LARES TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N

itinerary

This less-known hike departs from the Sacred Valley of the Incas to enter a route where amazing mountain scenery, glacier lagoons, valley cloud-forest and authentic textile Quechua communities are combined to finally reach the village of Lares, where you can end the trek by relaxing in its famous hot springs. A unique hike to get in touch with Andean people and learn about their traditions and life-style. Social help is appreciated.

DAY 1: CUSCO - CALCA - AGUAS TERMALES LARES - WACAWASI
We leave from Cusco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley, arriving at Aguas Termales Lares. We spend the morning in the medicinal hot springs, and after lunch we have four hours of trekking to our campsite.
L/D

DAY 2: WACAWASI - EPSAYCOCHA
After continuing up through the valley, we arrive at the community of Huacawasi. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. We will observe their great skills and brilliant techniques as they make ponchos and other garments. Passing the village we begin climbing up to Condor Pass, the second pass of the trip at 4300m. From here, we catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently for about one hour, we come to the beautiful Epsaycocha Lake, our last campsite.
B/L/D

DAY 3: EPSAYCOCHA - PATACANCHA - WILLOQ - OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHUPICCHU TOWN
Today our trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, we eventually arrive at the community of Willoq, where we have lunch. Finally arriving to Ollantaytambo. situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mammoth mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world, here the group takes the train to Aguas Calientes and spends the night there in a comfortable hotel.
B/L/D

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU
After an early breakfast, we'll take the bus to Machu Picchu. There we will register and start on our 2 hour guided visit. After enjoying the ruins, we will take the bus down to MACHUPICCHU TOWN, where you will have free time to enjoy the town and have time for lunch before we return to Cusco. B

* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress

PRIVATE SERVICE
Group Size: Depends on the client
Departures: Depends on the client

what is included

• Transportation to and from: Hotel - Lares Hot Springs / Poroy train station - Hotel
• Transportation: Willoq - Ollantaytambo (3rd day)
• Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; (2 guides for groups over 12 people)
• Cook: In charge of meal preparation
• Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 8 kg / 17 lbs per person)
• Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help
• Bus ticket: MACHUPICCHU TOWN - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (4th day)
• Ticket: Machu Picchu
• Hotel: Double accommodation in MACHUPICCHU TOWN (3rd night)
• Vistadome Train Service: Ollantaytambo - MACHUPICCHU TOWN - Poroy
• Meals: 3 Breakfasts/4 Lunches/3 Dinners/3 snacks and afternoon tea
• Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), Therm-a-rest sleeping pad, dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle

what is not included

• Breakfast (day 1), usually the hotels offer this service
• Sleeping bag

important

EXTRAS:

• US$ 10 Sleeping bag rental(-10°C) for the whole trek
  
• US$ 12 Single tent accommodation

SHARED SERVICE

• Group Size: 2 - 16 people
  
• Fixed departure: daily

INCLUDES:

• Transportation to and from: Hotel - Lares Hot Springs, starting point of the trek / Train station - Hotel
  
• Transportation: Willoq - Ollantaytambo (3rd day)
  
• Guide: english or Spanish speaking professional tour guide;( 2 guides for groups over 12 people )
  
• Kitchen tent, Dining tent with tables and chairs
  
• Chef and cooking equipment
  
• Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 6 kg / 13 lbs per person)
  
• Ticket: Machu Picchu
  
• Bus ticket: MACHUPICCHU TOWN - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (4th day)
  
• Hostel: Double accommodation in MACHUPICCHU TOWN (3rd night)
  
• Train Service: Ollantaytambo - MACHUPICCHU TOWN - Cusco
  
• Meals: 3 Breakfasts/3 Lunches/3 Dinners/3Snacks and afternoon tea
  
• Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), sleeping pad, dinner tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle

DOESN'T INCLUDE:

• Breakfast (day 1), usually the hotels offer this service
  
• Sleeping bag
  
• last Lunch (day 4)
  Extra money for souvenirs, drink and tips for your crew guides cooks, horse herders $20-25 approx ( Tips are optional also are a great gesture of esteem to them )

EXTRAS:

• US$ 10 Sleeping bag rental (-10°C) for the whole trek
• US$ 15 single accommodation

Optional services to be hired Accommodation in MACHUPICCHU TOWN or Machupicchu:

Please let us know if you wish us to make the hotel booking and, in this case, your requested hotel category and accommodation as well as the number of nights you wish us to book, Our Reservation Department will provide you with a list of our selected hotels, services and prices for you to choose from. Our hotel choice is based on previous client reports and regularly updated.

• An extra horse to carry your personal items: Peruvian Soles s/46.50 per day. A horse can carry up to 20 kg
  
• Sleeping bag rent: Peruvian Soles s/12.40 per day. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
  
• Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent: Peruvian Soles s/15.50 per day
• Appropriate clothing along this hike Hiking pants and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required along the route. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

What we recommend that you bring

• Along the route to Lares, temperatures range from 10-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 5-15ºC during the day if not sunny and depending on the elevation. Temperatures drop at night, especially in the first two campsites, at higher elevation, reaching 0-5ºC although rarely below.
  
• 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
  
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
  
• Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
  
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended
  
• Sleeping bag (please inform our Reservations Department if you wish to book this extra service at the moment of your booking)
  
• Sleeping pad: will be provided by us but is to be carried by you
  
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
  
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  
• Sun block
  
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
  
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied,This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
  Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route,Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
  
• Small towel
  
• Swimsuit (if you wish to take a bath in the hot springs)
  
• Cash in soles and/or US$
  
• Optional: walking sticks or poles