The Lares Trek, which stretched for 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) through Chile, Ecuador, and Peru and was built by the Incas over 500 years ago, is the second most famous length of the Inca road system.

Machu Picchu's Lares Trek is the sister hike to the Inca Trail (hiking the Inca Trail is the most famous way up to Machu Picchu by foot). It's the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas... but by hiking a trail less travelled, you'll be guaranteed to get a far greater connection to the local Peruvian culture. In addition, you won't have to worry about rubbing shoulders with crowds of fellow hikers.

Where does the Lares Trail start and finish?

Start Your Hike: Your trek to Machu Picchu (through the Lares Trek) will begin in Cuzco, Peru. Then, you'll board a bus from Cuzco and travel to Lares, where you'll be brought to the Lares Hot Springs. The beginning/trailhead of the Lares Trek is located in this thermal resort, which is only 300 meters from the center of Lares town.

Finish Your Hike: You'll arrive in Ollantaytambo, the end of the hiking segment of the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, on the third day of hiking the Lares Trail. You'll take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have a hot shower and a comfortable night's sleep at a local hotel before hiking or taking the bus to Machu Picchu on the fourth day.

Lares trek to Machu Picchu,

Details of Daily Hiking Distances and Elevations

Day 1: Cusco to Lares to Cuncani

Maximum altitude: 3884 m / 12739 ft.

Minimum altitude: 3261 m / 10696 ft.

Distance Travelled: 8.0km / 5.0 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 5h35m

Day 2: Cuncani to Paso de Pumahuanca to Paccha

Maximum altitude: 4810 m / 15778 ft.

Minimum altitude: 3885 m / 12739 ft.

Distance Travelled: 15.9 km / 9,33 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 9h25m

Day 3: Paccha to Piscigranja to Ollantaytambo to Train to Aguas Calientes

Maximum altitude: 4075 m / 13367 ft.

Minimum altitude: 2874m / 9432 ft.

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6, 20 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 4h21m

Conclusion

When you're on a sacred valley and Machu Picchu tour, the best time to trek the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to October, when the Amazon basin's rainfall is at its lowest, and you can take advantage of Peru's blue-sky days.