What is the Lares Valley Trek?
The Lares Valley Trek is one of the popular Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu, and while opinions vary on the ‘favorite’, the Lares Valley Trek is certainly the best when it comes to getting away from the endless crowds that other alternatives suffer with. It is also an unmatched opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the small mountain communities that reside in the valley.
The Lares Valley Trek leads its pilgrimage through valleys, along mountain ridges, curving through incredible lakes, visiting natural hot springs, local families, and immersing yourself in the everyday life of the Andes.
There are many different routes to take throughout the valley, which means that you may have a different hike if you travel with different companies. Priorities of different tour agencies vary depending on many different factors: some prefer to avoid extremely high passes, others prefer to camp for the entire hike.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Hike Stats
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Total distance: 55km
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Total elevation change: 2,150m ascent, 1,950m descent.
- Day one distance: 7km
- Day one elevation change: ascent 250m, descent 0m
- Starting point: Totora
- Finishing point: Quisuarani (camping)
- Points of note: The first half of the day is an acclimatization hike through a beautiful valley, as well as interaction with the communities at Quisuarani with the opportunity to buy authentic products directly from the source.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
- Day two distance: 17km
- Day two elevation change: ascent 750m, descent 1250m
- Starting point: Quisuarani
- Finishing point: Huacahuasi (camping)
- Points of note: Option to visit the natural hot springs. Travelers can either walk or be driven to the springs in the afternoon to soak their muscles.
- Day three distance:19km
- Day three elevation change: ascent 600m, descent 450m
- Starting point: Huacahuasi
- Finishing point: Ollantaytambo
- Points of note: We will trek to Patacancha before being transported to your hotel in Ollantaytambo.
- Day four distance: 12km
- Day four elevation change: ascent 550m, descent 250m
- Starting point: Ollantaytambo (KM104)
- Finishing point: Inca Sungate/Machu Picchu
- Points of note: While we arrive in Machu Picchu, we will travel down to Aguas Calientes to rest for the night. This allows guests to experience Machu Picchu with rested legs and a fresh mind.
- Day five distance: Machu Picchu tour
- Day five elevation change: Machu Picchu tour
- Starting point: Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu
- Finishing point: Cusco (via train)
- Points of note: Your guide will show you around Machu Picchu before returning to the train station and Cusco.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Difficulty: Depends on the company you travel with. It can be difficult, but also a relatively easy trek. Companies that travel over the higher passes result in a much harder trek. Ask to see an elevation map before committing to an operator. At Amazonas Explorer, we have car support, meaning you can miss a day if necessary.
Communities visited: Totora, Quisuarani, Huacahuasi, Patacancha
The above tour passes through several different communities, who are quite famous for their weaving skills. This has earned the name of “weavers way”, and it is a really unique and special opportunity for travelers to get their hands on some truly authentic products at a great price.
This, along with the car support and unlimited luggage means that you can really stock up on the local goods if you wish.
The Lares Hot Springs
The Lares Hot springs can be visited as a (very long) day trip, but it makes much more sense to do as a part of the Lares Trek. The springs themselves are quaint, local spots with blissfully hot water to soothe the aches and pains that come part and parcel of long-distance trekking (or travel).
It’s important to note that the Lares Hot Springs are relatively basic, and not, by any stretch of the imagination, luxury. The water is fresh and clean, but it is not crystal clear. Despite this, the location of the springs high in the mountains makes them a worthwhile visit, and a great way to spend a few hours.
If you do decide to visit the Lares hot springs, bring sandals, a towel, soap, and a small lock to save your valuables in one of the provided lockers.
Do you visit ruins on the Lares Trek?
You may see some ruins in the distance, but the trek itself does not visit any ruins directly. However, the route is a part of the larger Inca Trail- that is, the Inca Trail that covered 30,000km and half the continent, not the 40km Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.
In fact, the Lares Valley is named in the chronicles taken by the Spanish. It is named as the place where the Inca population fled to after the initial invasions. As an extension, the Lares Valley may not be overflowing with the ruins you might expect on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but it is certainly just as historically important.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
Which Operator Should I choose?
The Lares Valley Trek is one of the few treks where a different operator may result in an almost completely different trek. As mentioned before, some operators choose to execute trips that conquer high passes and explore the real peaks. Others may have you walking along miles and miles of roads.
Our Lares Valley Trek combines walking through the remote communities and driving along the paved roads. As much as we love to hike, we don’t like to plan our treks along the side of a road.
As you are planning your Lares Valley Trek, we recommend thoroughly researching your operator, and requesting a day to day itinerary and elevation map to ensure that
- If you want a high altitude trek that summits peaks, you get one
- If you don’t want a high altitude trek, you don’t get one.
Equally, if you aren’t a fan of walking on the road, you don’t have to for any noticeable stretch of time.
There are other aspects to consider as well of course. Things like, whether you want to hike KM104 (the final day of the Classic Inca Trail) into Machu Picchu, whether you want to try glamping along the way- or if camping is good enough for you. Whether you want the opportunity to stay in hotels for some days or camp everywhere you go, and so on.
The most important thing to consider is what do you want out of your Lares Trek, and can the company itself make that happen for you?
