Lares Hot Springs: Relax in the Cusco region with thermal medicinal waters

Lares Hot Springs: Relax in the Cusco region with thermal medicinal waters

The Lares hot springs are one of the most visited spots in the busy tourist region of Cusco, Peru. Surrounded by magnificent natural beauty, these hot springs provide visitors with the perfect place to relax and soak in the therapeutic mineral waters. If you’re visiting Cusco and are curious about this attraction, here’s what you need to know.

What are the Lares hot springs?

The Lares hot springs are located in the Lares district, Calca province, Cusco region. This natural spa offers three pools and hot springs that range in temperature from 36°C (96.8°F) to 44°C (111.2°F). Its hot springs are highly valued by locals and visitors alike for their mineral content of sodium, chlorides, magnesium, potassium, sulfates, and other minerals, and their medicinal properties.

Although many people come to the Lares hot springs en route to the famous trail to Machu Picchu (known as the Lares Trek ), the place is a destination in its own right, brimming with peace and well-being.

Where are the Lares hot springs? How to get there.

• Where are they? The Lares hot springs are located a three-hour drive east of Cusco, in the Lares district of the Calca province. Both are easily accessible, whether you choose a package tour or travel independently.
• Infrastructure: The facilities at the Lares hot springs are excellent, with changing rooms and rest areas to ensure a comfortable visit. With views you can lose yourself in, this must be the perfect place to escape from it all and disconnect from the world.

When is the best time to go to the Lares hot springs?

The best time to visit the Lares hot springs is during the dry season, from May to September. The dry season, from November to March, is better, as it offers better weather and less rain, and the entrance to the resort is cleaner and sand is removed from tires. Temperatures are mostly moderate during the day, but nights are chilly due to the elevated terrain, so it’s important to dress warmly.

To avoid crowds, you also have the option of visiting the Lares hot springs in May or September, just before or shortly after Cusco’s peak season in June and July.

Health risks and benefits of Lares hot springs

The mineral-rich hot springs of Lares contribute to multiple health and healing properties. Among the most common are:

• Relaxation/stress reduction: The warmth of the hot springs relaxes muscles and reduces overall stress, leaving a feeling of well-being.
• Pain relief: Lares water contains sulfur, magnesium, and calcium, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; they are ideal for relieving muscle and joint pain and conditions such as arthritis.
• Improved blood flow: Warm water helps dilate blood vessels, improving circulation and supplying tissues with the necessary oxygen and nutrients.
• Skin purification: The minerals in these natural hot springs help eliminate toxins and impurities from the skin, thus improving its appearance and curing skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis.
• Boosting the Immune System: Hot springs can strengthen the immune system and help boost the body’s immunity.

Other activities to do around the Lares hot springs

While you’re not busy soaking in the Lares hot springs, there are a handful of activities to do around the resort. Some of the most popular options include:

• Trekking in Lares: The Lares region offers a wide range of hiking trails where you can appreciate the beautiful mountain valleys. The hike is filled with beautiful viewpoints, and there are some opportunities to observe local rural life along the way.
• Visit local communities: Around Lares, you’ll find native communities that still preserve their daily traditions. Get to know them, discover their traditions, participate in their way of life and agriculture, and do some sightseeing.
• Hike to Ipsaycocha Lagoon: For those looking for a hike, the hike to Ipsaycocha Lake is fantastic. This lagoon, near the Lares hot springs , has stunning views and is a great place for meditation.
• Ancasmarca Ruins: Near the town of Lares are the ruins of Ancasmarca, an important Inca site. It’s the perfect place to explore pre-Columbian history and culture.
• Birdwatching: The Lares area is also a great place for birdwatching, with many species to see. It’s an ideal destination for nature and photography enthusiasts.

Conclusion: Enjoy the hot springs of Lares.

The Lares hot springs are ideal for those who love to relax and enjoy treatments in a natural setting, tucked away in the Andean mountains. With mineral-rich waters surrounded by natural beauty, there’s more to it than just soaking in the water; it’s a way to be in harmony with nature and be healed by the Karoo waters. And with hikes and visits to local communities within easy reach, this place is the complete package.

Enjoy everything this natural wonder has to offer at the Lares hot springs !