When you go to the Lares Trek Valley, you are impressed because this trip is very beautiful for the eyes, due to its mountains, its landscape, its ravines, its spectacular sky, the people and their clothes, particularly one is amazed.
The Lares Valley is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the way to Machu Picchu, making a detour in the town of Calca to undertake the trip to the Lares Valley, in Calca one can make a stop to buy supplies, with water , cookies and fruit, you can also enjoy a delicious breakfast in the main market of the town of Calca, it is advisable to leave early
Lares has allowed maintaining the nuance of its Andean people although it is located not far from the Sacred Valley, this valley is very pleasant to walk, experiential tourism, and take a dip in its hot springs as well as the bathrooms Hot springs of Machu Picchu, if one does the Lares trekking it is usually 4 days, including Machupicchu this is the most common that travelers do.
The thermal baths in the valley of Lares, said baths have a separate mention since the one that goes to Lares goes to the thermal baths, I am baths are medicinal and relaxing and are characterized by their color and their smell, the color of yellowish color and a smell of sulfur since these waters probably come from some volcano, particularly it is not known exactly where they come from, Lares thermal baths are very hygienic and are contained in pools made of very well treated stones these pools are cleaned daily and maintain a cleanliness at the height of the visitor.
Enjoy a half-day mountain bike tour on Abra Malaga in the Sacred Valley of Peru. This trip is a stunner. During the 5,000 feet of all-downhill biking, you will likely see herds of llamas, the massive glacier of Veronica, waterfalls, and authentic Andean lifestyles of simple stone huts and potato farms. This is the continental divide of South America, since, from here going eastward it drops nearly 20,000 feet down to the Amazon jungle basin, and the views here are outstanding. This section of highway has been described by many as one of the most beautiful in South America. By far one of the most popular mountain bike trips in the area, and with very good reason – it is over 5,000 feet of pure descent on a beautifully paved road.
Your tour starts in Ollantaytambo from where you'll drive one hour up the road to the pass of Abra Malaga, which lies at nearly 14,500 above sea level and at the foot of the massive glacier of Veronica (17,500 feet). From there, you begin a 50 kilometer descent that is one of the longest possible in the world, through gorgeous terrain. This ride is all downhill on a smooth paved road, and is truly suitable for anyone who can ride a bicycle. We have done this trip for nearly ten years and have successfully completed it hundreds of times.This ride fun. Everyone who does it loves it, due to the culture and scenery. It is a great mountain bike ride, perfect for those who love mountain biking. For those with extensive off road experience, there is a international DH course just meters away from the main road (extra cost and logistics are involved, ask for details).
LARES TREK
The Lares Trek is an off-the-beaten trail that begins near the town of Lares, 40 miles north of Cusco and 35 miles south east of Machu Picchu (see map below). The trek itself lies in the Lares Valley, east of the Urubamba mountain range, which traverses part of the Sacred Valley.
The trek can be completed as a standalone 2 or 3 day trail, or be incorporated with a visit to Machu Picchu - extending the tour by 1 or 2 days. The latter option is fast becoming a popular itinerary for trekkers due to the limits of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Permits are not required for the Lares Trek. This means that you will arrive in Cusco and depending on the season (not June-August).
Of course you will need to book your train tickets to Aguas Calientes as early as possible during peak season, as well as your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
In terms of the current route itinerary, there are in fact a number of variations on the Lares Trek, most end at Ollantaytambo.
From here trekkers can catch a train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu or indeed return to Cusco. We discuss each Lares Trek route variation in some detail below.
There are a number of factors that make this trek to great alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly for some, that is a lot quieter than than Inca Trail.
Secondly, the route is arguably easier than the Inca Trail in that one does not need to deal with as many steps.
Altitude is still an issue and on some route you will need to deal with 3 high altitude passes that are over 4,200 meters (the highest, depending on your route is either 4,400 meters or 4,600 meters).
DAY 1: CUSCO - CALCA - LARES THERMAL BATHS - WACAWASI
We will leave Cusco at 6.00 am for the drive to Calca, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an excellent time of day to enjoy the fine scenery visible on all sides of the road. On the way there will be time to visit the Inca granaries of Muyoq Orqo, after which we will continue along the valley road, passing Mount Sawasiray before beginning our ascent to Lares at the pass known in Quechua as Willka Punku (“Sacred Gateway”). We will have plenty of time to rest and enjoy the Lares thermal baths. After lunch we will begin our walk to the first campsite at the village of Wacawasi, where we will visit local weaving families and have our evening meal.
DAY 2: WACAWASI - IPSAYQOCHA
We will continue our trek after breakfast, climbing steadily through the natural highland habitat of llamas and alpacas. This is a good area for bird watching, or for simply taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. We will arrive at our second campsite in the afternoon, at an isolated picturesque location far from all human settlements.
DAY 3: IPSAYQOCHA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
Today we will reach the high pass at Ipsayqocha (14,271 ft / 4350 m), in a landscape populated by herds of llamas and alpacas. Once over the pass, a long descent takes the walker to the indigenous community of Patacancha, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo, a village originally established by the Incas. We will have plenty of time to visit the archaeological site before our transfer to the train station for the ride to the village of Aguas Calientes, below the ruins of Machu Picchu, where we will spend the night at the hotel of your choice (hotel not included).
DAY 4: FULL DAY AT MACHU PICCHU
We will get up early today and take one of the first shuttle buses up to the ruins of Machu Picchu, a ride of approximately 25 minutes. After the guided tour of Machu Picchu, you will have plenty of free time to climb the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (subject to availability). Some sections of this route require ropes and only those travelers who do not suffer from vertigo should attempt it. It is a one-hour trip to the summit and is not recommended during rainfall.
