lares-trekking
1.- OVERVIEW OF THE LARES TREKKING
By choosing the option of Lares Trekking Peru you can discover that it allows you to know magical places like the Lares Valley which is located northeast of Cusco, in the province of Calca. For centuries this place has been home to Quechua communities and populations so the tradition of this place has only passed through generations without being affected. For travelers who choose the option of Lares Trekking to reach Machu Picchu this is a great opportunity to interact with the local people and learn more about their lifestyle, among these activities excels agricultural practices in addition to weaving techniques so it is not strange to see that there are several groups of llamas and alpacas domesticated.
Undoubtedly what stands out from the Lares Trekking experience is that travelers can interact in a closer way with the local people, these villages although they seem far from society have a system that has worked properly for centuries allowing its development and even livelihood today. It is also an appropriate place to be able to disconnect from the world if what you want is a space for you.
llamas and alpacas at lares trekking
2.- PLANNING YOUR LARES TREKKING ADVENTURE
2.1.- Best Time to Visit
Unlike other trekking options, the Lares Trekking is available all year round, but there are times when it is more complicated to do it. The best time for the Lares Trekking is during the months of May and June, this is the time when you will not only enjoy the cultural part but also the natural part. The surroundings are kept with an intense green color that gives a unique appearance of going from the Peruvian Andes to the jungle zone.
best time for hiking
2.2.- Trek Duration Options
By reviewing the Lares Trekking Map you will discover that there are many options to do it. Not only for the duration of days but also for the activities, places to visit and availability you have. The Lares Trekking options you can choose from are:
- Lares Trekking 03 days (Short Version)
- Lares Trekking 04 days (Classic Version)
- Lares Trekking 05 days (Extended Version)
2.3.- Permits and Regulations
Unlike other options such as the Inca Trail, the Lares Trekking Peru experience does not require you to obtain an entrance ticket to be able to do it. However, as it has as its end point the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, you need to buy that ticket at the time you decide.
3.- MEET THE COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE ANDES
“If there are no more spaces available for the Inca Trail adventure, the Lares Trekking version will always be the best alternative. It gives you the opportunity to learn about the culture and tradition of the Andean communities in a closer way, interacting with the populations to finally visit the Machu Picchu Citadel.”
4.- LARES TREK ITINERARY
4.1.- Four-Day Classic Lares Trek
This classic option offers us a Lares Trekking Map that includes all the essential and most important things to visit during the tour. Throughout 4 days you travel through part of the Peruvian Andes and also have the privilege of reaching the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 1: Day 01: Cusco – Lares – Hot Springs – Cuncani
The Lares Trekking Peru experience starts quite early from your hotel in Cusco, between 05:00 am the transport picks you up to take you first to the town of Calca where you can do some last shopping and then you continue in the transport to the town of Lares. Unlike other treks, in the Lares Trekking option you start by relaxing your body. The first point of visit will be the hot springs that are in the place which are medicinal and relax the body to prepare it for the experience. You will also enjoy some free time to have breakfast and meet the support team that will accompany you during the tour. Begin the experience of hiking through the Valley that is in front of you until you reach the resting point which is also where lunch is waiting for you and ready, after resting you continue walking to the village of Cuncani where you will spend the first night, you will get from here beautiful views of lakes and mountains.
- Distance: 17 km
- Hiking time: 07 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
lares hot springs
Day 02: Cuncani – Wacahuasi – Ipsaycocha
Your team will wake you up early with a cup of coca tea or coffee. The first thing you will see is how the sunrise over the mountains and prepares you for an incredible day. The first part of this day in the Lares Trekking is to reach the community of Wacahuasi where you can see how people produce fine fabrics such as ponchos or clothing, then begins the most demanding part, you must ascend to 4100 meters above sea level in the Abra Condor Pasa and then gradually descend to the lagoon Ipsaycocha where you meet the team to have lunch and enjoy the afternoon, this is the second camp.
- Distance: 16 km
- Hiking time: 07 hours
- Difficulty: Demanding
cuncani village
Day 03: Ipsaycocha – Willoc – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
After waking up and getting ready you first enjoy a delicious breakfast, after the indications you proceed with the descent of the mountain. First you arrive to the community of Willoc where you take advantage of the time to have lunch calmly, then you continue to the community of Puma Marca to discover the incredible Inca terraces, finally continuing the path of Lares Trekking you will arrive to the town of Ollantaytambo where you board a tourist train to finally arrive to the town of Aguas Calientes, you enjoy the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Distance: 13 km
- Hiking time: 05 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
ipsaycocha lagoon
Day 04: Machu Picchu – Cusco
This will be the reward of all the way of the Lares Trekking. Early you board a tourist bus bound for the control gate of Machu Picchu. After the small control begins the guided tour of the Inca citadel knowing the main places and after 2 hours and 30 minutes you leave to return to Aguas Calientes, there is free time to have lunch and finally return to Cusco first by train and then by private transport.
- Distance: 2 km
- Hiking Time: 02 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
lares trekking: machu picchu
5.- RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ON THE LARES TREK
By choosing the Lares Trekking option, you are not only living an experience. It is part of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism. This happens because many of the travel agencies that provide this service work directly with the communities with the intention that the tourism activity does not affect in any way to their lifestyle or customs, plus of course the income also benefits the community itself. This is a way of preserving the culture as well as improving their living conditions by providing a positive impact as an activity.
6.- PREPARING FOR YOUR TREK
6.1.- Essential Gear and Packing List
To enjoy the Lares Trekking experience in the best way it is important to be prepared and for this it is recommended to bring:
lares trekking packing list
- Adequate clothing: For the changing climate of the Andes it is recommended to wear shirts with long sleeves, waterproof jackets, and warm sweater.
- Accessories: Complements for clothing such as sun hat, scarf, gloves and sunglasses.
- Shoes: The terrain is changeable so it is important to have adequate and comfortable hiking shoes. For the hot springs areas, sandals will be more comfortable.
- Equipment: A 40 liter backpack, hiking poles, headlamp and external battery.
- Hygiene: Personal items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, wet towels, sunscreen and others.
- Money: During the route there is not much connection so it is important to carry only cash, the use of the card can only be done from Ollantaytambo.
| “Only in adventure do some people get to know themselves, to find themselves.” |
6.2.- Altitude Acclimatization Tips
Altitude sickness is quite common for travelers who visit high places such as the Peruvian Andes, for this the best recommendation is:
- During your stay in the city, consume a lot of water. Altitude sickness is mainly due to a lack of oxygen in the body and staying hydrated is also a good way to oxygenate the body.
- Another factor is the diet. The food in Cusco is somewhat heavy due to the condiments, so it is better that on the first day you only have a balanced diet of chicken as soup, and then you can enjoy the rest of the meals.
- It is also ideal to avoid the use of pills against altitude sickness during the trip, only personal pills are the ones you should use.
balance diet
Do you feel ready to live the Lares Trekking experience? In 2024 there are many options you can choose from and Auri Peru has prepared a complete experience for you so you don’t have to worry about anything. Contact us now and start designing your next adventure.
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