Hike Lares Valley and Visit Machu Picchu

Valle de Lares Trek 4 days 3 Nigths

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. From Lares we drive to Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu on day 4 of the program. A unique hike to get in touch with Andean people and learn about their traditions and life-style. Social help is appreciated.

LARES TREK AN INCA TRAIL ALTERNATIVE (4 Days /3 Nights)

An Inca Trail Alternative: For those who do not book far enough in advance (usually several months), there are other hikes that can be just as challenging and rewarding as the Inca Trail. Most notable among these is the Lares Trek. Unlike the Inca Trail, there is no limit on the number of those who can hike the Lares route. Despite this, though, it is always significantly less crowded than the Inca Trail. However, it ends prior to the entrance of Machu Picchu and Lares trekkers must take the touristed bus up to the site.

Private or Group services
Begin from: Cusco / Sacred Valley / Calca /Lares
End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco
Duration: 04 Days/ 03 Nights
Physical Rating: Moderate/Challenging.
Accommodation: Camping service & Mattresses
Vistadôme or Backpacker train

Trip Highlights

Explore the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days in Peru
Gain an intimate understanding of centuries-old customs and traditions with expert local tour guides
Visit historic sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Discover the rich artistry of the Lares region’s weavings
Explore the best museum of interpretation of the pre-inca cultures of Peru, Inkarry museum.
Visit rural communities preserved in rich Incan culture
Learn more about the Inca’s religion and ceremonies with coca leaves.
Enjoy a train ride, with rapid changes of landscapes from the sacred valley to the cloud forest.
Take the ultimate cultural vacation to ancient and mystical sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

Activities

The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu has two hiking levels, Vigorous (the first two days will be challenging) and Moderate hikes, participants should be able to hike 3–6 hours (up to 8 miles) without major discomfort over terrain with some steep grades. For vigorous hikes, participants should be strong hikers in excellent shape and able to hike 6–8 hours (5–10 miles) on trails with steep ascents and descents. Much of the trip is between 11,000’–15,000’ in elevation, making activity more challenging.

We highly recommend a conditioning regimen consisting of activities such as hiking, jogging, stair climbing or cycling beginning several months prior to departure to get in shape for the adventure. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer.

The first two days will be a very steep terrain with little oxygen, and very cold temperatures. The third and fourth day is the tour by bus, train and short walks.

Accommodations
Confortable camping tents ,02 nights.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes Town,01 night.

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SCHEDULE: The Lares Valley Trek 4 Days.

Lares Valley trek Day 1: Cusco to Cancha Cancha

We leave Cusco at 7.00am in a private transport and drive for 2h towards Huarán, the starting point of our trek. On this first day, we walk for approximately 5h following an uphill path that starts in a valley with lush vegetation and that will take us to our first campsite in Cancha Cancha, a small farming community in the middle of a spectacular mountain scenery. We will stop for lunch along the way. Once we get to Cancha Cancha, we set our camp and get to know the local people and their way of living.
Meals: L, D

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Lares Valley trek Day 2: Cancha Cancha to Queuñaqocha Lagoon

We leave our camp after breakfast to start walking along an ascending path that will lead us to the first mountain pass of the trek, the Abra Pachacutec (4400m/14432ft/3h), from which we can enjoy awesome views of glacier lagoons and the surrounding valleys. Along the hike, we may also have spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains in the area, such as Colquecruz, Minas and Sirijuani. We will have lunch after the pass, to then descend to Quiswarani, a small peasant and textile community, from where we continue following an uphill path until we reach the beautiful lagoon of Queuñaqocha, where we set up our second camp.
Meals: B, L, D

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Lares Valley trek Day 3: Queuñaqocha Lagoon to Lares and Aguas Calientes

Today we continue our hike towards the second mountain pass, the Abra Willkiccasa (4100m/13448ft/2h), offering impressive views of both sides of the pass, especially of the Colquecruz and Pitusiray mountains. The trail continues along changing puna, lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer until we arrive in Cuncani 3h later, another small peasant community from where we follow our hike down a fertile valley with more vegetation, crops and agricultural communities. Along the trail we may see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After an approximated 2h walk we arrive in Lares, capital of the district with the same name, a large village whose principal attraction are its pleasant hot springs, where we can enjoy a dip. After lunch, our private transport will drive us to Ollantaytambo, where we board an afternoon train that will take us to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, we are accommodated at the selected hotel/hostel.
Meals: B, L

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Lares Valley trek Day 4: Machu Picchu to Cusco

After an early breakfast, we board a bus to go up to Machu Picchu and then immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. We then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can appreciate spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge.  In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.
Meals: –

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

• Private transportation Cusco to Lares
• icensed guide fluent in English and Quechua.
• Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• One way bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Admission ticket to the Machu picchu
• Private guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Hotel in aguas calientes
• 4 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and thick confortable mattress.
• Delicious meals during the 4 days as indicated in the itinerary
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipments (5 kilos of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Boiled water to fill in your bottles
• Transfer back to Cusco

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LARES VALLEY TREK  INCLUDED:

• Private transportation Cusco to Lares
• Experienced English / Spanish speaking guide
• Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• One way bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Admission ticket to the Machu picchu
• Private guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Hotel in aguas calientes
• 4 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and thick confortable mattress.
• Delicious meals during the 4 days as indicated in the itinerary
• Cook and cooking equipment
• Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipments (5 kilos of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
• Boiled water to fill in your bottles
• Transfer back to Cusco

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LARES VALLEY TREK NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast the first day (usually hotels have this service, or you can have breakfast in CaLca). Lunch & dinner the last day after Machu Picchu tour
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (entrance fee S/. 15.00, clean towels and swimsuits can be rented in the entrance office)
• Sleeping bag (can be rented in our offices).
• Bus  ticket to down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes unless required.
• Extra horse for carrying personal equipment from the first to the 3th day.

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YOU MUST BRING:

• Backpack
• Original passport
• Extra clothing
• Warm clothes
• Well fitted trekking shoes
• Small towel
• Swimsuit
• Plastic poncho
• Canteen or bottle
• Snacks: cookies, sweets, chocolates, energizing bars (optional)
• Camera and extra batteries
• Bug Repellent, Sun screen and hat
• Purifying water pills
• Walking sticks with rubbers endings
• Flashlight

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OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED:

An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the hotel you choose.
• If you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee.
• An extra horse to carry your additional personal items (above the included 8kg) days 1 to 3: A horse can carry up to 20 kg.
• An extra porter to carry your additional personal items (above the included 8kg) days 3 to 4: A porter can carry up to 18 kg, which should be enough for 2 people.
• Vistadome Service train (First Class) instead of the Backpacker one (Tourist train), at an additional cost
• Sleeping Bag rent

† Vistadome train upgrade : USD 60.00
† Additional horse : USD 95.00

* Available discounts: Students: (students require a valid International Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age)

STUDENT DISCOUNT : USD 30.00 off of group service price
To qualify for STUDENT Discount, you MUST email us a scanned copy of your ISIC STUDENT card immediately to our email. 

(B)=Breakfast ; (L)=Lunch ; (D)=Dinner

NOTE: We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes. We will endeavour to confirm final hotel bookings as soon as possible.

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