Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights

Overview:

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail. Taking you off the beaten track with visits to authentic Andean communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountains, lakes and valleys this fabulous trek offers a real insight in to the lives of the people of Cusco as it once was.

The route we offer starts in the village of Huran in the Sacred Valley and finishes in the hot springs of Lares with a visit to the village of Cuncani along the way. On Day 3 of the trek you take a bus from Lares to Ollantaytambo and then carry on by train to Machu Picchu.

Useful Information

• Starting Altitude – 2800m / 9186ft.
• Highest Altitude – 4680m / 15,682ft.
• Walking Distance – 34km / 21 miles
• Longest Day – Day 1, approximately 14km / 8.7 miles
• Coldest Night – Day 1 around 0º celsius
• Overall Difficulty – Moderate

Pre-trek briefing:

You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your trek. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Fondo Huaran – Cancha Cancha – Acopata

We will pick you up early from your hotel to take you to the beginning of the trek at Huaran (3,000 m/9,840 ft) in the Sacred Valley; it is 1 ½ hours by private bus. We will pack the horses and start to walk northward. The trail climbs gently following the Cancha Cancha river towards the community of the same name. On this walk along the river we will see cultivated fields and pass through old Polylepis forests. This type of vegetation is very interesting for a wide assortment of bird life, and the valley itself is very impressive. We will have lunch half way through the hike.

We will pass by the village of Cancha Cancha (3,956 m/12,976 ft). on the way to our camp. After a total hike today of around 6 hours we will reach our campsite for the night at Acopata.

• Meals: Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum altitude.: 3,956 m/12,976 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3,000 m/9,840 ft
• Distance to walk: 12 km
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours

Day 2: Acopata – Pachacutec Pass – Quishuarani

After an early breakfast we will continue up hill. After 2 ½ hours we will reach the highest point of the trek: Pachacutec Pass is at 4,780 m/15,678 ft. The view from here is overwhelming. The Pitusiray and Sahuasiray snowcapped mountains will be right in front of us.

Now we will hike downhill for 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot, next to a captivating lake.

After lunch we will descend for another 1 ½ hours into the valley. We will pass by several glacial lakes along the way. Also we can see herds of alpacas, llamas and sheep. It is also possible to see Gray Brocket Deer, Viscachas, Andean Geese, the rare Giant Coot, Puna Hawks and the impressive Andean Condor. Tonight we camp at 3,870 m/12,694 ft close to Quishuarani village, which has typical stone houses

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Maximum altitude.: 4,780 m/15,678 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3,870 m/12,694 ft
• Distance to walk: 12 km
• Approximate walking time: 7 hours

Day 3: Quishuarani – Cuncani – Lares Hot spring – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today we follow another valley and climb up to the second pass at Willcaccasa mountain (4,458 m/14,622 ft) , for 2 to 3 hours. Again the view of the Andes, turquoise lakes and its beautiful valleys are impressive.

After the pass we walk downhill for 1 ½ to 2 hours, passing many gourgeous lakes. This takes us to Cuncani village (3,900 m/12,792 ft).

We then continue downhill for 2 to 3 hours towards the Lares Valley and its hot springs, where we can have a well deserved soak. This is also our lunch spot.

Now that we are fully relaxed, we will get in our private van, which will be waiting for us, for the 3 hour drive to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft). We will have dinner in Ollantaytambo. After dinner, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival you will check in to your room at the bed and breakfast.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Accommodations: Hotel
• Maximum altitude: 4,458 m/14,622 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,792 m/9,158 ft
• Distance to walk: 13 km
• Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast we will board the bus which will take us to the biggest energetic center of the Incas, “Machu Picchu”. As part of our itinerary the same professional tour guide from the Lares trek;   will teach you about all the history of this mysterious and mystical place. We will visit the Sun Temple, Royal palace, Main Temple, Three Windows Temple and Sun Dial. It will be an unforgettable experience. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own.

If you have booked Wayna picchu, you will need to coordinate with your guide for Machu Picchu visiting depending on your scheduled time to the mountain, for people not hiking any of the mountains there are some other optional activities on your own (not included in the price):

• Visit the Sun Gate: You will have an opportunity to walk (approx. 2 hours up and down) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) to see Machu Picchu from a different angle.
• Hike to the Inca Bridge: The Inca Bridge offers a dose of adventure for your next Machu Picchu visit. However in this case, the adventure is a little less strenuous, but a lot more death defying, not for people with vertigo.

Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you will return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Ollantaytambo. Upon your arrival to train station you will be transferred by car to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Included:

• Trek briefing with your guide
• Professional local guide (on hike)
• Second tour guide for groups of 9+.
• Private transport and professional driver (to the starting point of hike)
• All entrance tickets and permits for Lares hike
• All necessary tools for tree planting
• Cusco Journeys  T-Shirt
• Pick-up from hotels
• Transfer in bus to Lares (starting point of the trek)
• 2 person per tent Igloo tents (new, spacious and comfortable)
• A roll pad mattress
• Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
• Excellent tour guide (2 guides for groups over 12)
• Full board meals: 3 Meals per day, snacks each afternoon
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, and rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking (Vegetarian, vegan or special diet meals upon request)
• Horses or mules and Indigenous horsemen to carry camping equipment: client tents, dining and cooking tents, table, stools, cooking gear, stove, gas container, cutlery, plates, food and fresh vegetables.
• Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes
• Boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning
• Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Expedition Train return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes (double or triple accommodation)
• Porterage of 8 Kg per person.
• Round Trip Bus Tickets
• Meals: 4 Breakfast, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
• Tea time before dinner (tea, coffee, coco, biscuits, popcorn)
• Oxygen Tank & First aid kit
• All local taxes

Not Included:

• Sleeping bag
• Water on Day 1, just half day
• Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits
• Breakfast on Day 1, Lunch on Day 4
• Wayna Picchu Mountain (Walk to the top without a guide. The trail is well marked.)
• ** Tips for porters, cooks or guides are optional and are NOT included in price. However our advice is that you tip our staff based on their performance, service and knowledge. Our guidelines for tipping our staff is: porters 100 Soles. Assistant cook 150 Soles. Main Chef 300 Soles. Assistant Tour guides can be tipped collectively by the members of the group. Main guides are tipped on a one on one basis.

Bring for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 

• A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack –appropriate packs to carry your personal belongings.
• Original passport with the migration Peru card (for Trains, Machu Picchu Park, and Hotels)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required).
• Swimwear for the hot springs of Lares
• Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
• 3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans): 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent before the trip.
• Layers for variable temperatures especially at night
• 1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as – 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even if we are in dry season!
• 1 warm/Winter jacket
• Thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights.
• 4 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried). It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks because the weather is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or overheat.
• 4 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
• 1 good sleeping bag liner that is super lightweight and easy to pack. Definitely does its Job!
• Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seems to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.
• Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
• Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
• Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoors is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so an anti-itch medication could be helpful.
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel back
• Water (only for first day hike). Then we will provide you with water throughout the hike.
• Camera and film
• A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
• Bandages or moleskin
• Flip flops to change into at night–your toes will thank you!.
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (for feet great for potential blisters), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses if required and supplies, hand sanitizer etc.–and whatever else you need, but pack light.
• Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach. Some people get an upset stomach on the trek. With 8-10 hours of hiking each day, you need to get over whatever the day throws at you quickly, so bring some meds.
• Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
• Something to read in the evenings
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, & tips to your staff
• Additional Notes

Gift for Andean children “Optional”

Lares Trek. We recommend bringing: Coloring books, crayons, pens, notebooks, pencils, stickers, clothes, toys, etc. but not candies or chemical products. . Children will love to receive these gifts when we pass through Andean communities which have schools.

Prices:

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group. Prices are valid from March 2018 through January 2019. All prices quoted are $USD.

Group Tour:

$549 per person

A group tour means that it is open for other trekkers to join you. This means that your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. All our guides are experts on how to keep the trek moving and happy no matter how fast you hike.

Important: Price includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Private Tour:

Private tours are available and priced by party size.

2 Trekkers: $655 per person
3 Trekkers: $635 per person
4 Trekkers: $615 per person
5 Trekkers: $605 per person
6 Trekkers: $595 per person
7 Trekkers: $570 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $555 per person

* All our tours are priced in US Dollar.

Important: Price includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).

Discounts:

• Student Discount: US$20.00 Check this link:( http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/items/estudiantes.html )
• Under 15 years will pay as student: US$20.00
• Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 25.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Vistadome Train Aguas Calientes-Cusco: USD65.00 (Need to book in advance)

Upgrades:

Hotel Upgrades:

• Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (5 star hotel) – US $480 per person per night (double occupancy)
• Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (4 star hotel) – US $245 per person per night (double occupancy)
• Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – US $55 per person per night (double occupancy)

Train Upgrades:

• Vistadome train -US $65 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Hiram Bingham train (deluxe) -US $385 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy

Rentals:

• Hiking poles – US$20.00
• Sleeping bag – US$25.00
• Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$35.00
• Private Tent – US$30.00