Lares trail to Machu Picchu
 

Hello,

My husband and I are thinking about doing the 4 day hike to MP taking the Lares route. I am wondering if anyone has done this and what their experience is? I am most curious and nervous about the bathroom situation. Are there any toilet or is it dig and bury "natural" toilet. I have camped before so I wonder if this might be too shocking experience for me. If anyone has done the trail, I appreciate any info you might have.

Thanks,

C

www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/treks/lares.html

There is no Lares route to MP it goes to a separate valley

with some nice hot springs

then you train in with all the hordes to MP not ideal

Far better to go in through the Sun Gate to MP on

the Classic,Salkantay,or Short Inka Trail

based on time/budget.

Some hut bathrooms in some areas but tent bathrooms

are always set up by the guides so no worries...

Always go with direct LOCAL providers

www.quente.com

www.incalandadventures.com Flavio from $300

www.pmexplorers.com

are 3 good local ones...

Careful many scammers/touts/middlemen on the boards

and on the plaza in Cusco many get taken.

Do careful research always pay with CC/Paypal and

www.insuremytrip.com always cheap wise...

Happy Journey and Trekking,

www.qente.com sorry for typo..

We were on a year long trip in 2008 and fully intended to do the MP trek but when we got to Cusco we spent some time at the SA Explorers club house and talking to other travellers and our eventual guide we decided to do the trek from Lares to Ollantaytambo and were so glad we did For more detail and photos have a look at our blog;

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...4700/tpod.html

If you click on the next entry, my wife wrote a bio on our guide miguel jovens whom I would highly recommend.

As for the toilet facilities these are very basic but we did not have to dig our own! On the first night we camped near a very small village and the toilet was a small hut with along drop inside - basic but not the worst I have experienced! The second night we camped at the home of the guy who looked after the horses. Again, basic outside facilities but adequate. The hike itself was one of the best exeriences ever in many years of travelling and was due in no small part to Migue's expertise as a guide. We only saw a couple of other hikers during the whole 3 days so it was a lot more peaceful than what I imgine the MP trek to be. Once at Olly you can always get the train to MP. have fun it is an amazing part of the world!

BTW you can reach the Sun Gate from inside MP, ie you take the train/bus and then hike up to the Sun Gate.