- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
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Lares trek is one of the main alternatives to the Inca Trail. Authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys this fabulous trek offers a real insight into the lives of the people of Cusco as it once was. Lares is located in Cusco, this remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insight into traditional Andean life; a timeless world where farmers plant their crops on the lands their ancestors tended and watch over herds of llama and alpaca beneath the sacred snow-covered peaks they worshipped as gods. The trail is one of the Inca trails from the time of the Inca Empire.
Zero plastic bottles on the Lares Trek and Machu Picchu
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 6:00 am
Cusco to Puyoc
We will leave early in the morning by bus from Cusco. During the transport, we will pass a lot of archaeological remains, local handcraft-markets as well as large tracks of cultivated lands inside the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley is one of the most fertile places in South America with one of the best products such as maize which is the first export-product of this area. Our trek starts of in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We'll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we'll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.
Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it's quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.
Day 2
Time : 6:00 am
Puyoc to Cuncani
Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it's about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2 hour walk right at the beginning.
As we make our way to Cuncani we'll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha - Black Water) and get to meet the local people
dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass, your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You will also get to learn a few Qhechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.
Day 3
Time : 7:00 am
Cuncani – Lares to Aguas Calientes
Another day of hiking.The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up earlywe'll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we'll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them - hopefully by now you will have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyone delight and amusement). After the visit, you'll have the opportunity to give any gifts you've brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.
Leaving Cuncani it is just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we will pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we will also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead. After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we'll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we'll catch our train to Machu Picchu.
Day 3
Time : 6:00 am
Machu Picchu!
After a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We will have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have, permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco Hotel
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment plus 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from Plaza Regocijo
- Transportation by bus to Pumahuanca and from Lares to Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 3 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- 3 Star Hotel on Day 3
- Inflate Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
- Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Note* About Lares trek Campsites:
Campsites may change depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on
restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Goverment.
Extras (Need to book in Advance):
- Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 70.00
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 70.00
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired
Optional extras:
- Sleeping Bag US$30.00
- Walking Pole US$12.00
- Single Tent Supplement US$35.00
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired.
- Inflatable Mattress US$25.00
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 4
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain add $ 70
- Entrance to Lares hot springs ( 12 Peruvian soles)
- Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
- Tips
What you need to bring
- Original Passport
- Student Card (if you are a student and have booked in advance to qualify for the discount)
- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us).
- Walking sticks (can be hired from us).
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batterie
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