Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

Lares Trek

Description

A route through impressive Andean landscape and a plenty diversity of cultures, located on the gorgeous Lares encircled by brilliant snowy peaks and a great variety of hot springs. You will visit highland far away settlements where life keep on much as it was ages ago and local dwellers conserve the Inca customs of their predecessors: authentic clothing and traditional agriculture side by side with llamas and alpacas helping to cultivate the best qualities of corn and potatoes around the world.

From those high, open spaces we go down into the exuberant forests around Machu Picchu, enjoying a great variety of flora, fauna, nature and exciting panorama, our trip finishing with a amazing sunrise and visit to the renowned 'lost city'.

This trek is perfect for those who take a pleasure in search of alternatives taking you through rustic communities in the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas.

ITINERARY LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N

Day 1
5:00 am Bus till Lares 11:00 am to 4:30 pm Hike : Lares – Pascana – Quishuarani
Day 2
7:00 am to 4:00 pm Hike : Quishuarani – Cancha Cancha
Day 3
8:00 am to 12:30 pm Hike : Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo 14:55 pm Train to Machu Picchu Optional: visit of the Hot Springs in Machupicchu Pueblo
Day 4
6:00 am to 4:00 pm Full Day at Machu Picchu: Guided tour Free Afternoon Return by train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 1

Cusco - Lares - Pascana - Quishuarani
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - Day 1

At 5:00 am our guide picks you all up from your hotels and we drive through the Sacred Valley turning at the town of Calca to head to Lares village – the drive takes around 3 hours. Once we arrive in town we go up to the Hot Springs where we can relax and enjoy these beautiful outdoor hot waters. Lunch is provided here. Our bus awaits us during this time and we then continue our journey for around 20 minutes to the start of the trail known as Pascana.

Here we meet up with our horsemen and pack the horses and llamas. We are ready to start our hike to Quishuarani for around 3 hours. When we get to our campsite everything has already been set up for us. In the free time in our hands we can come across some of the locals and appreciate their weaving techniques.

This is a lovely day filled with great landscapes and the opportunity to visit several Andean villages. Beware as the temperature drops at night so you should be ready with warm outfit.

Meals: Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 2

Quishuarani - Cancha Cancha
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - Day 2

After a delicious breakfast we leave Quishuarani. This is going to be our longest day on the trail as we continue north east up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After ½ hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2½ hour trek to the highest passage, called Pachacutec Pass (4758m). From here you are rewarded with superb views of Pachacutec Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray.

The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes. We have lunch in that beautiful place. We then keep on following the lip of the corrie descending into the next valley, and we pass by a series of cascading waterfalls until we reach the village of Cancha Cancha. We camp here for the night.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 3

Cancha Cancha - Huaran - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - Day 3

After a delicious breakfast we start our easier hike of the day following the small Cancha Cancha River. It's a 4 hour trek to our destination, the small village named Huaran. From here we take a local transport to the town of Ollantaytambo, a beautifully well preserved Andean town you have some time to explore before boarding on the 3:00 pm train to Aguas Calientes. We spend the night in a nice hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Optional: you can give an early night visit to the Aguas Calientes' Hot Springs where the entrance fee is US $4.

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Tea Time - Dinner.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DAY 4

Full day at Machu Picchu
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu - Day 4

We have breakfast and then take the 6:00 am bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. A walking tour of approximately 2 hours is then given by your tour guide, after which you can explore the mysterious city all by yourselves.

If you got your Waynapicchu entrance ticket (entry limited to 400 people daily for an additional cost of US $ 15.00 so you should better get it when you book your tour) you can also climb the neighboring mountain Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft). Keep in mind that it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top so you might seriously reduce your time on the prestigious site.

Once you are filled with those mystical vibes, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to get on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo followed by a bus to Cusco. We are in Cusco at around 10:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast.

Note for the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

The itinerary and campsites are subject to change depending on the time of booking. It can also vary depending on the climate or the health status of the trekkers. The train (to and from Ollantaytambo) included in every tour is the Expedition Service. Train times will only be confirmed near the time of the trek; thus if you join a group later we cannot guarantee you will be travelling on the same trains as the rest of the group. Train times are also subject to change depending on the train company timetables or availability.

What You Need | Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

  • Original passport (and International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
  • Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
  • Warm jacket, hat and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sun glasses
  • Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
  • Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
  • Water, water purification tablets r money to buy water along the way
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and films
  • Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)

Optional Items to Take | Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

  • Shorts
  • Walking stick (with rubber tip)
  • Plasters and bandages
  • Sandals
  • Extra money
  • Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes) where the entrance fee at the door is US$4

Discounts | Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

  • To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC card. Scan the card and email us the copy at the time of your booking. We will then offer a $20 discount per student
  • For children younger than 16, we offer a $20 discount (you also need to scan and email us a copy of the passports)

Include | Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

  • Transfers In / Out
  • Transportation from Cusco to Lares where we start walking
  • Professional bilingual tour guide
  • Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machupicchu
  • Bus tickets to Machupicchu Inca City and Machupicchu town
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 3 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day; the first breakfast and every meals after the breakfast on day 4 are not included
  • Professional cook: all our fresh vegetables are washed to serving and we provide only boiled water for drinking. Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost! All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip
  • Drinking water for every meal
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • First aid kit
  • 1 oxygen tank
  • Horses and llamas (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
  • Duffle bag (in which you can put up to 6 kilos of your personal belongings - your sleeping bag included)
  • Horse men
  • Quadruple & waterproof Camping tent (cap. 4 fitting 2)
  • 1 sleeping mattress per person
  • 1 night in a touristic hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco

Trip Details