Lares Valley Trek | 1 Day Adventure Hike To Lares Hot Springs

The Lares Valley is a stunning and under looked region close the popular Sacred Valley in Peru. While most travelers spend at least a day or two in the Valle Sagrado, few venture to the untouched and nearby Lares Valley. From the village of Calca, it’s possible to visit this region and explore the treasures throughout.

The Lares Valley trek is an up and coming route that leads adventurous travelers to Machu Picchu, a substitute for the expensive and regulated Classic Inca Trail. The Lares trek climbs throughout the stunning valley with little communities that are still very much authentic and famous weaving villages. With the popularity and buzz around the nearby Lares hot springs, this route is gaining popularity as an alternative trek to Machu Picchu. While the most popular route is the standard 3 day “Weaver’s Way,” intrepid hikers may not have enough time to complete this option.

This optional Lares Valley hike is the perfect one day trek for those travelers that simply wish to spend one day hiking through the Lares Valley.

This challenging Lares Valley trek excursion starts from the small village of Quiswarani, tackles the impressive Huilquijasa Pass, passes by the village of Cuncani, and finishes conveniently at the Lares hot springs. This awesome one day hike passes through untouched mountains and alpine lakes and showcases alpaca roaming freely.

If looking to experience a Lares Valley hike, consider taking this intrepid adventure via the Huilquijasa Pass through the Lares Valley.

Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.

Popular Lares Valley Trek Routes
How to Reach the Trailhead in Quiswarani
Lares Valley Trek Map & Day Hike Logistics
Quiswarani to Huilquijasa Pass Lares Trek
Huilquijasa Pass to Lares Village
Lares Village & How to Return to the Sacred Valley
Awesome 1 Day Lares Valley Trek

Popular Lares Valley Trek Routes

Apu Pumahuanca, Vilcanota Trek, Yanahuara hikes, Sacred Valley Hikes, mountain, alpine lake in the Sacred Valley, clouds, sky, unique things to do in the Sacred Valley Peru, Lares Valley treks — *_{Another alpine lake with Apu Pumahuanca another Lares Valley trek route to or from Yanahuara}*

The most popular Lares Valley trek usually runs 3 days, with the most common route being the “Weaver’s Way.” It is named this, due to the fact that it passes many traditional Andean villages which are know for their handmade scarves, blankets, and other beautiful and very time consuming handicrafts. Unlike the standard Inca trek, don’t expect to visit Inca ruins, rather appreciate the tranquility of the Lares Valley and all the creatures and people that inhibit it. Many locals still don their traditional clothing and even the alpacas can be seen with ribbons in their ears.

The typical Lares trek route usually begins from Lares village, continues to the village of Huacahuasi, and next to Patacancha. Usually, from here, you will transported by shuttle or bus to the charming village of Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, take transport via train or shuttle to Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu. This hiking route is becoming a popular alternative to the standard Classic Inca Trail and the popular Salkantay Trek.

🥾 Trekking Guide | Looking to get really off the beaten path? Try the 9 day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek

Intrepid hikers who wish to hike in the Lares Valley can attempt anywhere from a 1 – 6 day trek. In all reality, it’s possible to start a Lares trek from multiple location points, as there are multiple trails. Popular places to start hiking in the Lares Valley include the small villages of the Sacred Valley of Huran, Yanahuara, or for the the reverse route, Ollantaytambo.

It’s true what they say, pretty much all roads will lead to Machu Picchu.

How to Reach the Trailhead in Quiswarani

Quiswwarani Signboard, road, Lares Valley, one day lares hike, trees, mountains — *_{Head to Quiswarani community and follow the road into the village}*

road to quiswarani village, lares valley trek, road, mountains, cloud, sky — *_{Head to Quiswarani community and follow the road into the village}*

It’s quite easy to reach Lares from Calca. This particular Lares treks starts near Quiswarani, which is actually only 5 miles before Lares via the road.

In Calca, simply hop in a collectivo in the direction of Lares. Grab a window seat, because the long drive is just as scenic as the hike. The car will twist through the scenic Lares Valley, past waterfalls, and the hilltop Ancasmarca ruins. Simply tell the driver you wish to exit at Quiswarani. You will be dropped on the road and will have to walk to the village. Don’t worry, follow the signs.

Lares Valley Trek Map & Day Hike Logistics

This is an all day hike that is best suited for adventure seekers who have acclimated properly and experience hiking intrepid trails. This trail is very remote. Never hike alone and carry the proper gear!

