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Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 04 days – 03 nights

$620 per person

Tour Details

Lares Trek will truly take you to remote zones, unknown valleys where few visitors have ventured so far. This journey takes you off the beaten track in the Andes, crossing gorgeous lush valleys, passing nice villages where the natives still employ traditional ways of life. A trek to Lares is like going back in time, a different world where Spanish is the second language, and Quechua language is the native, where native still live in harmony with the Mother Nature. On our third day, we’ll take a fantastic train journey descending to the cloud forest where is situated one of the wonders of our Planet “The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”. Join us on these great adventures and experience, a unique trek in Peru.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

Type of Tour

Archaeological, cultural, ecological, hiking and camping

Duration:

04 Days – 03 Nights

Starting point:

Cusco

Ending point:

Cusco

GROUP SERVICE: (2 to 8 people MAX): Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is recommended for everybody who likes the adventure, families, honeymooners and couples.

PRIVATE SERVICE: All inclusive for families with children, honeymooners and couples. Special trek programme just for you, and you can depart any day you wish and choose the group size, we don’t add any people, is arranged just for you. All private groups include additional services, such as: extra porters, horses to ride and to carry your personal gear (for alternate treks), First class Vistadome train, luxury hotels if required.

Inclusions

Transfer from your hotel
Tourist Transportation from Cusco to Lares town
Professional English-Spanish Speaking Tour Guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 10 people
Professional Chef and Assistant
Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
Food: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
Vegetarian food option
Camping Equipment Tents for 02 people, dining tent with tables and chairs
Sleeping mattress
Oxygen bottle, first aid kit
Train Tickets from Ollantaytambo to “Aguas Calientes”
Hotel Accommodation in the town of “Aguas Calientes”
Bus ticket from “Aguas Calientes” to Machu Picchu
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Train ticket Expedition Service from “Aguas Calientes” to Ollantaytambo
Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and Hotel

Not Included

Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips to the guide and support staff, city services.
First breakfast (first day) is normally provided at your hotel before leaving.
Last lunch at the end of the tour on the 4th Day.
Single tent supplement: $15 USD
Sleeping bag (optional): $15 USD
Vistadome train upgrade : 60.00 USD.

We Recommend that You Bring

Trekking daypack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho.
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
Sandals or plastic slips on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf. Thermal wear is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block cream
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
We advise you to bring water, sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
Your own medical kit with any special medications.
Small towel or sarong
Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend swimming in hot springs )
Enough cash for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day).

Itinerary

Day 1Cusco – Lares valley – Quishuarani

Early morning wake-up. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and we’ll drive through the Sacred Valley turning off at the town of Calca to head to Lares village – the drive takes around 3 hours. Once we arrive to the town, we’ll go up to the Hot Springs where we could relax and enjoy these beautiful outdoor hot springs. Lunch will be served here. Our bus will wait for us during this time and then, we’ll continue our journey for around 20min to the start of the trail known as PASCANA. From here, we’ll start our hike to Quishaurani. Here, we’ll meet up with our muleteer and pack the horses. The trek will take us around 2 hours and a half. Once we arrive, our campsite would have been set up for us. In the free time that we have, we could meet some of the locals “campesinos” and see some weaving techniques. This is a lovely day filled with great landscapes and the opportunity to visit several Andean villages. Upon our arrival, we will take a good rest in our tents, and then we will join our guide for dinner at the dinning tent. Finally, we will go to rest in our tents (Lunch and Dinner).

Day 2Quishuarani – Cancha Cancha

This morning, we’ll depart early as this is going to be our longest day on the trail. We will hike 7 hours approx. today with a midday lunch break. We’ll start our ascent to the highest point of the trek, Pachacutec Pass (4,450 masl). From the pass, you will be rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. The path then continues downhill for about 2 hours and ½ to the village of Cancha Cancha where we’ll have our campsite waiting for us. Today, you have a chance to see an abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora. Finally, we will arrive at the Cancha Cancha campsite where we will pitch up the tents and then we will have dinner with the group at our dinning tent. Overnight at the Cancha Cancha campsite (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 3Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo – “Aguas Calientes”

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll start our easy hike today. We will walk down hill for approx. 5 hours hiking to the village of Huaran. From there, we’ll take local transport to the town of Ollantaytambo a beautiful well-preserved Andean town. Where you will have time to explore the archaeological site, then we will take our transport back to Cusco city.

