Llaviucu Lake hike: Private Inca trail beyond park

Walk an ancient Inca trail to a remote lake and find yourself alone in the valley.

A private guided hike of Llaviucu Lake and Valley near Cuenca follows an ancient Inca trail through a remote area where wild horses and alpacas graze, past the ruins of an abandoned German brewery and meadows most park visitors never see. The tour runs five hours with light hiking, multiple rest stops, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. Pickup is included. Children from age 8 are welcome, and the operator recommends arriving a day early to acclimate to the high elevation.

The experience

How do you find the parts of El Cajas that most people miss? Book a private hike into Llaviucu Lake and Valley, where the trail follows an ancient Inca route and the operator says they are normally the only group in the area. The five-hour tour mixes light hiking with long stops for views, photography, and rest. The pace is built around what you want to do, not a fixed schedule. You'll walk through meadows where wild horses and alpacas move freely, pass the stone remains of a German brewery abandoned decades ago, and follow a river that feeds into the lake itself.

The landscape shifts as you climb: wildflowers and native trees line the trail, distant waterfalls sound across the valley, and the cliffs rise above the water. Your guide handles the route and can frame shots for photos or point out details most hikers would pass. Snacks and water breaks happen whenever you need them, and if you want to sit quietly and take in the space, that's part of the plan too. The remoteness is the whole point. You're not threading through crowds or following a marked loop the park advertises.

Pickup from your hotel is included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. Because Llaviucu sits at high elevation, the operator asks that you spend at least a day in the area before the hike to let your body adjust. Children from age 8 can join. Younger kids can come if they sit on an adult's lap during the drive. If public transport works better for your schedule, options exist nearby.

What’s included

• Private guided hike along an ancient Inca trail.
• hotel pickup and return.
• a guide who speaks English or Spanish.
• snacks and water breaks throughout the five hours.
• help with photos and personal moments in the valley.

Options for this experience

2 options

Hike El Cajas: Beyond the Common TrailGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Includes pickup

LanguageGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marc King

Is this one for you?The five-hour pace with frequent stops suits hikers who want to move through the landscape without rushing, and the private format means the guide adjusts the day to what you want to do. If you're coming from sea level or a lowland city, arrive a day early to acclimate to the elevation before you start.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the hike actually like, how steep is it and how much climbing is involved?

The hike is light and built around rest stops, not distance or elevation gain. You'll walk through meadows and along the valley floor with plenty of pauses for views, photos, snacks and recovery, so the five hours includes a lot of standing still and looking around, not constant uphill work.

Will there really be wild horses and alpacas on the trail?

Wild horses and alpacas graze in the meadows of Llaviucu Valley as part of the landscape, so you'll see them during the hike. They're not penned or staged. They move freely through the area, so sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit.

What are the brewery ruins like, and how much of them is still standing?

The abandoned German brewery sits along the route as stone ruins. The operator includes it as a stop on the hike. The exact state of the remains isn't detailed, but it's part of what makes this trail different from the standard park loop.

Do I need to book this in English or Spanish, and can the guide switch between them?

Your guide speaks English or Spanish, and you choose your language when you book. The operator lists language as a purchase option, so you pick which one suits you at checkout.

How much time should I spend in Cuenca before doing this hike?

The operator recommends arriving at least a day before the hike to acclimate to the high elevation around Llaviucu Lake. Spending an extra day in the area before you hike gives your body time to adjust and makes the five-hour walk more comfortable.

Is pickup from my hotel included in the price, or do I need to arrange my own transport?

Pickup from your hotel is included in the tour. If you prefer to meet the guide at the trailhead instead, public transportation options are available nearby.