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Huaran - Lares Trek 3d/2n

The Lares Valley is an important area to the east, the land of the Antis, with whom the Inkas could exchange goods; and they also wanted to establish themselves in the area to grow the precious Coca Leaf. This area is also characterised by the production of textiles, using techniques and tools inherited from ancestral times; a good example of living culture.
On our trek we will walk though altitude levels such as Quechua, Suni and Puna, with the highest altitude we reach being 4600 masl.

The geography is spectacular and we will have the opportunity to get to know the flora and fauna characteristic of each of the ecological levels mentioned above.

We will also see groups of camelids, as rearing them is one of the principal economic activities of the area together with the production of handmade textiles. In each community we can appreciate this.

We should expect temperatures which vary from 0ºC at night, to 23ºC by day; with cold mornings warming up after midday. The air temperature is always cold as we will be walking at over 3700 masl, with very strong sunshine during the day.

Program itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Cancha Cancha

We leave the city of Cuzco early and head towards the town of Calca, in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, continuing on the road to the Fundo Huaran (place of wool production during colonial times). Here we meet our mule-handlers and mules, who come from the community of Kunkani, and will carry our equipment and backpacks. Welcome to the Urubamba mountain range.
Our path follows the road for about 2 hours, allowing us to enjoy the valley and its native flora, as well as birds, especially the hummingbirds.
We leave the track and take a path to the Suni region through a Queuña forest, a native tree adapted to the altitude which can grow at altitudes as high as 4800 masl. We have lunch by the river.
The valley narrows as we climb up a gentle hill before arriving at the community of Cancha Cancha, whose population is mainly dedicated to rearing camelids and agriculture. We have dinner and camp.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3700 masl / 12139 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2800 masl / 9186 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 2: Cancha Cancha - Qeuñaqocha

After breakfast, we set off uphill to the Pachacuteq pass through typical Puna landscape, where we can observe the three lakes of Azulqocha and also part of the Inka trail in the area. After about 4 hours, we arrive at a pass with a view of the Pitusiray – Sahuasiray snow-capped peak. After taking some photos, we continue walking for another 45 minutes.
Then we begin our descent to Qeullaqocha, a spectacular lake which makes a great place to have lunch. We can see birds native to the high-Andean lake.
We continue downhill, passing the Canchispacca waterfall before arriving at the community of Qeswarani, where we can watch the local people make their textiles using techniques and tools developed in pre-Inka times.
The last part of our day is uphill, for about 2 hours, to Qeuñaqocha, our campsite. Here we can see the reforestation project being carried out by the community. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4600 masl / 15092 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3700 masl / 12139 ft

Distance Travelled: 13 km / 8.07 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 8 hrs

Day 3: Qeuñaqocha - Lares

After a good rest and breakfast, we walk uphill for around an hour to reach the Willkajasa pass. From the pass we have a beautiful view of Kunkaniqocha, where we will descend to in around an hour. We will visit the lakes and the Ccaccahuayco waterfall, and continue our descent to the community of Kunkani, where we will have lunch with a splendid view of the Chicon glacier. We descend through the Kunkani valley for about an hour and then take a dirt track to the Lares thermal baths, where we will enjoy a refreshing soak.
End of the trek. Our private transport will pick us up here and take us back to the city of Cuzco.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Maximum Altitude: 4500 masl / 14764 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3190 masl / 10466 ft

Distance Travelled: 12 km / 7.45 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 8 hrs

Services included

• Private transportation Cuzco - Huaran
• Guide service in Spanish / English
• Sleeping Bag per person (-10 ºC), mummy form (our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use)
• Sleeping liner
• Pillow
• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Cook and assistant
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables
• Cooking, eating and bathroom tents
• Food (2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner)
• Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
• Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles– 4 seasons), single tents available for extra cost
• Mule-handlers
• Mules
• Saddled horse (for every 6 passengers there is one saddled horse)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Private Transportation Lares - Cuzco
  

Services not included

• Extra food
• Optional tip for field staff
• Extra costs
  

We recommend that you bring

• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof clothing (poncho)
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Water bottles such as Nalgene
• Basic medications
• Walking sticks
• Swimsuit and towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 2 days and general good health. Pachatusantrek offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek
• DNI / Original Passport
  

Booking and information

• Booking and information

Important Environmental Note

Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste. We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.

“With the protection of mother earth and the permission of the apus …”