Lares Trek to Machupicchu is the best alternative trekking route if you do not have the permits for the classic Inca Trail to Machupicchu; the trek does not require permits, for now; it takes you off the beaten path to where you can meet and interact with members of the traditional Andean communities.
You will learn all about life in these isolated villages, become familiar with their culture and traditions, and even visit a local school.
Our 4-day trek from Lares to Machu Picchu is also extraordinarily beautiful, combining majestic Andean mountains with spectacular ice glaciers, blue lakes and glaciers, breathtaking waterfalls and countless llamas and alpacas.
You will finish your trekking vacation exploring the wonder of the world: Machupicchu. The 4-day Lares Trek is an exceptional and rewarding trekking vacation in Peru. It is truly one of the beautiful treks in the world, not only in nature but also in its culture and variety of ethnic groups that inhabit it.
Compared to trekking in other places in the country, this offers a better serviced trekking route, making trekking easy and comfortable for you. However, if you are not willing to stay long in the mountains and want a more remote experience, there are unlimited opportunities for camping and remote trekking fully self contained in Peru.
The Lares Trek in Peru has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for over 20 years. The lifestyle and habits of the inhabitants of the mountainous regions have not changed for generations, the people of the village offer a great sense of hospitality and welcome to hikers and mountaineers, often they are the people that hikers take their best memories with them.
At Lares Trek we offer pleasant campsites with fascinating views. To complement a trek of a lifetime, we will explore the lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu. This trip will reward you with an intriguing combination of layered mountains and history. The trail here is a less traveled but equally rewarding and challenging alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
One of the most important parts of your trekking experience is your guide. Your local guide will be everything to you throughout the trek and for most people lifelong friendships are formed with their guides and the guides’ families. Peru is a country of friendly people belonging to many different ethnic groups, each with their own variety of culture, religion, festivals and castes, etc.
The LARES TREK is an excellent alternative to the traditional Inca trail to Machupicchu with the added advantage of visiting isolated Andean communities with long weaving traditions.
We offer you the best service at a great value, a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Explore the lost city of Machupicchu early in the morning with sunrise options.
Visit Andean communities and learn about traditional behaviors.
We don’t want your trip to be just trekking, but we want to create a memorable trip, for that, we have spiritual ceremonies performed by local shamans, meditation sessions, and a lot of fun.
In the morning we pick you up from your hotel and depart Cusco early in a private bus through the Sacred Valley to the picturesque town of Lares (3,100m). Here we will spend time bathing in the hot thermal springs before having lunch. Accompanied by mules and llamas to carry our packs, we begin our hike up the verdant river valley and continue for about 3 hours until reaching the charming community of Cuncani (3,600m.) where we have dinner and camp for the night.
In the morning we are greeted by a stunning view of the snow-capped peak of Colque Cruz (5,700m). Continuing our trek, beautiful landscapes dotted by colorful ponchos worn by villagers herding their sheep and llamas unfold before us. Slowly hiking upward, we pass a succession of turquoise lakes and then continue to the first high pass at Uchuycasa (4000m.) From the pass, we enjoy stunning views of the valley below as our trail winds down to the village of Quishuarani (3,700m), where we spend the night.
Today, we begin with a short walk to an impressive lake into which empties the beautiful, cascading waterfall of Pausi. Our trail leads up to the right, passing many small waterfalls and following an original Inca stone path. As we reach the Pachacuti pass (4,500m.), we have spectacular views of the snow-covered peaks of Pitusiray (5,750m.) and Chicon (5,500m.). Down below, we can also see the striking Suirococha lake located next to the village of Cancha Cancha (3,800), our last campsite.
This is our least difficult hiking day as we continue downward from the village of Cancha Cancha, passing thatched-roof stone houses and pastoral farmland. As we head into the warm valley, we follow mountain streams through a wide corridor filled with bird life and rocky formations. The trail comes out at Sayhuapata (2,800m), from where our private vehicle will take us to the legendary Inca town of Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we have plenty of time to visit this incredible archeological site. Then we can relax, enjoy a savory meal, and sleep comfortably in a hostal with great views of the Inca temples.
We take the early morning train to Aguas Calientes (tourist class). In Aguas Calientes, we ride the tourist bus up to the famous archeological complex of Machu Picchu, arriving around 11:30am. An official English speaking guide will lead a tour of approximately 2 hours, followed by time to explore the remains on our own. Departing the ruins in the afternoon, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco.
The most usual way to hire a tour to Lares Trek is through the internet. However, you can also buy one in a tourist agency located in the Historic Center of Cusco. Unlike the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek does not have to be booked far in advance.
The Lares Trek has a medium difficulty. Compared to the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, this route is less arduous. The only difficulty is altitude sickness, due to the trails located in high altitude geography.
The best time to do the Lares Trek is during the dry season (April to October). In those months, the sky is clearer and there is less chance of rain. Therefore, the trails are in better conditions for trekking.
One of the biggest difficulties during the Lares Trek is altitude sickness (also known as ‘soroche’).
The best way to combat this is to acclimatize to the city of Cusco a few days before the trek.
Another option is to drink plenty of water. Coca tea, for example, is a coca leaf-based drink that effectively combats the discomfort and symptoms of soroche.
The Incas, as well as the inhabitants of the Andes to this day, chew coca leaf as a remedy for this and other ailments.
There is no restriction for visitors to do the Lares Trek on their own. However, unlike other treks such as the Salkantay Trek or the Choquequirao Trek, the trails are not well marked, so it is difficult to follow the course.
To do the Lares Trek on your own, you must understand the route to follow. For this, a good map would be effective. In addition, the people who live in this region are mostly Quechua speakers.
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimatize normally. It usually takes between 24 hours and 2 days.
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness are WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NECESSARY; our guides are trained to treat altitude sickness.
The maximum group size is 10 people. Our groups are usually between 2-6 people. We specialize in small and private groups and offer personalized service.
Of course you can! During the Choquequirao 4 Days and 3 Nights Tour, your main luggage can be stored in our office or at your hotel, both are free of charge.
The first day hike is a challenge. We recommend bringing between 70 to 100 soles in case you are not good at walking uphill so you can rent a horse on the route.
CONTACT
chaskitrek2@gmail.com
Address: Calle del Medio N° 135 Plaza de Armas Cusco – Perú
Phone: +51 984 295 630
Phone: +51 984 556 303
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. &
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
RUC:
10416206606
BUSINESS NAME:
CHASKI TREK
Chaski Trek is a professional licensed adventure and cultural tour operator and is owned by a Peruvian family. With the assistance of our well-trained team of professional tour guides and office staff we do our best to offer our clients a high quality service.
Our office is located right on the beautiful Plaza de Armas in the historic capital of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco.
Our office is located right in the beautiful Plaza de Armas of the historic capital of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco.