Tender-Footed, Gentle Beasts Welcomed Porters and Companions on Lares Valley Llama Trek, New Adventure in Peru
OutdoorHub 02.06.12
Andean trekking specialist Llama Expeditions www.llamaexpeditions.com) announces a new 11-day custom itinerary, Lares Llama Trek. Guests explore the Peruvian Andes with tender-footed llamas as load-bearing companions throughout the journey.
Diane Valenti, owner/founder of Llama Expeditions, noted that horses which can carry heavier loads are used more often today than are llamas in Peruvian adventure travel. She said the reasons for this vary from the greater efficiency of horses to a growing humane concern for the llamas that can’t handle extremely high elevations and rapid altitude changes.
Llama Expeditions hopes to reestablish the llama as a viable Peruvian pack animal. “The paths we follow meet stringent criteria as regards the wellbeing of our animal companions,” Valenti said. “Plus, over the course of a trek our guests become very attached to them. Experiencing these gentle friends day after day in their own natural setting enhances the delights of the trips and gives an economic boost to the families that own them.”
The Lares Llama Trek trip (http://www.llamaexpeditions.com/exploration/lares-llama-trek/overview) begins and ends in Lima. It includes a tour of World Heritage sites as well as a culinary demonstration. In Cusco the Inca culture come to life through visits to nearby ruins and while exploring the Pisac market and salt pans of Maras. The actual hike begins at Lares hot springs when llamas join the guests. After the trek, guests visit Pumamarca and tour Inca homes in Ollantaytambo before embarking on the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Experiencing Machu Picchu concludes the adventure before guests return to Lima.
Departures are offered on an open scheduled basis with a minimum of two trekkers. The best travel times are between March and November. Per person rates are reduced as a group size increases and begin at $3,725 per person for two to four people. Included are double occupancy accommodations, airport/hotel transfers, English-speaking guides, entrance fees to sites, most meals, itinerary-dependent transportation, and carbon offsetting for flights.
Llama Expeditions offers a range of guided tours through Peru, from sightseeing to multi-day hikes along the Inca Trail. In addition to taking in the stunning scenery and experiencing true adventure, these tours also allow travelers to make a personal connection to the country and its people.
“The company fills the spot between responsible tourism and voluntourism,” said Valenti. “This is a real vacation for people who work hard and want a chance to relax. We stay in nice hotels and eat in good restaurants. But it’s also a chance for culturally curious travelers to make a meaningful connection with the people and the land of Peru.” Guests are encouraged to “pay-it-forward” by contributing to a variety of local community development organizations. See: http://www.llamaexpeditions.com/inspiration
