OVERVIEW
The visit to Valle de Lares has established a real contact with the Andean life of the peasant because we will be passing villages and have encounters with the local peasant who still live in an ancestral way with customs and traditions in their fields of cultivation. Machupicchu whispers of mysterious secrets and knowledge lost by all those who are interested to listen, to the point that the lost city of the Incas still seems to float and hide among the mountains and clouds.
Trip Summary
Highlights:
- Visit remote rural communities preserved in rich Incan culture.
- Your own private guide, muleteers, horses, delicious camp cuisine prepared by your personal cook.
- Hike at elevations between 10,000′ and 15,000′ with several passes around 15,700′.
- Spend the last day at Incomparable Machu Picchu, “Lost City of the Incas” with a private guide.
- Trek in a high Andean realm close by to herd of llamas, and alpacas. Stay in a mountain 4 season roomy tents (Black Diamond tents).
- Direct & official local tour operator based in Cusco, managed by locals.
Travel Details
- Starting Altitude – 2800m / 9186ft.
- Highest Altitude – 4780m / 15,682ft.
- Walking Distance – 34km / 21 miles
- Longest Day – Day 1, approximately 14km / 8.7 miles
- Coldest Night – Day 1 around 0º celsius
- Overall Difficulty – Moderate difficult (depends on your level of fitness).
- Acclimatization is Recommended***
Photo Gallery Lares Trek 4 Days
Itinerary
This trek is an excellent alternative for those who want to get off the ‘beaten track’ and have an insight into authentic communities whilst being surrounded by stunning mountain, lake and valley landscapes. It begins from a small village in the Sacred Valley and ascends to 2 passes over 4000 metres (13123 feet) passing through traditional, colourful villages to finish in the relaxing hot springs in Lares.
Early in the morning we will be departing in a Cusco Transportation. During the trip we will pass through some archaeological groups and craft markets inside the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most fertile lands in South America, with the production of Corn, an Inca symbol in the Andean religion. Entering the province of Calca, place to change the route up to the Paso de Huaca almost. Then descend through the village of Lares (3250m) to the medicinal waters. Here we will have a relaxing time in the pools having a temperature between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius. After lunch in the thermal baths we started walking to Huacawasi, campsite.
This day will be the most difficult, due to the ecological unevenness that we will come to pass, such as the Sipsay pass located at 4400 meters, which will take us around 4 hours. While we visit, we will go through some communities to observe the Andean experience of the local farmer in his farmland and in his rustic houses with an Andean tradition. The farmer has a wide knowledge of natural agriculture and old colorful textile work techniques inspired by their Gods and Symbols of the Andean religion, which are admirable to stand out within a region such as Valle de Lares. After the pass we continue with the trip descending to the town of Patacancha (3650m), campsite.
It is another spectacular day of travel, where we will pass communities and small towns such as Willoq, Pumamarca and others. Through the valley of Patacancha we will meet indigenous peoples of traditions and ancestral habits that despite the years still survives and survives a tradition and custom of the Incas. After a couple of hours visiting, we will be arriving to the town of Ollantaytambo, an archaeological group with an extensive Andean and anthropological history during the Incas dynasty. From the town of Ollantaytambo we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will have a hotel night.
It is advisable to visit the lost city of the Incas early in the morning; leaving in a tourist Bus to the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, getting to have a wide knowledge in the Agricultural, Astronomical and Religious; inside the wonderful city of the Incas, accompanied by a professional guide. After having finished the Guided service the client will have enough independent time to continue in the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, before returning to meet again in the town of Aguas Calientes and take the train back to the city of Cusco.
- Transport to trail head at Kiswarani
- English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fee to Machupicchu
- One night hostal in Aguas Calientes
- A chef
- Two person tent and sleeping roll mattress
- Mules to carry 7 kilos belongings per person plus heavy gear
- An emergency riding horse
- 3 lunches, 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners and afternoon teas.
- Return train and bus to Cusco
- Oxygen tank
- First breakfast
- Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (12USD)
- Last lunch
- Drinking water
- Sleeping bag (30 USD)
- Huayna Picchu ticket (15USD)
- Backpack with rain shelter.
- Sleeping back.
- Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket.
- Rain pants and lightweight pants.
- Trekking shoes.
- Slippers or sandals (for showers).
- Woolen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
- Long- and short-sleeved polars/T-Shirts.
- Rain poncho, cold and sun hat.
- Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
- Flash light, Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
- Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries.
- Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
- Original passport, original ISIC student card
- Extra money in soles (s/300.00 soles). Emergency money and tips
- Since the weather can be very cold and moistly, your clothes – once gotten wet – won dry at night. So take some clothes to change.