Packing List for the Lares Trek
The Lares trek sees all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing Altiplano to extremely hot sunshine. During the day it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts, though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable.
In the evenings it will get cold (as low as -5°C whilst camping) so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes. Machu Picchu does have some sandflies so try to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to avoid bites. Good quality Alpaca jumpers are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is essential for your enjoyment of this trip.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
SUGGESTED LIST:
- Comfortable clothes for journeys
- Sunglasses with attaching string
- Peaked cap
- Filter Water-bottle
- Head Torch
- Suntan lotion Factor 40+ / lip balm
- Warm clothes for the evening
- Personal toilet kit
- Camera & spare memory
- Book, notepaper and pen
- Money belt
- Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, antiseptic cream, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, rehydration salts and personal medication. (Your tour provider should carry an extensive first aid kit and oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only)
Trekking:
- Zip-off Shorts
- Long-sleeved T-shirts
- Sleeping bag (-5°C)
- Small Towel
- Warm fleece or down jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf
- Sweater (Available in Cusco)
- Raincoat / rain trousers / poncho
- Socks / underwear
- Trekking trousers
- After trekking trousers and t-shirt
- Good, well worn -in walking boots
- After trek shoes (sandals)
- Trekking-poles and rubber tips
- Day-sack with rain-cover
- Swimming Costume
- Insect repellent
Lares or Salkantay?
The two treks are wildly different, so your preference will be a personal thing. Salkantay is almost 20km longer than the Lares, and it has some quite extreme changes in altitude. It also passes through multiple elements, from mountainous glacial passages into the jungle.
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
There are plenty of reasons to choose the Salkantay trek as your trek to Machu Picchu, but one of the biggest disadvantages is just how busy it is. While the Inca Trail is busy, there is a limit to the number of people who can get permits. This is not the case with the Salkantay trek, which can see more trekkers in a day than the Inca Trail- especially in high season.
In contrast to this, the Lares Trek sees much less dramatic sweeps in elevation and climate- it is instead a trek that follows the true beauty of the Andes Mountains, and often your path is shared with locals heading to the market, herding their flock of alpacas, or selling their handmade wares along the way.
It’s a much less commercially popular trek than the Salkantay, and coupled with the different routes that different agencies may take, it’s borderline unlikely that you will run into a significant number of other people.
Lares or the Inca Trail?
The Lares Trek and the Inca Trail are similar in distance, with just a couple of kilometers separating the two. However, as we pass the distance, more differences become apparent.
The Inca Trail is a tough up and down trek, with many, many ancient stone steps. There is no donkey access and certainly no cars, so in an emergency, evacuation is noticeably difficult. The hike is tough on travelers’ knees and the camping tends to be a little more basic thanks to strict weight limits and porter limits.
However, the Inca Trail passes through incredible ruins frequently, and it really is a glance back in time to the Incas- especially with the KM104 into Machu Picchu (remember, it is possible to add this final day of trekking onto other treks).
In contrast to this, the Lares Trek forgoes the ruins in favor of living history. Instead of exploring ancient ruins, you can learn ancient weaving techniques from the locals. Likewise, in contrast to the Inca Trail, evacuation is fast and easy. If you are traveling with kids it’s a great option as tired legs can ride a horse for sections, or simply get the car to the next campsite.
Thanks to the easily accessible nature of the Lares Trek, it means luxuries are much more readily available. Glamping on the Lares Trek is no problem, and you can take advantage of the car, packing as much as you like (just bear in mind that the things in the car are not accessible throughout the day).
psst… if you’re wondering which is better, the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, you can decide for yourself here.
How does the Lares Trek arrive at Machu Picchu?
Check out: Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, a 5-day adventure that visits and supports the indigenous people of Peru by passing through their villages and sharing moments, stories, and meals with each other. This is an authentic and ethical way to interact with the real people of Peru.
There are a few ways that the Lares Trek can arrive in Machu Picchu. Again, the journey will be dictated by personal preference, what the agency you have chosen offers, and available tickets.
KM104
The most common way is using the KM104 route, which takes travelers through the Inca Sungate in iconic fashion. This is a 12km hike and passes through the true and genuine beauty of the Andes and Machu Picchu. However, it is possible that permits for the KM104 may sell out.
KM104 selling out is less common than the long Inca Trail selling out, so while you will need to plan this in advance, you should be okay with just a few months’ notice.
Catching the Train
As you arrive in Ollantaytambo, you can get a train into Aguas Calientes. This train journey is beautiful, with panoramic views every which way. The train ride is regularly listed as one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery, and after a hard few days of trekking, it’s a welcome respite.
There are several different classes of seats available in the train, ranging from cheaper seats to those with a panoramic balcony complete with a traditional dance and three-course meal. Naturally, the better seats are more expensive, but regardless of where you are, the views are amazing and the seats are spacious and comfortable.
The Lares Trek is probably the best way to experience and interact with an authentic side of the Peruvian Andes. From bustling markets to locals sharing their talents with you as you pass by, this is a glimpse into the life that cities forgot.
Book your trip today and get in touch with a side of the country frozen in time.
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