LARES TREK & INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4 DAYS

This four day trek through Lares and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu includes 2 days in Lares and 1 day on the Inca Trail and the last day Machu Picchu. The beauty of the mountains is matched only by the generosity of the people you will meet on this wonderful cultural trip for the whole family. While all treks in the Andes are challenging, this hike is a bit slower than the others, making it a favorite of our younger hikers.

The incredible scenery, views, flora and fauna of the Lares Valley will leave you speechless. In addition, the hike itself is an incredible challenge to complete. During your hike through Lares, you will also visit the Maras Salt Mines, where you will see the traditional way the locals obtain salt, even today. You will also have the opportunity to buy some to take home.

Lorenzo Expeditions’ Lares Cusco trekking package will end with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. You will then wake up for a wonderful early morning train ride to visit Machu Picchu for your guided walking tour on the fourth day. This excursion to Machu Picchu is truly the best way to end your incredible adventure with Lorenzo Expeditions.

Itinerary Summary:

• DAY 1: Cusco – Lares – Huacawasi.
• DAY 2: Huacawasi – Patacancha – Ollantaytambo.
• DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Intipunku – Aguas Calientes.
• DAY 4: Machu Picchu.

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares – Huacawasi

The Lares Trek tour begins at 6:00 AM with a pick-up location that is set during your meeting with us in our office the day beforehand.

From the pick-up location, we will travel to Ollantaytambo where we serve the first breakfast (buffet style) and from there, continue on to the small town of Lares (3,100 meters above sea level) with a travel time of about 3 hours. Upon arrival, we will head directly to the medicinal thermal baths to enjoy some relaxation time. After lunch, a long walk of approximately 4 hours to the campsite of Huacawasi (3,900 meters above sea level) awaits us.

On the way, we will pass through incredibly beautiful Andean scenery and a few small towns where we will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about the High-Andean culture. Once we arrive at the campsite, we will eat dinner and receive an informational about ancestral knowledge related to Incan
astronomy.

(B,L and D/ Camping).

DAY 2: Huacawasi – Patacancha – Ollantaytambo

After breakfast, we begin our longest and most difficult day of the entire trip (lares trek) with a hike lasting 7-8 hours. The first 3 hours will be a continuous ascent to the highest point of our journey – the Ipsay Pass at 4,490 meters above sea level.

During the entire ascent, you will have the opportunity to pass through truly indigenous Andean towns, learn about their culture and traditions, as well as see alpacas, llamas, vizcachas (Peruvian hares) and if we have luck, the occasional condor that passes through the area.

At the top of the pass, our guide will explain a bit more about the region and the importance that those mountains held within Incan religious practices. After descending from the pass for the following 40 minutes, we will arrive at the Ipsaycocha Laguna and eat lunch. After lunch and a well-deserved break, we will continue to the Patacancha village from here, Lorenzo Expeditions provide you a car and in few minutes we will arrive to our second camp also will then eat dinner and our guide will hold an informational meeting about the next day of the tour.

(B,L and D/ Camping).

DAY 3: Ollantaytambo – km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Intipunku – Aguas Calientes

After our energetic breakfast, we will travel to Ollantaytambo train station.

The train will take us to km. 104. It is here that will begin our hike today we will pass through Chachabamba, an Incan archaeological site with an altitude of 2250 masl. or 7,381.89 ft. We will continue with our ascent until we reach Wiñay Wayna our second archaeological site, where we will have a guided tour.

Throughout the journey you will appreciate the beautiful views of the Urubamba River as well as the great variety of vegetation of this nature reserve (historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu).
We will have lunch, Box Lunch style, after which continue with our hike to the Sun Gate, “INTI PUNKU” where we will have the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu.

After a short stop for a few photographs and a short explanation we begin to descend to the Inca citadel. It is here where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sunset over Machu Picchu.

Then we take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes where our hotel is located.

After dinner our guide we will coordinate the last details for our visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

(B,L and D/ Hotel).

DAY 4: Machu Picchu

If you desire to climb Mt. Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you will need make reservations 3 months prior to your trip. There is an additional fee US $ 70. We will get up very early to explore the wonder of the Machu Picchu world.

You will have a two-hour guided tour of this great ancient city where you will visit the temples, enclosures, sacred fountains, terraces, etc.

