Wednesday, August 12, 2015

4 Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu



Our Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative for those who want to get off the beaten path. Travelers will gain insight into authentic communities while being surrounded by stunning scenery. *There's the option to take a private trek or group trek- links below*

ITINERARY

DAY 1 -  CUSCO TO PATACANCHA TO IPSAYCOCHA LAKE
 We start our morning departing Cusco to travel towards Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  We will spend about 4 hours on the road. Then, we will arrive in Patacancha, a Quechua community, where the people still live like their Incan ancestors. The locals live in adobe home with thatch roofs, they weave their own clothing and work the land.Their income is based on their livestock and working as porters. We will visit this community and its school. Afterwards, you'll meet your trekking crew and take off on your trek. As you leave the village, you'll enjoy views of alpacas and llamas grazing along the trail. We will start to ascent for about an hour and half until the trail flattens out and we reach Lake Ipsaycocha. Towards the afternoon, we will cross our first high pass called Ipsaycocha Pass, the rest of our hike will be downhill until we reach our campsite.  Lunch and dinner are included. 

DAY 2- HUACAHUASI TO LARES HOT SPRINGS
After breakfast, we will begin to descend for about three hours until we reach the community of Huacahuasi. The scenery here differs from the other community. There are fields of potato, barley, quinoa and corn. Many of the houses we will see are built from stone and have thatched roofs.The locals produce colorful textiles.  We will get to learn about their weaving techniques and admire their finished textiles. We will continue walking for about 2 to 3 hours until we reach hot springs near a colonial village, this is where we will set up camp.  We will take a relaxing dip in the hot springs after setting up camp.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. 





DAY 3-  LARES TO OLLANTAYTAMBO TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Early the next morning, the bus will pick us up to head towards the Totora canyon. This will be a 2 hour drive that will take us into the valley of Ollantaytambo.  We will rest and have lunch here.  In the afternoon, we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes. This journey passes spectacular scenery that starts in the Quechua highlands and changing into tropical 
vegetation as we near Aguas Calientes. Once in Aguas Calientes, we will check into a hotel for the night. 

DAY 4 -   MACHU PICCHU
After having breakfast, we will catch the bus to Machu Picchu in order to view the sunrise above the citadel.  There is the option to hike up Wayna Picchu due to new regulations, these tickets need to be booked in advanced. There are only two time slots: 7-8 am and 10 - 11 am.  If choosing the 7 am option, you will miss the guided tour of Machu Picchu. Your guide will give you a 2 hour tour of Machu Picchu after this, you can explore the citadel by yourselves.  Afterwards, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and be given your return train tickets to Cusco. The earliest train is 1 pm and the latest is 9 pm. The train included in the tour stops at Ollantaytambo and we will catch a bus back to Cusco. It is possible to request an extra night in Aguas Calientes through your booking agent.  This option is popular as it lets travelers explore the area and Machu Picchu. 

VERY IMPORTANT: There is a mandatory fee of $15 USD to hike Wayna Picchu. Guide is not included for this hike. To include a guide, the fee is $50 USD, which would be a total of $60 USD.
VERY IMPORTANT: A pre-tour briefing is held at our office or your hotel (whichever is preferred) the night before your tour at 6 or 7 pm (exact time to be confirmed).


1 comment:

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    Lares trek

    ReplyDelete