Trip Rating
The Lares trek is your best option if you want to go "off the beaten path" and have an insight into authentic Andean communities. Explore stunning mountains, pristine lakes and wonderful waterfalls.
This beautiful trek begins at a small village in the Sacred Valley and ascends over to the the Sikllakasa Mountain pass located over 4700 meters (15,400 feet) passing through traditional, colorful villages and camping near the relaxing hot springs in Lares and a n unforgettable tour of Machu Picchu.
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Trek Details:
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There is no such thing as a 'free porter'. Companies that offer this complimentary service are usually engaging in exploitative practices that force porters to carry extra unpaid weight. Do not fall for of this fishy marketing scheme. |
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Day One
Start time Between 4:30 am and 5:00 am Travel Two hours by bus from Cusco to Pumawanka. Highlights of the day Our hike starts with a steady climbing toward the Sikllacasa mountain pass. We will follow the Cuyoq river up the stream. Half way into the climb we will stop for lunch at Pakchapata. The Lares trek is unique off the beaten track hike. Sometimes we are the only company leading a tour here. After lunch, we will continue our steady climb toward our campsite at Cuyoq. This location has the best views of the sky and the milky way. One of our favorite campsites. Difficulty level Difficult. The trail starts at 2840m/9223ft climbing to 4200m/14000 ft, The Distance on this hike is relatively short. only 5 miles / 8km Meals Breakfast at Pumamarka. Lunch during hike and dinner at campsite. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option. Accommodation Camping in tents at a campsite in Cuyoq. The temperature at night is usually around 1°C/34°F. |
Day Two
Start time Between 5:30 am and 6:30 am Activities. Trekking all day Highlights of the day The climb toward the Sikllakasa continues to this day. After we finish our nutrient breakfast, We will start our mission to conquer the mountain pass at SIkllacasa 15200 ft / 4700 m. After we reach the mountain top, we will descend the trail toward our lunch place at Cuncani. 3600m / 12000 ft. After lunch, the trail will become much easier, part of it will be a hike along the road toward Lares and the other part of the trail that leads to the hot springs. The Lares hot springs will be the best reward for such a challenging and tiring day. Difficulty level Difficult. The altitude gain becomes obvious, the air gets thinner and our pace slower. The total time to get the pass is 3.5 hours. After we Meals Breakfast at the campsite in Cuyoq. Lunch during hike and dinner at the campsite. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option. Accommodation Camping in tents at a campsite at Lares hot springs. The temperature at night is usually around 3°C/40°F. |
Itinerary
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Day Three
Start time Between 7:30 am and 8:30 am Activities. Walking tour of Lares town and bus trip to Ollantaytambo. Highlights of the day On this day we will sleep in, our wake up time will be slightly later than the previous days 7:30 Am. After breakfast, we will pack our stuff and head toward Lares town. In this place, we ill have a small walking tour of the many small attractions that this Andean village has. Then, We will return to our campsite where we will have lunch before We take our bus toward Ollantaytambo. The bus ride to Ollantaytambo lasts 4 hours. At Ollantaytambo, we will have lunch before we take our train toward Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night at our hotel. Difficulty level Very Easy. Only a small walk back and forth toward Lares Town and then the bus ride to Ollantaytambo. Meals Breakfast at the campsite in Lares hot springs. Lunch at the campsite. Dinner at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo. Vegetarian options are available. Please advise us if you require this option. Accommodation 2-star hotel at Aguas Calientes |
Day four
Start time: 5:00 am Travel: Bus to Machu Picchu Highlights of the day: A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu with your guide. Optional climb of Huayna Picchu (2720m/8923ft). It takes 45 minutes to reach the top. Difficulty level: Moderate Meals: Breakfast in the hotel at Aguas Calientes. Lunch in Aguas Calientes (not included) Accomodation: You will be back in Cusco to your own accommodation for this evening. |
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Optional services not included.
***NOTE: Total weight includes sleeping bag and pads (Sleeping bags and pads weight approx. 3kg) Optional items to take:
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Lares Trek Price:
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Lares trek difficulty:
The Lares Trek has different levels of difficulty depending on where one starts this hike and the duration of the trek that one takes. At evolution treks Peru, Our lares hike takes four days and three nights with a connection to Machu Picchu. We start our hike in the small village of Pumahuanca, located only 4 miles away from the city of Urubamba. The Altitude of this location is 2840m/9223ft. Due to the altitude of the highest point of this hike, which is the Sikallakasa pass 15200 ft / 4700 m ft, The difficulty level for days one and two are strenuous. Notice that we have to gain almost 2,000 meters or 6,000 feet of altitude in a matter of two days, which is quite a challenge, one of the most difficult hikes in the Cusco area. |
other important information
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MEALS:
MEDICAL INFORMATION
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WATER:
TREKKING BOOTS
DRUGS, SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
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LARES TREK VS INCA TRAIL
Unlike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, The Lares trek is an off the beaten track area; its main routes climb the Urubamba mountain range toward the Lares town or the Lares hot spring which is the end point of this alternative Inca trail. The Lares trek does not take people to Machu Picchu, rather the opposite, it takes people away from Machu Picchu. In the Lares trek, the most important attractions are the snow-capped mountains of the Urubamba mountain range, the indigenous villages and people of the Lares mountains, and their unique unchanged lifestyle that has remained this way for centuries despite the influence of the Spanish people after the invasion of the Inca empire. These indigenous people are mainly potato farmers, and llama and alpaca herders, two of the exotic animals that can be seen all over the trail to Lares. Also, they are expert weavers, who use the wool of these animals to weave very exotic textiles that depict figures related to their cosmovision and their traditions. Undoubtedly something worth seeing along this trek. The Inca Trail, however, is a place filled with an impressive number of Incan sites, and ecosystems which provide people with a unique opportunity to be immersed in the historical and ecological context that these places offer. Also, this trail leads directly to Machu Picchu which is the reason why it is considered on of the best hiking routes in the world. |
LARES TREK VS SALKANTAY TREK
The Lares Trek and the Salkantay trek are the two most known alternative hikes to the Inca trail. These two destinations become the favorite alternative hikes for those people who did not manage to get a permit for the Inca Trail. Both of these hikes present different characteristics and offer different attractions that one must choose when hiking to Machu Picchu. The Lares trek is a perfect location to get away from the crowds and experience solitude while getting to know the lives f the Andean indigenous people and their traditions. In contrast, the Salkantay trek offers beautiful views of both the alpine scenery of the Vilcabamba range and the impressive flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Unlike the Lares trek where silence, remoteness and solitude reign, The Salkantay Trek, passes through some villages and small towns that take away those important aspects of camping which to many is the ultimate reason for why go camping. Perhaps, one of the most significant advantages of the Salkantay trek is that it ends in Aguas Calientes which is the nearest town to Machu Picchu. |