Experience Inca ruins, beautiful Andean mountains, and glimpse Andean life unchanged for centuries in this fabulous trek on another Inca Trail near Cusco. Avoid the crowds of the more famous trail, or book this trip as a wonderful alternative when Inca Trail permits are sold out.
The spectacular Lares Valley lies just beyond the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The short drive from Cusco brings you back to an ancient Andean life where hardy locals herd llamas and plant potatoes as they have for centuries amidst beautiful Andean surroundings. The trek is an interesting mixture of spectacular mountain scenery, glacial lakes, waterfalls, high plains, hot springs and charming Andean villages. The views of the snow topped peaks of Veronica, Chicon, Pitusiray and Sawasiry will keep you company most of the way along this picturesque trip.
Along the hike you will stop at the lovely hot-springs at Lares village and be able to partake in a cultural weaving experience at Huilloc. The trek is satisfyingly completed as you reach the final location of the Paucarcancha ruins and engage in a superb walk down an original Inca trail along massive, remarkably well-preserved Inca terraces to the back entrance of Ollantaytambo. This trek is also unique amongst Andean trekking in that vehicle support may be used at several points en-route. This gives extra flexibility with the trek route, allows you to have a superbly luxurious camping experience and gives you extra security in case of any emergencies.
Trekking it in a relaxed five day / four night trip is the best way to thoroughly appreciate the the amazing trail but this can be reduced to four days and three nights if you are traveling under time constraints. The trek can easily be scheduled to meet the afternoon train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. This gives you the option to overnight in Aguas Calientes and explore Machu Picchu the following day.
It is recommended that you arrive AT LEAST one day early in Cusco to allow for acclimatization and to enjoy some of the amazing history and culture that Cusco has to offer. The Lares Valley trek can be operated as a private trip (minimum 4 passengers) most any day, depending on availability of guides.
Highlights
- Trek the Inca back country in a less crowded fashion than on the Inca Trail.
- Vehicles allow for improved comfort and camping accommodations.
- Experience Peruvian scenery and culture.
- Trip ends with an option to see the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu.
Day One - Bus and Hike from Cusco to Quisuarani.
Day Two - Climb from Quisuarani to Cuncani passing traditional villages and picking up hand woven weavings.
Day Three - Short hike from Cuncani to Huacahuaxi followed by an option to hike to waterfalls, the Lares hotsprings, or just relax in camp.
Day Four - Hike from Huacahuaxi to Patacancha going over a 4100m (13500 ft.) pass. You will stop to enjoy many beautiful high altitude lakes on this day.
Day Five - You will bus from Patacancha to Huiloc and then hike to Paucarcancha and Ollaytambo. Then you will have the option of staying in Ollaytambo, returning to Cusco, or taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Why should I choose this trip? What makes it better (different) than other trips?
This trip is a spectacular alternative to the overcrowded Inca Trail. You will enjoy the scenery of Southern Peru and the wonders of the Inca culture while hiking a fun and challenging trail through many small villages. The vehicles on this trip allow for transportation of bulkier items which can provide added comfort and camping accommodations that would otherwise be unavailable. ...view more details
What kind of person will enjoy this trip?
This trip is perfect for the beginning trekker. It combines moderately difficult hiking with spectacular views and a closeness to the Inca culture. ...view more details
DAY 1: Cusco – Quisuarani: Departing Cusco early we descend into the Sacred Valley before, at Calca heading high into the Andes. In just under two hours we will leave the vehicles and start our acclimatization hike up an ancient Inca trail, through a narrow canyon where Inca burial tombs can still be seen. This is a perfect hike to allow clients to experience first hand the affects of trekking at altitude. We meet our bus further up the valley and transfer over a 4200m to the small community of Quisuarani where we set up base camp for the night. (L,D)
DAY 2: Quisuarani – Cuncani: A beautiful days hiking as we climb out of the Quisuarani valley, hopefully meeting en route some of the colorfully dressed locals- This whole area is famous for its weavings and at the various campsites we can barter for beautiful hand made textiles at a fraction of the price of what they would be at home or even in Cusco. We descend past some spectacular waterfalls and crystal clear lakes to the small village of Cuncani where we camp on the football pitch and meet our vehicle again.(B,L,D)
DAY 3: Cuncani – Huacahuasi: A shorter days hike, weather permitting we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped cordillera Vilcanota as we climb out of the village of Cuncani. We aim to reach the village of Huacahuasi in time for a late lunch, again meeting our vehicle. Those with the energy can either hike up to some nearby waterfalls, challenge the locals and our cook team to a game of football or hop on the bus for a short trip to Lares hotsprings and spend the afternoon relaxing in the “Banos del Inca” – The Incas’s Baths – a selection of perfectly heated pools.(B,L,D)
DAY 4: Huacahuasi to Patacancha: Now fully acclimatized and rested we set off for our final challenge to climb over a 4100m pass and descend towards the sacred valley of the Incas – We take it real slow, stopping beside beautiful lakes and hope to arrive at the pass just after lunch for spectacular views of the snowy mount Veronica. We then descend following an old mule trail to the village of Patacancha where we camp on the local football pitch. For those with limited time it would be possible to drive to Ollantaytambo this night and overnight before catching the train down to Machu Picchu the following morning (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Patacancha to Huilloc to Paucarcancha to Ollantaytambo to Cusco or train to Machu Picchu: We take a short ride in the bus to Huilloc, famous as being the town where many of the traditional porters for the Inca Trail come from and traditional dress is always worn and Quechua is spoken. This is our last chance to barter for more fine weavings. Hopefully for 2007 they will have opened up a visitor centre / weaving display which we can visit today or tomorrow if time permits.
The start of our walk today is a short sharp climb bringing us to the impressive and rarely visited ruins of Paucarcancha. After visiting this extensive site, we follow an ancient Inca trail along the many terraces of the Huilloc valley as we wend our way through eucalyptus forests to end our trail nearby the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo. After lunch, if time permits we can visit this impressive ruin before catching our bus back to Cusco, staying the night in Ollantaytambo or catching the afternoon train to Machu Picchu.(B,L)
Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - Lares Valley Trek "Peru's Other Inca Trail"
