Lares Hot Springs: A hidden gem in Peru’s scenic landscape

The Lares Trek is the quieter, more culturally immersive alternative to the Inca Trail. It winds through remote Andean valleys, traditional Quechua villages, and high-altitude passes—all culminating in a restorative soak at the Lares Hot Springs. 

Rather than following stone paths packed with tourists, you’ll walk-through wide-open landscapes and villages where weaving is still done by hand and the only traffic comes on four legs. 

Expect: 

This trek can also be combined with a short Inca Trail section to reach Machu Picchu, offering the best of both routes—solitude, culture, and the grand finale. 

The Lares Hot Springs aren’t polished. They don’t come with spa menus, towel service, or curated playlists. What they do offer: real heat from the earth, grazing alpacas nearby, and silence broken only by the sound of wind moving through the mountains. 

You’ll find these natural hot springs tucked into a quiet corner of Peru’s Sacred Valley—far from the tour buses and busy trails. The setting is rugged, remote, and entirely unbothered by the modern world. And that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable. 

After long days hiking through the Andes, stepping into mountain hot springs like these feels like hitting a reset button. The thermal water is naturally heated and mineral-rich, believed to ease sore joints, altitude symptoms, and general exhaustion. Whether that’s science or tradition, it works. 

Locals swear by these pools for everything from arthritis to heartbreak. And whether you're trekking or just passing through, there’s something grounding about sinking into warmth that’s been bubbling up from the earth for centuries. 

Lares Hot Springs haven’t been packaged for tourists. There are no faux-Inca fountains or overpriced towels. Just concrete pools lined up along a steep valley, steam rising through the cool mountain air. You’ll likely share the space with Quechua families, a couple of llamas, and a handful of fellow hikers with tired feet. 

It’s not luxury. It’s better—because it’s real. 

The springs are often folded into the Lares trekking route—an off-the-beaten-path alternative to the Inca Trail. Trekkers either start or finish near the pools, which makes for the ultimate payoff after days of high-altitude hiking. If you’re not trekking, you can still access the springs by road. 

The drive from Cusco to Lares takes about 3 to 4 hours, winding through sharp mountain passes and valleys that seem untouched by time. It’s a scenic route, but one that can turn rough in the rainy season. A 4x4 isn’t mandatory, but it’ll make the ride a lot smoother. 

Tip: During the wet season (December–March), road conditions can shift fast. Check before you go and bring layers—it gets cold once the sun drops. 

This is a route where the scenery shifts by the hour, and the people you meet are just as memorable as the landscapes. 

You’ll spend your days walking through remote mountains and your nights under the stars. By the final day, legs are tired, packs are lighter—and Lares Hot Springs is just down the trail. 

Reaching the hot springs in Lares Peru feels like a reward for the entire journey. Tucked into the mountains, these mountain hot springs are simple, steamy, and surrounded by open sky. 

There are at least three warm pools—some sources even count to six, including a cold plunge, each filled with mineral-rich thermal water fed by underground volcanic springs. Temperatures vary from 95°F to 110°F (35°C to 43°C), so you can ease in slowly or go straight for the hottest. 

Expect peace and quiet. Occasionally a few locals. Always the sense that you’ve earned this. 

The Lares hot springs aren’t just warm—they’re rich in naturally occurring minerals believed to support physical recovery: 

It’s not a miracle cure, but studies have shown that soaking in natural hot springs like these can help ease joint pain, reduce stress, and boost circulation. 

For trekkers, it's a full-body reset before heading back to the road—or onto Machu Picchu. 

Despite its remote location, Lares Hot Springs Peru has basic infrastructure: 

The pools are framed by stone and natural grasses, often with alpacas wandering nearby. It’s not polished, but it’s beautiful—and exactly what your body needs after days of trekking. 

Expect clear skies, dry trails, and crisp mountain views. This is prime time for anyone doing the Lares Trek, with reliable weather and fewer bugs to battle along the way. You’ll likely see more people on the trails compared to the rainy season, but nothing like the congestion of the Inca Trail. 

The landscape transforms into a lush, green paradise. Waterfalls spill over the hillsides, wildflowers bloom, and the crowds disappear. It’s a stunning time for photography or soaking in natural hot springs but be prepared for muddy trails and the occasional landslide risk if you’re hiking. 

If you're only coming to enjoy the hot springs in Lares Peru, there's really no bad time to visit. The pools are open year-round and especially lovely during misty, rainy afternoons. 

If you’re planning to combine the Lares Hot Springs with the Inca trail or Machu Picchu (which is highly recommended) you can find out more about the best time to trek the Inca Trail and the best time to visit Machu Picchu.  

Pro tip: Go early. Morning light over the Andes is golden and soft, and you’ll often have the pools to yourself. There’s something surreal about sitting in a steaming bath as the valley slowly wakes up around you. 

For Andean communities, hot springs like Lares have long been more than just a way to relax. These waters were—and still are—considered sacred. They’re seen as gifts from Pachamama, the Earth Mother, and used in traditional rituals for spiritual and physical renewal. 

People would bathe before ceremonies, pilgrimages, and childbirth. Today, many still make the trip to Lares Hot Springs to cleanse their bodies and minds before life events. Soaking here connects you with something much deeper than just geothermal activity—you're stepping into a tradition that stretches back centuries. 

One of the most meaningful parts of visiting Lares is the people. The surrounding villages—Huacahuasi, Patacancha, and Lares town—are home to Quechua-speaking communities who have lived in these valleys for generations. 

Many work as porters, cooks, or guides on the Lares trekking routes. Others host visitors in family-run lodges, where meals are made with local quinoa, herbs, and yes—potatoes in all forms. Staying overnight means alpaca-wool blankets, woodsmoke in the air, and a deeper connection to the land. 

Photography is welcome, but it’s respectful to ask before taking portraits. These aren’t performers—they’re people proud of their culture and generous enough to share it. 

If you’re on a mission to find the best mountain hot springs in Peru, a few other spots are worth adding to your route. Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu is convenient but crowded. Cocalmayo, in Santa Teresa, offers a lush jungle setting and is popular for good reason. Chivay’s pools in Colca Canyon are perfect after condor spotting, and the baths in Monterrey near Huaraz are a hiker’s favourite after long days in the Cordillera Blanca. 

Still, Lares Hot Springs feels different. Quieter. Wilder. Less altered by tourism and more integrated with the land and its people. You’re not just bathing—you’re participating in a rhythm that’s existed long before hotels and tour buses arrived. 

Lares isn’t just a detour—it’s a destination with soul. You get all the rewards of being in the high Andes without the crowds or noise. The trek to get there winds through landscapes that feel untouched, where ancient stone paths are still used by herders and alpacas graze in silence. 

When you finally slip into the thermal waters, your legs may be tired, but your senses will be wide awake. The pools are warm, the mountains sharp and silent, and the experience stays with you long after you dry off. 

And if you're looking to turn the adventure into something even more unforgettable, consider linking your soak in Lares with a trek through the Sacred Valley and a Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It's the kind of combination that hits every note: remote wilderness, cultural depth, and a perfect ending. 

Learn more about our seven important safety tips for anyone hiking the Inca Trail and our tips on how to stay healthy and safe in Peru. The Lares Hot Springs may be a short part of your adventure, but it’s a stop that’s well worth it.