Lares Trek & Machu Picchu

Lares Trek is an amazing 4-day trek with outstanding combination of mountain scenery and valleys in a remote area where we will see authentic Quechua communities and its inhabitants still live in thatched stone houses and shepherd their llamas and alpacas below the snowcapped mountains. This trek ends at Machu Picchu. This trek does not require permits as the Inca Trail; however as it combines with Machu Picchu trip and therefore train tickets between “Ollantaytambo” and the town of “Aguas Calientes” is better to buy it several weeks in advance.

Lares Valley is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Peru. Lares Valley is particularly well-known for its very high-quality, brightly coloured weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away often don’t speak Spanish. The Lares trek to Machu Picchu itself is rated moderate, similar to the regular Inca trail.

TREK AT A GLANCE

TIMING: 4 days and 3 nights.
STARTING POINT: Cusco hotel.
ENDING POINT: Cusco hotel.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Challenging.
DISTANCE: 41 Km
ALTITUDE: 4,600 masl to 2,000 masl
DIFFICULTY: The trek is rated moderate to challenging; any reasonably fit person should be able to cover the route.
TEMPERATURES: From -5ºC to 28ºC

NOTE: If you require assistance to purchase your air tickets from Lima to Cusco, we can assist you on this issue.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

Certified, medically trained guides (two guides for seven people or more) that’ll lead you safely on your journey
  Round trip transportation from Cusco to Lares valley and from Machu Picchu to Cusco
  Enjoy the natural hot springs at Lares village
  3 days trekking through the Urubamba Mountain range
  2 nights camping with all facilities
  Visit the traditional communities
  Ride the train through the Urubamba valley
  Explore full day the stunning Machu Picchu
  Enjoy free time within Machu Picchu

BRIEF TREK ITINERARY

DAY 1: Cuncani

4-hour bus journey to Quishuarany (small community) and enjoy the lifetime trip to Machu Picchu.

DAY 2: Ipsayccocha

Today, we will pass the highest pass (4,450 masl /14,596 ft.) where you will be rewarded with stunning mountain scenery.

DAY 3: Aguas Calientes

We will trek in the morning and in the afternoon, we will ride train for two hours through the Urubamba Valley to the picturesque town of “Aguas Calientes”.

DAY 4: Machu Picchu

Very early, we will take the bus for 25 minutes up to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise and explore every important place; in the afternoon, we will return to Cusco by train.

Detailed trek Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – CALCA – QUISHUARANY – CUNCANI

Lares Trek & Machu Picchu begins once we pick you up from your hotel at 05:00 a.m and travel by private bus at 04:00 p.m through the Sacred Valley of the Incas until Quishuarani (a small community – at 3,700 masl) starting point of the trek; here we will meet our horses and “arrieros” (muleteers)  whose will transport our belongs; we’ll start the trek going up gradually toward Willkakasa the first pass at 4,450 masl from here you will be rewarded by a nice views of some snow peaks and many lagoons around, then we’ll continue down to our camp at Cuncani community; This remote Andean community is located in an impressive valley from where we can see Colquecruz snowcapped mountain.

Meals: B-L-D.
  Accommodation: Camping.
  Maximum Altitude: 4,400 masl.
  Minimum Altitude: 3,800 masl.
  Distance of hike: approx 14 km.
  Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours.

DAY 2: CUNCANI – IPSAYCCOCHA

  After early breakfast, we’ll continue the trek toward Cuncani pass (4,100 masl) observing agricultural fields where andean farmers are cultivating potatoes and living in their traditional houses grassing some animals from the area as the llamas and alpacas; from the pass, the trail continues little down and after gradually up to the third and the highest pass of Ipsay (4,450 masl/14,596 ft.), walking across little communities with the presence of llamas and alpacas. The pass offers imposing views of “La Veronica Mountain” and the surrounding snow-capped peaks. From the pass, we’ll continue 1 hour down to Ipsayccocha; a beautiful lagoon next to which we will set up our camp and spend the night.

