The Lares Trek starts at Huarán, in the Sacred Valley, and climbs through farmland, stone houses and thatched roofs to your first camp at Cancha Cancha. On day 2 you walk past a mountain lake with views of Pitusiray, Chicón and Colque Cruz, then camp in the small village of Quiswarani. The last day ends at the Lares hot springs, before the drive back to Cusco. Choose a shared or private service, and we tailor-make every detail to your travel style, needs and budget.
Andean villages and farmland
Mountain lake and snow-capped peaks
Led by a local expert team
Lares hot springs at the end of the trail
Route and Itinerary
Three Days, One Journey
Interactive map of the Lares route from Huarán to the Lares hot springs, with altitude changes.
Day 1 covers 6.26 km from Huarán to Cancha Cancha. On day 2 you walk 12.27 km to Quiswarani, reaching 4,723 m a.s.l. On day 3 you walk 7.93 km from Quiswarani to the Lares hot springs, then drive back to Cusco.
Distances are measured by GPS and add up the three days you walk.
A short drive to Huarán, then a climb through farmland to your first camp.
We leave Cusco at 5:00 a.m., or the Sacred Valley at 6:00 a.m., and drive for about an hour to Huarán, where the trek begins. From here we climb for about 6 hours while the mules carry our personal gear. Along the way we pass stone houses, thatched roofs and cultivated fields. We reach Cancha Cancha and set up camp. In the evening you can chat with local farmers who live here with their sheep and llamas.
Highlights
Drive to Huarán, the start of the trail.
Stone houses, thatched roofs and farmland.
Local farmers, with their sheep and llamas.
Dinner and first camp at Cancha Cancha.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.
A day of lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks, ending in a small Andean village.
After breakfast we set off toward a mountain lake with a wide view of the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray (5,750 m a.s.l.) and Chicón (5,500 m a.s.l.), and of the Pachacutec summit (4,500 m a.s.l.). Along the Inca trail we see waterfalls, and in the distance the glaciers of Colque Cruz (5,700 m a.s.l.). We then descend to the small Andean community of Quiswarani (3,700 m a.s.l.), where we camp. Expect 6 to 7 hours of walking.
Highlights
Mountain lake and snow-capped peaks.
Views of Pitusiray, Chicón and Colque Cruz.
Waterfalls along the Inca trail.
Dinner and camp at Quiswarani.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.
A final walk to the Lares hot springs, then the drive back to Cusco.
On the last day we leave Quiswarani and walk about 8 km to the Lares hot springs. There you can relax in the thermal pools. Lunch is included, and your private transport then takes you from Lares to the Sacred Valley or Cusco.
Highlights
Final walk down to the Lares hot springs.
A soak in the thermal pools.
Lunch on the last day.
Transfer from Lares to the Sacred Valley or Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.
Your price
What’s Included
On the trail
Professional English / Spanish guide.
Cook and kitchen assistant.
Muleteers and mules for the camping gear and your large backpack (maximum 6 kg per person).
Accommodation for the guides, cook and muleteers.
First aid kit, including an oxygen bottle.
Camping and meals
Comfortable three-season tents for two people, with a mattress, an inflatable sleeping pad and a sleeping bag.
Trekking poles.
Kitchen and dining tent, with tables and chairs.
All meals on the route: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners, plus tea and snacks.
Transport
Private transport from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Huarán.
Private transport from Lares back to the Sacred Valley or Cusco.
What’s not included
Tips for the staff.
Breakfast on day 1.
Optional extras: horse riding during the trek (not available on descents) and a single tent. Ask us for pricing.
Important Notes
Shared or private service, tailored to your dates and group size.
Bring your original passport.
Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
Times are approximate.
FAQ
Difficulty and altitude
The 3-day Lares Trek is rated Moderate. You walk on all three days, about 26.46 km in total, and the highest point is 4,723 m a.s.l. on day 2. Day 1 is a climb of about 6 hours to Cancha Cancha, day 2 takes 6 to 7 hours, and day 3 is a shorter walk to the Lares hot springs.
