Alternative Lares Trek 5 Days 4 Nights

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco - Huaran - Cancha Cancha

Pick up from your hotel in the morning for the journey through the Sacred Valley to Sayhuapata (2800m.) Your hike begins here in a fertile valley and follows a small river up through the mountain corridor. After walking over 4 hours, you will begin to see the thatched-roof stone houses of the Cancha Cancha community (3350). Just passed the village, set up camp for the night.

Day 2: Cancha Cancha - Quisuarani

After breakfast, continue the trek to reach two beautiful glacial lakes, Suirococha and Yuraccocha. Here you will see several bird species, including Andean Ibis and Andean geese. From the lakes, the trail climbs steeply for over 2 hours to the first pass, called Pachacuti (4500m). Nearing the top, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-covered peaks of Pitusiray (5750m.) and Chicon (5500). An original Inca stone path will lead you along the ridge down into the opposite corridor.

We follow a series of cascading waterfalls to the village of Quisuarani, where we camp for the night. 

Day 3: Quisuarani - Lares Hot Springs

The morning is a short downhill walk through lush vegetation with many species of flowers and hummingbirds. You will reach the colonial town of Lares and spend the rest of the morning relaxing in the medicinal hot springs. After lunch, continue on a gentle path above a picturesque valley for about 2 hours to the campsite.

Day 4: Lares Hot Springs - Epsaycocha

After continuing up through the valley, you will arrive at the community of Huacawasi. The people here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Here, you can observe their skills and techniques in the fabrication of ponchos and other garments. Passing the village you will climb up to the Condor Pass, the second of the trip at 4100m. From here, you will catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently for about one hour, you will come to the beautiful Epsaycocha Lake and your last campsite.

Day 5: Epsaycocha - Ollantaytambo

Today the trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, you will eventually arrive at the community of Huilloc from where a bus will take you to Ollantaytambo. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. This is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and bird species. After visiting the complex, return to Cusco in the afternoon by bus.

We Provide:

Private transport to Lares - Trailhead; all camping and cooking equipment including good quality mattresses, Ausangate entrance fees, spacious two person tents, dining (tables and chairs)and cook tent, Extensive First-aid kit including Oxygen; professional English and Spanish speaking guides trained in first-aid and C.P.R. Mules and cook team. All entrances fee needed for doing the tour (extras are by tour own), All Meals Whilst Trekking Included as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).

Not Included:

  • • Breakfast on the first day.

  • • Sleeping bag.

  • • Extra mule or porter (for asking before departing)

  • • Any extra entrance fee

** Tips for Staff on the trail.

Equipment List:

On this expedition we will be experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing Altiplano to extremely hot sunshine. During the day hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold (as low as -10°C whilst camping) especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco. Good quality Alpaca jumpers are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is essential for your enjoyment of this trip. 

Suggested List:

  • • Comfortable clothes for travel

  • • Smart clothes for night life

  • • Shorts

  • • T-shirts

  • • A warm fleece or down jacket

  • • Thermal underwear

  • • Warm hat, gloves, scarf

  • • Sweater (Available in Cusco)

  • • Waterproof coat & trousers (poncho)

  • • Socks / underwear

  • • Trekking trousers

  • • After trekking trousers & t-shirt

  • • Good, well walking boots

  • • After trek shoes (sandals)

  • • Towel

  • • Sleeping bag

  • • Water bottle & purification tablets (optional)

  • • Sunglasses

  • • Swim suit

  • • Sun-hat,

  • • Head torch & spare batteries

  • • Book, notepaper & pen (optional)

  • • Sun block

  • • Lip balm

  • • Binoculars (optional)

  • • Camera & batteries

  • • Pocket knife

  • • Insect Repellent

  • • Walking sticks & protective rubber (optional)

  • • Personal toilet kit

  • • Money belt

  • • Day sack & rain-cover

  • • Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), general anti-biotic, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets, re-hydration salts & personal medication.

We carry an extensive first aid kit & Oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only)

 

Please note:

  • • The mules carry all your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible during the day so please bring a small day-pack to carry your personal day gear in - ie water-bottle, iodine tablets, camera, sun-block, insect repellent, light fleece and rain jacket.

  • • Any excess gear may be stored in Cusco at your hotel.

  • • Most good quality sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru so if anyone wishes to donate any outdoor clothes, sleeping bags etc they will be gratefully received by any of our staff.

Policy to Make a Reservation:

  • • Complete the booking form making sure that the name on the booking form matches that on your passport.

  • • Deposit of % 50 PERCENT per person is required at the time of booking.

  • • Upon receipt of your booking we will forward confirmation and complete information of the trail and included services.

  • • The balance is due not less than 8 weeks prior to departure.

  • • Upon receipt of your final balance you will receive detailed joining instructions.

And lastly please note:

The "Lares Trek'' travels through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that makes this trail so very special could also cause certain problems.

This is a very nature and adventure trek and we expect our clients to be prepared for any alteration in climate (Rainy season-November to April- and dry season - May to October) or/and change programmed events.

 

This expedition involves trekking over several high passes up to 4600 m./ 5,091 ft., and involves steep descents. It is recommended that all clients should have some previous trekking experience and should be in reasonable fitness.

 

You should also be aware that adventure travel, in particular trekking and travelling in remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to assume. You will have to take out adequate travel insurance to cover these risks and any costs incurred due to sickness, delayed flights and other factors out of Gregory Adventure Perú control.

 

A pre-departure meeting will be held on arrival in Cusco. It is highly recommended you attend. All clients will be asked to sign a risk assumption form and must provide a photocopy of their passport, Peru entry stamp and details of their travel insurance.

We look forward to seeing you in Cusco ¡¡¡.