  Meals: B-L-D
  Accommodation: Camping
  Maximum Altitude: 4,600 masl
  Minimum Altitude: 3,900 masl
  Distance Travelled: approx 16km
  Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

DAY 3: IPSAYCCOCHA – OLLANTAYTAMBO – “AGUAS CALIENTES”

  After breakfast, we’ll leave our camp and continue the trek downhill through the picturesque valley until we reach Patacancha; this is a renowned textile Andean community that still preserves the ancient traditions and dressing code at its best. From Patacancha, we will take 1 hour and 30min by private bus to go down to Ollantayatambo and then the 2-hour train ride to the town of “Aguas Calientes”; here you could visit and relax in the natural hot spring. And be ready for the next day to explore Machu Picchu.

  Meals: B-L-D
  Accommodation: Hotel
  Maximum Altitude: 3,900 masl
  Minimum Altitude: 2,700 masl
  Distance Travelled: approx 11km
  Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours

DAY 4: “AGUAS CALIENTES” – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

  Early breakfast and we will take the first bus to see the sunrise at Machu Picchu. Since other groups arrive at midday, your tour will be quiet and relaxing; after 2 hours and 30min of tour you will have free time to walk around, climb up the Wayna Picchu Mountain where you can experience spectacular views or visit the Temple of the Moon. In the afternoon, we’ll meet each other at the town of “Aguas Calientes”, and then we will take the train back to Cusco where we’ll arrive after nightfall.

Meals: B

Lares Trek includes

All necessary things for this tour.
 Transportation: Tourist bus from Cusco to Quishuarani; starting point of the trek and tourist train expeditions class from Ollantaytambo to “Aguas Calientes” and from “Aguas Calientes” to Cusco; Bus up and down from “Aguas Calientes” to Machu Picchu.
  Camping equipments: We provide four people capacity tent for two people, brand new four-season tents, therm-a-rest, dining room tent, kitchen tent, toiled tent, seats, tables, tent for guides and helpers, cooking gear.
  Acommodations: 01 night at a basic hotel in the town of “Aguas Calientes”.
  Entrance fees to Machu Picchu.

  Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 hot lunches and 3 hot dinners with delicious meals prepared by professional chefs.
  Guide: English-speaking professional guides, 2 guides over 8 people.
  Cook: Professional Chef and Chef Assistants.
  Horses: For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears as well to carry your personal items (6kg per person) in duffel bags that we provide. Muleteers.
  Others: First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

Excluded

Sleeping bag: can be rented in our office for $20 USD for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use).
  Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer early morning breakfast service. If not, we’re gonna stop at Calca for your breakfast and also you can buy some items for the trek.
  Lunch in the town of “Aguas Calientes” on the final day you must consider a budget of $15 to 20 USD in average restaurant.
  Entrance to the thermal baths in “Aguas Calientes” (optional) $3 USD.
  Tips for the staff.

Trek Payment facts

For Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, we require a non-refundable trek deposit of $150 USD per person. The deposit can be sent by a WESTERN UNION or to our BANK ACCOUNT by money transfer (YOU ALSO CAN USE PAYMENT ONLINE). This is the fastest and most secure form of payment in Peru. The money transfer should be in the name of “SUNRISE PERU TREK TOUR OPERATOR E.I.R.L”. Once you arrive in Cusco, you must pay the remaining balance in cash prior to beginning your tour. We accept both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles (local currency).

Trek essential info

The night before your trek, there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office or in your hotel at either 06:00 or 07:00 p.m (exact time will be confirmed on arrival to Cusco).

he best Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers

COST OF THE TOUR

• The price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kilos,  we will provide you with a duffle bag at the briefing time.

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS

Students with ISIC CARD: US$25 – Please send us the copy of your VALID ISIC Card at time of booking.
  Under 18 years old: US$30 – Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  Group of 5 people or more: US$25 – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time

EXTRAS

Good, clean and warm -15° sleeping bag: US$20. This is for the whole trek.
  Vistadome upgrade train for the way back: from US$57 per person.
  Walking sticks: US$10 for the pair for the whole trek
  Huayna Picchu Mt: US$25

PRIVATE SERVICE LARES TREK

3 people $700 USD each
  4 people $600 USD each
  5 people $500 USD each

Lares Trek Location