Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 nights.

DIFFICULTY DEGREE : CHALLENGING 

ITiNERARY:

Day 1: Cusco to Lares

We leave Cusco at 6:00am in a private transportation and drive for an approximated 4h through part of the Sacred Valley to then head towards Lares (3100m/10168ft), a little rural village located in the beautiful valley of the same name, hosting some well-known hot springs. Upon arrival, we leave our equipment and continue towards Choquecancha, an impressive archaeological site with amazing views of the neighboring valleys. After our visit, we hike back to Lares, where we can enjoy an evening dip in its hot springs before or after our dinner is served. Our camp will be set next to the thermal baths and access is free the whole night.
Meals: L, D

Day 2: Lares to Ipsayqocha

After an early wake up and breakfast, we meet our horsemen and horses and leave our campsite at around 9.00am to walk along an ascending path that will lead us to Huacahuasi, (3600m/11808ft). This remote Andean community is located in an impressive valley, where the typical lifestyle and house constructions of the Quechua communities living at high altitude can be appreciated. We stop to visit a typical house and family, before we enjoy our lunch. In the early afternoon, we continue our hike ascending toward the mountain pass of Ipsay (4450m/14596ft/3h), walking through little communities and impressive flats (pampas) with the presence of llamas and alpacas. The pass offers impressive views of Mount Veronica and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Just half an hour from this point is Ipsayqocha, a beautiful lagoon next to which we set our camp and spend the night, amidst an awesome scenery.
Meals: B, L, D

Day 3: Ipsayqocha to Aguas Calientes

We leave our camp at around 7.30am and following a downhill path, we continue our hike towards Patacancha (1,5-2h). This is a well-known textile Andean community that still preserves the ancient Quechua traditions and dressing code at its best, where we will stop to visit. We then continue an additional 1,5 hour until we reach Huilloq, hiking along a gorge with increasing vegetation as we approach the Sacred Valley. Huilloq is another well-preserved authentic Andean community, where our private transportation will be waiting for us to take us to Ollantaytambo. We then board an afternoon train that will take us to Aguas Calientes Machu picchu Town. Upon arrival, we will be accommodated at the selected hotel/hostel.
Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Machu picchu to Cusco

After an early breakfast, we board a bus to go up to Machu picchu and then immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. We then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can appreciate spectacular views of all of Machu picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.
Meals: -

Departure and arrival times are approximated.

** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the evolution of the groupDay 1: Cusco to Cancha Cancha

What is included:

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private bus to Lares, the starting point of the trek
• Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, 2005-new, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field.
• One foamy sleeping pad per person
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Toilet tent
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people)
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking
• 1 emergency horse every 6 persons
• Accommodation for our guides, cook and horsemen
• Meals (02B, 03L, 03D + daily morning snack +daily tea service except last day)
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• Lares hot springs entrance fee
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• RT train ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Cusco (in the event of not finding spaces available for the return trip direct to Cusco: RT train ticket Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes –Ollantaytambo + private transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco)
• Machupicchu entrance fee
• RT bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco – Aguas Calientes (day 4)
• equipment)

Not included:

• Breakfast on the first day
• Dinner on the last day

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

• An extra Horse to carry you US$ 60.00 / 4 days.
• Sleeping Bag rent: US$ 5.00 / day. Our sleeping bags are –5ºC-comfort and mummy form and include a sleeping bag liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
• Therm-a-rest inflatable mattress rent: US$ 5.00 / day.
• Massage sessions: US$60.00 per 1-hour session (US$50.00 per session if at least 2 sessions are booked). Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco, attending most 4 and 5-star hotels in the city. Our service includes pick-up from your hotel and transfer back after the session, as well as the service of our therapists in any of the following treatments: relaxing massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude problems, aroma therapy, therapy with honey, therapy with glass, therapy with stones, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and puddle of flowering. We recommend massage sessions before and after the trek. Sessions can be arranged both in Cusco and in Aguas Calientes.

WHAT WE RECOMMENED THAT YOU BRING.

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (it can be hired at our agency for US$ 5.00 / day)
• Mattress: will be provided by the agency but is to be carried by you
• Flashlight and 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
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)

DEPATURES: Every Thrusdat & Sunday.