You will then have a free time to explore Machu Picchu. If you made your reservations ahead of time, you will be able to climb the Mt. Huayna Picchu Mountain or the Machu Picchu Mountain after your guided tour.

After you have finished exploring Machu Picchu you will return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes where you will take the train to Ollantaytambo.

In Ollantaytambo our private transportation will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

End of our services.

(B and L).

Included

• Tour with Professional guide (08 people maximum).
• Sprinter L5 bus mobility from Cusco to Kilometer 82 beginning of the Inca Trail.
• 3 nights camping in double tent.
• Tents: EUREKA K2-XT.
• A Duffle bag
• Hiking backpack.
• Porter in charge of carrying 8kl of the equipment.
• Hiking sticks.
• Mattress.
• Dining tent.
• Kitchen tent.
• Bathroom tent.
• Chairs and tables.
• Entrance ticket to the Inka Trail.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Return bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes.
• Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
• Specified Meals:
  • 04 Breakfasts = B
  • 03 Lunches = L
  • 03 Tea time
  • 03 Dinners = D
• Vegetarian Food upon request
• Support equipment
  • First aid kit.
  • Oxygen.
  • Communication radios.

* Train schedules will be confirmed at the time of payment.

Not included

• Huayna Picchu or Mountain Machu Picchu tickets (extra cost $70).
• Sleeping bag (extra cost $25 USD).
• Hiking sticks (extra cost $15 USD).
• Air Mattress (extra cost $15 USD).
• Drinks.
• Tips.
• Travel health insurance.

We can leave any day of the week, as long as there is a minimum of 2 people already confirmed. We can also do private tours.

Price:
Price from: 729^USDper person

Student discount:
15$ discount per person.

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the tour or is 17 years old or younger. For those using a university student card or under the age of 17, we need to see a copy of your card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.

Please send all to [email protected].

Additional items

Below is a quick list of prices, but see our Additional Options section for more details.

1. Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is the mountain next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Even if you do this hike on your own, your guide will show you the entrance to the trail. This hike is an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you with advance notice.

Your tickets will be purchased to coincide with when you are due to start the trail. Tickets are for the First Session from 7-8 AM or the Second Session from 10-11 AM. We purchase the Second Session for our clients so that they can enjoy their Machu Picchu tour before it begins. This window is just your start time, and you can take your time getting on and off, so there is no rush.

The cost of the ticket is $70 per person.

2. Machu Picchu Mountain

* It can only be done if you have an extra day to visit Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain is the other mountain that towers over the ruins of Machu Picchu. It offers even more impressive views than Huayna Picchu, but it takes an hour and a half to reach the top. For this hike, it will be an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you.

Tickets for Machu Picchu mountain are now also within a time frame of when you can start – which is between 9-10 AM. Due to this limited time frame, it is not possible to hike the Inca Trail and hike Machu Picchu Mountain. However, you can schedule a second visit to the citadel the following day.

This ticket costs $70 per person.

3. Vistadome Train

All our tours include the Expedition Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 pm, departing from Aguas Calientes. The Vistadome train is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows and even some entertainment. The Vistadome train is usually booked for 16:43 and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cuzco. Although this is a higher fare, we will include transportation back to your hotel.

This train costs $70 per person.

BRIEFING

A day before the tour, Lorenzo Expeditions holds a meeting where we will give you all the details of our trip. We will also meet our guides and all the participants of the expedition. Our meeting will take place at the Estancia Imperial restaurant, located on Calle Suecia 320, where we will also offer welcome snacks.

CAMPING TEAM

Rest is essential for an expedition of this type for which Lorenzo Expeditions fully committed to your safety and comfort to choose the best and most complete camping equipment, all of the highest range.

• Tent: Eureka K2-XT brand 4 stations designed for 04 people where only 02 passengers will sleep for greater comfort, all are thermal and waterproof.
• Mattresses: Lorenzo Expeditions unlike other operators includes 02 types of mats, one of foam that serves to isolate the passenger from the ground and the other is an inflatable mattress brand Therm-a-rest (neo air trekker).
• Sleeping bag: Specially designed to withstand the climates of this route.
• Canes: These will be very helpful to complete the hike, the sticks that Lorenzo Expeditions provides are brand BLACK DIAMOND model TRAIL PRO SHOCK TREKKING POLES.
• A Duffle bag (walk briefcase): You will be given a duffle bag the day of our group meeting (day before the tour) in which you can pack up to 08 kg of your luggage with our team of Porters, this duffle bag is taken from camp to camp
• Dining tent: designed in waterproof fabric for the tranquility of our customers during all our meals.
• Carp bathroom with portable toilet: both for the exclusive use of our group, maximum 08 people per bathroom tent.
• Kitchen Tent: Used only by our professional chefs to prepare the most delicious foods.
• Tables and chairs.
• Complete kitchen utensils.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT COMMUNICATION

