Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days

…¡¡¡ if you miss Inca trail don’t miss the adventure!!!…

Lares trek is one of the perfect alternatives trek to Machu Picchu; Lares is a region as well the name of the small town located in the in the valley of the same name. The Lares Valley lies to the east of the Urubamba range, traversing part of the sacred valley of the Incas. The Lares trek route transverses typical beautiful, pristine Peruvian Andean mountain areas. The Lares Valley is one of the most picturesque in the southern part of Cusco, home of many traditional weavers and farmers. The people live day to day, growing and knitting what they eat and wear. Each day is reasonably paced with the beaten track. To end this great adventure you will explore the stunning Machu Picchu. Ample time to enjoy the scenery, the walk is difficult but this is compensated by the landscape.

TIMING: 4 days and 3 nights

STARTING AND ENDING POINT: Cusco hotel

Note: we can help you to book you fly tickets from Lima to Cusco; for this item please lets us to know in advance.

Overview – Lares trek and Machu Picchu

Day 1.- Cusco – Quishuarani – Cuncani

3 hours bus trip and 6 -7 hours hike through the Peruvian Andes; you will see countryside people shepherding Llamas and Alpacas.

Day 2.- Cuncani – Ipsayccocha

Today will be the hardest and the longest day because you will pass the highest pass named Ipsay pass (4450m/14596ft/). Today will be 7 – 8 hours hike.
Day 3.- Ipsayccocha – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Short morning trek and take the tourist train to the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes; accommodation in the hotel. You can go to relax to hot springs and be ready for the next day.

Day 4.- Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Full day can be dedicated to explore Machu Picchu, in the afternoon you will return to Cusco; arriving there in the evening.

Full Itinerary – Lares trek and Machu Picchu

Day 1.- Cusco – Quishuarani – Cuncani

Lares trek and Machu Picchu starts when we pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 5:00am and travel by private bus 3 hours through the Sacred Valley of the Incas until Quishuarani community (3700m) starting point of the trek; we leave from Cusco and travel toward the sacred valley and stop for a brief toilet break and the chance to buy any last minute snacks and water in Calca. Continuing the trip from Calca our bus will ascent zigzag up to the pass of 4800m and then descent to Quishuarani where we will encounter our trek crew like cook, Arrieros and horses who will carry majority of our staff for the hike; We commence hiking gradually up to the first pass of Huillcakasa(4400m) from where we can see the snow Mountain of La Veronica (5750m), after which we descend for 30 minutes to reach our lunch place where we will see a picturesque lagoons; after the lunch we continue descending for 2 hours to Cuncani community. The campsite will be by the shores of the Qolqecruz snow mountain.

Meals: L – D

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 4400m

Minimum Altitude: 3700m

Distance Travelled: approx. 14km

Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Day 2.- Cuncani – Ipsayccocha

We start at 7:00am and we will hike 16km approximately; we start to hike gentle up toward the Cuncani pass where we will pass different types of agricultural land like: potatoes, oxalis, quinoa, etc. herds of llamas and alpacas developed in this part of the Andes and the local communities of people who continue living in houses made of stones and roofed with straw. From Cuncani pass the trail descents little to the rocky valley which is a good habitat for chinchillas (type of rabbit); then continue gentle up passing close to lagoon where you can see Andean birds; half hour beyond this lagoon you will came to the highest pass of ipsay (4,600m) from here you can observe the Vilcanota mountain range with several snow mountains; after good rest we will descend one hour to the camp which will be near the ipsaccocha lagoon this campsite is the coldest night.

Meals: D – L – D

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 4600m

Minimum Altitude: 3700m

Distance Travelled: approx. 16km

Approximate Walking Time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 3.- Ipsayccocha – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

We start hiking at 7:00am downwards through agricultural lands observing great mountain scenery; 3 hours after we will arrive to Patacancha community; this is a renowned textile Andean community that still preserves the ancient traditions and dressing code at its best. From Patacancha we will take transport down to Ollantaytambo town where our lunch will be served and after lunch we head to the train station and board the tourist train for two hours through the sacred valley until the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes; accommodation in the hotel. In the evening you can go to relax in the natural hot springs and be ready for the next day to explore Machu Picchu.

Meals: D – L – D

Accommodation: Hotel

Maximum Altitude: 3900m

Minimum Altitude: 2000m

Distance of trekking: approx. 10km

Approximate Walking Time: 3 hours

Day 4.- Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Not good news because we must wake up at 04.45 am for an early breakfast and take the first bus at approximately 05.30 am and arrive at Machu Picchu´s gate before 06.00 am when the Park is open. This time is still not so crowded yet so we take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site; Guided Tour of Machu Picchu will be for 2 hours approximately at his enigmatic and mysterious site, during this time we will visit the agricultural sector and mainly the urban sector where we will visit the temple of the water, temple of the Mother earth, Temple of the sun, the main temple or Wiracocha´s temple, the temple of the tree windows or the Andean cosmology temple, The Inti watana or sun dial, the Temple of the Mountain and the Temple of the condor and other interesting places. After the tour you will have extra free time to explore by yourself or climbing to Huayna Picchu (see additional information if you want to purchase a permit for this). Around 1-2 pm take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for your Train return. (Bus tickets will cost you $9 not included, most people like to walk this old Inca trail down to Aguas Calientes).

The train departs Aguas Calientes late in the afternoon at 5:00 pm to Ollantaytambo, and then 1:45 minutes transfer to Cusco and to your hotel arriving at 9:00 pm approximately.

Meals: B – L – D

What is included – Lares trek and Machu Picchu

• All necessary things for this tour.
• Transportation: Tourist bus from Cusco to Quishuarani; starting point of Lares trek to Machu Picchu and Tourist train Expeditions class from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and from Aguas Calientes to Cusco; Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu; transfer to your hotel.
• Camping equipments: We provide four people capacity tent for two persons, brand new four season tents, Therm-a-rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toiled tent, seats, tables, tent for Guides and helpers, kitchen gears.
• Acommodations: 01 night hotel in Aguas Calientes town. Based on double occupancy.
• Entrace fees: To Machupicchu.
• Meals: 3 breakfast 3 hot lunches 3 hot dinners delicious meals prepared by professional chef food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude. Teatime every day (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn), we offer vegetarian option if you request; we provide available boil water each mourning for your water bottles.
• Guide: English speaking professional guides, 2 guides over 8 people.
• Cook: Professional chef and Chef Assistants.
• Horses: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears as well to carry your personal items (7kls per person) in duffel bags that we provide. Muleteers.
• Others: First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

What is not Included – Lares trek and Machu Picchu

• Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office for US$ 20 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
• Breakfast: on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at Calca for your breakfast and also you can buy some items for the trek.
• Lunch: in Aguas Calientes town on the final day you must consider a bugged of US$ 15 to 20 in average restaurant.
• Entrance: to the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (optional) US$ 3.
• Tips: for the staff.

Recomended things to Take for Lares Trek and Machu Picchu

Sleeping bag (you can rent at the MUNDO MAPI office), one liter of water, rain gear or poncho (plastic poncho can be purchased in Cusco), hiking boots (running shoes are not recommended), Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp, warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping, wind coat, t-shirts, shorts, long pants, sun hat, wool hat, flashlight, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, garbage bag, small towel, bathing suit (for hot springs), camera, extra batteries, snacks (such as chocolates, energy bars), emergency money and walking stick (optional) and personal things.

Important

The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office or in your hotel at either 6 or 7pm (exact time will be confirmed on arrival to Cusco).