*Click here to download and views the Lares Trek Map 1 Day Hike*

⁉️ If downloading this Lares Valley trek map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes there are updates to the site, map platforms, and other things, which can cause a bug in downloading. This map is solely a planning tool. Please comment below if something doesn’t download right or email me here, as it helps me keep the maps up to date and maintained. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by practicing no trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, and don’t stray from the visible trail. I also love to check and plan my routes with useful tools like graphhopper.

Lares Valley Hike Logistics

Point to Point Trail
- Trail begins at the road that leads to Quiswarani and finishes at Lares
Difficulty: Moderate, the trail is not always visible, the altitude is tough, and the distance is a long day trek
Distance: 13.25 miles
Excursion Duration: This Lares trek will take all day, especially with the long collectivo ride to the trailhead.
Leave early, this will be a long day trip without much shade coverage
This hike can be complete anytime of the year
- Remember, rainy season the trails can be muddy and slick. At this altitude it’s possible to experience every season with an hour.
Day Hiking Essentials
- First-Aid Kit
- Plenty of Water & Water Filter
- Offline Lares Trek Map
- Snacks & Picnic
- Trekking Poles for the ascent
- Layered clothes including a buff, hat, and mittens
- Sunscreen
- Rain Jacket

➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing

Quiswarani to Huilquijasa Pass Lares Trek

Quiswarani, seven waterfalls, cascada 7, Lares valley hike, village, stream, mountain — ^{Distant views of the 7 Waterfalls | The Lares Valley trek begins behind the village soccer field | Share the path with alpacas}

Quuiswarani community, soccer field, grass, mountain, building, lares valley hike — ^{Distant views of the 7 Waterfalls | The Lares Valley trek begins behind the village soccer field | Share the path with alpacas}

Exit the collectivo on the road and head towards the village of Quiswarani. Follow along a gravel path to the village. Upon arrive, you should be able to see distant views of the seven waterfalls. This is one giant waterfall and is part of the Hatun Queña, a conservation effort to protect this unique ecosystem in the Andes. Due to time constraints, we appreciate the waterfall from a distant and continued our trek into the Lares Valley.

In the village of Quiswarani, look for the soccer field. The path is not clear, but this Lares trek follows a livestock trail behind the field. There are some unmaintained bathrooms, which are unusable, but a great point of reference. Since the trail isn’t so clear, it’s best to ask a local who can point you in the right direction.

Walk on the hillside past alpaca and the picturesque mountains. The Lares Valley is so untouched and magical. Soon you will see the first alpine lake. It is important to walk close to the lake and look for the trailhead behind it. When looking at the lake, it’s best to walk around the right side of the small lake. We deterred from path and lost the trail and some time, so make sure to stick close to the lake and keep your eyes peeled for the uphill trail.

one day lares hike, lares trek, alpine lake, mountains, path to Huilquijasa Pass, lares valley, clouds, sky — _{Stay to the right of the first alpine lake | The uphill climb to Huilquijasa Pass looking down at the lake}

climb to Huilquijasa Pass, alpine lake, lares trek, lares day hike, mountains, clouds, grass — _{Stay to the right of the first alpine lake | The uphill climb to Huilquijasa Pass looking down at the lake}

Behind this lake is the climb up to the Huilquijasa Pass. Peek backwards to have incredible views of the lake and valley you just walked through. Soon, you will reach the highest point of this Lares Valley trek, the stunning Huilquijasa Pass. It feels something like out of a scene of Jurassic Park, for reals. Cue the music.

This pass will literally take your breath away at just shy of 4,400 m (14,436 ft).

🥾 Quiswarani – Huilquijasa Pass | almost 4.5 miles | +/- 2 hours including a getting a little lost and veering from the lake path

Huilquijasa Pass to Lares Village

Huilquijasa Pass, lares valley, lares trek, lares hike, path, alpine lake, mountains, clouds, sky — *_{The incredible views of Lares Valley from Huilquijasa Pass}*

After appreciating those killer views of the alpine lakes and the Lares Valley, start on the clear downhill path. Follow along the stunning lakes and keep them to your lefthand side. The landscape is spectacular and the alpacas roaming freely simply add to the magic here.

The path eventually comes to a stream, which you’ll have to cross. There is a great view of a waterfall and a nice spot to have a picnic. Once you cross the stream, you should see the first glimpses of the village of Cuncani. This mountain community is made up of a few simple houses. There is a gravel road which you could follow into the village, but instead take the dirt footpath that switchbacks down to the village. From here, turn right and walk along the gravel road that follows along the stream.

Huilquijasa Pass, alpine lake, lares valley, mountains, clouds, sky, one day lares hike — _{Coming down from Huilquijasa Pass | Cute Alpacas en-route | Cross the stream to reach Cuncani Village}

alpaca, lake, lares valley, mom and baby alpaca, stones — _{Coming down from Huilquijasa Pass | Cute Alpacas en-route | Cross the stream to reach Cuncani Village}

If you want to make this a multi-day Lares trek, it’s easy to head left towards the village of Huacahuasi.

