There are 5 named Lares Trek routes through Peru's Sacred Valley, each starting from a different trailhead and offering a different mix of distance, difficulty, and cultural stops. Unlike the tightly regulated Inca Trail, none of these paths require a government permit, so the real question isn't whether you can get a spot, it's which of the 5 routes actually fits your fitness level and schedule.
Understanding the Lares Trek Network
The Lares Trek isn't a single fixed path, it's a network of routes through the Lares Valley, roughly 40 miles north of Cusco. Each one passes through a different set of Quechua communities, where weaving, farming, and daily life continue much as they have for generations, without the crowds or permit system of the Inca Trail.
What all 5 routes share is the cultural angle: you'll pass through villages most Inca Trail hikers never see, often ending with a connection into Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo and the train, or, for one route, standing on its own as a cultural trek that doesn't touch Machu Picchu at all.
The 5 Lares Trek Routes Explained
Route 1: Lares to Patacancha (the Weavers' Way)
Distance: 33 km. Duration: 4 days. Highest point: Ipsayqocha, 4,450 m (14,596 ft). This is the most classic and accessible version of the trek, beginning with a soak in the Lares thermal springs before climbing through remote valleys past mountain lakes, crossing a single major pass. It suits moderately fit hikers who want the full cultural experience without the longer routes' extra days.
For the complete day-by-day breakdown of this route, campsite altitudes, and hiking times, see our full Lares Trek itinerary.
Route 2: Quishuarani to Yanahuara
Distance: 45 km. Duration: 4 to 5 days. Highest point: over 4,200 m (13,780 ft), crossed at three separate passes. This is the longest and most demanding of the 5 routes, appealing to experienced hikers seeking solitude rather than the more traveled Patacancha path. It passes through Cancha Cancha and Quishuarani, two villages known for traditional weaving, before ending at Yanahuara. Which requires additional transport to reach Ollantaytambo for onward travel. Three high passes in one itinerary mean this route rewards strong fitness and proper acclimatization more than any other on this list.
Route 3: The Pumahuanca Route
Distance: approximately 33 km over the two hiking days detailed below. Duration: 4 days. Highest point: Pumahuanca Pass, 4,783 m (15,777 ft), the highest pass on any of the 5 routes. Starting in the village of Pumahuanca near Urubamba, this route climbs steeply to the pass (where many hikers pause to leave coca leaves. A local custom) before descending past Moray and Maras views to Cuncani, a community known for handmade textiles, and on to the Lares hot springs on day three. Some itineraries incorporate a stretch of the traditional Inca Trail on the final approach to Machu Picchu.
Route 4: Lares to Yanahuara via Wacahuasi
Distance: covers roughly 4 days of trekking. Highest point: Abra C'asa Pasa, 4,500 m (14,764 ft). This route opens with a soak in thermal baths and a short hike to the Vilcabamba Bridge before climbing to Wacahuasi (3,750 m), a village with its own cultural center, then over C'asa Pasa Pass, the route's highest point, past a series of Andean lagoons.
Route 5: Huaran to Lares
Distance: covers a 4 to 5 day itinerary. Highest points: Pachacutec Pass and Huilquijasa Pass, both around 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Starting at Huaran (2,885 m) in the Sacred Valley. This route is different from the other four in one important way: it's built for travelers who have already visited Machu Picchu and want a purely cultural Andean trek, passing through Quishuarani, Cuncani, and Vilcabamba on the way into Lares, without continuing on to the citadel.
How the Routes Compare
Choosing between the 5 routes mostly comes down to three questions: how many days you have. How much elevation you're comfortable with, and whether you want to end at Machu Picchu or treat the trek as its own destination. For a full side-by-side against the Inca Trail itself, permits, crowd levels, and difficulty. See our dedicated Lares Trek vs Inca Trail comparison. For altitude preparation and a detailed difficulty breakdown that applies across all 5 routes, see how difficult the Lares Trek really is. And for month-by-month conditions before you pick a travel date, see our Lares Trek weather guide.
Which Route Is Right for You?
If you want the most accessible, well-trodden option with the full cultural experience in the fewest days, Route 1 (Patacancha) is the standard choice, and the one most Tour Leaders Peru groups run. If you want more solitude and don't mind extra days and elevation, Route 2 (Quishuarani to Yanahuara) delivers the quietest trail. Route 3 (Pumahuanca) is the most physically demanding single day, thanks to the network's highest pass, but rewards it with the most detailed cultural stops along the way. Trail 4 offers a similar profile with a different set of villages. Route 5 stands apart: it's the pick if you've already done Machu Picchu and want a trek that's entirely about the culture and landscape, not the ruins.
Customizing Your Lares Trek
The standard duration for most Lares treks is 4 days and 3 nights, but Tour Leaders Peru can adjust the itinerary to fit your schedule, whether that means a shorter trek or combining it with other experiences. Two popular customizations: the Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail, which pairs the cultural route with a taste of the original Inca stonework, and the 7-day Lares Trek and Sacred Valley package, which adds Sacred Valley sightseeing around the trek itself.
Your treks are led by experienced local guides, including Dayvis and Julio, who grew up in the region and bring firsthand knowledge of the villages and trails you'll pass through.
Lares Trek Costs
Pricing depends on the route, group size, and service level. As a guide to what Tour Leaders Peru currently charges:
- Classic 4-day Lares Trek (Route 1): from $790 to $960 per person, depending on group size
- 7-day Lares Trek and Sacred Valley package: from $950 to $1,440 per person, depending on group size
- Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail: pricing varies by season and group size, see the linked page for current rates
Longer or more remote routes (2, 4, and 5) typically cost more than the classic route due to additional trekking days, transport, and staffing.
The most popular of the 5 routes: thermal springs, weaving villages, and one major pass over 4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Lares treks are there?
There are 5 named Lares Trek routes, each starting from a different trailhead: Lares to Patacancha, Quishuarani to Yanahuara, the Pumahuanca route. Lares to Yanahuara via Wacahuasi, and Huaran to Lares. They range from 4 to 5 days and cross different mountain passes, so they vary meaningfully in difficulty and highlights.
Which Lares Trek route is the most popular?
Route 1, Lares to Patacancha, is the most commonly booked. It's a 4-day, 33-km route with a single major pass, making it accessible to moderately fit hikers while still delivering the full cultural experience.
Do all Lares Trek routes end at Machu Picchu?
Four of the five do, typically connecting through Ollantaytambo and the train to Aguas Calientes. Route 5, Huaran to Lares, is the exception, designed as a standalone cultural trek for travelers who have already visited Machu Picchu separately.
Do you need a permit for the Lares Trek?
No. Unlike the Inca Trail, which caps permits at roughly 200 trekkers a day and sells out months ahead, the Lares Trek routes have no permit system, so you have far more flexibility on booking timelines.
Ready to choose your route?
Tour Leaders Peru runs the classic Lares Trek year-round, with custom itineraries available if one of the other 4 routes fits you better.
Check Lares Trek availability →
