Overview
Since the number of trekking permits is limited to 250 per day (about 200 tourists and 50 trekking staff) it is important to book well in advance – especially in the high season between May and September. In the low season between December and January, it is possible to get a ticket about 30 days in advance.
The Lares valley trek offers a combination of stunning scenery, traditional cultures, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu on the 4th Day. The trek will take you through stunning Mountain scenery, over high passes, and you will spend two nights near traditional Peruvian Villages.
The Inca Trail is beyond a doubt one of the most beautiful trails in Americas and therefore an unforgettable experience not to be missed.
The trail leads through the protected wild nature of the Peruvian jungle and forest steppe, passes several archeological Inca sights and offers impressive views. The Incas used this itinerary for the pilgrimage to the sacred citadel Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 4 days
- Arrival: Daily
- Departure: Daily
- Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley, short Inca Trail, Lares, Machu Picchu
- Activities: Adventure, Trekking, Camping
DAY |
DESCRIPTION |
MEALS |
OVERNIGHT |
| Day 1 | Lares Trek: Cusco – Huaca Casi pass – Lares Hot Springs – Huacawasi | (L) (D) | Camping |
| Day 2 | Lares Trek: Huacawasi – Sondor – Paso Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Pucara | (B) (L) (D) | Camping |
| Day 3 | Inca Trail: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes | (B) (L) (D) | Hotel |
| Day 4 | Inca Trail: Aguas Calientes – Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – Cusco | (B) | —– |
Breakfast (B)
Lunch (L)
Dinner (D)
Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Huaca Casi pass – Lares Hot Springs – Huacawasi
At approximately 6am we will pick you up at your hotel to set course to the village of Lares where we will start hiking. During this journey we will make a stop in the village of Calca, where you will be able to visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you forgot. Your guide might advise you to buy some bread to hand out to the children you will meet during the trek. When arriving at Lares we will visit the hot springs where you will be able to enjoy the hot water while our cooks prepare a wonderful lunch. After lunch we will start our hike towards the first campsite in Huacawasi (3600m/11811f). During 3 hours you will walk gradually uphill so that you get a good training for the next day when we will reach the highest point of the trek. The first night we will spend the night at the house of our horsemen who are joining us on the trip. At arrival your tents will be ready and you will receive popcorn, sweets and some hot thee before having dinner.
- Transport time: 4 hours
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Climate during the day: Warm
- Climate during the night: Cold
Day 02: Huacawasi – Sondor – Paso Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Pucara
After a nutritious breakfast, we will start hiking towards the highest point, the pass of Sacsayllame or Hucahuasi at 4400m/14435 feet. The hike will take about 4 hours and will be very steep uphill. Of course, an emergency horse will accompany us so that everyone will certainly be able to reach the top. During this trek, you will be able to enjoy enormous mountains, a patchwork of agricultural lands and breathtaking views. Be aware that we will reach great heights and the weather can be very cold. After reaching the highest point we will descend and pass a beautiful lagoon before having lunch next to the river. You will be able to recuperate while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch for you. Next we will descend further through a forest where you will be able to enjoy the “Queuñas” (Polylepis), a typical three from Peru. This walk will take about 4 hours before reaching our campsite at Pucara (3100m/10170f). A wonderful place where you will receive hot thee and some snacks upon arrival before having dinner.
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Transport time: half an hour
- Climate during day/night: Cold and warm
Day 03: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes
Our journey starts early in the morning at 6am, a vehicle will bring you to Ollantaytambo village. From here, you are able to take a tourist train to Km 104. After our arrival at km 104, the Royal Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2270m/7448f), where our guide will inform us about the previous function of this archeological site. Thereafter, we will reach Wiñayhuayna (2650m/8694f), the most important archeological site besides Machu Picchu. After that, our trail continues towards the Sun Gate “Inti Punku”, a nice viewpoint from which we can enjoy the nightfall on Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). Since we have to continue our walk to our hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Transport time: half an hour
Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will leave our hotel towards Machu Picchu after breakfast at about 5:30 am by bus. We are leaving that early because at this time the setting is less crowded and the morning is a good time to enjoy the calmness and the ancient spirit of the best-known archaeological site on the continent. After our arrival at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give us detailed information about Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Inca. Thereafter, you will have enough free time to enjoy and explore the site on your own (f.ex. go to the Inka Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Waynapicchu for an amazing panorama picture). A bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes. Here you have the possibility to join the town’s hot springs (S/ 10.00 Nuevos soles). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
- Climate: warm with mosquitoes
- Hiking time: 02 hours
- Total distance: 4 km
Transport
Our Mobilities
- Clean transport
- Comfortable seats
- Professional drivers
- Transportation for solo customers or couples
- Transportation for small groups
- Transportation for large groups
Train to/from Machu Picchu
Included
Included:
- A tourist bus from the hotel to Lares village
- Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104
- Transport from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo
- 2 ways tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back to Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
- Entrance to the thermal baths in Lares village
- Entrance fees to the Inca Trail and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- Hostel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
- High quality camping equipment (professional Eureka tents, extra light/4.5kgs for 2 persons. Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent).
- Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/Option vegetarian)
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Horseman and mules for Lares Trek, for all camping and personal equipment (up to 4 kg).
- Emergency horse
- First-aid kit and oxygen bottle
Not included:
- Breakfast on the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes town
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is situated; you can either pay the cost of $ 12.00 for the Bus-Service or walk back to Aguas Calientes which will take you about an hour.
- Entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (it cost S/ 10.00 Nuevos soles)
Very important:
Due we do not need an extra porter for the 2-Day Inca Trail, everyone carries her/his own bagpack.
What do I need to bring?
Backpack with rain shelter, sleeping back, clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket, trekking shoes, slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs), woolen or synthetic socks, a sweater, long- and short-sleeved polo’s/t-shirts, a rain poncho, a hat, bathing suit (for the hot springs in Lares Village), sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle, toiletries and toilet paper, photo camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries, some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit, original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles.
Notes:
- Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu mountain requires to be booked long time in advance however we charge additional $ 65.00 USD and then we’ll guarantee your entrance for Huayna Picchu as well (This new State law began since the 18th of July, 2011).
- Extra porter: According to the law and supervised by the Ministry of Employment, the collaboration of an extra porter is given under the conditions the customer requires. However, the customer’ luggage mustn’t exceed 13 kg. The Service costs 140 USD and includes transport, entrance fee to the Inca Trail, food and camping equipment.
- Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.
Pricing
Land Package
All prices listed below are per passenger and cover only the land-based portion of the trip, not flights.
CATEGORY |
PRICE |
| Economy class | USD $ 680.00 /person
Double Occupancy |
| Standard | USD $ 710.00 /person
Double Occupancy |
| Comfort | USD $ 770.00 /person
Double Occupancy |
| Luxury | USD $ 830.00 /person
Double Occupancy |
