04 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

DURATION 04 Day

MAX. ALTITUDE 15,846 ft.

PLACE Cusco

Min. Age9+

Group Size 10

Type of Tours : Trek, Cultural, Aventura, Naturaleza

Moderate ACTIVITY LEVEL

Easy

These activities are a walk in the park! You will be able to enjoy the scenery, history, and time with loved ones without exhausting yourself. You do not need any special training, gear, or acclimatization for an “Easy” trek or tour. Terrain will be generally flat and comfortable, highly traveled.

Middle

A step up from “Easy,” these tours require a little more physical effort but are still 100% manageable to anyone with or without adventure experience. Again, you do not need special training, gear, or acclimatization for a “Mild” trek or tour. Terrain is generally flat but with possible gentle up- and downhills.

Moderate

Before embarking on a “Moderate” trek or tour, you should be at least partly acclimatized to the high altitude of the Andes as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. These tours are still very manageable without special training as long as you have spent a day or two at high altitude. Terrain often includes moderate up- and downhill walking with possible rough patches or infrequently-traveled sections.

Challenging

“Challenging” treks or tours require that you are acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 2-3 days or more at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. You will need to be in good physical shape, and it’s recommended that you train at least some beforehand, possibly with running, biking, or strenuous workout videos. Terrain is often rough, sometimes with steep up- and downhills and often not highly traveled. Generally, these last several hours.

Formidable

These “Formidable” treks are our most difficult treks and require serious effort but are also the most rewarding. It is necessary to be in pristine physical condition. Again, you must be acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 4-5 days or more if possible at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. It is important to train physically before these treks so that your body is prepared for the strenuous nature of the trip. Generally, these last at least an entire day in infrequently-traveled areas with rough paths.

Highlights

The 04 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu combines beautiful lakes, local Quechua communities of farmers and weavers who are still living traditional lifestyles in the mountains, cultivating the practices of ancient knowledge and continuing to build stone houses similar to those of Inca times. The trail passes through highland communities with majestic views of the magnificent snow-capped mountains, herds of llamas and alpacas before arriving to the community of Patacancha-Ollantaytambo for lunch on the third day of the trek. In the afternoon we catch the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes troughtout the sacred valley to spend the night and prepare our visit to the most important Inka city in the Andes: Machu Picchu.

Level of difficulty (low, medium, high): medium
Required fitness level (low, medium, high): medium

DAY 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

Our first day of the trek starts in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers, and birds that inhabit this region.

This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.

Lodging: Campsite

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite, it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2-hour walk right at the beginning.

As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Quechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.

Lodging: Campsite

DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – hopefully, by now you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyone’s delight and amusement). After the visit, you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.

Leaving Cuncani it’s just a short distance (06 km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we’ll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs, we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.

Lodging: Golden Sunrise*** or similar

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

Waking up early we’ll take the first touristic bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 02 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. If you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

What's Included

INCLUDED:

Personalized service with not more than 08 people
Professional bilingual tour guide.
Assistant tour guide for groups of 9+.
Chef.
Train to Machupicchu Round Trip with Inca Rail Company.
Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 15 lbs/ 07kg of your personal items.
Pick up from your hotel and transportation from your hotel to the start of trail.
Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco.
Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
Inflatable ” Thermares or Rei sleeping Mattress (you need to carry ).
EUREKA- Comfortable and very spacious 4 man tent (one tent is used by two people)
Hotel in Aguas Calientes, Day 3.
First aid kit.
Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

NOT INCLUDED:

Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us).
Breakfast on Day 1, lunch Day 4.
Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain US$80
Tips.
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

THINGS TO BRING:

Original Passport
ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Insect repellant
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries or Head lamps.

