Which trek to do? Comparisons between Lares and Salkantay

from the Lonely Planet Thorntree.

Why is Salkantay more popular than Lares?

The reasons why Salkantay is 'more popular':

1. You can almost trek to Aguas Calientes on this route, whereas Lares you need to take the train from Ollantaytambo.

2. Geographically, the Salkantay trek is closer to the traditional Inca trail than the Lares trek

3. When the limits were placed on the traditional Inca Trail, agencies began selling Salkantay as the 'Alternative Inca Trail' As such, guide books tend to list it and its the second best known trail.

5. So more people have done the Salkantay trek than the Lares trekand so they tend to talk about how great it is... thus giving the impression that its more popular.

6. I don't think Salkantay is necessarily easier than Lares, they are quite similar - highest point on Lares 4400m (depends what route you take) and Salkantay 4600m.

7. Cultural? Neither of them have ruins on them, unless you go via Llacatapata on the Salkantay route. I'd say you would be more likely to see traditional culture on the Lares route as Salkantay is certainly beginning to show signs of its 'popularity.'

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Differences between Lares and the Salkantay trek

Both treks are in the high andes.

Salkantay actually does end up in Machu Picchu (well pretty close - at santa theresa only a few kms away) whereas lares doesn't end up at machu picchu - you usually/sometimes end up at huaran and then have to take the machu picchu train from olllanta - eg. several hours travel.) travel agencies seem to be saying things like the "lares trek to machu picchu " - that is really misleading marketing - as the trek is not to machu picchu at all.

Salkantay has good views of snow capped mountains -eg huamantay and salkantay plus descends down into the humid high jungle near santa maria .

Lares is A LOT LESS touristed than salkantay and you pass through a couple of very traditional villages.

Lares has stunning views of lakes and some pretty waterfalls.

Lares has great hot springs - but then there are hot springs at santa maria and also at aguas calientes...

Neither salkantay or lares treks have ruins - whereas the traditional inca trail does.

Lares will generally be more expensive than a Salkantay trek as there is a return train ticket involved from Ollantaytambo (valued at around $75 minimum). Good travel agencies will include a Vistadome ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes because the timetable is much better. This means a return ticket of around $100, making the price of the Lares trek quite high).

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