How difficult is the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu? Generally rated a moderate hike for this Lares Trek Peru route, not the hardest way to reach Machu Picchu, but not a casual walk either. It covers about 33 km (20.5 miles) over 3 to 4 days, with one genuinely demanding day: day two, when the trail climbs to its highest point at roughly 4,800 m. No technical climbing or scrambling is involved, and no prior hiking experience is required, but a reasonable fitness level and a day or two of altitude acclimatization in Cusco beforehand make a real difference. Here's exactly what to expect, day by day.
How Long and How Hard Is the Lares Trek?
The Lares Trek covers a total distance of about 33 km (20.5 miles). Depending on which campsites your route uses, the approximate hiking hours per day break down roughly like this:
- Day 1: around 8 hours
- Day 2: around 10 hours, the longest and most demanding day
- Day 3: around 4 hours
- Day 4: around 4 hours, ending at Machu Picchu
Day 1 starts you off in Cusco at roughly 3,200 m. Officially the trek begins in Lares, but most tours pick you up in Cusco and drive to Urubamba village, where the hike itself begins via the Pumahuanka Lares route. Day 4 gets you to Machu Picchu early in the morning, with a native Tour Leader guiding an educational visit through the ruins, followed by free time before the group travels by bus to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco.
The Altitude Day That Matters Most
Day two is where the Lares Trek difficulty really shows up: this is when you reach the highest point of the route, at roughly 4,800 m on the Pumahuanka Pass, the Lares Trek altitude high point and the main reason this trek gets rated moderate rather than easy. Technicality is low even here, there's no serious vertical climbing or water crossings, and you're mostly walking a steady incline, decline, or level surface, but the thin air at that elevation is what makes the day feel hard, not the terrain itself. If you want the full day-by-day Lares Trek elevation profile alongside your packing plan, our packing list breaks down what to bring for each stage.
The CDC's high-altitude travel guidance recommends gradual ascent and at least a day of acclimatization before strenuous activity above 2,500 m, which is exactly why spending a full day in Cusco (itself around 3,400 m) before starting the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is worth building into your schedule rather than skipping. For the full picture on symptoms, prevention, and what to do if altitude sickness hits, see our Cusco altitude sickness guide.
Fitness Level: Who Can Do This Hike?
No prior hiking experience is necessary for the Lares Trek, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours at a stretch on uneven ground, ideally with some cardio preparation in the weeks before you travel. If you can comfortably do a 5 to 6 hour hike at sea level, you have the base fitness the trail itself demands, altitude is the bigger variable, not technical skill. Older travelers and families with older kids regularly complete this trek; the main adjustments worth making are a slower pace on day two and extra time acclimatizing beforehand rather than avoiding the trek altogether.
Trekking Poles and Gear That Help
Most hikers use a wooden walking stick or trekking poles while on the trail in Peru. They help with balance and take real load off your knees, especially on the steeper descents. Metal-tipped poles are discouraged on the Inca Trail specifically, but that restriction doesn't apply to the Lares route, so standard trekking poles work fine here. If you're building out a full kit, our Lares Trek packing list covers everything else worth bringing.
Lares Trek vs. Inca Trail: Which Is Harder?
The Lares Trek is generally considered a notch easier than the Classic Inca Trail. The Inca Trail crosses three high passes, the highest being the infamous Dead Woman's Pass at 4,212 m, and is fully booked months in advance, so you're sharing the trail with far more people. The Lares Trek reaches a higher single point, around 4,800 m on day two, but spreads the effort differently and features far fewer other trekkers, along with more contact with Quechua communities and their agricultural terraces along the way. Neither trek is technically difficult; the honest difference is crowding and exactly where the altitude hits hardest. For the fuller breakdown, including scenery and price, see our Lares Trek vs. Inca Trail comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lares Trek suitable for beginners?
Yes, no technical hiking experience is required. The main thing to prepare for is the altitude on day two, not the terrain, which stays at a low to moderate technical difficulty throughout.
What is the highest point on the Lares Trek?
The Pumahuanka Pass, at roughly 4,800 m, reached on day two, the most physically demanding day of the trek.
Is the Lares Trek harder than the Inca Trail?
Generally considered a step below the Classic Inca Trail in overall difficulty, though the Lares Trek's single highest point sits higher than the Inca Trail's Dead Woman's Pass. Crowding, not difficulty, is the bigger practical difference.
Do I need hiking experience for the Lares Trek?
No prior hiking experience is necessary. A reasonable fitness level and some cardio preparation beforehand help more than any specific hiking background.
How many days does the Lares Trek take?
Most itineraries run 3 to 4 days, covering about 33 km (20.5 miles) total before arriving at Machu Picchu.
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Altitude acclimatization guidance referenced from the CDC Yellow Book.
Related Guides: Lares Trek Packing List · Lares Trek vs. Inca Trail · Lares Trek Weather
