Lares Valley Trek 3d/2n – Private Service

highlights

This less-known hike departs from the Sacred Valley of the Incas to enter a route where amazing mountain scenery, glacier lagoons, valley cloud-forest and authentic textile Quechua communities are combined to finally reach the village of Lares, where you can end the trek by relaxing in its famous hot springs. A unique hike to get in touch with Andean people and learn about their traditions and life-style. Social help is appreciated.

itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Cancha Cancha
We leave Cusco at 7.00am in a private transport and drive for 2h towards Huarán, the starting point of our trek. On this first day, we walk for approximately 5h following an uphill path that starts in a valley with lush vegetation and that will take us to our first campsite in Cancha Cancha, a small farming community in the middle of a spectacular mountain scenery. We will stop for lunch along the way. Once we get to Cancha Cancha, we set our camp and get to know the local people and their way of living.
Meals: L, D

Day 2: Cancha Cancha to Queuñaqocha Lagoon
We leave our camp after breakfast to start walking along an ascending path that will lead us to the first mountain pass of the trek, the Abra Pachacutec (4400m/14432ft/3h), from which we can enjoy awesome views of glacier lagoons and the surrounding valleys. Along the hike, we may also have spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains in the area, such as Colquecruz, Minas and Sirijuani. We will have lunch after the pass, to then descend to Quiswarani, a small peasant and textile community, from where we continue following an uphill path until we reach the beautiful lagoon of Queuñaqocha, where we set up our second camp.
Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Queuñaqocha Lagoon to Lares and Cusco
Today we continue our hike towards the second mountain pass, the Abra Willkiccasa (4100m/13448ft/2h), offering impressive views of both sides of the pass, especially of the Colquecruz and Pitusiray mountains. The trail continues along changing puna, lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer until we arrive in Cuncani 3h later, another small peasant community from where we follow our hike down a fertile valley with more vegetation, crops and agricultural communities. Along the trail we may see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After an approximated 2h walk we arrive in Lares, capital of the district with the same name, a large village whose principal attraction are its pleasant hot springs, where we can enjoy a dip. After lunch, our private transport will take us back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival time around 8.00pm.
Meals: B, L

* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress

Difficulty degree of this hike Moderate to challenging

what is included

Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
Horses to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 6kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
Meals (02B, 03L, 02D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian menu is available at no extra cost

Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
Lares hot springs entrance fee
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Private transport from OLLANTAYTAMBO to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco

what is not included

Breakfast on the first day (USUALLY THE HOTELS AFFER THIS SERVICE)
Dinner on the last day

Tips: Extra money for souvenirs, drink and tips for your crew guides cooks, horse herders $20-25 approx ( Tips are optional also are a great gesture of esteem to them )
Appropriate clothing along this hike Hiking pants and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required along the route. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

important

What we recommend that you bring

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
  
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
  
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
  
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
  
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
  
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
  
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  
• Sun block
  
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
  
• Handkerchiefs
  
• Toilet paper

Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection

• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
  
• Small towel
  
• Swimsuit (if you wish to take a bath in the hot springs)
  

Optional: walking sticks or poles