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The Lares trek is developed in the heights of Sacred Valley. It is famous for its hot spring, which are the most visited hot springs in Cusco for their healing properties. Lares is also renowned for Mantto waterfalls and trekking trails.
The trek is also quiet since it is not very known and making it perfect for enjoying it more.
What you need to know before hiking the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
Climate in Lares
Lares has two distinct seasons.
The dry season (From May to October) in which days are bright and sunny with a temperature of 16 °C/61 °F, while nights are much colder. Sometimes with a low temperature of 0 °C /32 °F.
The rainy season (From November to April) in which their rainfall and the average daytime temperature is 18 °C (64 °F). While Lares nights, temperatures can be as cold as 9 °C (48 °F).
Highest Pass: Siclla Kasa 4830 masl / 15 846 ft, we will get here on Day 2.
Activity Level: Moderate
Acclimation: We recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before you start the trek.
Minimum age: 15 years old. In the case of a younger generation, it must be under parent-supervision.
Outerwear: We recommend packing warm, lightweight clothes. Bring things that you will need.
Tips: Tipping the staff is not mandatory. However, we understand that most tourists consider it essential. If it is your case and you feel satisfied with the service you received, you can ask the guide on some information regarding this issue, and he will give you more details.
How to deal with altitude sickness in Lares?
Altitude sickness is a group of symptoms that can strike if you walk or climb to a higher elevation, or altitude, too quickly. Since Cusco is at a high altitude, we recommend coming 2 or 3 days in advance to acclimatize to the altitude.
You can also try Coca Tea. Coca is the best natural medicine to cope with altitude sickness.
4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Day 1: Cusco – Pumahuanca – Puyoc
Our first day of the Lares trek starts at the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14 km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373 ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up, we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers, and birds that inhabit this region.
Because few people visit the area, there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla), and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451 ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude, and it is not uncommon for it to show up here during the dry season, so gloves and a hat are recommended.
Lodging: Campsite
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 7 hours
Day 2: Puyoc – Yanacocha – Cuncani
Today is the most spectacular day of the trek. From our campsite, it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani, but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2-hour walk right at the beginning.
As we make our way to Cuncani, we’ll pass through snow-capped peaks high above us. There are quiet mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water). Then, we will meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothes. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side, and as we wind our way down from the pass. Your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Quechua phrases that you use to interact with the local people.
Lodging: Campsite
Activity Level: Challenging
Duration: 7 hours
Map of Day 2 – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
Day 3: Cuncani – Lares
The focus of today is to meet the local people. Early in the morning, our guide will take you to one of the houses where you’ll get to meet a local family. The people are charming and welcoming and are eager to learn about you – hopefully, by now, you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyone’s delight and amusement). After the visit, you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famous for.
From Cuncani, it’s just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way, we’ll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of products such as Quinoa and Tarwi; we’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs, we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.
Lodging: Golden Sunrise Machu Picchu Hotel *** or similar
Activity Level: easy
Duration: 3 hours walking to Lares, and then we will take the train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu!
Today is the most important day. You will visit one of the seven wonders in the world! Your day will start very early in the morning, taking the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the Inca site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most critical areas of the citadel. After your tour, you’ll have extra time to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain if you have bought the permits in advance. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo. We will take from there in our private vans to your hotel in Cusco.
Activity Level: easy
Duration: 5 hours
Inkayni Tips:
- Arrive some days before your trek to acclimatize to the altitude in Cusco.
- Although you do not need any particular skill to complete the Lares Trek, some useful health and fitness will help you get to the end, Machu Picchu.
- Drink a cup or two of Coca Tea each day. It can ease altitude symptoms. You can also chew some leaves for about 5 minutes.
- Our Lares Trek is an excellent opportunity to meet local people. Let’s learn from their experience what it is like to live in the Andes.
- The Lares Valley is home to many traditional weavers and farmers and famous for handmade textiles. You can buy them at a lower price compared to those found in a store in Cusco or Lima.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
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