Communication radios: Motorola brand model DEP-450 all with digital format for better communication between the guide and our support group, while the radios are connected to the SERNARP channels (GUARDAPARQUE that they are found along the Inca trail) In case some type of help is required in case of emergency.

GUIDES

This staff is carefully recruited and selected to be trained and adapted to the service culture of Lorenzo Expeditions.

Our guides are the most competitive in the area and they all work with us permanently (more than 8 years). They are certified and certified professionals by the government and are constantly trained by national and international entities for a better development in the different areas of action and situations. The maximum number of passengers per guide is 10.

FEEDING

In recent years, Peruvian cuisine has positioned itself among the best in the world. Thinking about it, our executive chef has designed a balanced menu. We have vegetarian menus, celiacs and menus with food restrictions.

TRANSPORTS

• Private transportation to the start of the Inca Trail: KM82
• Bus descending from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Tourist train * from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Pick up from the Ollantaytambo station and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

* The train schedule will be confirmed at the time of buying the tour

PORTERS

They will be our best allies to carry out this challenge, they come from the town of Patacancha, located in the middle of the Peruvian Andesand are more accustomed to walking in high altitude. They will be responsible for bringing all our logistic items for the hike: camping equipment and food in addition to carrying 8kg of personal items of each client. They will be waiting for us at the start of our expedition at kilometer 82.

CERTIFICATIONS

Our 2019 certifications:

First Aid International Red Cross.
First aid in remote locations American Safety & Health Institute.

RESCUE TEAM

In the event of contingencies and contingencies, Lorenzo Expeditions has aresponse plan and personnel trained in rescue work.

VERY IMPORTANT

Our itinerary is based on spaces granted by the government for the proper use of the Inca Trail, last minute reservations could generate changes in our itinerary, mainly in the camp sites.

• We recommend carrying only the necessary luggage for the four days of the tour. Large backpacks with equipment that are not needed for the expedition should be left in the city of Cusco (at your hotel or in our main office).
• A small backpack of 30 to 60 liters capacity, remember that a large part of your belongings (08 kg) will go with the porters.
• 04 T-Shirts.
• 02 or 03 trekking pants (fast drying).
• Pants and thermal pole (first layer).
• A light sweater.
• Waterproof clothing.
• Warm jacket (of feather or fiber).
• Hiking boots.
• Flips flops.
• Hat or cap.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Canteen.
• Repellent for mosquitoes (30% Deet or more).
• Original Passport.
• Personal medications.
• Flashlight.
• Personal hygiene items: Wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrush.
• The most friendly and positive attitude possible.

What type of backpack is necessary for the trip?

For this trip, we recommend a backpack that can hold between 25-60 kilograms (55-132 lbs) with clothes that are only necessary for the 4 days of the trip. The rest of your luggage will be left in a storeroom at your hotel/hostel in Cusco or in the Lorenzo Expeditions office. It is extremely important to only bring what is necessary for the 4 days that you will be trekking because on the second or third day, you will have to carry your backpack.

How can I access Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain?

In order to climb one of the two mountains, you must buy an entrance ticket in advance. Huaynapicchu is an extra cost of $70 USD per person and it is recommended that you reserve the tickets at least 3-4 months in advance. Machupicchu Mountain is an extra cost of $70 USD per person and it is recommended that you reserve the tickets at least 1-2 months in advance. If you wish to reserve entrance tickets to one of the two mountains, please contact our booking team

Will there be accommodations or will we be camping?

All the nights will be in camping.

What form of payment should I use?

You can make a deposit on our website in order to confirm your reservation. It is very important to confirm available spaces before making the deposit. The leftover balance should be paid in cash (dollars or soles) in our office in Cusco. We do not accept credit cards.
Please note: On certain occasions, it is not necessary to make a security deposit. In the moment that you make your reservation, our agency will communicate to you whether or not it is necessary.