A very practical alternative route for those adventure lovers who do not have much time and want to get off the beaten path away from dozens tour groups going in one direction and destination. On the Lares Valley Tail we will experience the beauty of the mountains at high elevations, drastic changes in flora and fauna, and experience daily life in farming communities along the way. If you want to experience the real Peru, this tour is for you!
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Lares - Kiswarani
We leave our hotel early in the morning and drive three hours to the small farming community of Kiswarani (12540 ft / 3800 m), our starting point for the hike. Here we begin hiking along a rising path for about three hours to our first mountain pass, Willkijasa (14256 ft / 4320 m). From the pass we will see snow capped mountains and spectacular turquoise color lakes. The hike downhill to our camp will take two and half hours. On the way down we will see herds of llamas and alpacas grazing on the green grass of the mountains. Our camping spot is located in the rural community of Cuncani (12705 ft / 3850 m).
Day 2: Kiswarani – Puma Huanca
Today is the hardest and longest day, so we will rise early to start the walk before the sun comes out over the mountains. The first five hours are uphill as we hike through the mountains and along streams and lakes to the second mountain pass called Sicllajasa or The Condor Pass (15411 ft / 4670 m). From here we can see the Sacred Valley in the distance. In the afternoon we hike down for two hours to our camp through a forest of native Andean trees (Polylepis P.) only found over 12210 ft / 3700 m.
Day 3: Puma Huanca – Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Today we walk for four hours along the Puma Huanca valley descending to the town of Urubamba (9570 ft / 2900 m) in the Sacred Valley. A bus waits for us at the town of Ollantaytambo and will transport us to Cusco city.
The Lares valley trail 3D/2N program includes:
- A licensed professional English speaking tour guide, who will visit you at the hotel to give you a pre-departure briefing
- Duffle bag during the whole period of the trail to take all your personal belongings, with no maximum weight per person
- Transport from your hotel and transfer via private transport to Lares and Kiswarani Community.
- A spacious two person, four season tent, we use The North Face or Hard Wear Mountain Equipment tents
- An inflatable mattress and a pillow per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs, cooking tent and toilet tent
- A chef and assistant chef to cook healthy and hearty meals during the whole itinerary with fresh ingredients
- Horses to carry the camping equipment, cooking equipment and food
- Llamas to carry the client’s duffle bags
- Accommodation for our team of workers
- Meals (03 breakfast, 04 lunch, 03 dinner)
- Snacks, everyday after breakfast
- Boiled cool drinking water during the whole itinerary (morning, afternoon, night)
- First Aid Medical Kit and Emergency Oxygen Tank
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo town to Cusco city.
