Lares Trek Classic 4 Days | Alternative Route To Machu Picchu

Our Lares Trek is less-known hike departs from the Sacred Valley to enter a route where wonderful mountain scenery, lagoons, valley cloud-forest and authentic Quechua communities are combined in the landscape, where you can end the trek by relaxing in its famous hot springs of Lares (or vice versa), from here we drive to Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu on the 4th day.

DAY 1: CUSCO - CALCA - LARES THERMAL BATHS - WACAWASI

We will leave Cusco at 6.00 am for the drive to Calca, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an excellent time of day to enjoy the fine scenery visible on all sides of the road. On the way there will be time to visit the Inca granaries of Muyoq Orqo, after which we will continue along the valley road, passing Mount Sawasiray before beginning our ascent to Lares at the pass known in Quechua as Willka Punku (“Sacred Gateway”). We will have plenty of time to rest and enjoy the Lares thermal baths. After lunch we will begin our walk to the first campsite at the village of Wacawasi, where we will visit local weaving families and have our evening meal.

DAY 2: WACAWASI - IPSAYQOCHA

We will continue our trek after breakfast, climbing steadily through the natural highland habitat of llamas and alpacas. This is a good area for bird watching, or for simply taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. We will arrive at our second campsite in the afternoon, at an isolated picturesque location far from all human settlements.

DAY 3: IPSAYQOCHA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES

Today we will reach the high pass at Ipsayqocha (14,271 ft / 4350 m), in a landscape populated by herds of llamas and alpacas. Once over the pass, a long descent takes the walker to the indigenous community of Patacancha, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo, a village originally established by the Incas. We will have plenty of time to visit the archaeological site before our transfer to the train station for the ride to the village of Aguas Calientes, below the ruins of Machu Picchu, where we will spend the night at the hotel of your choice (hotel not included).

DAY 4: FULL DAY AT MACHU PICCHU

We will get up early today and take one of the first shuttle buses up to the ruins of Machu Picchu, a ride of approximately 25 minutes. After the guided tour of Machu Picchu, you will have plenty of free time to climb the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (subject to availability). Some sections of this route require ropes and only those travelers who do not suffer from vertigo should attempt it. It is a one-hour trip to the summit and is not recommended during rainfall.

INCLUDED:

Tourist transport Cusco - Calca – Lares.
Transport Patacancha – Ollantaytambo.
Backpacker Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes.
Backpacker Train Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo (subject to availability)
Transportation Ollantaytambo - Cusco.
Roundtrip bus tickets to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Transfer to the hotel.
Entrance to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Professional tourist guides (English / Spanish). 02 guides for groups over 9 people.
Camping equipment: tents, inflatable mattresses, dining tent, kitchen; tables, chairs, tablecloths.
First-aid kit and oxygen.
Horsemen and porters (support team) also mules to transport food, camping equipment and personal luggage of passengers.
Luggage 6 kilos per person.
1-2 emergency horses depending on group size.
Meals 03 breakfasts, 03 lunches, 03 dinners.
One night accommodation in Aguas Caliemntes.

NOT INCLUDED:

Lunch on the fourth day in Aguas Calientes
Sleeping bag
Tips for guides
Tips for the staff
Extra Drinks

What you should bring:

A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco .
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
Small towel or sarong
Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
Cash - sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
Binoculars (if you have them)