Lares Machu Picchu trek in 4D/3N

Lares Machu Picchu

The real sustainable trekking in the Andean Communities 4D/3N

Price as Adult US$ 400.0 Price as Student with ISIC Card US$ 380.0

Price from March,2012 : US$ 430 As Adult / As Student US$ 410

Distance: 46km / Duration: 4 days / When to go: from April to October / Altitude: 2700 masl to 4600 masl / Difficulty: Moderate.

The Lares valley is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Cusco. Lares Valley is particularly well known for its very high-quality, brightly colored weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish...The 4 days Lares Llama Trek is a great alternative, ending at Machu Picchu. The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, one pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. This 4-day, newly developed itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain scenery in a remote area and visits to authentic Quechua communities such as Wacawasi, Willog, Patacancha and reaches Aguas Calientes on the third day. The last day is devoted to the visit of the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.To have the best experience we combine interaction with the local people and use their Llamas to carry all the camping gear and our backpacks, how ancient Andean people did.

This trek takes us into the Lares region of the Peruvian Andes, passing green valleys, tranquil mountain lakes and high passes, with breathtaking views of snow-capped Andean peaks rising to just under 6,000 meters. Our route takes us through many small village communities that offer a rare & fascinating insight into traditional Andean life. Finally we make our way by train to Aguas Calientes and continue on to Machu-Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas. We have plenty of time to explore this renowned and fascinating site, climb to Huayna Picchu, walk to Sun-Gate etc.

Last Minute Information If you are wanting to include an ascent of Huayna Picchu in your visit to Machu Picchu beware that there are new regulations and permits have to be bought in advance. The cost to have a Machu Picchu entrance that includes the permits to climb Huayna Picchu is $10 extra and you need to indicate yes to this in your web reservation at the time of your booking….There is a limit of only 400 permits for climbing Huayna Picchu and only 200 people are permitted to enter for each of the 2 sessions scheduled for 7am and 10 am. The guide will organize the tour of Machu Picchu around people’s climb of Huayna Picchu depending on how many in the group have permits. Please note your entrance to Machu Picchu and permit for Huayna Picchu are with your name and passport details so are non transferable and non refundable.

Day01: Cusco – Calca – Lares Valley – Hot Spring – Wacawasi ( Camping ).- At 6am private vehicle will pick you from your hotel, transfer through the sacred valley, archaeological remains, Andean markets, cultivated Inca terraces, small villages, and then pass the highest point of this trek know Huacacasi (4450m), from here downhill to Lares valley (3250m), where we have time to enjoy the thermals baths. Buffet Lunch is provided there as well. Here will meet the rest of our trek team, Cook and the Llameros (Llama or Horses handlers), Llamas or Horses to carry all food, our backpacks, and the camping gear…Three hours of uphill trekking to Wacawasi, there we will set up, our campsite, here there is nice chance to meet the locals and they will show their artisan weaving exhibition and lessons about its ancient techniques.

Meals Buffet Breakfast,Lunch , Dinner and Snacks/ Maximum Altitude: 4,450 m/714476 ft Minimum Altitude: 3,800m/1,250ft / Distance Travelled: 10km approx. / Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Accommodation: Camping.

Day02: Wacawasi - Abra Ipsay – Patacancha (Camping). - Today you must wake up at 7am and country breakfast with spectacular scenery. Today is the largest and hardest day of this entire Llama trek, will hike between 7 to 8 hours, on the beginning will be uphill to the Abra Ipsay (4480m). The climb is pretty hard with indescribable panoramic view of snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Chicon and surrounding by stunning landscape. Half way stop for lunch break. While hiking will pass Andean communities, they have a large knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textile so that their colorful clothes, unique from this region. After the pass we'll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3720m). Set up the tents and time to explore around on your own.

Meals Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, Buffet Dinner and Snacks / Maximum Altitude: 4,480 m/ Minimum Altitude: 3720 m Distance Travelled: 15 km approx. / Approximate Walking Time: 8-9 hours / Accommodation: Camping.

Day03: Patacancha – Pumamarka – Ollantaytambo ( Sacred Valley ) – Aguas Calientes Town HOTEL in Aguas Calientes.- Today will be 5 hours of downhill hike where we'll pass local communities such as Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m) and many others. From Patacancha through the landscape, crossing these villages we can taste the traditions and habits passed on by our ancestors throughout the times of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (the Inca-culture and traditions). Then we continue walking and arrive to Ollantaytambo (2850m) that speaks from its archaeological sites a wide story of Andean history. From Ollantaytambo ….Around 4pm aboard the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the bottom town of Machu Picchu. If time permit OPTIONAL visit the thermal baths located next of town (US$4 for entrance). …Overnight in a comfortable HOTEL (2 stars) Hotel PACHAMAMA INN www.pachamamainn.com with private bathroom, hot shower and next day breakfast.

Meals Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, and Dinner in Aguas Calientes / Maximum Altitude: 3,900 m/ Minimum Altitude:2,050m at Aguas Calientes /Distance Travelled:12Km approx. / Approximate.Walking-Time:5-6hours/Accommodation:AT-Hotel-PachamamaINN.

