Lares Trek 3 Days to Machu Picchu - Cultural & Adventure Experience
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Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days – A Cultural and Adventure Hike to Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu combines high Andean treks with an opportunity for genuine interaction with the locals in the most remote villages of Cusco. This is a unique itinerary to the Lares Trek Valley, designed by Andean Great Treks that includes Machu Picchu.
Two days of trekking, away from the crowds and deep into the Andean nature. A guided tour through Machu Picchu at dawn, the best time to see the Lost City of the Incas. During the Lares Trek, you will enjoy the train ride to Machu Picchu. This is one of the most impressive train journeys in the world, giving you the opportunity to enjoy all the magnificent Andean landscapes of Cusco.
Wari Expeditions is the only tour operator that will take you through the most isolated indigenous communities that keep the Inca culture alive and you will have the privilege of interacting with them. Our tourist route is one of the most picturesque, with majestic glaciers, amazing blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, llamas and alpacas.
Itinerary
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Day 1: LARES TREK : CUSCO - HUARAN - CANCHA CANCHA
Today we are going to pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco at 5:00 am, then we will go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, during the trip you will enjoy a beautiful sunrise and the majestic view of the Vilcanota River. The first place to visit is the archaeological center of Unu Urqo, which in Inca times was one of the most revered religious sanctuaries, since it is believed that the rituals of the cult of water and Pachamama (Mother Earth) were performed there.
Nearby is the town of Huaran where we meet the muleteers and their horses, who accompany us both days. The ascent is made through a fertile valley surrounded by trees and the river that descends from the Pitusiray glaciers, Sawasiray. At noon we will have our lunch in the middle of nature, prepared by our cooks. One more hour of ascent we will arrive at the town of Cancha Cancha (3,900 m/12,800 ft), this is one of the communities, whose inhabitants are dedicated to grazing alpacas, llamas, and sheep. They also grow the most delicious potatoes in Cusco, some families with the help of NGOs lagoons have developed trout fish farming. Together with your guide you will be able to visit one of the local houses. You will learn all about life in a traditional Andean village, with your guide as interpreter. After dinner, your guide will show you the Inca constellations that th
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Day 2: LARES TREK: PACHACUTEQ PASS - QUISWARANI - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
After our delicious breakfast, we begin our 7-hour trek to the highest point of our trek, Pachacuteq Pass (4,500m/14,800ft). This is where you will have to do your best to overcome this great challenge in the Andes, a good element to help you overcome the height is to drink coca tea, and also be very well motivated. Before noon, we crown the highest pass of the Lares Trek, from where you can see the most important snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range. After some photos we must descend to the community of Quiswarani (3,700m/12,139ft), this trek will take an average of 3 hours, traversing remote lakes, herds of alpacas, steep valleys and spectacular mountain views.
We also meet its inhabitants, who wear their colorful ponchos, in their daily work, with whom you can interact in the Quechua language (language of the Incas). Your guide will act as your interpreter to translate and teach you some of the Quechua language.
After lunch, our private transport will take us to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will have to take the train to the site of Aguas Calientes, which is the closest city to the wonder of the world Machu Picchu, which you will visit on the third day. -
Day 3: LARES TREK: GUIDED TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First before passing the control, those who wish to use the hygienic services will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. In this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main door, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will be able to see the temple of the sun but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the hall of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can consume a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
What’s Included in This Tour?
Included
- Private transportation from the hotel to Unu Urqo Inca ruins and the Huaran trailhead
- Local licensed guide, fluent in English
- Round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Round trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archeological Complex
- Private guided tour in Machu Picchu for 2 hours
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, storage and buffet breakfast included
- 4 person Camping tent for every two trekkers
- Comfortable foam mattress
- Meals: 2 lunch, 2 dinner , 2 breakfast
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Horseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules)
- Provision of a horse in case of emergency – In case of illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Boiled water to fill in your bottles
- Transfer back to Cusco
Not Included
- Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
- Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek
- Hiking Poles –$20 USD per pair per trek (professional poles that can be extended)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – $80 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
- Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
Pricing
The best Lares Hike Machu Picchu is available on any date that is best suited to you as long as we have a minimum of 2 participants!
Group Price
- Our best price its $489 USD per person.
Private service price
- 2 Persons – $597 USD per person
- 3 Persons -$577 USD per person
- 4 Persons – $559 USD per person
- 5 Persons – $537 USD per person
- 6 Persons -$497 USD per person
- 7+ Persons -$477 USD per person
Packing List
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Good quality walking boots or shoes
- Good quality sleeping bag for cold temperatures
- Trekking poles – can be rented at agency
- Sandals for down time (very important)
- Baselayers of varying temperatures, especially for the night
- Thermals, gloves, scarves, wooly hat
- Good quality trekking socks to avoid blisters
- Raincoat or long poncho (for rainy season)
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid on the trail
- Headlamp/Torch (very important)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
- Swimming suit for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes (optional)
Lares Trek 3 Days to Machu Picchu - Cultural & Adventure Experience