Trekking in the Andes: The Lares Trail

A fine breakfast
RJ I loved this blog..a simple walk in the mountains..and I pictured you looking stylish and elegant at the end. I had never heard of this trek, love the way you always find the path less trodden.

I had never heard of the Lares Trail...
but it sounds better than the others. I like that horses carried the supplies rather than porters, although I wondered why they didn't use the plentiful llamas like the Incas did. And way to show up those young people! You really are doing South America the right way. I'm enjoying your blogs as usual. Machu Picchu next!

Altitude ...
You never know how it is going to affect you until you get there and, it's something you can't prepare for. Coca leaves, lollies, cookies etc, do help though. The two in our group who were most affected were the two fittest! Ted and I were fairly lucky as we mostly only had shortness of breath and some light-headedness . "Puff breaks" on the Inca came somewhere between 20 and 30 footsteps, depending on the steep terrain (and when your lungs felt about ready to burst) or, when someone yelled, "Porter!!" as they all had right of way on the trail as they carried all of the gear - food, gas bottles, tables, chairs, tents - everything. No horses - except "shanks' pony" (walking) - as the trail was too steep, rocky and rugged for them . Only the occasional llama. 500 daily on the Inca may sound a lot but, most days we had the trail pretty much to ourselves as people were strung out over long distances, all going at their own pace and nightly camps were staggered for groups so, we were never in a crowd. Have to say though, that the chefs and porters all do a magnificent job and, the spectacular scenery is worth every step and gasp of breath . :) Jan

Trekking ....
Yours too. :) And yes, It is up to all of us to protect these wonderful parts of the world. You mentioned being the "oldies" in your group. Ted and me too, and we've got a few more years on you yet. :) Ted was 65 at the time and me - 62. A very special moment for us will always be when we finally arrived at the Sun Gate early that morning to see Macchu Picchu sparkling in the early morning sunlight (as if that wasn't special enough) with other groups already having arrived, when a much younger man came up to Ted and asked if he minded him asking him how old he was and when Ted told him our respective ages, everyone standing around just broke into spontaneous applause and cheers and then made a guard of honour for us by raising their trekking poles for us to walk through. (Brought me to tears, I can tell you) So, come on people - just get out there and to coin a well-known phrase .... "just do it!!" If we can - you can too. :) (PS And Ted had had a massive heart attack back in '98! )

Lares Trail...
LOVED this blog - I want more! I have been thinking that the Lares Trail would suit us more than the Inca Trail (when we eventually get to Peru), so I was hanging on your every word. I would most likely need a horse at some point too... but I would feel so bad for the poor beast :)

Peru is picture perfect
Such a well written blog full of adventure and heart warming stories. Glad you found a great hike. The altitude can be tricky. Dave and I both took the medication and did well. One day Dave decided not to take it and lived to regret it. He went back to the drugs. We loved the Sun Gate in early morning! Mystic, magical and breath taking. The children of Peru are adorable.