LARES VALLEY TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU 4D/3N
A very practical alternative route for those adventure lovers who do not have much time and want to get off the beaten path away from dozens tour groups going in one direction and destination. On the Lares Valley Tail we will experience the beauty of the mountains at high elevations, drastic changes in flora and fauna, and experience daily life in farming communities along the way. If you want to experience the real Peru, this tour is for you!
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Kiswarani
We leave our hotel early in the morning and drive three hours to the small farming community of Kiswarani (12540 ft / 3800 m), our starting point for the hike. Here we begin hiking along a rising path for about three hours to our first mountain pass, Willkijasa (14256 ft / 4320 m). From the pass we will see snow capped mountains and spectacular turquoise color lakes. The hike downhill to our camp will take two and half hours. On the way down we will see herds of llamas and alpacas grazing on the green grass of the mountains. Our camping spot is located in the rural community of Cuncani (12705 ft / 3850 m).
Day 2: Kiswarani – Puma Huanca
Today is the hardest and longest day, so we will rise early to start the walk before the sun comes out over the mountains. The first five hours are uphill as we hike through the mountains and along streams and lakes to the second mountain pass called Sicllajasa or The Condor Pass (15411 ft / 4670 m). From here we can see the Sacred Valley in the distance. In the afternoon we hike down for two hours to our camp through a forest of native Andean trees (Polylepis P.) only found over 12210 ft / 3700 m.
Day 3: Puma Huanca – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu
Today we walk for four hours along the Puma Huanca valley descending to the town of Urubamba (9570 ft / 2900 m) in the Sacred Valley. Here our bus will be waiting to transport us to the Ollantaytambo train station. We will enjoy a one and a half hour train ride as we watch the vegetation change from semi-arid to the lush green forests and spectacular mountain ranges on the way to Aguas Calientes (6600 ft / 2000 m) where we will spend the night in a hotel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco
We take the earliest bus to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu. After sunrise our Inca trail guide will give us a complete tour visiting the nicest parts of the City. You will then have free time to visit Machu Picchu your own before taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Ollantaytambo. A bus waits for us at the train station in Ollantaytambo and will transport us to Cusco city.
The Lares valley trail to Machu Picchu 4d/3n program includes:
- A licensed professional English speaking tour guide, who will visit you at the hotel to give you a pre-departure briefing
- Duffle bag during the whole period of the trail to take all your personal belongings, with no maximum weight per person
- Collection from your hotel and transfer via private transport to Kiswarani
- A spacious two person, four season tent, we use The North Face or Hard Wear Mountain Equipment tents
- An inflatable mattress and a pillow per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs, cooking tent and toilet tent
- A chef and assistant chef to cook healthy and hearty meals during the whole itinerary with fresh ingredients
- Horses to carry the camping equipment, cooking equipment and food
- Llamas to carry the client’s duffle bags
- Accommodation for our team of workers
- Meals (03 breakfast, 04 lunch, 03 dinner)
- Snacks, everyday after breakfast
- Boiled cool drinking water during the whole itinerary (morning, afternoon, night)
- First Aid Medical Kit and Emergency Oxygen Tank
- Private transport from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo
- Vistadome service round trip ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
- Accommodation in a hotel
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (day 04)
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco city.
The Lares valley trail to Machu Picchu 4d/3n program does not include:
- Sleeping bag during the whole itinerary (can be rented locally)
- Tips
- All that is not specified in what the program includes
We recommend bringing:
- Thermal clothing, it turns very cold after nightfall all year round
- Rain gear
- Hiking boots (water proof)
- Sandals or slippers, to walk more comfortably at the camps sites
- Hat for cold and Cap for the sun or it can be used during rainy days, too
- Sleeping bag
- Convertible pants or zipoff pants
- Long johns
- Sun glasses
- A towel
- Swim suit, you may want to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes town
- Sun cream
- Mosquito repellent
- Snacks, we recommend to bring power bars
- Original passport (will be used to board the trains)
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Camera with extra batteries, batteries lose charge easily in cold weather conditions
- Reusable Water Bottle (to avoid unnecessary waste from disposable water bottles)
- Cash, Peruvian Soles or US Dollars
- Walking poles that will allow you to walk with the body upright and avoid exerting pressure on your knees when hiking downhill
| Pacha tours & trips E.I.R.L. | |
| Private and Custom Made Travel to Peru and Southamerica | |
| Avenida Tacna # 230, office 303 (third floor), Wanchaq | |
| Cusco - Peru | |
| Phone: | +51 84 237289 |
| Cel Phone: | +51 84 984769540 (24 hours) |
| Email: | info@pachatoursperu.com |
Pacha tours & trips EIRL, Travel Agency and Tour Operator, Cusco - Peru . Copy Right 2008 - Tailor made travel to Peru