LARES TREK + MACHU PICCHU – 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS

DESCRIPTION

It is an adventure through the Sacred Valley.  We will visit the country side of the rich mountain range of Urubamba, going through snow-capped mountains and subtropical valleys while enjoying beautiful lagoons and natural thermal baths. Because it is still a remote area the inhabitants preserve knitting traditions using the llama and alpaca wool, creating colorful articles of clothing and still grow potatoes using ancient techniques. This will be an experiential tour where you can get to know the Andean costumes from up close.  

DAY 1: CUSCO – CALCA – LARES – WACAHUASI

We will pick you up from the hotel around 05:00 to start our adventure through the Sacred Valley. Along the way we will appreciate its fertile soils while we arrive to the small village of Calca (2940 meters), we will keep ascending and pass through the towns of Totora and Maucaupata. Finally after 04 hours approximately we will arrive at Lares (3200 meters) and visit the thermal waters and have lunch. After lunch, we will meet the ``arrieros`` who will accompany us for the rest of the 03 day trip. We will begin our walk, and after 04 hours approximately we will be on Wacahuasi (3600 meters) and set camp there.  

DAY 2:  WACAHUASI – IPSAYCOCHA - PATACANCHA

After a very early breakfast, we will start walking on our way to our second camp site. We will begin ascending through the Abra Ipsay while meeting different countryside communities and their particular costumes, such as their knitting traditions. We will arrive at the Ipsaycocha Lagoon where we will have lunch. Afterwards we will continue our way to the town of Patacancha where we will spend the night.

DAY 3:  PATACANCHA – WILLOQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO

We will begin our day with breakfast and continue on our way to the small town of Willoq, and we will meet their inhabitants and peculiar costumes. After passing through some other villages we could observe the archaeological sites of Oochapta and Pumamarca and the famous Inca terraces. Approximately around 14:00 we will arrive at the town of Ollantaytambo, located on the banks of the river Vilcanota. This is a fertile valley and it is considered one of the most important living museums of the world. We will then have lunch and have some free time until we board our train bound to the town of Aguas Calientes. Once here, we will spend the night in a private lodging with private bathrooms and hot water.

DAY 4:  MACHU PICCHU

Very early in the morning we will be on our way to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, so we can enjoy the sunrise and have our guided tour afterwards. It will take about 02 hours and half and then you will have the chance to freely explore the ruins on your own, before we come back to the town of Aguas Calientes.

In the afternoon we will board the train bound to Ollantaytambo where we will take the return bus back to Cusco.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Pick up at the hotel
• Private transportation Cusco – Calca - Lares
• Round trip Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
• Accommodation for one night in Aguas Calientes
• Round trip bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu + Guide in Machu Picchu. (Optional: Huayna Picchu additional $10)
• Professional bilingual guide
• Private transportation Ollantaytambo - Cusco
• 03 breakfasts, 03 lunches and 03 dinners
• Cook
• Carriers for the camping equipment and food
• Camping equipment

WHAT`S NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag (we rent them)
• Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 4
• Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu mountain (10$)
• Tips

WHAT TO BRING

• Backpack for your personal belongings (35 L)
• Sleeping bag
• Hat and sunscreen, sunglasses
• Bug repellent
• Trekking shoes
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• Raincoat (depending on the season)
• Light clothes for the day (depending on the season)
• 4 pair of socks (at least)
• Long and short sleeved shirts
• Long and short pants
• Personal water bottle and snacks
• Camera
• Snacks
• Purifying tablets for water
• Recommended: Extra cash for personal expenses
• Student ID card if it applies, original passport

NOTE

During the walk you will have to carry your personal belongings plus the sleeping bag and sleeping pads on your backpack.