{"id":21458,"date":"2024-10-03T18:17:55","date_gmt":"2024-10-03T23:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wamanadventures.com\/blog\/?p=21458"},"modified":"2026-10-29T11:55:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T16:55:57","slug":"how-long-is-the-lares-trek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wamanadventures.com\/blog\/en\/how-long-is-the-lares-trek\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Is the Lares Trek Days Distance and Hiking Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Trip duration and hiking duration are not the same on the Lares Trek. The classic four-day itinerary includes transportation and the Machu Picchu visit, while only the first three days make up the main Lares walking section.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists

Enjoy this one of a kind experience on the Lares Trek<\/p><\/div>\n

Lares Trek duration at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Route<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal duration<\/strong><\/td>\nMain hiking days<\/strong><\/td>\nApprox. hiking distance<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Lares Trek<\/td>\n4 days \/ 3 nights<\/td>\nDays 1\u20133<\/td>\n19.3 mi (31 km)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail<\/td>\n5 days \/ 4 nights<\/td>\nDays 1\u20134<\/td>\nAbout 25.5 mi (41 km)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/i> Important note:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The five-day version is not simply the same Lares trail with one additional day. It combines the Lares section with the regulated Short Inca Trail from KM 104 through Chachabamba, Wi\u00f1ay Wayna and Inti Punku before the final Machu Picchu visit.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How long is the Classic Lares Trek?<\/h2>\n

Waman’s current Classic Lares Trek lasts 4 days and 3 nights<\/strong>. The mountain trekking itself is concentrated mainly on the first three days.<\/p>\n

The route begins near Pumahuanca, continues through Puyoc and Cuncani, crosses high-Andean terrain and reaches the Lares area on Day 3.<\/p>\n

From Lares, travelers no longer continue toward Machu Picchu on foot. The journey changes from trekking to transportation, first by road toward Ollantaytambo and then by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Day 4 is reserved for the Machu Picchu visit and return toward Cusco.<\/p>\n

For the full itinerary rather than only its duration, see the 4 Day Lares Trek itinerary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Scenic

The most incredible landscapes of the Andes<\/p><\/div>\n

How many days do you actually hike on the Lares Trek?<\/h2>\n

On Waman’s current four-day itinerary, the main Lares hiking section takes place over three days<\/strong>. This distinction matters because \u201c4 Day Lares Trek\u201d does not mean four full days of mountain trekking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Day<\/strong><\/td>\nRoute<\/strong><\/td>\nApprox. distance<\/strong><\/td>\nApprox. hiking time<\/strong><\/td>\nRole in the itinerary<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 1<\/td>\nPumahuanca \u2013 Puyoc<\/td>\n6.8 mi (11 km)<\/td>\nAbout 7 h<\/td>\nMain hiking day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 2<\/td>\nPuyoc \u2013 Sicllakasa \u2013 Cuncani<\/td>\n7.5 mi (12 km)<\/td>\nAbout 7 h<\/td>\nMain hiking day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 3<\/td>\nCuncani \u2013 Lares<\/td>\n5 mi (8 km)<\/td>\nVaries by pace and trail conditions<\/td>\nFinal Lares hiking stage + road and train transfer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 4<\/td>\nMachu Picchu \u2013 Cusco<\/td>\nDepends on the confirmed archaeological route<\/td>\nGuided visit rather than a Lares trekking day<\/td>\nMachu Picchu visit and return<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The main Lares hiking mileage therefore comes from Days 1\u20133. Walking inside Machu Picchu on Day 4 belongs to the archaeological visit and should not be added to the 19.3 mi (31 km) Lares Trek distance.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists

Enjoy a peaceful, beautiful, and safe trek during this season.<\/p><\/div>\n

How far is the Lares Trek?<\/h2>\n

Waman’s current four-day itinerary includes approximately 19.3 mi (31 km)<\/strong> of hiking during the Lares section.<\/p>\n

You may find different Lares Trek distances online because Lares is a trekking region rather than one single standardized trail. Operators can use different trailheads, communities, camps and mountain passes.<\/p>\n

The 19.3-mile figure in this article therefore refers specifically to Waman’s current route through the Pumahuanca, Puyoc, Cuncani and Lares sectors.<\/p>\n

The route also crosses very high terrain, but altitude has its own owner within the Waman cluster. For the maximum elevation, day-by-day profile and acclimatization considerations, use the Lares Trek elevation guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Differences

