Lares trek
{{short description|High-altitude hike in Peru near Machu Picchu}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
| name = Lares Trek
| photo = Peru - Lares Trek 055 - rural boys watching the herds (7586240170).jpg
| caption = Rural boys watching the herds along the Lares trek
| length = {{convert|33|km}}{{cite web | title = Wonderland Trail Profile | publisher = National Park Service | url = https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=433680 | accessdate = September 13, 2016 }}
| trailheads = Lares
| use = Hiking
| elev_gain_and_loss =
| highest =
| lowest =
| season =
| website =
}}
The Lares trek is a two- or three-day high-altitude hike in Cusco, Peru, starting near the village Lares, approximately {{Convert|40|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of Cusco and {{Convert|35|mi|km|abbr=on}} east of Machu Picchu. The Lares Valley lies in the east of the Urubamba mountain range, traversing part of the Sacred Valley. Reaching the start of the trek requires a bus or van trip of approximately five hours from the village of Lares. The trek route transverses typical Peruvian Andean mountain areas.
The Lares Valley is home of many traditional weavers and farmers and famous for homemade textiles. The indigenous people of this area speak Quechua and Spanish.
The Lares trek is one of the main alternatives to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.[http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/travel/12machu.html Taking the Back Roads to Machu Picchu] It is slightly shorter and higher in altitude than the Inca Trail; it is accessible from Cusco.[http://www.nationalpost.com/life/health/healthy-living/Seeing+South+America+yellow+blast/803988/story.html National Post]{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}} Unlike the Inca Trail, permits are not required to hike the Lares trek.
There are a number of different route itineraries and variations available on the Lares trek. It is far quieter than the Inca Trail, as it is not as well known. While slightly easier than the Inca Trail based on terrain, the increased altitude can be more physically challenging as there are three high passes to cross, the highest being {{Convert|4400|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{cn|date=January 2017}}
The classic route
The standard Lares trek route is the shortest ({{Convert|33|km|mi|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) and easiest route, and only crosses one high pass. The route usually takes three days to trek.
Trekkers depart Cusco ({{Convert|3400|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) early on the first day, often around 6am, and drive for several hours to Calca, a small town at {{Convert|2928|m|ft|abbr=on}} altitude. From Calca, trekkers are driven a further three hours north until they arrive at Lares. The hot springs in Lares are popular. From Lares the trek is five hours to the first night's camping spot at Huacahuasi ({{Convert|3750|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}).
Huacahuasi is a traditional weaving village and trekkers often try their hand at weaving here. The second day of trekking is the shortest and steepest as one crosses over the Ipsaycocha Pass ({{Convert|4450|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}), the highest point on the trail. One may camp beside Ipsaycocha Lake.
The final day of trekking is all downhill, passing through several traditional weaving villages. including Patacancha ({{Convert|3700|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) and Huilloc, before finishing at Ollantaytambo ({{Convert|2792|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}). The treck finishes at a train station with trains available to Aguas Calientes and Cusco.
There are several additional routes in the area, including some where trekkers can stay with local families instead of camping.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/perus-lares-trek-head-for-the-clouds-10012784.html Peru's Lares Trek: Head for the clouds], The Independent
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lares Trek}}