Day 4Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

At around 05:30 a.m, soon after breakfast, we will take the local bus that will take us up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In a matter of 20 minutes, we will be arrived in Machu Picchu (it is a good idea to come to the ruins early, as there are no many people, only a few groups, once here, our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the “Intiwatana” (Solar Clock), the Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector, among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then, in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it remains. But while the walls and chambers have been extensively studied in the years since, the purpose of this ancient site remains unclear. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and afterwards you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own, and if you wish, you might climb the Wayna Picchu Mountain, the huge mountain that appears on the background in every classic picture of Machu Picchu. It takes about one hour or so to get to the top, following very steep stairs, though is a little hard, at the top you will be rewarded with one of the most impressive views in your lifetime. Later on, we will take the bus down to “Aguas Calientes” where we will have lunch and also where we’re gonna catch the train back to Cusco. At “Aguas Calientes”, if you wish, you can go to relax in the thermal baths. The hot springs are located on the upper section of the village; visitors may ask their local guide how to get there. Finally, at around 04:00 p.m, we’ll take the train to the city of Cusco, arriving there after nightfall. Overnight at the designated hotel in Cusco.

Gallery

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

Entrances Tickets to Machu Picchu – Wayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu Mountain are limited, check the availability: www.machupicchu.gob.pe

Please note that you must book and pay a deposit in advance, so we can secure your spots. For high season (May to October, 4-5 months in advance, low season: November to April, 2-3 months in advance). Student price for people under the age of 24, you need to indicate in the comments section of the booking.

Note: Horses will carry the heavy gear; you will hike carrying only your personal pack, sleeping bag and pad.

If you are considering to bring special photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or just simply don’t want to carry anything, please request an additional horse ($95 USD) to carry your personal belongings, this way you will freely enjoy the hike (this is highly recommended if you have never hiked over 10,000 ft.). Chefs will deal with all the kitchen chores.

Frequently Asked Questions-(FAQ)

How difficult is Lares Trek to Machu Picchu?

You just need to remember that you are able to go at a speed that is comfortable for you. Take your time, pace yourself, and enjoy. Lares Trek is considered as a moderate hike; not a technical hike but high altitude may affect some people.

Are trekking poles or sticks necessary?

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are multiple times during the trek that trekking poles are handy, be it ascending a mountain or walking along the rough trails.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Lares Trek?

It’s impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Your ability to adapt to high altitude is determined by your genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full 2-day trip spent in Cusco (3,399 masl), taking it very easy and drinking plenty of water is enough for some people but if you can arrange to have minimum 2 days in case of any travel disruptions as well then this is what we recommend as there is also so much to do here! The highest point, you will reach while hiking the Lares Trek reaches 4,590 masl on the 2nd day.

Will I need to bring water?

We recommend that you purchase a 1.5 – 2liter bottle of water to take with you on the first day. If you are planning to drink from any streams or waterfalls, we strongly suggest you bring water purification tablets or filters. You will also be able to buy water along the way on Day 1, for the first few hours of Day 2, then again on the afternoon of Day 3, 4 and of course at Machu Picchu.

Is the trail still good during the rainy season?

Some people actually like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists but we say please be prepared for wet weather and have suitable clothes and equipment.

Will I be able to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu?

You first encounter Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the high mountains encircling it. It is already dawn but this impressive moment of Machu Picchu coming out of the shadows of the looming mountains is awesome.

Will I be able to climb Wayna Picchu Mountain?

As long as you book and pay in advance for certain dates in high season it may be necessary to pay 3-4 months in advance, last minute bookings of this trek will possibly miss out on permits in high season so, we can include the Machu Picchu Mountain permit instead, the trail to Wayna Picchu is safe, very steep with use of chains and not recommended for those with vertigo. It is about an hour and a half round-trip. And there are only 2 times during the day, it can be climbed with a sign in and out security system.

How can I use it to get a discount?

FOREIGN OR CAN** UNDER GRADUATED UNIVERSITY STUDENT Student discounts: This discount is made to the Machupicchu Entrance ticket by the Peruvian Government. If you are claiming a student discount you must email us a scanned copy of your Student ID card (containing photo, complete name, college name and expiration date) after proceeding with the booking form. If you cannot provide us with a scanned copy of the card we will charge you the standard adult trek price. Recent Government policy for getting this discount also includes: Student must be under 26 years old, student card expiration date must be no later than one year after the start of your trek, it does not have to be linked to a credit card (e.g. showing Visa, MasterCard, etc.), Graduated student Cards and ISIC cards are not valid. Only Student ID cards with these features are acceptable. You must take the Student ID card with you on the Salkantay Trek as it will be checked. Unfortunately, no other form of student id is acceptable. Child discounts: Children under 16 years old receive the same discount as a student. If you are claiming a child discount you must email us a scanned copy of your child’s passport (page containing photo and date of birth) after proceeding with the booking form. If you cannot provide us with a scan of your child’s passport we will charge you the standard adult trek price for your child.

Will I need any extra money?

It is indispensable such as the natural hot springs in “Aguas Calientes” (10 soles), and/or Cocalmayo hot springs in Santa Teresa town and tips for the trekking staff, souvenirs, snacks in Machu Picchu, bottled water, drinks, etc. You should take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

Do Tour guides speak English?

Completely fluent in English. Our guides are also one of the most popular aspects of our tours some of them being historians and archaeologists and all demonstrate a great passion for their culture and heritage.

General FAQ’s & Terms & Conditions

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu (4 Days)

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