LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

This four-day trek through Lares to Machu Picchu includes three days of hiking in the alpine zone, visiting local villages along the way. You will cross lagoons in the Lares region and see beautiful mountains.

The great Lares trek. A multi-day trekking experience through the Andes to Machu Picchu. This is Lorenzo Expeditions’ most cultural trek and gives you the opportunity to interact with small and remote local communities along the way. You will be able to meet them and participate in their traditional Peruvian way of life.

The incredible landscapes, views, flora and fauna of the Lares Valley will leave you speechless. In addition, the hike itself is an incredible challenge. During your hike through Lares, you will also visit the Maras Salt Mines, where you will see the traditional way the locals obtain salt, still 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 morning train ride to visit Machu Picchu for your guided walking tour on the fourth day. This tour to Machu Picchu is truly the best way to end your incredible adventure with Lorenzo Expeditions.

Itinerary Summary:

• DAY 1: Cusco – Lares – Huacawasi: Trekking.
• DAY 2: Huacawasi – Pata Cancha: Trekking.
• DAY 3: Patacancha – Ollanta – Aguas Calientes: Trekking and train.
• DAY 4 : Machu Picchu.

DAY 1: Cusco – Lares – Huacawasi: Trekking.

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 Lorenzo’s lodge 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,S,D and camping).

DAY 2: Huacawasi – Pata Cancha: Trekking.

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 our walk to the second campsite.

This part of the trek will be completely downhill. At the campsite, we will have the option to visit a house belonging to a local family and learn about their day-to-day life.

We will then eat dinner and our guide will hold an informational meeting about the next day of the tour.

(B,L,S,D and camping).

DAY 3: Patacancha – Ollanta – Aguas Calientes: Trekking and Train.

After breakfast, we will begin to walk to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This day will be much easier than the two days before, primarily because the entire trek is downhill.

Throughout the journey, we will pass through Willoq and Pumamarca – two communities that are very well known for their textile work and colorful dress that originate from ancestral traditions.

Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will spend some time familiarizing ourselves with the small city that is so famous for maintaining its ancient Incan structures and using them currently as homes for the local population.

We will also lunch in Ollantaytambo and later take a train from the local station to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. here we will eat dinner and stay for a night in a local hotel.

(B,L,D and Hotel).

DAY 4: Machu Picchu

This is the most important day of the tour – the day that we arrive to one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Our last day of the tour begins very early in the morning in order to be able to watch the sun rise over the Incan citadel of Machupicchu.

We begin the ascent from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu with the option of hiking the 1,500 Inkas steps or paying a $12 bus fare to reach the citadel.

Once inside the park, your guide will provide a 2-hour tour of the ruins and most important temples within the ancient city. Afterwards, you will be free to explore Machupicchu yourself and maybe even hike Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain (previous reservations are needed with two months of anticipation, plus a fee of $15.

There are only 400 entrance tickets per day to climb these two mountains). On your own time, you will need to return to Aguas Calientes (via stairs or bus) You will then take a return train from the Aguas Calientes train stop to Ollantaytambo.

Private transportation will be waiting at the Ollantaytambo station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

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: 699^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.

SOME ADVICES FOR THE INCA TRAIL TREK

• Medicine: If you have any medical prescription, bring your medicines with you. Also, it is recommended to take pills to prevent high altitude sickness such as: Coramina, Aspirina, Diamox, Sorojchi pill, Acetazolamide, among others. Finally, take anti-blister gel to prevent blisters on the soles of the feet caused by constant walking.
• Digital camera with external memory of 2 and 4 gigabytes (optional).
• SPF 60 sunscreen (UVB-UVA) waterproof.
• Canteen or bottle: This helps us contribute to the NO POLLUTION of the environment. These bottles will be supplied with water every day
• Extra money to buy some drinks during the hike (optional). If you decide to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes, you should consider taking cash to the area, since the money in ATMs runs out quickly. Preferably bring Peruvian soles with you.
• The rhythm of the group and the climatic factors can affect the beginning of the guided tour in the Machu Picchu citadel (scheduled between 8:00 am and 9:30 am); therefore, this may cause you to leave your guided tour to make your ascent to the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain “see details.”
• If the passenger requires an extra Carrier (additional cost), he must request it at the moment of making the reservation, because the field personnel must pay the entrances fee to hike the Inca Trail. If you need additional luggage, an additional fee of $130 USD will be charged and the porter maximum carrying weight is 15kg. The extra fee covers the entrance fee, transportation and food for the porter.
• For all our expeditions Lorenzo Expeditions provides shared tents (designed for 04 people but used only by 02 passengers). For those passengers who want more comfort and privacy we have the option of offering personal tents. The extra cost for this service is US $ 60.00. This service must be requested at the time of making your reservation.

• 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.