PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

Photo gallery of pictures from our ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure vacation
Iguana Jan 2010
Travelling on two wheels is a great way to meet the locals and slow down to smell the coffee.

MEET OUR GUIDES:

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure travel guide
Yohn Grajeda
"Yohn was very friendly and helpful during the entire trip. He genuinely seemed to enjoy the interaction with the group and being able to share his knowledge of Peru with us. He was always interested in learning how the trip could be improved."
Darcy Simcoe (George Town, Cayman Islands) Jul 2009 Jaguar
News Clips and Reviews
Exploring Peru With My New Family
By Jenny Hartshorne

Since I’ve been back from my seven-day vacation in Peru, friends ask me, 'Hey what have you been up to this summer?' I love saying I went to Peru... There's a bit of mystery to it. Not the same as 'Went down to the shore for a week.' I say 'Well, I was in Peru, went to the Amazon Rainforest and stayed in a cool jungle camp with thatched huts and hammocks in front, macaws and parrots flying free, tarantulas in the trees nearby. The jungle was full of boas, anaconda, monkeys and of course lizards of all sizes.' I organized the trip with my new blended family by signing up with Active South America, a really first-rate tour company. Since there were only five of us we were matched with another family of our size. Read more...

Peru Family Trip
"This was the first 'guided' trip I've taken and the last thing I wanted was to feel like I was being herded on and off a tour bus. Instead we really felt like we were a part of the culture and the country. The fact that the trip was guided really enhanced the trip by allowing us to understand so much more about the country and its people than we would have if we'd been on our own, relying on the Lonely Planet."

Gemma Dickinson (Windlesham, United Kingdom) Apr 2009 Jaguar

Lares Trek, Peru: An alternative to the classic Inca Trail

Trek to untouched remote villages in the high Andes and take a spectacular train journey before hiking to Machu Picchu.

Lares Trek Day 1 - Quiswarani to Cuncani

From the Quiswarani community we have a gentle hike with a little climbing for a couple of hours to Qewña-Qocha (4,200 metres) where we'll have impressive views of snow-capped mountains such as Mount Veronica 'Huacay-Willca', Mount Qollqe Cruz 'The Silver Cross' and Mount Sawasiray. We'll then stop for lunch and relax for a bit. After we will continue for an hour and a half to reach Hualcajasa Pass (4,400 metres) then walk down for two more hours to our first camping spot: Cuncani Community at 3,650 metres. (Walking distance approximately 12 km, 5-6 hours.) This remote village is the fist stop of many small communities populated by direct descendents of the Incas. Many villagers here have never seen a foreign face so there's a real opportunity to experience the local customs and ways of life of a unique culture.

When we arrive at camp, you'll be greeted with tea by our porters and find your tent already set up.


Lares Trek Day 2 - Cuncani to Ipsay Qocha Lake

Today is an unforgettable day. We'll wake you up with a cup of coca tea, the local specialty, bought to your tent door. After a hearty breakfast we will stop for a short visit at Cuncani, where your guide will help you better understand the traditional lifestyle in the Andes. He will explain about the ancient customs and traditions, ancestral secrets for farming activities, how they preserve their products, the modus-vivendus of their villagers and the process of weaving and its significance. After this we will walk down about two hours to the Chancachaca Valley (3500 metres) where there are wonderful views of the Lares Valley and the stone houses and enclosures that lie scattered along the valley floor. We continue to walk up for one and a half hours to the Huacawasi (3700 metres) community where we will stop for lunch.

Then we hike uphill for approximately two hours to Ipsay Qasa Pass (4,500 metres). From here the views once again are fabulous and for the first time we have a clear view of Mount Mantanay standing at 5600 metres. From there, it's short hike down to Ipsay Qocha Lake for our second night camping where a hot Andean tea will be waiting for us! (Walking distance approximately 15 km, 6-7 hours.)

"The Lares Trail was the most physically exhausting and hardest thing I have ever done, but so worth it. Machu Picchu is everything you expect it to be, and to be there for sunrise and see the ruins coming out of the mist is the most stunning sight."

- Kylie-Ann Tremlett (Queensland, Australia) Aug 2008 Jaguar

Lares Trek Day 3 - Ipsay Qocha Lake to Aguas Calientes.

After breakfast we enjoy a one-two hour walk down to the Patacancha community. As we trek on we pass children herding llamas and alpacas high in the mountains in traditional clothes. Patacancha and Willoq have retained their cultural dress more than most communities and in the Valley of Ollantaytambo they are very famous for producing exquisite natural color weavings with Andean iconography and designs. Willoq is famous for the village folk clothed in famous red ponchos. They were among the first porters for the Inca Trail many years ago and most of them only speak Quechua, the language of the Incas. This afternoon there is an optional visit to the primary school of Pallata Community then we'll stop for lunch and have time to explore Ollantaytambo. At Ollantaytambo (2700 metres) we will see local farmers tending llamas, alpacas and their famous terraced crops. Then we board the train to Aguas Calientes (one of the nicest and most spectacular train journeys in South America). On arrival we check into our hostal for the night with hot showers! (Walking distance approximately 18 km, 7-8 hours.)


Lares Trek Day 4 - Machu Picchu
After a very early breakfast, we head up to enjoy sunrise at the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Today you can walk for about two hours or much longer if you like. We have all day to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place. If you're keen to climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, we'll hike up for spectacular views of the site and the valley below. It's a steep 90-minute climb, but the views are worth the effort. When we're done exploring Machu Picchu, we'll take a scenic train ride back to Ollantaytambo.


The following Peru trips include the Lares Inca Trail Trek:

Jaguar - 14, 10 or 7 day Peru trip
Capybara - 11 day family trip in Peru

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