04 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

04 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

This Tour 04 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu combines beautiful lakes, local Quechua communities of farmers and weavers who are still living traditional lifestyles in the mountains, cultivating the practices of ancient knowledge and continuing to build stone houses similar to those of Inca times. The trail passes through highland communities with majestic views of the magnificent snow-capped mountains, herds of llamas and alpacas before arriving to the community of Patacancha-Ollantaytambo for lunch on the third day of the trek. In the afternoon we catch the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes troughtout the sacrey valley to spend the night and prepare to visit the most important Inka city in the Andes: Machu Picchu.

Level of difficulty (low, medium, high): medium
Required fitness level (low, medium, high):medium

DAY 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

DAY 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

Our first day of the Lares trek starts of in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.

This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.

Lodging: Campside

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2 hour walk right at the beginning.

As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Qhechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.

Lodging: Campside

DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – hopefully by now you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyones delight and amusement). After the visit you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.

Leaving Cuncani it’s just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we’ll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.

Lodging: Hatun Samay Hotel *** or similar

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

INCLUDED:

• Personalized service with not more than 08 people
• Professional bilingual tour guide.
• Assistant tour guide for groups of 9+.
• Chef.
• Train to Machu Picchu Round Trip with Inca Rail Company.
• Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 15 lbs/ 07kg of your personal items.
• Pick up from your hotel and transportation from your hotel to the start of trail.
• Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco.
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
• 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Inflatable ” Thermares or Rei sleeping Mattress (you need to carry ).
• EUREKA- Comfortable and very spacious 4 man tent (one tent is used by two people)
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes, Day 3.
• First aid kit.
• Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
• Breakfast on Day 1, lunch Day 4.
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$35
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

THINGS TO BRING:

• Original Passport
• Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries or Head lamps.

Discounts:

• Group of 05 or more: US$ 25:00 All of you need is to book the trek altogether at the same time.
• Under 18 years old: US$ 25:00 Please send us a copy of the passport at the booking time.
• Student Discount (Maximum Age 25 years old): US$ 25:00 Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using an university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@inkayniperutours.com.  More Information about STUDENT CARD.