Otherwise, it’s a scenic and mostly flat 5 miles walk from the village of Cuncani to Lares. You will past by the village of Tambo Huaylla and right to the parking lot of the Lares hot springs. It is possible to wave down a collectivo if you see one passing by, however, they are oftentimes full. The walk to Lares is quite nice, especially on a sunny afternoon.

🥾 Huilquijasa Pass – Lares | 8.75 miles | +/- 4 hours

Lares Village & Return to the Sacred Valley

Lares hot springs, Lares termales, Peru hot springs, Lares hot springs mirador, pools, mountains, houses, clouds, Lares Valley Peru — _{Lares Aguas Termales from Viewpoint | Lares Plaza de Armas}

Lares Plaza de Armas, church, plants, mountains, clouds, sky, South American villages in Peru — _{Lares Aguas Termales from Viewpoint | Lares Plaza de Armas}

You should arrive right at the parking lot for the Lares Hot Springs. The great news is you can camp here or rent a room as there is someone manning the gate 24 hours. Simply ring the bell.

Lares Hot Springs | Cost: 12 PEN ($3 USD) | Hours: Open 24 hours | Find them here

➯ Peru Travel Inspiration | 14 Peru Hot Springs You Need to Visit

Relax in the hot springs, or walk into Lares village. If the collectivos are still running, catch one back to Calca in the Sacred Valley. Otherwise, there are a few small and no frills guesthouses to sleep in Lares.

💬 Real Talk | The last collectivo departs from Calca at 18:00. Sleeping in Lares is a great way to experience the village, soak in the hot springs, and recharge and support a local guest house for a reasonable price.

Things to Do in the Sacred Valley Peru

Inti Punku, Sun Gate, Mount Veronica, epic hikes in the Sacred Valley, grass, Inca ruins, clouds, sky, Ollantaytambo — _{Moray Inca Ruins | Inti Punku, the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo | Views from Saywa above Urubamba Peru}

The Sacred Valley in Peru is so special and warrants at least a few days to explore.

✈ Peru & Cusco Travel Planning | 1 Week Itinerary for Cusco and the Sacred Valley | 5 Unique Cusco Itineraries | The Best Things to Do in Cusco Peru

A great place to base is the village of Urubamba, which has access to some of the best Sacred Valley hikes such as Saywa Mountain and Laguna Juchuycocha.

Make sure to visit the four impressive Inca sites of the Cusco Tourist Ticket inn the Sacred Valley. Find them scattered around the Valley from Pisac, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. It’s easy to visit all these places without a guided tour.

➯ Peru Travel Inspiration | 32 Unique & Famous Landmarks in Peru You Have to Visit

Of course, there are more hidden treasures like the incredible hike along the Inca Quarry Trail to the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo. Nearby, it’s possible to hike to the Pre-Inca site of the Pumamarca ruins. Don’t miss the peculiar “dimensional portal” of Ñaupa Iglesia or the Inca site that sit on top of the Perolniyoc Waterfall. From Pisac, wander in the mountains past the breathtaking Kinsa Cocha lakes.

➯ Detailed Peru Travel Guide | 35 Inca Sites in Peru You Have to Visit

There are so many awesome things to do in the Sacred Valley in Peru, so don’t simply skip past it! Eventually, you can make your way back to Cusco and explore all the treasures and awesome things to do in the Imperial City.

Awesome 1 Day Lares Valley Trek

woman at Huilquijasa Pass, lares valley trek, lares hike, day hike in lares valley, alpine lake, clouds, grass, trail, hiking in lares valley — *_{Catching my breath at the incredible Huilquijasa Pass}*

In short, this is an awesome and alternative one day trek through the Lares Valley. Start from the small community of Quiswarani and take the Huilquijasa Pass to the community of Cuncani. From there, walk a few miles along the gravel road which leads right to the Lares hot springs. Spend time in Lares or head back to the incredible Sacred Valley.

Visit the Lares Valley to experience authentic villages, artisan homes, and some off-the-beaten-path trekking in Peru. This valley is filled with magnificent mountains, free grazing alpacas, and stunning views. Try to spend at least one day enjoying and hiking in the Lares Valley.

Have you taken a Lares trek? What did you think of the Lares Valley? Have you heard of this 1 day scenic hike that goes through the Lares Valley and the Huilquijasa Pass? It was a special day hike for me in Peru. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.

Lares Valley Trek | 1 Day Adventure Hike to Lares Hot Springs

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