Come experience the best of the Lares trek on this 3 day adventure! Connect with nature as you hike in the mountains and marvel at Inca historical sites.
The Lares trek is the best alternative to the traditional Inca trail. In fact, it is even better because it is less crowded and takes you off the beaten track to visit small Andean villages, the home of the living Inca culture. On this 3-day trip, you will get to see all the important sites close to Cusco as you hike through the Lares Mountains. Admire their snowy peaks and beautiful valley views.
In addition to amazing natural beauty, your experienced tour guide will also show you interesting historical sites. You will get to visit the Salt Mines of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray.
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Start and end location: Cusco
Availability: Year-round
Day 1 – Embark on Your Adventure as You Hike in Lares Province
We will pick you up at your hotel by 4:30 am and take you in our private car on a 2.5-hour ride to the beginning of the Lares trek. Lares is famous for its hot springs, with deep and shallow pools. After breakfast, you will start the Lares trek with a 2.5 hour hike to the lunch spot.
After lunch, you will walk uphill for 3 hours to the Huaccawasi campsite. Inca people still live there. Along the way, you will see plenty of llamas and alpacas. Once you get to the camp, you will enjoy some tea, wash up with hot water, and then have dinner. The total walking distance today is 6 hours, 7.5 miles (12 kilometers).
Day 2 – Climb to Condor Pass and See Gorgeous Views of Mountain Lagoons
You will wake up at 5:30 am to coca tea and a big breakfast. Then, you will start the day’s hike with a 3-4 hour gentle uphill to the huge mountain pass of Condor, elevation 15,092 feet (4,600 meters). Here, you can take amazing pictures of the Andes mountains. You can also see lagoons. Next, you will go downhill for 30 minutes to the lunch place.
After lunch, you will hike for an hour and 45 minutes to the campsite, where you will have tea and dinner. The hiking distance today is 7 hours, 8.7 miles (14 kilometers).
Day 3 – Discover the Fascinating Salt Mine of Maras and Archaeological Site of Moray
We will wake you up at 6:00 am for breakfast. Then, you will walk 4 hours downhill through vegetation that includes native trees called Andean polylepis. By 10:00 am, you will arrive to the lunch spot. The hiking for today totals 4.5 hours, 5 miles (8 kilometers).
After lunch, you will go by car to the amazing salt mine and rounded agricultural terraces of Maras and Moray. After this experience, your tour will come to an end as you are dropped off at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
After you book your experience, you will receive a confirmation email from us confirming that your payment went through. You will then be connected directly to the tour operator, in case you have any further questions. We are also happy to answer any questions about the tour, or travel in general in your country of destination.