LARES trek AND THE LOST CITY OF MACHU PICCHU

Program: 4 days - 3 nights

Day 1º: Cusco - Lares - Wacawasi

At the designated time, you will be picked up from your hotel by a representative of our agency, and then will board a private vehicle that will take us to the Lares community. During this bus ride you will be able to see the sacred valley of the Incas, as well as beautiful villages along the way. The scenery on route is actually spectacular, so we highly recommend to bring along your camera, as well as some snakes for the little Andean kids that you for sure will find along the way. This bus ride will take about 3 hours. Upon arrival in Lares (3250 m / 10662 Ft), we will visit the hot springs located some kilometres away from the village. At the hot springs, you may relax in its waters (30ºC), and afterwards we will have lunch. Soon after lunch we will start to hike towards Wacawasi, a small community located at 3600 metres above sea level. (11810 Ft). The hike to Wacawasi will take about 3 hours and the trail is a bit steep. Upon our arrival we will take a good rest in our tents, and then we will join our guide for dinner at the dinning tent. Finally we will go to rest in our tends.

Day 2º: Wacawasi - Ipssay Pass – Patacanacha

On this second day, we will get up early for breakfast and then will start to ascend a steep path for about 4 hours till we reach an elevation of 4400 m. (14435 Ft). Along the way you will enjoy on of the most amazing Andean sceneries, as we will walk along huge mountain slopes and will walk across little farming areas, where natives still employ traditional ways of life, a place where Spanish is a second language, and where Andean men still live in harmony with the mother nature. We will stop at a nice spot for lunch, and we will start to descend towards Patacancha, a small village located at 3800 m (1246 Ft). Here we will pitch up the tents and then will have dinner with the group at our dinning tent. Overnight at the Patacancha campsite.

 

Day 3º: Patacancha - Willoq –Pumamarca -Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

On this day, we will have to get up early too, and after breakfast we will continue descending, passing the community of Willoq and Pumamarca, colourful villages that stand out for preserving a culture alive, a natural zone where Andean families still reside in small stony houses, produce their own clothing, rear their own animals and believe in their own gods. After a long walk of about 4 hours, we will reach the village of Ollantaytambo, located at 2850 m. (9350 Ft). At the village of Ollantaytambo we will have lunch and afterwards you will have free time to explore this great Inca settlement. In the evening we will catch the train towards the village of Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is a popular resting place for those who do the Lares Trek, here you may recover in the hostel provided by our Agency, or go up to relax at the Hot Springs (thus it’s name Aguas Calientes) located on the upper section of the town. Aguas Calientes has developed quite well in the last years, thus, today you can find here internet access, bunch of restaurants and pubs, ATM machines and souvenirs shops utterly everywhere. Overnight at the designated hostel at Aguas Calientes.

Day 04: Guided visit in Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon

At around 5:30 am, soon after breakfast we will take the local bus that will take us up to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. In a matter of 20 minutes we will have arrived in Machu Picchu. (It is a good idea to come to the ruins early, as there are no many people, only a few groups, the ruins get very busy at around 11:00 am, when the local train arrive with more visitors). Once here, our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inca City, such as the Intiwatana (Solar Clock), the Sun Temple, The urban sector, the agricultural sector, among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary. Then in 1911, the explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it remains. But while the walls and chambers have been extensively studied in the years since, the purpose of this ancient site remains unclear. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and afterwards you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own, and if you wish, you might climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain, the huge mountain that appears on the background in every classic picture of Machu Picchu. It takes about one hour or so to get to the top, following very steep stairs, though is a little hard, at the top you will be rewarded with one of the most impressive views in your lifetime. Later on, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where we will have lunch and also where we catch the train back to Cusco. At Aguas Calientes, if you wish, you can go to relax in the thermal baths. The hot springs are located on the upper section of the village; visitors may ask their local guide how to get there. Finally, at around 4:00 pm, we take the train to the city of Cusco, arriving there after nightfall. Overnight at the designated hotel in Cusco.

Included:

• Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
• Transportation from Cusco to Lares
• Horses for our camping and kitchen equipments and horseman.
• 01 emergency horse.
• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 suppers
• Camping equipment: Four people tents that will be occupied by two people.
• Insulators or mattresses
• Tables and chairs.
• Cook kitchen equipment.
• 01 night at Aguas Calientes hostel.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• English speaking guide
• Return train to Cusco (Backpacker Service)

Not included:

• Breakfast on the first day
• Sleeping bag.
• Lunch at Aguas Calientes

You need to bring:

• Your original passport.
• Water bottle and sterilizing tablets.
• A backpack with a change of clothes for 5 days.
• Rain jacket (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Camera, films and batteries.
• Strong footwear.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece and sweaters.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.
• Swimsuit (if you wish to visit the hot springs)
• Cash in soles and US.
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold.
• Insect repellent, toilet paper, small towel & sun block.

Additional information:

• Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
• All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.
• All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
• This excursion is available all year round, except in February. In case you want to book this tour, please just send us an e-mail. We will reply within the next 24 hours.

Travel Voucher:

• For every confirmed booking you will be required to print a voucher for presentation at our office in Cusco.
• You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.

Local Operator Information:

• We will send you a complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination in Cusco.
• Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Accommodation in Cusco:

• In order to meet you easily in the city of Cusco, we might book also a hotel or hostel room for you depending on your budget. We have especial deals with hotels and hostel in Cusco. Do not hesitate in asking.

How to book this tour....

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