Hi all. Myself and my other half are heading to South America for three weeks in October. I have a plan to visit Cusco in Peru for 8 days or so and of course take in Machu Picchu. My Question is:
Would anyone recommend the lesser travelled "Lares Trek" rather than the "Classic Inca Trail"?
Then we'll be taking the train from Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca). Now for the main point of me putting up this post...can anyone recommend what to do for a couple of days around Lake Titicaca or indeed where to stay?
I would love to see Iguazu Falls as well, so is there any way of getting from Lake Titicaca to Iguazu Falls?
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Reply to this In Puno, many travel agencies offer a 2 to 3 days trip in the lake, including the floating islands and night over in Amantani (a village on an island inside the lake). The stay with the family in the Amantani is very basic (no electricity, no shower, basic meals) but it gets you to spend some time in a local village. The tours normally also stop in other villages / islands in the lake - so there is enough what to do.
I have not heard about Lares Trek, I have heard about a trek called Azangate which ends up in Aguas Calientes below the Machu Pichu/ Have not done it myself, but heard it is not an easy trek. Again, many agencies in Cusco will be happy to arrange this trek for you. As far as I know, there are mules carrying the food and night gear - so you only walk with your own day pack (which makes it slightly easier).
Don't know about a way to get from Lake Titicaca to Iguazu falls, but I believe there is an airport in Puno - so perhaps there are flights between these 2 destinations (probably not direct...).
Hope this helps you a bit.
Lilach
Reply to this Take the Lares Trek. The Inca Trail isn't worth the money. The big "yippee skippee" about the Inca trail is that it's the only trek that goes straight into Machu Picchu. The other way to MP is Aguas Calientes, which you can get to by taking a train.
Also, just in case you see this advertised "Salcantay to Machu Picchu", this doesn't actually take you in straight to Machu Picchu like the Inca trail. You still have to take the train and enter through the main entrance.
Taking a bus from La Paz to the falls is A LONG TRIP. You can take a bus from La Paz to Uyuni (where the salt flats are) and continue taking buses until you hit Iguazu.
Lastly, you don't need to go through an agency to do treks unless you want to. I personally never did because I was so dang annoyed by them. I guess that's what happens when you are a gringo living in Cusco and have to walk through the plaza everyday with Peruvians stuffing little cards in your hands :D Massage?? Lol!! BTW, do get a massage, it's like $7 an hour, and definitely worth it. (Note: it's legit, the happy end stuff is in Thailand)
As far as Puno, floating islands, Lake Titicaca... it sounds a lot more glamorous than what it really is. Rather dull, but that's just my opinion.
Reply to this On Machu Pichu you will trekking with 500 other people, ok but if you wanna a bit of peace in the most beautiful surroundings the Lares trek is the way to go, No need to fork out loads of cash to a tour operator, I suggest you find someone to do the trek with you, Bus from Cusco to Pisaq, then a taxi to Huran, go by the church and follow the river for about 6 hours to Cancha Chancha, pitch a tent there for the night, we hired a mule and handler here as it is a pretty steep walk (depends on your fitness level.........ours average) go over the pass and down into Lares the next day, stay the night in one of the basic hostels and colectivo about midday back to Calca the following day, great trip, fab scenery and the air is crystal clear, Cancha is an experience in itself, the people wonderful, bring tent/bag/food/water/raingear/warm clothes, you can hire camping gear in Cusco for a small fee. Highly recommended...........Happy trails (feel free to write with any other enquiries)
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