Lares Trail Peru - Lares Inca Trail Travel info - Lares Inca Trail Hike - Lares Inca Trail Tour
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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.)
- 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








