Lares Treks to Machupicchu
Immerse yourself fully in the rural Community with the quechuas people.
Lares Treks to Machupicchu, PERU TREKS is the only tour operator with its own unique trekking route, which TREKS COMPLETELY OFF THE BEATEN PATH with the LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU. Passing through the most isolated communities that no one else does, and ending at the Lares hot springs. — NO ONE HAS A BETTER DEAL than PERU TREKS for this treks.
Things to know about Lares trek.
- There are a lot of dogs waiting for food along the roads from Calca to lares.
- Lares is the only trek which is safe on rainy season in terms of landslides. But you need to go with proper rain coat.
- There are many routes to hike the Lares trek. We recommend the route Pumahuanca – Cuncani to Lares or viceversa. Because this is the only place where you can see the glacier from very close distance.
- While hiking, kids will come to you asking for candies. Bring school supplies, candies are not good for their teeth.
Lares trek to machu picchu, best time to hike
In brief, the best time to hike Lares trek to Machu Picchu 2024 is during the dry season from April – August. Also, the trail isn’t crawling with tourists or large groups of people and so much more in the rainy season from December to March.
Whereas in September till November, the days are frequently sunny, but it sometimes just gets cloudy threatening to rain but it either rains or fades, overall it is still a good season.
Lares Treks to Machupicchu - Picture
Lares Treks to Machupicchu - Itinerary
CUSCO – URUBAMBA – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC
We will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30 am in order to take a panoramic route by car into the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in Urubamba for a short and small breakfast at a local restaurant. Restrooms are available and you have the opportunity to buy last snacks and water etc.
We will leave Urubamba around 7:20 am, traveling another 25 minutes by bus to the entry of the Pumahuanca valley, famous for its crop of white corn and the Chicha (traditional beer of the Incas). Here we will meet with our horses and the horse-wranglers.
Then we will starts our hike at this small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft. As we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. Consequently, 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.
Also, other companies do not commonly do this particular route for the Lares trek. So we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area, there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbit like Chinchilla), and we may also spot Andean Fox.
After that, our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); 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 in Puyoc
PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI VILLAGE
Similarly, today is the most spectacular day of the Lares trek Peru and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. 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.
Subsequently, we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water); and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing.
In addition, 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 so that you can interact with the local people.
- Lodging: Campsite in Cuncani
CUNCANI – LARES – MACHUPICCHU
The focus of today is to meet the local people of Lares trek Peru. So, waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family.
Likewise, the people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – 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 that, 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 famed for.
Leaving 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 foods such as Quinua and Tarwi.
We’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). Certainly, after a relaxing dip in the hot springs, we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo) from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.
- Lodging: Illary Inn Hotel **or similar
MACHU PICCHU! – CUSCO
Most importantly, waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. So, 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 that, you’ll have extra time to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (you need to book inadvance) if you have the permits. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.