Why to Visit Lares Trek Peru

Choosing the hike from Lares to Machu Picchu offers a unique and enriching experience for several reasons:

Less crowded than other routes: Unlike the classic Inca Trail route, the Lares hike is usually less crowded, meaning you can enjoy a quieter, more authentic experience in the middle of nature.

Interaction with local communities: During the Lares hike, you will have the opportunity to interact with the indigenous communities that inhabit the region. This will allow you to learn about their culture, traditions and lifestyle, giving you a unique cultural experience.

Impressive landscapes: The Lares route will take you through impressive landscapes, such as mountains, valleys, lagoons and hot springs. You will have the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the Peruvian Andes in all its splendor.

Relaxing hot springs: Along the way, you can enjoy the Lares hot springs, which are known for their therapeutic and relaxing properties. It’s a perfect way to rest and rejuvenate after days of hiking.

Access to Machu Picchu: The Lares hike will also take you to the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. You will arrive at this iconic archaeological site and be able to explore it in detail, making this route an excellent option if you want to combine the hike with a visit to Machu Picchu.

Support for local communities: By choosing the Lares hike, you are contributing to the sustainable development of local communities. Tourism in this region helps generate income and opportunities for the people who live here.

The Lares Trek Travel Guide

If you are planning an adventure in the Peruvian mountains and are looking for a unique experience in contact with nature and local culture, the Lares hike in Peru is an option that you should definitely consider. In this complete guide, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the Lares Trek, from its location to altitude, as well as the incredible places you will visit on this unforgettable trip.

Welcome to the land of the Incas and natural wonders! The Lares Trek is one of the most exciting and rewarding hiking routes in Peru. Unlike the famous Inca Trail, the Lares Trek offers you a more authentic and less crowded experience in the Peruvian Andes.

Where is the Lares Valley located?

The Lares Trek is located in the Cusco region, in southern Peru, in the province of Calca. This route will take you through stunning landscapes, picturesque Andean villages and immerse you in the rich Quechua culture. Lares Trek is an excellent option if you want to avoid the crowds and explore high mountain landscapes at their best.

Lares Trek Altitude

One of the first questions any traveler asks is: “At what altitude will I be during the Lares Trek?” It is important to note that this adventure will take you to significant altitudes, making acclimatization essential. During the walk, you will be around altitudes between 2,800 and 4,600 meters above sea level. Therefore, it is crucial to take the time to properly acclimatize before beginning your hike.

Places you will visit on the Lares Trek

One of the most exciting things about the Lares Trek is the opportunity to explore remote and picturesque places in the Peruvian Andes. Here is a list of some of the most notable places you will visit during your journey:

The Lares Valley

The trip begins in the Lares Valley, a beautiful and quiet corner of the Peruvian Andes. Here you can interact with local communities and learn about their way of life up close. You will also have the opportunity to soak in the relaxing hot springs of Lares to recharge before continuing your hike.

Quechua Communities

Throughout your tour, you will pass through various Quechua communities, such as Huacahuasi, Patacancha, Cuncani, and Mas. These communities will welcome you with open arms and offer you an authentic insight into Andean culture. You will be able to interact with locals, learn about their traditions and try delicious local foods.

The Lagoons and the 7 waterfalls

Nature will surprise you like the beautiful Laguna de Yanacocha, Aruray Cocha and Yurak Cocha surrounded by snow-capped peaks. This lagoon with crystal clear waters is a perfect place to take impressive photos and enjoy the peace and serenity of the surroundings. We can also appreciate the beautiful 7 waterfalls or canchis paccha.

The Living Inca Village of Ollantaytambo

The Lares Trek culminates in the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. This place has a unique charm, with cobblestone streets and impressive Inca ruins. From here, you can take a train to Machu Picchu and continue exploring the wonders of the region.

What is the best time to do the Lares hike?

The best time to do the Lares hike in Peru is during the dry season, which covers the months of May to September. During this period, the weather in the Cusco region, where the Lares trek is located, is more stable, with a significantly lower chance of rain. This means you’ll have more sunny days to enjoy the hike and scenic views without the interruptions of rainy weather.

