Classic Inca Trail vs. Lares Trek: Which Route to Machu Picchu?

The Classic Inca Trail is famous for its Inca ruins; the Lares Trek is known for its Quechua villages, glacier lakes and llamas. Both lead to Machu Picchu – but in very different ways.

At a glance

• Duration: Classic Inca Trail: 4 days · Lares Trek: 4 days (2 days trekking)
• Highest point: Classic Inca Trail: 4,215 m / 13,828 ft · Lares Trek: about 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
• Highlights: Classic Inca Trail: Inca sites, Sun Gate · Lares Trek: Quechua communities, weaving, lakes, llamas
• Hikers on the trail: Classic Inca Trail: Many in high season · Lares Trek: Few
• Permit: Classic Inca Trail: Required, limited · Lares Trek: Not required

Classic Inca Trail: walking in the footsteps of the Incas

Four days on an original Inca road with archaeological sites, cloud forest and the arrival at the Sun Gate. Ideal for history lovers – but permits sell out quickly.

Lares Trek: living Andean culture

The Lares region is one of the most traditional areas around Cusco. You hike with llamas past glacier lakes and through villages where families still weave and herd alpacas as their ancestors did. Encounters with local people are a highlight of every day. The trek ends in the Sacred Valley, from where you travel by train to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu on a guided tour.

The best of both

With our Lares Trek with Llamas & Short Inca Trail, you combine two days of trekking in Lares with the Short Inca Trail and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate – without needing a permit for the classic four-day trail.

Discover the Lares Trek with llamas and all Inca Trail treks.