SAM Travel Peru is offering an outstanding and unique opportunity, a combination of off-the-beaten track experiences with different choices for The Lares Trek. We have created independent travel experiences catering to your free spirited passion for exploration. Slide into the negotiation of life and nature near the quaint town of Lares, 40 miles north of Cusco and 35 miles southeast of Machu Picchu. The trek itself lies dormant awaiting your call in the legendary Lares Valley, east of the Urubamba mountain range, which traverses part of the Sacred Valley.
The hike can be completed as a stand alone 2 or 3 day trek or in addition to compliment your thirst for adventure it can connect with the epic Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo with an extension by 1 to 2 days.
As of 2023 permits are not required for the Lares Trek. That means with a little organization of train tickets to Aguas Calientes and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu we can have you on the trail within a day or two.
This trek will enhance your visual senses and take you back to a time when life was as simple as could be.
Why you should Choose the Lares Trek?
There are several factors that make this trek a great alternative hike to the 4 day Inca Trail.
Firstly, and most importantly, for some, the Lares Trail is a lot quieter than the Inca Trail. You see fewer hikers along the Lares Trek, although this trail gets more popular by the year.
Secondly, the route is arguably easier than the Inca Trail. This is mostly because you won’t have to deal with as many steps.
The Lares trek provides a true Andean cultural experience. The Lares Valley is home to traditional Andean communities, little of which has changed in the last 500 years.
You will see local weavers and farmers in colourful traditional clothing. Depending on your tour, you might get a chance to watch or partake in some weaving activities.
The area is famous for its homemade textiles. If you want to bring an authentic piece of Peru back home with you, then take extra soles. You can pick up a bargain here whilst making it a local weavers’ day!
The true Guardians of Andean knowledge and traditional communities has been kept safe and passed down by generations throughout the Lares Valley for over 500 years. Become apart of the grand tapestry intricately woven between local weavers and farmers, famous for wearing colourful traditional clothing and homemade textiles.
Voted the best trekking itinerary according to TRIPADVISOR FORUMS, magazine reviews, and hikers of SAM Travel Peru.
Our itinerary takes us through the Lares Valley known as the Weavers Way and Cultural trel with your professional guide, having the opportunity to reforge your connection by interacting with the locals who are still keeping the Inca culture alive.. The travellers pilgrimage, combined with a small group, and unique path offered by Sam Travel Peru will enhance your experience of the Lares trek. You will explore the sophisticated Inca ruins of Pisac being enticed by the distillation of the oldest traditions and the finest building on the planet
Enjoy peaking ice glaciers, shockingly blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, llamas, alpacas and your reward at the end the natural volcanic hot springs to soothe your tired muscles. On the last day make your dreams into reality and enjoy a new day watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu and explore the amazing citadel with your professional guide see the detailed itienrary Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
This trekking route is one of the best and now is even better with the addition of the Pisac Inca ruins.
When is the Best Time to do the Lares Trek
There are two main seasons in the Peruvian Andes:
The dry season runs from late April through to early October.
The wet season starts mid to late October and ends in April.
But, When is the best time of the year to do Lares Trek?
The trek can technically be completed all year round, the peak trekking season to Machu Picchu occurs during the dry season and is busiest between May and September. So, the best time of year to do the Lares Trek is from the shoulder of wet months March to April all the way through to the shoulder of dry months October to November.
How fit do you need to be?
We highly recommend to spend at least 2 days in Cusco before starting the Lares trek.
We say “almost anyone” because we mean that there are is no specific required level of fitness for the Lares Trek. We have literally had people from 12 to 70 complete the trail, and many (most?) of our customers have never done anything like it before, let alone in Peru. So age is no barrier. However, we do say that a basic level of fitness is really needed: after all you are going to be walking for several hours a day, for four days in a row, and all of those at altitude. What we usually suggest if you’re not sure if you are fit enough to trek the Inca Trail is to ask yourself.
**If you go to the gym, swim, play football, even if you do a lot of gardening, all of those are good indicators that with decent acclimatisation you’re unlikely to encounter serious problems.
Lares trek to Machu Picchu Weather
Expect cold temperatures at night and early hours in winter running from May-August, but it turns out to be advisable months for doing the hike. (Temperature can dip below zero degrees). Whereas, in the summer months from December – March, the temperature gets warmer but followed by downpours. The rest of the year is mild.