Additionally, daytime temperatures are usually more pleasant during the dry season, making it easier to hike and explore the area. However, be aware that the nights can be cold due to the altitude, so be sure to bring clothing suitable for the cold.

Why choose the hike from Lares to Machu Picchu?

The hike from Lares to Machu Picchu is an ideal choice for those looking for an authentic experience, contact with local culture, impressive natural landscapes and the opportunity to explore one of the most emblematic destinations in Peru: Machu Picchu. This route combines the best of both worlds and gives you an unforgettable experience on your trip to Peru.

Tips to Visit the Humantay Lake

Cusco and Peru never cease to surprise us. In every place you can find tourist wonders worth admiring, this is the case of the Humantay Lake, a little-known natural attraction that has an impressive natural geography formed over time.

But did you wonder why so much beauty in this place? The explanation is because most of the lagoons in Peru are characterized by having a dark blue color, however, the Humantay Lake has a particular color, turquoise. This color is due to the glacial bottom of the basin in which its waters rest due to the melting of the Humantay mountain.

Tips to Visit the Humantay Lake
Tips to Visit the Humantay Lake

Without a doubt, a destination that you cannot miss and that will surprise you, a new alternative for travelers who want to enjoy nature and a perfect excuse to escape from the city. Below, we will provide you with more information about this place, where it is located, how to get there, difficulty and more.

Where is Humantay Lake located?

The Humantay Lake is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range, at the foot of the Humantay mountain above 5,473 m. above sea level, in the district of Mollepata, province of Anta, department of Cusco.

How to get to Humantay Lake ?

For travelers on foot who wish to discover this destination, the tour begins by leaving Cusco by transport to the town of Mollepata (2,900 meters above sea level). The duration of the trip is 1 hour: 40 minutes approx. In this place it is usually advisable to have a light breakfast, and then go to the main square of the town, where you will have to hire the services of a taxi to take you to the town of Soraypampa at (3,900 meters above sea level), the starting point of the walk.

The walk to reach Humatay Lakelasts approximately 1 hour: 30 minutes. The route is a bit complicated, semi-flat and steep, so it is recommended to acclimatize a day before in Cusco. For this walk, it is advisable to carry coca leaves, lemon sweets and/or chocolates in your backpacks and, above all, water to hydrate. Reaching the top you will be able to see the Humantay lagoon, the end point of the route and where the Salkantay and Humantay apus will give you a great welcome with all the natural beauty.

Difficulty of the hike to Humantay

The route to the Humantay Lakehas a relatively medium difficulty, the height and the cold will be the greatest difficulties, however the harmony of nature, the calm and relaxing landscape make the walk pleasant, during the journey you will be able to learn more about the place, the world Andean and Peruvian culture, you will undoubtedly be delighted, we assure you.

Tips for visiting the Humantay Lake

You are probably wondering why visit Humantay? The wonder of the area, its geographical location and its richness in minerals make it a visual spectacle to enjoy, it is an unmissable destination without a doubt.

Tips to Visit the Humantay Lake
Tips to Visit the Humantay Lake

On the other hand, we advise you to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and trekking clothing, depending on the weather, carry a raincoat just in case, the climate in Cusco is quite irregular during the day and the path is characterized by be a very particular path with flora, fauna, peaks, valleys and rivers that descend from the snow-capped mountains.
Data of interest

As a fact of interest, due to the mysticism of the area, the Lake is visited by shamans and tourists from all over the world to leave offerings to Pachamama, a deity that represents Mother Earth in the Inca culture. By placing stones (apachetas), an offering is made to the Pachamama thanking her for having successfully reached the Lake, as well as asking her to accompany them on their journey.

According to the residents, the Humantay snow-capped mountain is the youngest son of the Apu Salkantay; these two snow-capped mountains are in charge of rationalizing and distributing the water that comes down from its snow to the populations that live on its slopes.

Amazon Rainforest Tours