experience through the mountains and valleys north of Peru's Sacred Valley. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, Lares is not one single, fixed trail with a standard itinerary.
There are several routes through this part of the Andes, so the starting point, mountain passes, communities, landscapes, and number of days on foot can vary. This is something travelers sometimes don't realize when they first begin researching Lares.
The trails also do not finish at Machu Picchu itself. Depending on the route you choose, you can trek through Lares and later continue to Machu Picchu by train, or combine the Lares experience with the Short Inca Trail and approach Machu Picchu on foot.
What Makes the Lares Trek Different?
What I appreciate most about Lares is the way the landscape and daily life exist side by side. You are not walking through a place separated from the people who live there. As you walk through the Lares region, you experience an environment where farming, herding, family life, and the mountains are still closely connected.
As you move higher into the Andes, the scenery changes constantly. Valleys give way to high mountain passes, glacial lakes, and views of snow-covered peaks. You may see llamas and alpacas grazing along the way, while small settlements remind you that people have adapted to life at these elevations for generations.
For travelers, this creates a very different rhythm. There is time to walk, observe, and understand where you are rather than simply moving from one attraction to the next.
That is what I value about Lares: the trek allows the Andes to reveal themselves gradually, one day at a time.
How Difficult Is the Lares Trek?
The Lares Trek can be challenging, but in my experience, the altitude is often a bigger factor than the distance itself. You will be walking at high elevations, with sustained climbs and mountain passes where the thinner air can make even a steady pace feel more demanding.
You do not need to be an experienced trekker to enjoy Lares, but you should arrive prepared. Spending time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before starting your trek can help your body adjust to the altitude, and being reasonably active before your trip will make the days on the trail more comfortable.
Once we are in the mountains, there is no reason to rush. I pay attention to how you are feeling, help you find a comfortable pace, and make sure you have time to rest when you need it. One thing I have learned over the years is that in the Andes, walking slowly is often the smartest way to walk.
For me, the key is not how fast you reach the next point on the trail. It is being prepared, respecting the altitude, and listening to your body. Give yourself time, and the challenge becomes part of discovering what walking through these mountains is really about.
When Is the Best Time to Hike the Lares Trek?
One of the things I enjoy about Lares is that the Andes offer a different experience throughout the year. The best time to come depends on the kind of landscapes and conditions you would like to experience.
From around May through September, the drier season usually brings clearer skies and excellent visibility across the mountains. It is a beautiful time to appreciate the high peaks, valleys, and wide Andean landscapes that surround the route.
The months closer to the rainy season bring another side of Lares. The valleys become greener, the vegetation feels more vibrant, and clouds moving through the mountains can completely transform the scenery from one moment to the next.
For me, Lares has something special to offer in every season. Every season shows you a different side of the Andes. What matters is choosing the experience that feels right for you and arriving prepared to enjoy it.
Two Ways to Experience Lares with Kusa Treks
At Kusa Treks, we have designed two four-day journeys that allow you to experience Lares and Machu Picchu in different ways. The choice comes down to which part of the experience you would like to explore more deeply.
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
If you want to spend more of your trekking time in the high Andes, this is the option I would recommend exploring. The journey takes you through the Pumahuanca Valley, across high mountain terrain and toward the Lares region, giving you more time to experience the landscapes and rhythm of life we have been talking about throughout this article.
After completing the trekking portion, you continue through Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.
Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4 Days
If walking part of the original Inca Trail is important to you, this journey brings both experiences together. It combines the Lares experience with the Short Inca Trail from Km 104, taking you through Wiñay Wayna before approaching Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
For many travelers, this combination offers the opportunity to experience two very different sides of the Andes within the same journey.
Does the Lares Trek Require a Permit?
The Lares Trek itself does not require the same limited-entry permit used for the Classic Inca Trail, which gives us more flexibility when planning your journey through this part of the Andes.
If you choose our Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 4 Days, the situation is different. The Short Inca Trail is part of the regulated Inca Trail network, so permits are required and availability is limited. This is something we arrange as part of planning your trek.
Machu Picchu also has its own entry system, so I always recommend planning ahead, especially if you already have specific travel dates in mind.
The earlier we know when you would like to travel, the more options we have to organize the experience that best fits your journey.
Is the Lares Trek Right for You?
If you are looking for more than simply reaching Machu Picchu, Lares may be the journey you are looking for. It gives you time to walk through the Andes, experience places that are still part of everyday life, and discover a side of Peru that many travelers never get to see.
Over the years, I have learned that the journeys people remember most are often the ones that give them time to connect with where they are. Lares offers that opportunity in a very natural way.
If this sounds like the kind of experience you want in Peru, my team and I would be happy to help you plan the Lares journey that feels right for you.
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