04 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

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.

Similarly, herds of llamas and alpacas before arriving at 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 throughout 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

Lodging: Campsite at Puyoc

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

Lodging: Campsite at Cuncani

A DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

Lodging: Aguas Calientes

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

DAY 1: CUSCO – PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC

• Our first day of the trek starts in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley.
• So, 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.
• Certainly, this particular route for the Lares Valley trek is not commonly done by other companies, so, we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance.
• Likewise, 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 at Puyoc

DAY 2: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI

• Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday.
• Firstly, 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.
• Then, 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.
• On the other hand, this side of the pass is completely different culturally from 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.
• Finally, you’ll also get to learn a few Quechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.

Lodging: Campsite at Cuncani

DAY 3: CUNCANI – LARES

• The focus of today is to meet the local people. So, waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family.
• Certainly, 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 that, 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.
• Then, 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).
• Later, 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: Aguas Calientes

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU!

• Firstly, waking up early we’ll take the first touristic bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens.
• So, 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.
• Likewise, if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. You can do it after the guided tour in the citadel.
• Subsequently, in the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 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 or Machupicchu mountain: Additional US $ 85.00 per traveler.
• Change of train category to Vistadome (Peru Rail company): Additional US $ 40.00 (one way or only return) per traveler.
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance – it is recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of the trip.

PACKING LIST:

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

Discounts for Lares trek to Machu Picchu:

• 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

IN AGUAS CALIENTES

1.-Golden Sunrise Machu Picchu ****