Lares Natural Hot Springs

This route takes us to the famous Lares Hot Springs after a very beautiful 2-hour mountain drive. In Calca, we stop briefly across from Mount Pitusiray and visit Calca Market, one of the nicest markets in the valley. Leaving Calca town center, we ascend by vehicle for about 30 minutes, passing the Ancasmarca Ruins, which date back to the pre-Inca period. We then climb further to reach the Lares Mountain Pass [4,450 m]. Circling around Sahuasiray Mountain [5,750 m], we begin our descent toward the Amazon side and arrive in Lares.

Although Lares sits at 3,200 meters, it has a milder climate because it lies on the Amazon-facing side of the mountains, and it hosts some of the best and most organized natural hot springs in the Cusco region. These thermal waters—also popular with locals—include many pools at different temperatures. A powerful river runs right beside the hot springs. The springs are about 10 minutes by car from the town of Lares and are generally not very crowded except on Sundays.

The Route

Summary

Sacred Valley-Lares Road
Calca Market
A friend filmed us in 2018 while going to Calca Market with Christopher
Ancasmarca Ruins [4,000m]
Lares Mountain Pass [4,450m]
Click for satellite images of Lares Mountain Pass and Sahuasiray
Lares Town [3,200m]
Lares Hot Springs [3,280m]
Click for drone footage of Lares Hot Springs
Return

Detailed Information

Sacred Valley- Lares Road:

We depart from Pisac and drive through the Sacred Valley toward Calca, then begin climbing the Calca Valley. Along the way, we visit Ancasmarca, one of the region’s rarer pre-Inca ruins (even if it isn’t widely known).

Lares Mountain Pass:

Continuing the ascent, we cross the Lares Mountain Pass [4,450 m]. This pass is a transition point between the Andes and the Amazon side and offers a beautiful view of Sahuasiray Mountain [5,750 m]. Of course, we take a break here.

Yanatile Valley:

Lares marks the entrance to the Yanatile Valley, which runs parallel to the Sacred Valley and is referred to locally simply as “the Valley.” Many tropical products from the Cusco region—including coca, coffee, and cacao—come from this valley.

Along the way, we see a few scattered homes belonging to people living at very high altitudes. The distance between Pisac and Lares is 75 km, and although most of the road is asphalt, it still takes about 2 hours (excluding stops).

Lares Natural Hot Springs:

Click for drone footage of Lares Hot Springs

Lares-Sacred Valley Road:

We return the same way.

Sample Program

Our program is not fixed; it takes shape on the road. To help you get a sense of the flow, here is an example:

07:00: Depart from the Sacred Valley toward Lares
07:30: Calca Market
08:30: Ancasmarca
10:30: Break at Lares Mountain Pass
11:30: Lares town, lunch
12:00: Natural Hot Springs
16:30: Depart from Lares
19:00: Arrival in Pisac

What to Bring

Sunglasses (polarized if you have them), sunscreen, insect repellent,
Two warm layers, warm socks,
Hiking shoes, windbreaker/rain jacket,
Spare socks, underwear,
Towel, swimsuit,
Water bottle, snacks,
Small gifts for children and people we may meet (coca leaves, pencils, fruit, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, notebook, hair clips, toys, etc.),
Musical instrument (if you wish).

If you don’t have some of the items above, let us know—we can lend them to you.

If we are more than 5 people, we place suitcases and backpacks on the roof of the vehicle. In that case, please bring very little into the car.

Food

We would like to note that preparing for your diet (if you have one) is a pleasure for us. Please inform us about it.

Throughout the trip, we bring plenty of coca leaves, cacao beans, maca, different teas, coffee, fruit, peanuts, and raisins.

Lunch:

We eat the day’s set menu (including soup) from the local women at the entrance to the hot springs.

Participation Fee

Participation	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fee ($)	200	150	130	110	100	90	80