A trekking route that will put you in direct contact with nature, in the middle of mountains that rise from the Sacred Valley. This trek begins near the town of Urubamba, in the Pumahuanca valley, along a path that takes us to the Pumahuanca pass, then descends to the community of Cuncani and finally to the thermal baths of Lares, where we end the tour with a relaxing bath in the Lares hot spring pools. During the trek you will pass through small towns that offer us excellent views of traditional life in the Andes; we will enjoy magical natural spaces, turquoise lagoons, presence of llamas, alpacas, view of the snow-capped mountains. Also, we will see how the local people continue wearing their colorful typical clothes, showing their well-made Andean textiles. This program ends on the fourth day, with a visit to the Inka city of Machupicchu, where we will visit its main places, dedicated to the Andean religion and agriculture.

Category
Trekking
Tour Code
CUS4D403
Location
Cusco. Peru
Tourism Modality
Culture, adventure, ecology
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Distance
32.5 km / 20 miles
Min. Altitude
2,735 m / 8,970 ft
Max. Altitude
4,780 m / 15,680 ft
Difficulty
Medium
Group Size
4 to 10 people
Gastronomy
Local, Novoandina, International
Transportation
Tourist Bus
First Aid Kit
+ Emergency oxygen bottle
Student Discount
- US$ 20

Day 1

Lares Trek: Cusco - Urubamba - Pumahuanca – Cuyoc

We will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30 am in order to take a panoramic route by car into the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in Urubamba for a short and small breakfast at a local restaurant. Restrooms are available and you have the opportunity to buy last snacks and water etc. We will leave Urubamba around 7:20 am, traveling another 25 minutes by bus to the entry of the Pumahuanca valley, famous for its crop of white corn and the Chicha (traditional beer of the Incas). Here we will meet with our horses and the horse-wranglers. We begin our trek through this gorgeous valley - where the woods of the Queuñas (Polylepis) trees predominate the landscape - on a gentle serpentine ascent with impressive views into the valley and of the surrounding mountains. We will hike for about 3 to 4 hours to the archeological site of Inka-Kancha, after exploring the complex we will have our first lunch. Then we continue our hike through the woods of Queuñas to the community of Paccha where a spectacular mountain landscape with plenty of lamas, alpacas and sheep awaits us. We will walk for another two hours, passing an abundance of small waterfalls, and finally arrive at our campsite in Cuyoc (13156 ft / 4.010 masl)

Meals: L, D - Snacks

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 13156 ft / 4.010 masl

Minimum Altitude: 9219 ft / 2.810 masl

Distance: approximately 13,5 kilometers

Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Day 2

Lares Trek: Cuyoc - Pumahuanca pass - Cuncani

After breakfast at 7:30 am we will begin our trek with a view of the snowcapped peaks of Chicón, San Juan y Verónica. Surrounded by woods, a challenging five hour adventure awaits us, climbing up on a path with steep stone steps and stairs, some parts have tight serpentine bends up to the pass of Pumahuanca at an altitude of 4.780 m ASL (the “Apachetas” at the pass are stone piles which the travelers crossing the pass have left in order to honor the Apus). Once we reach the pass, we will also honor the mountain gods with the local custom of

offering coca leaves. From here we can enjoy the view of Moray, Maras and the salt mines. Now we are ready for our descent of about one hour along a stone path with a lovely view to both sides of the mountain until we are close to the impressive lakes where we will have our lunch and enjoy a brief rest. After lunch we will have to walk for about two more hours mainly downhill, on the way we will surely meet local farmers wearing the traditional and colorful clothing which is typical for the valley of Lares. Cuncani is the main community of the area, we will camp here at an altitude of 3.900 m ASL and enjoy our delicious dinner at the camp site. Cuncani is also very famous for its textiles which are still being woven according to ancient traditions and techniques. You will have the opportunity to buy handmade textiles directly from the people of Cuncani / Lares.

Meals: B, L, D - Snacks

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: 15682 ft / 4.780 masl

Minimum Altitude: 12795 ft / 3.900 masl

Distance: approximately 13 kilometers

Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Day 3

Cuncani - Lares - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Today is the last day of the Lares Trek, it will be an easy day so you will be able to sleep a little longer, breakfast will be at 8:00 am. In this small village we will have the opportunity to visit the home of our horse-wrangler, who will share with us his simple and humble way of living, always in close connection to nature, preserving the traditional customs of farming and weaving, showing us textiles which have been passed down for generations, and giving us an insight to his knowledge of medicinal plants. Afterwards we walk another four hours downhill until we reach the village of Lares, famous for its medicinal hot springs, where we will enjoy a hot bath. After lunch our private bus will take us in a three hour trip to the town of Ollantaytambo where we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes, a two hour ride.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hostel
Maximum Altitude: 12270 ft / 3.740 masl
Minimum Altitude: 8973 ft / 2.735 masl
Distance: approximately 6 kilometers
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours

Day 4

Machupicchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Approx 05:30 am. Early walk (approximately 1.5 hours uphill from Aquas Calientes) or bus for 30 minutes to the Sanctuary of Machupicchu, guided tour for 2.5 hours and plenty of free time for further exploring, photos and optional climb of the mountain Waynapicchu, Temple of the Moon, or the Gate of the Sun. Generally, around 1:20pm people walk down the steps back to Aguas Calientes for the buffet lunch and at approx 16:00 hrs we take our return train to Ollantaytambo with bus connection arriving to Cusco city, near to the main square.
Meals: breakfast
Maximum Altitude: 7874 ft / 2.400 masl
Minimum Altitude: 6561 ft / 2.000 masl

INCLUDED:

Transportation Cusco – Urubamba (Pumahuanca)
Professional tour guide (English / Spanish)
A Cook to prepare all meals
Cooking equipment, mess tent, dining tent, chairs, tables, accommodation for the porters and cook
Mountain Hardwear tents (a 3-person tent for every 2 individuals)
Foam mattress (self-inflating mattress can be rented)
Pack horses to carry equipment and your personal gear
Wranglers responsible for the horses
Meals (3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners and snacks)
Boiled water provided at meal times to refill your waterbottle
Transportation: Lares - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Tourist train (Expedition or Voyager): Ollantaytambo - Machupicchu – Ollantaytambo
Hostel at Aguas Calientes on the third day
Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary
Entrance fee for Machu Picchu
First aid kit, emergency oxygen, radio communications

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Sleeping bag
Lunch on last day
Dinner on third and last day
Entrance to Lares hot springs S/ 12 (US$ 4 approx.)
Tickets to the Waynapicchu mountain, or Machupicchu mountain. If you want climb one of the mountains, you can request an additional ticket + US$ 17 (Mountains does not include guide)
Tips for guide, cook and wranglers (It is a personal decision, it is not mandatory).
Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

(*) Train return times to Cusco are from 4:00 p.m., it will depend on the type of train and availability.

WHAT TO BRING?

Mask and face shield to protect against covid 19
Original passport (you will not be allowed to enter Machupicchu if you do not have your passport)
Day Pack (+ plastic bag), to carry a jacket, water, snacks, camera, etc.
Warm jacket, warm clothes and clothes for sunny days (Walking clothing in layers, scarf, fleece, gloves, wool hat or beanie, hat, T-shirts, trekking pants on and long-sleeved sweater, Swimwear for hot spring pools). Thermal clothing is especially recommended for sleeping.
Comfortable waterproof trekking boots
Rain jacket or rain poncho
trekking sticks
Small towel and basic personal toiletries, Toilet paper
Reusable bottles for water, snacks
Sunscreen 30 SPF or more
Personal medications
Camera with extra batteries
Sun hut, Sunglasses
Flash-light, with extra batteries
Mosquito & Insect repellent
Cash money for souvenirs, food, drinks, etc.
Original International Student Identity Card / ISIC Card: (in case you have applied for a student discount - US$20)

WHAT NOT TO BRING?

Professional camera, tripods and canes are not allowed in Machupicchu. Permits for professional cameras are obtained in advance at the Culture office.
You cannot enter to Machupicchu with your travel backpack. Only smaller models.

DISCOUNTS (to apply discounts. Please send us an email at info@inkatrailsadventure.com)

UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD (Students must be below 25 years): US$20. Please send us a scanned copy of the student card at the time of booking.
Under 17 years old: US$20 Please send us a copy of passport at the time of booking.
Under 12 years old: US$20 Please send us a copy of passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: US$10 per person. All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

UPGRADES:

Waynapicchu Mountain (Based on Availability): + US$20 Based on Availability (ask for it at the time of booking)
Machupicchu Mountain (Based on Availability): + US$20 Based on Availability (ask for it at the time of booking)
Upgrade to Vistadome Train (First Class Train) (Includes Private Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco) + US$80
Extra Night in Aguas Calientes + US$30 per person (Twin Bed room, 3 Beds room & 4 Beds Room with Private shower & Bathroom)

RENTALS

Sleeping bag (Mummy style): + US$30 for the entire trip
Walking Poles Rubber Tips Included: + US$20 for the entire trip
Day Pack 20 – 30 liters (Rain cover included): + US$15 for the entire trip
Horseback Riding / Horse and Muleteer Service 80kg (Weight Limit) + US $ 150 (Day 1 and 2)

ADITIONAL INFO:

BRIEFING: for all our treks is a Night before we do the trek at 6:00pm in our office, But if you want us to come to your Hotel let us know in advance. (You will get a chance to meet your guide and as well as to give you your duffel bags)
STORAGE: Most Hotels have storage where you can leave the rest of your stuff while you hike to Machupicchu, but if they don’t have a place you can leave your stuff in our storage with no extra cost. (Let us know at the time of briefing)

We need at least 04 people in the shared service, to go out on the trek. All departures 100% guaranteed. To confirm the reservation, we need a 50% deposit and you are ready to go ...