Prices

GROUP SERVICE. **Daily Departure**
NUMBER OF PAXS	PRICE PER PERSON	ACTION
2 or More People	US$ 569	BOOK NOW

PRIVATE SERVICE. **Daily Departure with at least 2 people**
NUMBER OF PAXS	PRICE PER PERSON	ACTION
2 People	US$ 680	BOOK NOW
3 People	US$ 650	BOOK NOW
4 People	US$ 620	BOOK NOW
5 People	US$ 600	BOOK NOW
6 People	US$ 569	BOOK NOW
7-8 People	US$ 550	BOOK NOW

Discounts:

Group of 5 or more: US$25.00 Must be booked all together
Under 18 years old: US$25.00 Please send us a copy of the passport at the booking time
Student Discount (Maximum Age 25 years old): US$25.00 Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using an university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@wamanadventures.com. More Information about STUDENT CARD

Extra Services?

SERVICE	PRICE
Hire of sleeping bag 5 season	$20.00
Walking stick highly recommended!	$10.00
Single supplement	$50.00
Additional night at 3 star hotel	$85.00

FAQS?

Is the trek difficult? Do I need to be in good physical condition?

All our treks (Inka Trail, Salkantay, Ausangate, Lares, etc) are moderately difficult, lengthy and traverse rough mountain terrain. We kindly recommend that if you plan to conquer any of these routes to be in relatively good physical condition, plus acclimatization. These means arriving to Cusco at least 02 days prior to your trek departure to adjust to altitude. During the last two months leading up to your trek we suggest a regular and moderate exercise routine to improve endurance and stamina. We wish for you to have the best experience possible!

Are vegetarian, vegan, and/or other special diet needs available?

Of course! Without any additional costs! When you make your reservation, please inform us of any dietary needs or requirements, including allergies!

Vegetarian foods will be absent of all meats, chicken or fish. We will assume that eggs and cheese or other lactose products are OK.

Most of our main meals are a buffet-style, leaving you the option to avoid anything undesirable to you.

If there are any food items or veggies that you cannot stomach, perhaps onions, tomatoes, mushrooms.. etc, upon your request we will ask our chef to leave them out or separate this item.

We can also attend lactose-intolerant or gluten-intolerant diets. We cannot accept individuals with serious allergic or life-threatening reactions.

I have a food allergy. May I still participate?

Every day we receive many clients with food allergies to nuts, wheat, etc. Please inform us in detail of your condition upon making your reservation.

We kindly ask that you declare the severity of your reaction and any medication that you take in case of emergency.

If your allergy is severe, we ask that you be accompanied by a friend or individual conscious and fully responsible of your situation and ready with any medication.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT CLIENTS WITH LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES

When must I arrive in cusco or arrive to your office?

We require that all clients arrive to Cusco at least 48 hours before the start of your trek, although 03 nights before is ideal. You must pay your remaining balance two days before your departure for your trek. This will assure that all individuals are acclimatized and adjusted to the high altitude conditions to begin your trek comfortably. Please note that your remaining balance must be paid in cash in our office and cannot be paid before your arrival.

Our office hours are Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm. (Please aim to arrive 7:30pm at the latest!)

Are hiking sticks or poles necessary?

For this trek more than any other, we do recommend hiking sticks, especially for those with any known knee problems. The poles will assist your balance and reduce the impact on your knees.

Waman Adventures will rent hiking sticks for $15

Where can I store my baggage that I dont need for the trail?

Any baggage that is not necessary for your trek may be stored in your hotel in Cusco (most hotels offer this service free of charge). In the case that your hotel may not provide this service, we will store your baggage safely in our office free of charge.

What is the weather like during the trek?

The best time for making the trek with good weather is between the months of April – October when there is minimal rainfall and clear skies. The driest months are June – August, which is winter in the Andes.

January to March is summer in Peru, which means rainy season for Cusco and especially the Inka Trail, which is located mostly in the tropical cloud forest.

Where do I have to be the morning of the start of my trek and where will I finish at the end?

We will pick you up from your hotel to begin your trek and upon finishing, we will also leave you at your hotel.

I wish to have a train company or train option different to that which Waman Adventures offers, is this possible?

If you wish to change your train company or option (such as Vistadome de Peru Rail, to Ollantaytambo or the whole route to Poroy), or your departure time, additional fees may apply. You must speak with one of our sales agents to inquire about availability and the additional costs.