For travelers who want to escape to a part of Peru that has changed little in the last 500 years, the Lares Trek is perfect. In this beautiful region, you can meet Andean peasants dressed in brightly colored ponchos. You will pass by local communities and see houses with thatched roofs made of stones and surrounded by llamas and alpacas.
In the kitchens you can see guinea pigs running around the floor, ready to be caught and cooked (we will have the opportunity to eat guinea pig for dinner on the second day). Although the people here only speak Quechua, they are very friendly and you can learn about their culture and way of life from the guide's translations.
Early we begin our adventure through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, towards the community of Huarán (9400 ft.). Here we will meet the muleteers and their horses, who will take care of the equipment and food that we will need for the following days. On the way we will pass by the old Huarán farm to continue the ascent to “Cancha-Cancha”, with a unique view of the “Sahuasiray” glacier through the “Queñuas” forests. Later we arrive at our first camp, the community of Cancha-Cancha (12900 ft.). From here we will have our first view of the “Qolque Cruz” mountain, which, at 19200 ft. It is the second highest mountain in the Urubamba mountain range.
After breakfast we continue with our adventure with a spectacular ascent, passing some lagoons and a view of the Sirihuani and Qolque Cruz snow-capped peak. After approximately 2 or 3 hours of climbing, we will arrive at the Pachaqutec pass (15200 ft.). We will begin the descent passing by another beautiful lagoons with a great variety of birds, finally at the end of our hike an impressive waterfall, next to this places our last camp “Quishuarani” (12500 ft.)
In the morning we continue the walk, passing through another lagoon with a good possibility to observe vizcachas (big Andean rodents) heading to the Huillquijasa pass (13900 ft.). After the pass a group of lagoons with green emerald colors will adorn our path. Finally we arrive at the community of “Cuncani” (12500 ft.). Delicious meals wait for us in the place. It is time to say goodbye to our walking group (muleteers and cooks), next step a restorative bath in the Lares hot spring. Finally return to Cusco or be transferred to Machupícchu.
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