The Lares valley, is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Cusco. Lares Valley is particularly well know for its very high-quality, brightly coloured weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish.
The 4 days Lares Llama Trek is a great alternative, ending at Machu Picchu. The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, one pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. This 4-day, newly developed itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain scenery in a remote area and visits to authentic Quechua communities such as Wacawasi, Willog, Patacancha and reaches Aguas Calientes on the third day. The last day is devoted to the visit of the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
To have the best experience we combine interaction with the local people and use their Llamas to carry all the camping gear and our backpacks, how ancient Andean people did.

LARES WEATHER
Dry season (April – November)
Day temperature 15 ºC/21ºC
Night temperature -0ºC/5ºC
Wet season (December – March)
Day temperature 17ºC/22ºC
Night temperature -2 ºC/5ºC

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING/CARRY

• Backpack 65Lt, we advice to take a big plastic bag to cover your personal backpack when is carrying by the Llamas
• Personal horse for ride ($30 USD per day, include the food for horse and handler)
• Sleeping bag -15ºC (can be hired from our office for $5 USD per day)
• Rain jacket or poncho (December - April)
• Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
• One complete change of clothing
• Sweater and jacket (something warm)
• Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
• Flashlight and batteries
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
• Sun block (sun protection cream)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
• Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
• Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
• Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
• You also need to bring your original passport on the trek because you well need to show before enter to Machu Picchu
• Walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

RAIN SEASON
The rain is between Decemeber to March, hard rain and same days are completely coudly. Same days rain start late afternoon around 3-4pm or maybe night rain.
BEST TIME FOR PICTURES
The best time for picture is after the rain season, between april to july because are less tourism and and the mountain looks white and green.

ADVICE FOR HIKERS
Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared.
It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.

LOCAL KIDS AND ADULTS
Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.