The big one - Lares trek

So, most people opt to trek the Inca Trail, but I went for one of the alternatives, the Lares trek. Three days on a quieter route through indigenous communities and always with the Andean mountains as a backdrop. One of the reasons I love walking so much is for the solitude it can bring and on the Lares trek our group met only one other small group of tourists travelling in the opposite direction. I much preferred this than perhaps being in a long line of folk on the Inca steps!

Day one and three were shorter walking days, but the highlight for me was the challenge of day two when we started early to hike from the foothills of Sicllaccasa Mountain to its high pass at almost 4,800m. The weather was stunning and I definitely think this was one of the best days hiking I have ever had. The snickers bar I saved for the summit was also the tastiest I have had!

At our final lunch stop, I attempted to sum up the experience, so here it is:

L esser travelled path, far away
A ncient route
R ocky, steep climbs
E nigmatic llamas
S tunning summit high in the Andes

T antilising tents in sight
R ushing river winding through the valley
E nding through tangled, rust-red forests
K nocking on the door of Machu Picchu.