Real Sustainable Trekking In The Andean Communities 4 Days - 3 Nights
The Lares valley, is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Cusco. Lares Valley is particularly well know for its very high-quality, brightly coloured weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish.The 4 days Lares Trek is a great alternative, ending at Machu Picchu. The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, one pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. This 4-day, newly developed itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain scenery in a remote area and visits to authentic Quechua communities such as Huacahuasi, Willog, Patacancha and reaches Aguas Calientes on the third day. The last day is devoted to the visit of the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
To have the best experience we combine interaction with the local people and use their Llamas to carry all the camping gear and our backpacks, how ancient Andean people did.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Lares Valley - Hot Spring - Wacawasi
At 6am private vehicle will pick you from your hotel, transfer through the sacred valley, archaeological remains, Andean markets, cultivated Inca terraces, small villages, and then pass the highest point of this trek know Huacacasi (4450m), from here downhill to Lares valley (3250m), where we have time to enjoy the thermals baths. Lunch is provided there as well. Here will meet the rest of our trek team, Cook and the Llameros (Llama handlers), Llamas to carry all food, our backpacks, and the camping gear.Three hours of uphill trekking to Wacawasi, there we will set up, our campsite, here there is nice chance to meet the locals and they will show their artisan weaving exhibition and lessons about its ancient techniques.
Day 2: Wacawasi - Abra Ipsay - Patacancha
Early wake up and breakfast. Today is the largest and hardest day of this entire Llama trek, will hike between 7 to 8 hours, on the beginning will be uphill to the Abra Ipsay (4480m). The climb is pretty hardwith indescribable panoramic view of snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Chicon and surrounding by stunning landscape. Half way stop for lunch break. While hiking will pass Andean communities, they have a large knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textile so that their colorful clothes, unique from this region. After the pass we’ll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3720m). Set up the tents and time to explore around on your own.Day 3: Patacancha - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Today will be 5 hours of downhill hike where we’ll pass local communities such as Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m) and many others. From Patacancha through the landscape, crossing these villages we can taste the traditions and habits passed on by our ancestors throughout the times of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (the Inca-culture and traditions). Then we continue walking and arrive to Ollantaytambo (2850m) that speaks from its archaeological sites a wide story of Andean history. From Ollantaytambo we’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the tourist town build beneath the ruins of Machu Picchu. Spend the night at the selected hotel.Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Cusco
Today we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Usually we use to get Machu Picchu by 7am, so from this time we will be able to visit Machu before others hikers arrive here. Completely guide tour of this complex and then you will have plenty of time to explore by yourself the whole site for about 3 hours and there is time as well to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain and get the best view over Machu.We’ll all meet afterwards to go down to Aguas Calientes (2050m) where you can take lunch before take train back to Cusco. Arrival to your at 8pm approx.
Included
- Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- Tranfer by private van from Cusco to Lares valley
- Entrance to the ruins along the way (one time)
- One Llama per each participants to carry backpack (personal items)
- Experienced cook
- Cooking equipment
- Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
- 4 capacity tent (four season tent) - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
- Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
- All meals on the trail (3 breakfast - 3 lunches - 3 dinners)
- Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast
- Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (backpacker train)
- Kitchen and dining tent with camp tables and chairs
- Tents and food for our camp staff
- Trekking price include all local sales tax (19% as know IGV)
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff
| TOUR SCHEDULE & COST | ||
| DATE | TOUR | COST |
| Any day (Except January to April) |
LARES LLAMA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU Real Sustainable Trekking In The Andean Communities 4 Days - 3 Nights |
Private VIP service (private guide) 2 participants US$597 each 3-4 participants US$575 each 5 to more participants US$555 each |
| Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only Students: US$25 discount only with valid green ISIC card |
||
| Organized Groups: We offer private trekking at any time departu | ||
| Group size: 8-12 participants per 2 guides | ||
| We highly recommended to book space prior you arrive to Peru | ||
IMPORTANT:
Every night keep everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with robberies.Not Included
- Optional entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (US$3 last day)
- 2 soles for towel to use in the hot spring
- Alcoholic drinks
- Porters to carry your personal items (see bellow)
- Sleeping Bag can be hired in our local office in Cusco US$5 per day
- Breakfast on the first day before to be collected from your hotel, if your hotel dont offer early breakfast service, we stop at Ollantaytambo village to have breakfasta for additional cost
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes before the train back to Cusco
- Tips for guide and camp staff
- Optional night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged easily
What You Need To Bring/Carry
- Backpack 65Lt, we advice to take a big plastic bag to cover your personal backpack when is carrying by the Llamas
- Personal horse for ride (US$30 per day, include the food for horse and handler)
- Sleeping bag -15ºC (can be hired from our office for US$5 per day)
- Rain jacket or poncho (December - April)
- Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
- One complete change of clothing
- Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Bottle of water and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
- You also need to bring your original passport on the trek because you well need to show before enter to Machu Picchu
- Walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
Rain Season
The rain is between Decemeber to March, hard rain and same days are completely coudly. Same days rain start late afternoon around 3-4pm or maybe night rain.
Best Time For Picture
The best time for picture is after the rain season, between april to july because are less tourism and and the mountain looks white and green.
Advice for Hikers
Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared.It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.
Local kids and adults
Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
Stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes?
Stay an extra night at Aguas Calientes? Yes, if you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after biking and trekking tour this can easily be arranged. We will purchase your train ticket to return to Cusco the following day. You need to let us know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve your train tickets in advance. Obviously if you stay an extra night then you will have to pay for your accommodation.Hire horses
Horses cancarry up to 120Kg = US$180 for the full duration of the tour. Each horse comes equipped with saddle and assistant who will provide food and care the horse every day.
Riding a horse you will need to carry a daypack with your Camera, bottle of water, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season but as a precaution). Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
Lares weather
Dry season (April – November)Day temperature 15 ºC/21ºC
Night temperature -0ºC/5ºC
Wet season (December – March)
Day temperature 17ºC/22ºC
Night temperature -2 ºC/5ºC
