The Alternative Inca Trail – the Lares Trek

The Inca Trail is Latin America’s most popular trekking route and access is controlled by a limited number of trekking permits allocated per-day. Permits often sell out months in advance, therefore if permits are no longer available for your chosen date or if you want to walk on a less trekked trail, we offer an alternative trekking route to Machu Picchu – the Lares Trek.

For trekkers wanting to get off the well beaten tourist path and escape to a part of Peru that has changed little over the last 500 years, a trek through the spectacular scenery of the Lares Valley is a must. This trek is a unique experience, through a splendid landscape of snow-capped mountains and passing through isolated villages that have preserved their traditional techniques of weaving and dress making.

How does it work?
•    The trek can be chosen at the time of booking at no extra cost on any of tours that trek the standard Inca Trail route
•    The departure date must be guaranteed and we require a minimum of two passengers wanting to do the Lares Trek to run it
•    Special permits are not required and so this route can be booked after Inca Trail permits have run out

Itinerary
For those choosing the Lares Trek, the itinerary below replaces those days in the tour when the rest of the group walks the standard Inca Trail. Those doing the Lares Trek will receive a separate pre-trek briefing in Cusco. All trekkers will leave Cusco at roughly the same time in the morning to drive to their respective start points. The Lares Trek finishes in Ollantaytambo, from where those walking the route take the train down to Aguas Calientes – the village below Machu Picchu - and meet with the rest of the group. The next morning, those who have done the Lares trek will join the rest of the group again and visit Machu Picchu together. There should be enough time to walk up to the Sun Gate to enjoy the classic view over Machu Picchu.

Overview
The Lares trek route takes you through beautiful, pristine Peruvian Andean mountain areas. Trekking in this remote region through the Sacred Valley offers an insight into the real lives of the Andean farmers, dressed in their traditional brightly-coloured ponchos. The people live day to day, growing and knitting what they eat and wear. You'll walk through soaring mountains, past remote settlements, viewing herds of llamas and alpacas on the trail to Machu Picchu stopping at many monuments en route.

Tour Highlights

•    Scenic landscapes - Breathtaking views of Andean mountains and lakes
•    Local insight – Receive an insight into the real lives of Andean farmers
•    Off the beaten track – The Lares Trek is a serene and less crowded trail

Day 1 Cusco – Cachin
From Cusco, we drive towards Lares (approximately 4 hours), passing small Andean communities and viewing spectacular mountain landscapes along the way. Before starting the trek, we will visit the hot springs and take a dip in the warm waters which are famous for their medicinal powers. Feeling fully refreshed, we begin walking up the Trapiche River Valley. The Lares Trek is accompanied by cooks and support staff who put up the tents and prepare the camp. All luggage and equipment is carried by mules. After approximately 2.5 hours walk, we will arrive at Vilcabamba village where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we will continue up the valley (approximately 1.5 hours) to the small village of Cachin (3726m). The people who live here are famous in the region as specialist weavers, they use traditional techniques that have been used since ancient times. Total walking approximately 8km, 4 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Cachin – Quelcanca
Today, we start to hike up to Cochayoc passing Andean mountain scenery and herds of alpacas and llamas en route, till we reach the high pass (4337m) where we will get good views of Lake Cochayoc. Then we will start to descend towards Quelcanca, a community dedicated to the breeding of llamas and alpacas. This community has a school where the teaching is in the native Quechua language. We visit the community and the surroundings and set up camp (3844m), with beautiful views of the snow-capped Terijuay mountain (5800m). Total walking approximately 18km, 9 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Quelcanca - Palca
Early morning we ascend to the second pass (4392m) and admire the splendid views over the Urubamba mountain range before the trail descends through valleys filled with Andean flowers and shrubs and passes isolated houses to arrive at Palca, our final camp site (4173m). Total walking approximately 18km, 9 hours.

Overnight Basic Camping. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Palca – Patacancha – Aguas Calientes
Today we continue to descend passing through villages overlooking the snowcapped mountains of the Sacred Valley to arrive at Patacancha, an ancient Indian community. We then drive to Ollantaytambo, a powerful fortress of Inca aristocracy during the invasion of the Spaniards. After visiting the impressive ruins, we continue by train to Aguas Calientes where we meet up with the rest of the group again. Total walking approximately 8km, 4 hours.

Overnight Simple Guest House. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch


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One of our Tour Leaders  Ivan Barrientos has done the Lares Trek several times and he tells us why it is one of his favorite treks.

'As a guide I feel really fortunate to have trekked this route as it is off the tourist trail and there are a lot of opportunities for culture as well; we meet people along the way that speak the old Inca language of Quechua. We view snowcapped mountains and magnificent valleys such as Patacancha, Qelcanca and Cochayc. I do this trek with enthusiasm and happiness.'

My highlights of the Lares Trek:

• People - In the high part of the Patacancha Valley we will have a panoramic sight of Patacancha's community and the opportunity to visit the houses of some village people who dedicate themselves to weaving and ancient customs. There is a school in Quelcanca where we might visit and talk with the children and teachers.
• Wildlife - Along the route also it is possible to see fauna like the alpacas and llamas. If we have luck we will have the possibility to see some condors.
• Mountains – We can view the incredible Tiriqhuay mountain (5700m), if the weather allows, we can also see the beautiful mountain of Wequeywillkas.