LARES TREK TO MACHUPICCHU (4 DAYS)

For trekkers wanting to get off the well-beaten touristy path and escape to a part of Peru that has changed little over the last 500 years, the Lares trek is a must. This remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insight into the real lives of Andean farmers, dressed in their traditional brightly-colored ponchos. You will have the opportunity to see thatched stone houses surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. Inside the houses’ kitchens, you’ll see guinea pigs running loose. The trek itself is about as difficult as the Inca Trail. There are, however, two passes over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude before beginning the trek. If you are arriving from sea level, plan on spending at least 3 days in Cusco and the surrounding area before undertaking the trek.

DAY 1: CUSCO – LARES HOT SPRINGS- HUACAHUASI
We leave Cusco early in the morning and travel by bus through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the town of Calca.  From Calca we ascend up for about 4 ½ hours to the village of Lares.  Once in Lares we will enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot springs and unwind after a long drive. Before the start of our hike of approximately 31/2 hours we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Then we ascend to the highland village of Huacahuasi (3,600m/11,800ft), where we camp for the night. This is an authentic Andean Community where you observe their colorful distinct and colorful weavings.  Meals (L, D) 

DAY 2: HUACAHUASI – PATACANCHA
Today we climb steadily, traversing through a treeless landscape of beautiful plants and flowers with roaming herds of llamas and alpacas. After about 21/2 hours we will reach the Ipsayccasa Pass (4,500m/ 14,760ft) and take in the breathtaking views of Mount Veronica (5,750m/18,864ft) and the surrounding snow-capped peaks.  Then we will descend to the Ipsaycocha Lake and enjoy the Andean Geese, Puna Ibis and other water birds. We will relax and eat a delicious lunch. Afterwards, we continue to the village of Patacancha (3,700m/ 12,139ft), a well-known textile community and where the people still preserve their ancient Quechua customs. This will be our campsite.Meals (B, L, D)

DAY 3: PATACANCHA - PUMAMARKA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
Today, our trail will lead downhill to an outlook facing a wide valley. We will take in the scenery and your guide will point out different plants and animals along the way, including llamas and alpacas. We will eventually arrive to the community of YANAHUARA where we will wait for the bus to Ollantaytambo. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by huge mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. It is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and bird species. We will then take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at 8:00 pm and spend the night there in a comfortable hostel.
Meals (B, L, D)

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU
We will wake up very early to take a bus to the city of Machupicchu, where we will be one of the first visitors of the day to enjoy the magic and mystery of one of the wonders of the world. The tour with your guide will take around 2-3 hours. After, you will have free time to explore the entire city on your own. In the afternoon, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to board the train to Cusco. Meal (B)

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private bus to Lares.
- English-speaking professional guide
- Meals: 3 Breakfasts/ 3 Lunches/ 3 Dinners & snacks
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Horsemen and horses to carry tents, food and cooking equipment
- 1 emergency horse
- Transportation Huilloc - Ollantaytambo (3rd day)
- Hostel accommodation (3rd night)
- Roundtrip bus ticket: Aguas Calientes- Machupicchu (4th day)
- Entrance to Machupicchu (4th day)
- Train ticket Aguas Calientes- Cusco (Backpacker express train)
- Gear: Igloo tents: 2 people in each 3-person-capacity tent, to allow for greater comfort and a place to store the backpacks.
Mattress (sleeping pad), Dinner tent, bathroom tent, Kitchen tent, Tables & seats, Table set, First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank.

Additional Optional Services that are included:

Not Included:

Optional services must be confirmed at the same time of booking or one month in advance.

Prices and Discounts: (2011)
Adults: $510
Students: $480 (when you show your ISIC card with a correct expiration date.)