Day04: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Cusco –. - 1st OPTION...At 4:30am breakfast and begin of 2 hours climb to Machu Picchu archaeological site (2500m).2nd OPTION…At 5am breakfast and half hour later aboard the first tourist bus to drop us to Machu Picchu main door, and to be the first visitors Inside Machu Picchu archaeological site you will have complete guided tour of this spectacular and mystical place. The guided tour include walk through the different section such as the urban sector, the agriculture sector, and the religions zone was used by the Inca Culture. According with the time and your feeling you can coordinating with the tour guide climb to Huayna Picchu (Young Mountain) this climbing take around 1 hour to get the summit from where you can have the best panoramic view for photos of all Machu Picchu and of deep green canyon surrounding the sacred Inca City. At according time descend to Machu Picchu and then free time to explorer on your own. At mentioned time aboard a tourist bus to descend to Aguas Calientes town. Lunch will be in the town of Aguas Calientes and around 4pm we will aboard the backpacker train to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) or straight to Cusco and from here we take a private van to drop us to the hotel in Cusco about 8:30 PM.

Optional.-After complete guide tour of Machu Picchu, you can desire to ascend to Huaynapichu at 7am or 10am ( Extra cost to climb US$10 per person ) Another new option for climbers is the Machu Picchu Mountain, this is another highest mountain from you can have a better view of Machu Picchu ruins and Waynapichu. South Adventure Peru Tours recommend ascending to Machu Picchu Mountain and skipping the Wayna Picchu Mountain but since the 20th of July, 2011 the entrance has been limited to 4000 per day and everybody will have to pay another entrance cost which is S/25 per person and must be booked in advance!!

Meals Breakfast, Buffet Lunch (Except dinner on the last day) / Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m/ Minimum Altitude: 2,050 m at Aguas Calientes /Distance Travelled: 9 km approx. / Approximate Walking Time: 4-5 hours.

Stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes town.- Stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes? Yes, if you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after the trek this can easily be arranged. We will purchase your train ticket to return to Cusco the following day. You need to let us know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve your train tickets in advance. Obviously if you stay an extra night then you will have to pay for your accommodation which is US$ 45 per person at HOTEL PACHAMAMA INN the hotel is rated as 2stars with private bath and hot shower and next day breakfast )

Our 4 Day Lares Valley trek Includes:

Pre-information night before of your Lares Trek by your English speaking guide.
Official English-Speaking guide (two guides for groups over 6 people)
Private transport Cusco – Calca – Lares and back to your HOTEL on the last day.
Entrance fee to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Porters to carry food and camping equipment only along the way.
Experienced cook and Cooking equipment
Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
2 nights of camping along the Lares Trek
01 Night lodging at HOTEL PACHAMAMA INN in Aguas Calientes.
4 capacity tent - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
All BUFFET meals on the trail ( VEGETARIAN OPTIONAL )
Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast time
Train ticket Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes–Cusco (Backpacker train)
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Not incl. the bus back to Aguas Calientes )
Dining tent with camp tables and chairs.
Kitchen tent & Porters insurance
First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff

Our 4 Day Lares Valley trek NOT Included:

Optional entrance to the hot springs in Lares Valley on the first day ($3.5 USD) OR 10 Soles.
Entrance fee to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo ( 40 Soles )
Towel can be hired for $2 USD at the hot spring in Lares Valley & Aguas Calientes
Alcoholic drinks and Breakfast on the first day
Tips for the trekking crew, guides, cooks and porters. It`s a tradition
Personal porter or extra horse to help you to carry your PERSONAL item cost 9 Kilos $50 USD or 18 Kilos US$100 must be booked in advance.
Sleeping bag ( -Minus 20ºC) US$15 per bag x 2 nights
Single tent US$ 15 for 2 nights
Trekking poles US$20 a pair
Energy snacks will be very useful as chocolate bars, dried fruits
Last bus down Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes ( US$ 8.5 per person )I

What you need to Bring/Carry:

Original passport to be showed in the park control of Machu Picchu (Day 4).
Original and valid International Student Card (ISIC), only if you booked the trek as student.
Hiking boots (waterproof)in the dry season only sneakers
Long pants or slacks & Warm sleeping bag Minus 20ºC
A Daypack (for your personal porters we provide a duffle bag)
Long-sleeved shirts to prevent you from the sunburn.
T-shirts and Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or cold conditions.
Warm clothes , layers for variable temperature especially at night
Sweaters and a jacket (something warm for the night).
Gloves or Mittens, scarf, Wool socks, Woolen hat for cold nights.
Rain wear or poncho for the rainy season December - April
Camera with extra batteries and flash light , head torch and extra batteries
Bottle of water, more bottle of water can be purchase at Aguas Calientes town.
Snack (dried fruits, chocolates, etc).
Insect repellent to protect you from mosquitoes along the Trail
Hat and sun block to protect you from the sun.
Personal toilette items and personal medical kit.
2 Liter water bottle, disposable plastic bottles are forbidden along the hike.
Water purifying tablets optional, since we provide boiled water.
Bathing clothes for the hot springs in Lares and Aguas Calientes.
Extra money for drinks and tips , souvenirs in Soles
First Aid kit (Band-Aids, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, tablets for stomach troubles, medicines to avoid altitude sickness).
Day pack is good to bring to carry your camera, water, rain jacket.
Swimsuit (On the last day there is possibilities to swim on the hot spring of Aguas Calientes – only if time permit).
Optional: Trekking Poles with rubber covers (No Damage in Machu Picchu) without rubber covers you CAN'T use them.
Optional: Binoculars if you like to appreciate birds along the trail route.
Optional: GPS to map the campsites, and the Lares trek to MACHU PICCHU

Lares Trek weather- For more information about the weather click here please. http://www.senamhi.gob.pe/

IMPORTANT: Prices are NOT Included extra personal porters to carry your personal belongings (it is necessary to hire an extra porter for whole trip, 9 Kilos is US$ 50 and 18 Kilos US$100) Children 9 to13 can have a $40.00 discount (need to scan and email passports)…Children UNDER 6 OR 7 younger can have an extra $80.00 discount!

Local Kids and Adults.- Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.