Day 4: Trek to Kiswarani

Updated after Trekking Days:

Hello Friends!

We’re back — tired, joyful, and in total awe of what we just experienced. The Lares Trek was not what we expected, but exceeded everything we thought it might be. It was challenging, breathtaking, remote — and more than anything, sacred.

Our first day on the trail started with a drive from Cusco to the trailhead. The windy roads weren’t our friend, but the group recovered and started out into the mountains of the Andes! As we climbed higher into the Andes, we traded cell phone service for connection with “pacha mama” (Mother Earth) and each other. Without Wi-Fi and the distractions of our home routines, there was room to listen — to the crunch of our boots, the wisdom of our guides, and the still, small voice of God echoing in the silence of the mountains.

Day 4 Highlights: 

  • Our campsite was cold but BREATHTAKING. (We camped in front of a stunning alpine lake.)

  • Most beautiful waterfall any of us had ever seen! 

  • Meeting Puma, Rosa, and Romario — our amazing guides! Trusting their expertise to lead us where we need to go. (A great lesson in trusting God!) 

  • Blown away by 3 course meals on the trail! We had an incredible chef + cooking team through our outfitter. 

TREK OVERVIEW

Trekkers are picked up from the hotel! They’ll drive through the Sacred Valley for three hours to the trailhead called Punta Carretera. After breakfast, they’ll start their trek. They’ll trek for two hours uphill to lunch at Kiswarani village. This part of the hike is through the potato valley where people farm many varieties of organic potatoes. Guides will also point out indigenous plants growing along the way. After lunch, horsemen called llameros will do a ceremony with llamas showcasing their training and skill. The incas considered lamas to be sacred and fundamental to their economy. After the ceremony, trekkers will have time to tour the village. They’ll learn about the traditions of the villagers. If they have time, they’ll also visit the school where the children still speak Quecha. Afterward, they’ll continue uphill for another two hours to camp where they’ll have a hot dinner prepared by the expedition chef.

TREK STATS

Starting elevation 10,120 feet

Ending elevation 12,795 feet

Elevation gain 2,675 feet

Distance hiked 6.2 miles

Average hiking time 4 hours

Lauren O'Grady