Good physical condition is recommended. Mules carry your gear and your large backpack (maximum 6 kg per person), so you carry only a small daypack, and your team travels with a first aid kit that includes an oxygen bottle.
We recommend at least one full day in Cusco (3,399 m a.s.l.) or the Sacred Valley before you start, and more time if your schedule allows. As a result, your body has time to adjust before the trek. Take it easy on that first day and drink plenty of water. In fact, the trek starts at 3,333 m a.s.l. and climbs to 4,723 m a.s.l. on day 2. If you have a health condition, check with your doctor before you travel.
Packing and booking
Bring your original passport, comfortable waterproof trekking shoes, warm clothes, a rain jacket or poncho, gloves, a hat for the cold and one for the sun, sunscreen, insect repellent (minimum 20%), a flashlight or headlamp, two 600 ml water bottles, snacks, a swimsuit for the Lares hot springs, and any personal medication. The sleeping bag and trekking poles are included. Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
Book as early as possible, so we can confirm availability for your dates.
You can choose a shared or a private service, and we tailor-make every detail to your travel style and needs. The price depends on your group size and the services you choose, so request a quote.
Write to us on WhatsApp with your preferred dates and group size, and we will confirm availability and explain how to secure your booking. We will reply as soon as we can.
Before and after the trek
Before the trek, your guide meets you for a briefing. On day 1 we pick you up in Cusco at 5:00 a.m., or in the Sacred Valley at 6:00 a.m., and drive for about an hour to Huarán.
Carry your original passport. Also, breakfast on day 1 is not included (your lunch and dinner are), so have breakfast before departure.
On day 3 you walk to the Lares hot springs, then we drive you back to the Sacred Valley or Cusco. Bring a swimsuit and a towel for the hot springs.
Vegetarian meals are available; vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals are available with advance notice. Times are approximate.
Pack light
What to bring
The bag you carry yourself while walking.
Sun and rain
Sun hat and warm hat
Sunscreen
Waterproof poncho
Warm jacket, scarf and gloves
Insect repellent (minimum 20%)
Daypack essentials
Water (two 600 ml bottles)
Snacks
Toilet paper and wet wipes
Headlamp or flashlight, with spare batteries
Documents and health
Documents (original passport)
Personal medication
Camera and power
Camera / phone
Power bank
Your sleeping bag and trekking poles are included. Also bring several pairs of socks, sandals for resting, a small towel, binoculars if you like, and a swimsuit for the Lares hot springs. Pack your clothes and sleeping bag in plastic bags to keep them dry. Bring cash in soles and/or US$, also for tips.
On the trail
Food and dietary needs
Vegetarian options are available on this trek. Moreover, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals are available on request with advance notice. Please tell us about any food allergies when you book, so we can confirm what we can arrange for you.
Traveling responsibly
We buy local products whenever we can, to support the local economy. In addition, on the trail we take care to recycle, reuse and avoid single-use plastic.
Our muleteers and mules
On this trek our muleteers carry the camping equipment and your large backpack with pack mules. They work under the same conditions as our porters on other treks, except for the 20 kg weight limit that applies to porters:
Food: meals provided throughout the trek.
Equipment: uniform provided.
Animal care: load protectors on every mule.
Shelter: accommodation for all our staff.
That is why your large backpack is limited to 6 kg (13 lb).
Tripadvisor · 2026 Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
Recent Tripadvisor reviews of Santu trips in Peru, posted in 2026.
This is Santu’s overall rating, not a rating specific to the Lares Trek.
“The experience was incredible; we were 3 families and we loved it. The level of food, the tents, the guides. A ten.”
Edgardo C · Toledo, Spain Written 4 August 2026 · Translated from Spanish by Tripadvisor
“… Giuliana exceeded our expectations. She did an amazing job listening to our wants/needs, make recommendations and take care of all the steps along the way. We felt fully informed.”
“Giuliana who is an amazing travel agent who planned everything for Us and give us lots of great ideas and she came with an amazing package that it took care of all our needs …”
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