The Classic Lares Trek concludes with your visit to Machu Picchu<\/p><\/div>\n

Daily hiking time on the 4 Day Lares Trek<\/h2>\n

Day 1 Pumahuanca to Puyoc<\/h3>\n

Day 1 is planned at approximately seven hours of hiking<\/strong>. The route begins around the Pumahuanca area and gradually moves into higher Andean terrain before reaching the overnight area around Puyoc.<\/p>\n

The first day is useful for understanding your group’s natural walking pace before the higher terrain of Day 2.<\/p>\n

Day 2 Puyoc to Cuncani<\/h3>\n

Day 2 is also planned at about seven hours<\/strong>, but it can feel longer because the route crosses its highest mountain terrain before descending toward Cuncani.<\/p>\n

If your main concern is physical demand rather than duration, use the Lares Trek difficulty guide<\/a> for the detailed assessment of terrain, fitness and the hardest sections.<\/p>\n

Day 3 Cuncani to Lares<\/h3>\n

Day 3 covers approximately 5 mi (8 km)<\/strong> and completes the main Lares hiking section. Actual walking time can vary with group pace, weather and trail conditions.<\/p>\n

After reaching Lares, the day changes from trekking to transportation. Travelers continue by road toward Ollantaytambo and then by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo.<\/p>\n

Day 4 Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n

Day 4 is dedicated to the Machu Picchu visit rather than another Lares trekking stage. The amount of walking inside the archaeological site depends on the route associated with the confirmed entrance ticket.<\/p>\n

This is why the complete trip lasts four days even though the main Lares hiking takes place during only three of them.<\/p>\n

\"Map

The map outlines the 4D\/3N Lares Trek with hiking distances, elevations and approximate times, followed by the train journey to Aguas Calientes and the final visit to Machu Picchu.<\/p><\/div>\n

Where the Lares hiking section starts and ends<\/h2>\n

Waman’s current four-day trekking section begins near Pumahuanca<\/strong> and continues through Puyoc and Cuncani before ending in the Lares area on Day 3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The complete itinerary still finishes with Machu Picchu, but the Lares trail itself does not continue uninterrupted into the archaeological site.<\/p>\n

After the trek ends, travelers connect to Machu Picchu Pueblo by road and train and visit Machu Picchu the following day.<\/p>\n

<\/i> Important note:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saying that the Lares Trek \u201cgoes to Machu Picchu\u201d describes the complete travel itinerary. The Lares hiking section itself ends before travelers continue by road and train toward Machu Picchu.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4 Day Lares vs 5 Day Lares and Short Inca Trail<\/h2>\n

The five-day option changes the route rather than simply adding another night to the same Lares itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/strong><\/td>\n4 Day Classic Lares<\/strong><\/td>\n5 Day Lares + Short Inca Trail<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total duration<\/td>\n4 days \/ 3 nights<\/td>\n5 days \/ 4 nights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Approx. hiking distance<\/td>\n19.3 mi (31 km)<\/td>\nAbout 25.5 mi (41 km)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lares section<\/td>\nDays 1\u20133<\/td>\nDays 1\u20133<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
After reaching Lares<\/td>\nRoad to Ollantaytambo + train to Machu Picchu Pueblo<\/td>\nRoad to Ollantaytambo + overnight there<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 4<\/td>\nMachu Picchu visit<\/td>\nKM 104 \u2013 Chachabamba \u2013 Wi\u00f1ay Wayna \u2013 Inti Punku \u2013 Machu Picchu area<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Day 5<\/td>\nNot applicable<\/td>\nMachu Picchu visit and return to Cusco<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best fit<\/td>\nTravelers wanting the classic Lares experience<\/td>\nTravelers who specifically want Lares plus the Short Inca Trail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The five-day itinerary therefore includes four meaningful hiking days<\/strong>. Day 4 adds the regulated Short Inca Trail from KM 104 rather than extending the Lares trail itself.<\/p>\n

If this is the combination you want, review the Lares Trek and Short Inca Trail 5D\/4N itinerary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Group

Share this great experience with other travelers and your own friends<\/p><\/div>\n

Is there a 3 Day Lares Trek?<\/h2>\n

Three-day Lares itineraries can exist because several route combinations are possible within the Lares region.<\/p>\n

However, they should not be treated as simply shortened versions of Waman’s current four-day route. Trailheads, communities, camps, hiking distances and the connection to Machu Picchu can differ.<\/p>\n

Waman’s current primary options are the classic four-day itinerary and the five-day Lares plus Short Inca Trail combination.<\/p>\n

What can make a Lares hiking day take longer?<\/h2>\n

Published hiking times are useful planning references, but they are not guaranteed finishing times. Several factors can change how long an individual day takes.<\/p>\n