Lares Valley Trek

Hollie and I booked our trek to Machu Picchu a little too late and missed out on hundreds of people walking in a line and overcrowded campsites along the Inca Trail. So instead we went on the slightly easier hike through the Lares Valley.


Most of the trek was hiking between 3,500 meters and 4,400 meters (11,500 ft and 14,000 ft). As you can see, it was mostly high, arid Andean Mountains. There were many lakes and rivers that dotted the valleys.

Our group was pretty fun. Most signed up for this trek because it was supposed to be easier than the Inca Trail. There were 11 of us and we were the only 2 who didn´t hire a porter to carry their things. We stood out a bit with our large backpacks amidst 9 others with small day packs. It was fine though and by the end we were all good friends.



The above is a picture of our lunch stop on the first day. Although there are blue skies here, most of the trek was overcast. As you can see it was pretty cold most of the time. I guess thats the way it goes hiking around 13,000 ft a week before winter solstice. Below is our first campsite. When we arrive we were completely socked in by clouds. As we sorted our things and the sun began to set, the clouds parted... and lo and behold there was mountain (spanish name that I forgot) rising to over 6,400 meters (over 19,000 feet) peering down on us. It was spectacular and the pictures of the peak itself were great except the unavoidable telephone poles in the way.

The telephone poles and electricity went to a very small village that we visited the next morning. We were welcomed inside one of the homes. The two pictures above are both inside with the mother making yarn from wool and at least a dozen guinea pigs running around on the floor. While this house had electricity, most families that we visited later didn´t. The rural people here are all farmers and sheperds. Each family group grows potatoes and has both llamas and sheep. Families at lower elevations will grow grains like quinoa (keen-wa), and those at still lower, corn. Most of the families at these elevations speak only Quechuan and live just like the Inkas have for many centuries. Our guide generally referred to them as Inkas.

This little girl belonged to the first family we met. We thought she was very cute. In the last two pictures she is eating a banana. We brought gifts to give to the children such as bananas, oranges, candy, and school supplies. They live quite remotely and were very thankful (and a little snatchy) for the small things we brought them.

We encountered many other familes along the way. Often we would be hiking and all of a sudden someone would see two or three bright orange and red specks moving across the valley at a rapid pace. The specks would swerve or jump when they came to a boulder or stream. A few minutes later the specks had grown larger and we could just make out quickly moving legs and wildly flailingly arms. Seconds later a few children would be standing in front of us with enthusiastic faces and loud ¨Hola´s¨. Many were very photogenic. Above are a few of our favorite pictures.

Our group consisted of 4 Irish, 2 Swedes, 2 Canadian Italians, 1 Aussie, and the two of us. Here we are freezing in a cloud at a pass at 14,000 ft. Our guides (Caesar and Salvo) were very enthusiastic and usually fun to be around.

Each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner we would gather in the (much warmer) mealtime tent. The food was pretty good (unfortunately no guinea pig) and always too much.

Overall the trek was great. One of our favorite parts about it was interaction with the Quechuan families and children. The day after these photos were taken we headed up to Machu Picchu.