The Lares trek to Machu Picchu offers you the opportunity to trek ancient Inca paths and routes but away from the hordes of the classic Inca Trail. Step back in time as you trek through untouched and breathtaking landscapes set against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, and watch a panorama of Andean villages, lakes and valleys unfold before you, revealing a way the way of life of the descendants of the Incas which has remained untouched for centuries.
This trek does not run in the months of Dec and Jan because weather conditions affect the trails.
ITINERARY
1st Day: Cusco - Lares
We will be picked up at 6am. Then we drive towards Calca set in the heart of the Sacred Valley via Pisac, where we stop en-route for breakfast. Pisac is a great opportunity to visit some of the colourful, markets selling local produce. Here you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes. We pass the Hualcapunku Pass at 4400m where we can catch breathtaking views of the snowcapped peak of Ausangate mountain that at 6370m is the highest mountain in the Cusco area.
Along this trail we pass many Andean medicinal plants and continue to Lares (3 hours total). There is a great opportunity to relax at the hotsprings here. After lunch we continue to our first camp, located at 3300m. This is a great opportunity to catch glimpses of tiny Andean villages and this area is famed because the fantastic weavings created by the locals. We ask you to respect the local customs and way of life.
2ND Day: Lares - Challwaccocha
An early start means we can enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting our trek towards the community of Huacahuasi, making a short visit to the village. You can visit some loca school also you may donate some school supplies for the children at the local school. We stop for lunch and then continue onwards to the Ibsacocha Pass with beautiful views of the Vilcanota mountain range.
We encounter a number of flagstone Inca Trails and cross this pass before setting up camp on the other side at Challwaccocha (Fish Lagoon). The views during today's trek are breathtaking, and we also catch glimpses of lakes and herds of llamas.
3rd Day: Challwaccocha - Aguas Calientes
After breakfast we walk at a leisurely pace to Patacancha, situated at 2800m. Along the way we pass local farmers tending to their herds of llamas and alpacas, beyond which are terraces of crops. We stop here for lunch before passing through Willoc, en-route to Ollantaytambo, where the locals are dressed in scarlet ponchos, and are the closest living descendents of the Incas and still follow their traditions. We have plenty of free time to visit the ruins here before dinner before catching the evening train to Aguas Calientes where we settle in at our hostel for a hot shower followed by dinner.
4th Day: Machu Picchu - Cusco
After having our nice breakfast in our hostel, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, after picking our entrance tickets up at the control; we visit the famous archaeological site of South America and now the New Wonder of the Earth, the tour usually takes 2-3 hours, after the guided tour you can spend some hours to visit and enjoy the place by yourself. After your nice experience in Machu Picchu, you have to return to the village of Aguas Calientes, for getting in on your train back to Cusco. And finally we pick up you at the train station to your Hotel. (B)
We Provide
Private transport to Lares - Trailhead; all camping and cooking equipment including good quality mattresses, Ausangate entrance fees, spacious two person tents, dining (tables and chairs)and cook tent, Extensive First-aid kit including Oxygen; professional English and Spanish speaking guides trained in first-aid and C.P.R. Mules and cook team. All entrances fee needed for doing the tour (extras are by tour own), All Meals Whilst Trekking Included as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Not Included
Breakfast on the first day.
Sleeping bag.
Extra mule or porter (for asking before departing)
Any extra entrance fee
** Tips for Staff on the trail.
Equipment List
On this expedition we will be experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing Altiplano to extremely hot sunshine. During the day hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold (as low as -10°C whilst camping) especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco. Good quality Alpaca jumpers are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is essential for your enjoyment of this trip.
Suggested List
Comfortable clothes for travel
Smart clothes for night life
Shorts
T-shirts
A warm fleece or down jacket
Thermal underwear
Warm hat, gloves, scarf
Sweater (Available in Cusco)
Waterproof coat & trousers (poncho)
Socks / underwear
Trekking trousers
After trekking trousers & t-shirt
Good, well walking boots
After trek shoes (sandals)
Towel
Sleeping bag
Water bottle & purification tablets (optional)
Sunglasses
Swim suit
Sun-hat,
Head torch & spare batteries
Book, notepaper & pen (optional)
Sun block
Lip balm
Binoculars (optional)
Camera & batteries
Pocket knife
Insect Repellent
Walking sticks & protective rubber (optional)
Personal toilet kit
Money belt
Day sack & rain-cover
Personal first aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), general anti-biotic, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
We carry an extensive first aid kit & Oxygen on all trips, but these are generally for emergencies only)
Please note:
The mules carry all your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible during the day so please bring a small day-pack to carry your personal day gear in - ie water-bottle, iodine tablets, camera, sun-block, insect repellent, light fleece and rain jacket.
Any excess gear may be stored in Cusco at your hotel.
Most good quality sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru so if anyone wishes to donate any outdoor clothes, sleeping bags etc they will be gratefully received by any of our staff.
Policy to Make a Reservation
Complete the booking form making sure that the name on the booking form matches that on your passport.
Deposit of % 50 PERCENT per person is required at the time of booking.
Upon receipt of your booking we will forward confirmation and complete information of the trail and included services.
The balance is due not less than 8 weeks prior to departure.
Upon receipt of your final balance you will receive detailed joining instructions.
And lastly please note:
The "Lares Trek'' travels through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that makes this trail so very special could also cause certain problems.
This is a very nature and adventure trek and we expect our clients to be prepared for any alteration in climate (Rainy season-November to April- and dry season - May to October) or/and change programmed events.
This expedition involves trekking over several high passes up to 4600 m./ 5,091 ft., and involves steep descents. It is recommended that all clients should have some previous trekking experience and should be in reasonable fitness.
You should also be aware that adventure travel, in particular trekking and travelling in remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to assume. You will have to take out adequate travel insurance to cover these risks and any costs incurred due to sickness, delayed flights and other factors out of Gregory Adventure Perú control.
A pre-departure meeting will be held on arrival in Cusco. It is highly recommended you attend. All clients will be asked to sign a risk assumption form and must provide a photocopy of their passport, Peru entry stamp and details of their travel insurance.