What is the Lares trek distance?
The most common Lares trek covers a 37 km pathway, starting in Lares Hotsprings, throughout Quiswarani camp to Huaran hamlet in the Sacred Valley. It involves a 3-day trek, and after the 37 Km hike, the adventure ends with a magical visit to Machu Picchu park on the fourth day. See the detailed itinerary here!
Do you need to book the Lares trek in advance?
There is no need to pre book the tour months before, as it receives unlimited tour groups year-round. Just look for a reliable tour operator like SAM Travel Peru and ask for the tour, then they will begin to organize the hike. There is always availability.
Is There Any Drinking Water?
No, the river streams running on the trail are not reliable. Most of the companies are offering boiled water everyday, or even you can buy water along the trek, some locar are selling it.
What about medications?
This is just a reminder because not everyone can take the same drug. According to specialists and pharmacists, it is essential to have some Paracetamol and ibuprofen as pain killers. The next thing that could get annoying on a trek is diarrhea, so to help it halt, consider taking Imodium pills, and of course, Acetazolamide for altitude sickness.
No tour guide nor a tour agent is allowed to prescribe any recipe or pills of any kind. What they do is to carry a basic first aid kit with pharmacy medicines where if the tourist agrees to take it because it is the same as the doctor´s suggestion, so they take it.
Mountain Villages and local people
You will surely see local people, focused on their daily duties, most of them do farm and are llama herders, dressed in their traditional clothes as it was supposed to be in the Incan times. They live in some adobe huts plastered with mud and securing their llamas and alpacas in stone fences or into woven wired fences in summer months. Visiting them would be great in order to see how they live in the high mountains.
Camping Establishments
The camping sites are less crowded as it is less trodden and has several versions. There are only outhouse toilets so go prepared for it. Water may not be safe, therefore needs to be purified too. As for taking a shower, it will depend on the time and weather conditions. Usually, the temperature is cold, so you barely take a birdbath.
Lares trek distance
The most common Lares trek covers a 37 km pathway, starting in Lares Hotsprings, throughout Quiswarani camp to Huaran hamlet in the Sacred Valley. It involves a 3-day trek, and after the 37 Km hike, the adventure ends with a magical visit to Machu Picchu park on the fourth day.
How difficult is the Lares Trek?
The Lares Trek is considered a moderate hike. It’s not a technical hike but the altitude may affect some individuals. We recommend purchasing a wooden walking stick while in Peru as it will help with your balance and reduce the load on your knees. We ask that you not use a metal tipped walking stick as it can harm the fragile environment along the trail.
What is the highest elevation on the Lares trek?
The highest point to get when hiking the standard Lares trek to Machu Picchu, is the 15 400 ft / 4 700 mountain pass, a mountain pass by the name of Pachakuteq pass. And this mountain hike is completed on the second day of hiking, then on the third day is the entry on the Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo, and subsequently the train ride to Aguas Calientes town.
Thermal Hot Springs in the Lares Valley
*** Using the natural hot springs right at the end of the hike its really worth it!
The Lares hot springs are sizzling hot and perfectly nestled in the picturesque Lares Valley. With its close proximity to the lush Sacred Valley, it’s easy to independently visit these authentic public baths as a day trip. It’s possible to visit from Cusco, but it can make for a super long day trip.
The Lares hot springs are simple, yet basic, and have a chill local vibe. Located next to a mighty river and the epic backdrop of those luscious green mountains, plan for a day of total relaxation.
Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
Valid student card (if you booked as a student)
Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
Water storage: 2-3L (please bring reusable, not disposable, bottles)
Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
Headlamp: essential
Toilet paper
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG ?
As a Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
2 t-shirts
2 hiking pants at least
4 sets of undergarments
3 sets of hiking socks
Bathing Suit for the Veronica View swimming pool and sauna
Couple Fleece/ Thermals
Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
Comfortable shoes for camp
Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel bag
Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us
TOILETRIES
Face moisturizer
Hand sanitizer
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Personal medications
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK ?
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch stop. Please bring your water bottles.
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Headlamp: essential
Wool hat
Rain gear
Fleece
Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
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