Lares or Inca Trail

[backpacker]

My lonely planet book says to take the unbeaten path and do the Lares trek. it seems less busy and no permits are required so it seems much easier. is the inca trail that much better to do?

[Mark]

Only 500 permits per day are issued to hike the Inca Trail. As those permits are hard to get by lots of people hike the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. Both hikes are equally breathtaking.

The Inca Trail does offer a more memorable hike as you are literally walking in the footsteps of the Incas. It's a 40 km (25 miles) long wonder and it demands some efforts to be conquered as the highest pass takes you to an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,779 feet). This is a picture I took on the Inca Trail. It's a stunning sight.