As travelers, we are always concerned about our well-being and often evaluate our limits and the difficulty of challenges we face. By being aware of this intuitively, we can better prepare ourselves to overcome everything and reach our objectives.
The Lares Trek Difficulty
The difficulty isn’t exact because the terrain changes and so do the altitudes. Generally, the Lares Trek Peru is considered as a tough to challenging trek. Why? Along the trek, you will reach relatively high altitudes above 4,000 m / 13,123 f ASLt, which will demand physically a lot. Therefore, it’s essential training your body and mentality before adventuring on this route.
The Difficulty of the Lares Trek in Its Different Versions
Earlier, in the section “How Long Does the Lares Trek Take?“, I wrote there are two versions of this trekking route: a classic one and another that includes the Short Inca Trail. Now, let’s analyze the difficulty of each option. Keep in mind: the final decision will depend on your preferences and what you enjoy.

Prepare physically and pack appropriately; this way, the difficulty would be a word.
- Lares Trek (4 days): Remember, the route does not maintain the same altitude, and the paths are rough. In this version, the difficulty ranges from moderate to challenging specially on the second day of the journey. Remember! You must be physically prepared if you plan to trek the Lares Trail or any other route.
- Lares Trek (5 days): For you, traveler, if you decided to extend your adventure even further, this version presents a difficulty level ranging from moderate to challenging. It’s important to note that this route is considerably more complex than the original version, as it includes the Short Inca Trail section, which also demands a high level of physical effort and is considered challenging.
Now you know that the difficulty is the same for both versions because they go on almost the same route towards Machu Pichu Citadel. The only difference is that the 5-day version adds the Short Inca Trail and allows hikers to reach Machu Picchu on foot.
What Can I Do?
As I mentioned, humans intuitively try to prepare for these challenges, which should be seen as something easy. For instance, to avoid setbacks during the trek, you should spend at least two days acclimatizing in Cusco to adjust to the altitude. If you want to prepare even earlier, you could engage in physical activities that strengthen your legs, ensuring you are more than ready for the Lares Trek before taking off to Peru.
Is it that easy?
Yes, it’s really easy to prepare for this trek. Keep in mind that you don’t need to have the physical level of an athlete. As long as you are fit (exercises, biking, and any sport that keeps you healthy), I assure you that everything will go smoothly.