Lares Trek to Machupicchu 4D/3N

DAY 1: CUSCO – LARES – HUACAWASI (A)(D)

After your breakfast in hotel, we will pick you up in the morning and transport the group in touristic transport until Lares.  We pass through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, arriving to the small village of Calca where we will take a short 30 minute break to stretch the legs and pick up last minute supplies needed for the trek.  We then continue travelling to the highest point on this route at an altitude of 4265 meters above sea level, where we can see the mountains of Sawasiray and Pitusiray in the distance.  We then make our way downhill to the warmer Lares Valley, to an altitude of 3207 m.a.s.l..  Lares is a village of typical colonial structures, a central Catholic church, main plaza and narrow cobblestone streets.
In this village, we will also meet up with our horsemen and mules, with time to enjoy the medicinal hot springs while the cook prepares an exquisite lunch.  After lunch we start out on our Lares Trek adventure.  We will be slowly ascending to the community of Huacawasi located at 3600 meters and where we will make our first campsite.  Along the way are lamas and alpacas, and the homes are picturesque- constructed of adobe and straw common to the area.

DAY 2: HUACAWASI – ARURAYOQ – MANTANAY (B)(L)(D)

After breakfast, we will part ways with our campsite, heading out in the early morning in ascent to the direction of Aruraycocha, the highest point of our trek (4500 meters).  From here we will have a surprise view of the other side, as the terrain changes and we head downwards to a couple of lakes, where we will also stop for lunch.  The area here changes to a conservation area of Mantanay, full with new flora and fauna to be enjoyed.  There is a typical Incan tree by the Quechua name of Q’euña, growing abundantly between the two lakes which are formed in part by the melting glaciers of the Pumahuanca and Kiswarani mountaintops.   On just the right day and with a little bit of luck, hikers sometimes catch a glimpse of the famous Condor.  There are also many other types of birds hidden into the trees, some in risk of extinction that can be seen in this area.  As we continue, we descend through a forest of trees, ultimately arriving to the second campsite in the village of Mantanay (3800 meters).

DAY 3: MANTANAY-YANAHUARA-OLLANTA-AGUAS CALIENTES (D)(A)

After a restful night and filling breakfast, we will prepare ourselves for the third day of our hike, heading for Yanahuara, located at 2950 m.a.s.l..  This is a pretty village with a comfortable warm climate, located in Urubumba, part of the Sacred Valley.  This area largely produces certain products for Cusco, especially the unique large-grained white corn that is well known and admired world-wide.  Arriving at Yanahuara we will have our last lunch together as a group, taking a small break, and then our touristic bus to the train station in Ollantytambo where we catch the train to Aguas Calientes town and later to our respective hotels.  There are many touristic restaurants to choose from here, hot springs to enjoy and a large hand-craft market to peruse.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO (B)

After breakfast provided in hotel, we will walk to the bus station where we take a 30 minute bus ride up the mountain to the Machu Picchu entrance (2400 m), with opportunity to see the sunrise in the famous temple and take advantage of the few other tourists around at this time.  We will have a guided tour including various points of interest such as main plazas, the circular tower, solar sun dial, living quarters, Temple of the Three Windows, and cemeteries.  There is free time afterwards to explore more, take photos, and then catch a bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you will finally catch the train to Cusco city.
Note:  it is optional to climb Waynapicchu Mountain, but must be booked at an extra cost ahead of time, as space is limited.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Complete information & explanations in a briefing one or two days prior to the tour
• Transport to the start of the trek (Cusco – Lares)
• Professional English / Spanish guide
• Meals according to the program
• Vegetarian or allergy-related menus at no extra charge
• Chef & assistant chef
• Horsemen & pack-mules to pack food, tents and kitchen equipment
• Camping equipment (Tent, mattresses, kitchen & dining tents, chairs and tables)
• As a company we will carry (by mule) up to 5 kilos of each trekker’s belongings
• Train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
• One night hostel in Aguas Calientes
• Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
• Bus Tickets Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Touristic train tickets Aguas Calientes/Ollantaytambo / Poroy.
• Transfer from Train Station / Hotel

PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• 1st Breakfast (usually provided in hotel), last lunch and dinner
• Sleeping Bag (we have quality down sleeping bags for rent if needed)
• Extra mules (extras are available to carry up to 20 kilos)
• Entrance to Waynapicchu Mountain (book in advance if interested due to limited spaces)
• Walking Stick (we can rent if needed)
• Tips

What You Should Bring!

• Original Passport (for check-in to the points)
• Day backpack
• Plastic bag to cover backpack
• Sleeping bag (we can rent)
• Clothing for both cold and warm weather
• Warm clothing and rainproof
• Waterproof and warm jackets and/or rain poncho
• Hiking shoes or boots
• Hiking pants
• Shirts
• Mosquito repellant or insect repellent
• Walking stick (we can rent)
• Sunhat,
• Sun block,
• Disinfectant hand gel
• Towel + toilet paper
• Water bottle and sterilizing water tablets
• Personal medication
• Camera with extra batteries
• Plastic bag to cover camera
• Flashlight or head-lamp
• Small personal snacks (chocolate bars, candies, granola bars, dried fruits and nuts)
• Extra spending money in Soles (for Hot Springs, drinks, tips, etc).

FOR GROUP SERVICE  ( Minimun 4 People):

Sale $ 670.00 USD

PRIVATE SERVICE:

STUDENT DISCOUNT:

$20 off per person

Discounts:

1. Students: Those who have the ISIC card valid, in the event that you book under a student rate with this benefit, you will need to bring the original card (not a copy) to show it at the control points throughout the route.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.

Upgrades

Huaynapicchu Mountain: $20 per person
Vistadome Train (Round trip): $65 per person

Sacred Valley Tour in sharing group + 1 Nihgt Mabel Hotel Urubamba: $115 per person

The Mabey hotel  is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial or triple. There is a single room surcharge if you are booking alone of $30 US per person. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and wifi. If you want with Sacred Valley tour private service,  please email us for pricing and itinerary.

HOTEL INCLUDED:
Marco Wasi (or similar)
This is a hotel and is based on sharing a room – either double, matrimonial or triple. There is a single room surcharge if you are booking alone of $30 US per person. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, but we can work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.

• Casa Andina: $40 US pp shared ($110 for a single)
• Casa del Sol: $60 US pp shared ($150 for a single)
• Tierra Viva: +$60 US pp shared (+$150 for a single)
• El Mapi: +$70 US pp shared (+$170 for a single)

HOW TO BOOK

It’s always a good idea to contact us directly and confirm with our team before your booking. Once you are ready, please fill in our Booking Form and pay the Deposit according your invoice. Our office will email you back that day with your confirmation. We always send out confirmations, so if you don’t hear from us, check your spam or contact our offie and we will resend.

Rentals

• Hiking poles pare – US$20.00
• Sleeping bag – US$30.00
• Bag Pack – US$30.00
• Extra horse USD120.00