Conservation Areas of Mantanay 3D/2N

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

After breakfast in your hotel, we will pick you up from your hotel, heading out in the morning from Cusco city through the Sacred Valley to the town of Calca where we will make a 30 minute stop to stretch the legs and make last minute purchases needed for the trek.
We then continue travelling to the highest point at an altitude of 4265 meters above sea level; from this point it is possible to see the mountain peaks of Sawasiray and Pitusiray.   Later, we descend to the warmer valley of Lares; to an altitude of 3207 m.a.s.l. Lares is a typical colonial town with a Catholic church, main square and narrow cobbled streets.  In this town we will also be meeting with our horsemen and mules having time to enjoy the medicinal hot springs while the horsemen pack and the cook prepares lunch. After lunch, we start our hiking adventure of the Lares Trek. The path ascends gradually as we hike a few short hours to the community of Huacawasi (3600 m.a.s.l.) where we will make camp for the night.  Huacawasi is a charming and picturesque little village with small adobe homes made of mud and straw brick.  Llamas and alpacas can be seen all along the way.

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

After breakfast, we depart our campground ascending slowly in the direction of Aruraycocha (at 4500 meters), the highest point of the trek.  This point offers a rewarding view of the valleys below, and the pristine Aruraycocha Lake, which we will then head down towards.  This is where we enter the conservation area of Mantanay, which provides a whole new array of vegetation to be seen.  This is where we get to see a specific type of tree from the Incas known as Q’euñas, that are found along the way from the Yuraccocha Lake.  These lakes were formed in part by the glaciers from the Pumahuanca and Kiswarani mountains.  Close to one of these lakes we will enjoy a filling and delicious lunch.
If luck will have it, you just might glimpse one of the famous Condor birds in this area, but there are also varieties of other birds to be seen here, some on the verge of extinction (the Royal Churrete, Red flanked Blue tails, and Quenuales Bird are just some of the bird species specific to this area).  We then continue in descent through a forested area on to the second campsite on the outskirts of Mantanay village, located 3800 m.a.s.l.

DAY 3: MANTANAY-YANAHUARA-CHINCHERO-CUSCO (B)(L)

After a good sleep and breakfast, we prepare for the last part of the hike taking a route towards the town of Yanahuara, located at 2950 m.a.s.l.  It’s a pretty village with a comfortably warm climate, located in the Urubumba valley, part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an important area with its large fields of corn produced for the Cusco area. This is where the large-grained white corn is mostly grown.  Upon arriving to Yanahuara we will enjoy one last meal as a group, prepared by our chef.  After a short rest, we will be picked up by our tourist bus for the return to Cusco city.  It is optional to make a stop in the town of Chinchero on the way, to visit the hand-craft markets and see a demonstration of the textile and natural-dye making process, seeing how they make their products and learning of the skill that has been passed on for hundreds of generations.  Finally, we make our way to Cusco city around mid-late afternoon, with final stops at respective hotels.

THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Complete information of your tour explained in a briefing with your guide one or two days before trip departure, with notes of what to bring, and answers to any questions
• Transport from the beginning of your excursion (Cusco – Lares)
• Professional English / Spanish guide
• Meals according to the program
• Vegetarian meals (or allergy-related alterations) available upon request for no extra charge
• Chef & assistant chef who prepare all meals
• Horsemen and mules to carry all food, tents and cooking equipment
• Camping equipment (tents, mattresses, cooking and dining tents, chairs & tables)
• Our pack-mules will carry up to 5 kilos of each person’s belongings for the 3 days of hiking (each person should pack one bag of no more than 5 kilos, and a light daypack for personal things you want access to during your hiking)
• First Aid kit including oxygen tank
• Transport from final town Yanahuara – Cusco

THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• First breakfast (is usually provided in hotel) and last dinner
• Sleeping bags (we can rent upon request)
• Extra horses (can be rented if necessary)
• 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 $ 460.00 USD

PRIVATE SERVICE:

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

Machupicchu Full day EXPEDITIONS TRAIN + 01 hotel Marcowasi  USD295.00

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.

Zip Line or rappelling USD 70.00

Combo Zip Line + Rappelling USD110.00

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$15.00
• Sleeping bag – US$25.00
• Bag Pack – US$25.00
• Extra Horse USD110.00