The Lares Trail in 4 Days

The four-day Lares Trail

The Lares Trek is an alternative multi-day trek to Machu Picchu. There are many different variants of this trek, however, the most common is the route as offered by us and described below. With the Lares Trek, the emphasis is mainly on the way in which the local population lives in this area. We come through typical Peruvian hamlets where people still live and work as they did centuries ago. So one sees fewer Inca ruins than with the classic Inca Trail and the mountain peaks and passes are less high and perhaps less spectacular than with the Salkantay Trail. Nevertheless, one walks through a beautiful landscape and because it is one of the least crowded treks in this area, one hardly encounters other tourists. In addition, in terms of difficulty, it is one of the less difficult treks and therefore also ideal for families with children. It is the perfect trait for those who want to blend in with nature.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day one of the Lares Trail

Early in the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and go from Cusco on the bus to Lares. Here it is possible to take a dip in the baths of Lares. Then we start with a walk to Trapiche. Here we will have our lunch. After we have had lunch climbing to Cuncani, located at an altitude of 3800 meters. During the climb we see a variety of plant species and we see the inhabitants working on the land in traditional costume. Then we continue to the lagoon of Queullacocha. Here we will spend the first day the night. When we arrive, the porters are already done setting up the tents and we are going to enjoy our food. We spend the night in a large 2 person tent.

Inbegrepen: Lunch, avondeten

Day two of the Lares Trail

When we have had breakfast we start our hike and we go to an altitude of 4410 m to the town of Abra Willkiccasa. Here you have a magnificent view. When we have had lunch we walk on to Puna and admire the flora and fauna. We see various duck species and waterfowl in the lakes and finally we arrive at the Pachacuti pass. The is located at an altitude of 4520 m.. Now go down descending to about 3810 feet. Here we spend the night at the laguna Soroy Cocha. We walk down old Inca paths. The Inca porters have now set up the tents and the cook is busy with dinner.

Inbegrepen: Ontbijt, lunch, avondeten

Day three of the Lares Trail

Early in the morning after breakfast we continue to the town of Huaran. Here we go for lunch. Back in the Sacred Valley we take the bus to Ollantaytambo. Here we will see the last fortified town of the Incas. Then we take the train to Aguas Calientes. Then we will spend the night here to arrive early the next day at Machu Pichu. (Here you can choose to walk up (Inca trails 1.5 hours) or to be brought up by van.

Inbegrepen: Ontbijt, lunch, avondeten

Day four of the Lares Trail - Machu Picchu

The last day we visit Machu Pichu on foot or by bus (extra 12 dollars one way). Here you will get a 2-hour tour and then you can decide for yourself what you want to do until the end of the afternoon. Finally we go at the end of the afternoon we go back by train and bus to Cusco.

End of the Lares Trail.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

It is believed that the construction of the city of Machu Picchu was started around 1440, under the leadership of Pachacuteq. Until the Spanish conquest of the area in 1532, the city was inhabited. Scientists do not agree on the function of the city. Because the city is so inaccessible, it is believed that the city had no average function. It is often believed that Machu Picchu was a country retreat for kings and other high-ranking people. The city has many residences for nobles, and a few homes for their servants. Around 750 people could stay in the city. During the rainy season, if there were no kings present, there would have been far fewer people in Machu Picchu. When the Spaniards defeated the empire of the Inca, the regular migration to and from Machu Picchu by nobles stopped and the city became deserted.

According to some, the city would have been a fortress in defense of the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest, there was no longer any need for the Incas to keep coming. Not everyone agrees with this statement, because the location of the city does not make it plausible that the Inca Empire was defended from there. Moreover, there were too few homes for pedestrians.

According to a third theory, Machu Picchu would have been mainly intended for collecting coca leaves, because it is located at a point from which many plantations were accessible. But even after the Spanish conquest, the coca continued to play an important role in the area, so that this theory does not explain that the city was abandoned.

Recently, it was established that in 1867 the German prospector and timber merchant Augusto Berns found and plundered the mountain city, with the permission of the Peruvian government. Berns sold the historical treasures to European museums. In 1911, the historian Hiram Bingham conducted a study of the Inca trails in the vicinity of the city. During this study trip he rediscovered Machu Picchu. The city gained wide notoriety in 1913 when the National Geographic dedicated an entire song to Machu Picchu. In 1983, the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Included:

Safety briefing the day before the tour
Pick up from your hotel on the morning of the tour.
All transportation during the duration of the Trek
Professional highly trained mountain tour guides
Experienced chefs, porters, and horsemen
Two nights camping in the mountains
One night in a 2-star hostel in Aguas Calientes (upgrade possible)
All meals during the Trek with local ingredients
Entrance ticket to Lares and Machu Picchu
Train and bus back on the last day going back to Cusco.

Not Included:

Breakfast on day 1 & lunch and dinner on day 4
Entrance to Huayna Picchu (extra $15)
Hot springs

Sleeping bag (can be rented through us)

Walking sticks (can be rented through us)
Extra mat for more comfort

Porters for personal items

The buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu

Tips for the guides, cook and porters / horsemen