Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

CUSCO - LARES - MACHU PICCHU

04 DAYS/03 NIGHTS

For hikers who want to escape to a part of Peru that has changed little over the last 500 years, In this beautiful region, you will meet real Andean farmers dressed in traditional brightly-colored ponchos. You will pass through local communities and see thatched-roof houses made from stone and surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas.

This trek is an excellent alternative for those who want to get off the ‘beaten track’ and have an insight into authentic communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountain, lake and valley landscapes. It begins from a small village in the Sacred Valley and ascends to 2 passes over 4000 meters (13123 feet) passing through traditional, colorful villages to finish in the relaxing hot springs in Lares.

Day 1

CUSCO – LARES – WACAWASI – SONDOR (L, D)

Bliss out with the beauty of the snow- capped mountain!

Day one begins with an early pick you up from your hotel in a private bus direct to the town of Lares. During this trip we’ll visit the timeless town of Calca with its typical markets known for its visits from the local people from the mountains. There we can eat a local breakfast and stock up on any food and drink supplies you may need for the day. From there we will be ascending a winding road up to the archaeological site of Ancasmarka (4000 m. /13123 ft) where we get to visit the ancient Inca warehouses on top of a mountain. We then continue our journey to the starting point of our trek where we will meet with our support team of wranglers and mules. They will carry all of the camping gear, together we start the walk up to Wacawasi village (3800 m. /12467 ft). This track continues to our camp at Sondor (4200 m. /13779 ft) in a place surrounded by picturesque mountains, fields, and local llama farms.

***To consider: Travel time by bus is approximately four hours from Cusco to the wonderful thermal baths located in Lares.

• Maximum altitude: 4200 m/13779 ft
• Estimated hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
• Distance: 10 km

Day 2

SONDOR – ABRA WACAWASI – ABRA HUAYRURO – MARKACOCHA (B, L, D)

Appreciate the insights into local life!

Day two begins with a light breakfast before beginning the ascent to our first challenge, the Wacawasi Pass peaking at 4560 m (Also known as Aurora step) the first step on the side of the mountains, to the great Pumahuanca (5300 m. /17388) that you will all get to glimpse. After a short break we’ll continue to our second challenge, the Wayruro Pass located (4540 m. /14895 ft) where we can appreciate the impressive snowcapped peaks of La Vernica – Abra Malaga. Then we descend through beautiful Andean landscapes, passing very closely to the local people continuing their traditional Andean daily tasks giving us a glimpse of their ancestral customs and traditions. During the hike, we will have a well-deserved lunch for our final descend to our Camp for the night Markacocha (3200 m. /9842 ft) in the warm valley of Patacancha.

• Maximum altitude: 4560m/14960ft
• Estimated hiking time: 8-9 hours
• Distance: 18 km

Day 3

MARKACOCHA – PUMAMARCA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES (B, BL)

Connect with locals in a small Andean village!

The third day is the easiest hiking day, as we enter the farthest part of the Sacred Valley. During the walk we will pass through the community of Purmamarca (3200 m. /10498 ft) descending along an ancient Inca trail through amazing farming terraces and beautiful streams to get to Ollantaytambo where we board our train to Aguas Calientes Town (2040 m. /6692 ft) right on the edge of the jungle. Aguas Calientes is located at the foot of the mountains leading to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Here we will spend the night in a hotel one minute walk from Urubamba the mighty Andean river. In the afternoon we will have free time, some people choose to do optional activities whilst here (not included), while others visit the popular markets.
On the way to Marcacocha – Ollantaytambo we will enjoy a delicious Box Lunch.

• Maximum altitude: 3200 m./10498 ft
• Estimated hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
• Distance: 10 km

Day 4

AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO

Delight with the Magnificent of the Lost City of the Incas!

Very early on the final day, we will have a breakfast at the hotel, before boarding the tourist bus that will transfer us to the sacred city of Machu Picchu and begin our guided tour which will last about 2 hours, visiting the temples, plazas, and religious sites of this enigmatic city. On completion of the tour, you will have a free time to explore the site on your own before finally descending back to Aguas Calientes at our scheduled time for lunch (Not included). We then board our train back to Ollantaytambo, and by bus returning to our hotel in Cusco.

• Guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Returning train Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo: 2hrs
• Transfer Ollantaytambo – Cusco: 2hrs

What's included?

  • Information prior to departure (Briefing).
  • Pick up from hotel and transfer to the thermal baths of Lares (this is the starting point or entrance to Machu Picchu).
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu (ticket).
  • Easygoing Peru, English speaking professional and official tour guide.
  • Spacious tents (2 persons per tent, double occupancy).
  • Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs.
  • Inside the tents: Mattresses.
  • Accommodation: 2 nights in tent and 1 night in hotel (Not Included).
  • Cargo Mules: to carry the all camping equipment and your personal baggage (5 kilos).
  • Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
  • Cook: In charge to prepared all the meals along the journey.
  • Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 dinners and 01 box lunch.
  • Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite we will wake you up with a cup of coca tea, our support staff will bring the coca tea (this will help you wake and is great for the altitude).
  • Safety staff: Our crew bring the First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Train tickets: From Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (expedition service).
  • Train tickets: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (expedition service).
  • Bus Tickets Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu and Machupicchu back to Aguas Calientes.
  • Transport: Transfer from Ollantaytambo Train Station to hotel in Cusco (Day 4).

Not included

  • Walking Sticks.
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Breakfast on the 1st day; Lunch on the 3th and 4th day; Dinner on the 4th day.
  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • Extra costs not mentioned in the program.
  • Entrance to the Thermal Baths of Lares and Aguas Calientes (Optional).
  • Extra Load (more than 5 kilos included in the package).
  • Hotel: 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes Basic.

We recommend that you bring

  • Passports (Original – it is essential, without it you will not gain access to Machu Picchu or the train).
  • International Student Identity Card (Original).
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Waterproof clothing.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
  • Walking stick.
  • Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp.
  • 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).
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
  • Light wear (t-shirt, short pants) to hike on the jungle.
  • Flashlight / headlamp and batteries.
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions) near please to charge the battery with electricity is the 3er day afternoon on the camp site.
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
  • Sun block.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel.
  • Bathing clothes for the hot springs.
  • Water bottle: water purifying tablets optional.
  • Personal medical kit with a simple whistle.
  • Extra money for souvenirs drinks (it is recommended you bring a bit more money with you as many visitors discover wonders along the way that they wish to buy, and card services here are very limited).

We recommend that you bring all of these items with you to make your journey pleasurable, it has been our experience that everyone that does has an incredible experience here trekking to one of the wonders of the world.

This trip is just an example of the amazing vacations our experts could plan for you.

Speak to one of the team today to start creating your private, bespoke trip.

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