Lares Trek & Machu Picchu 5 Days
| Overview |
Highlight: Machu Picchu, Lares Valley, amazing mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, local villages, women weaving, less tourists.
Begin from: Cusco / Huaran End in: Machu Picchu / Cusco Duration: 05 Days/ 04 Nights Physical Rating: Moderate/Challenging Accommodation: Camping service & Mattresses
Difficulty degree of this hike: Moderate/Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.
A great hike through Lares Valley, visit local Quechua native peopleThis 5 days itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain and valley scenery in a remote area, the visit of authentic Quechua communities and that of the world-famous Sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. Leaving from the Sacred Valley, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna, including indigenous plants used for natural dyes, ascent towards Pachacuteq Pass (4458m/14622ft) surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Suerococha. Important
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| Trip Itinerary |
Day 01 - Cusco / Cancha Cancha CommunityPick up from the Hotel at 06:00, leaving Cusco by car, on the route to Pisaq until arriving at Huaran creek (2840m/93152ft). Here starting to hike up a small side valley that narrows gradually while ascending on an original Inca Trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna. After a 3 hour hike, arrival at Cancha Cancha (3800m/12464ft), where trekkers will be received with some typical food and have the opportunity to share an insight into the traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community, camping night here. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 7 km (4, 35 miles) Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours Maximum altitude point: (3800m/12464ft)
Day 02 - Cancha Cancha / QuiswaraniAfter breakfast start slowly uphill until reaching Accopata, an extension of Cancha Cancha Community, we continue north east up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After ½ hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2½ hour trek to the first pass, called Pachacuteq Pass (4458m/14622ft). From the pass you’ll be rewarded with superb views of Pachacuteq Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray. The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes and rich in birdlife. The lip of the corrie descends into the next valley, following a series of cascading waterfalls to the village of Quishuarani (3700m/12136ft) camping enjoying traditional food and spending our time with children and women weavers. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles) Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours Maximum altitude point: (4458m/14622ft) Day 03 - Quiswarani / CuncaniBreakfast, heading west up a small valley you’ll arrive at a lake at the head of the valley and start a steep zig-zag climb up a narrow trail to the top of the second pass known as Abra Huillquijasa (4200m/13776ft). It’s possible to observe the Chicon and Colque Cruz glaciers and the 7 lakes full of huallatas (Andean geese), ducks and other water fowl. Over the high point continuing downhill and have a well deserved break beside the lakes before continuing on for the short trek to the next village of Cuncani (3750m/12300ft) in the bottom of the valley (1½ hour from the pass). Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 8 km (4, 97 miles) Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours Maximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft) Day 04 - Cuncani / Lares Hot Spring / Aguas CalientesBreakfast; start slowly downhill to Lares the trail follows the river valley downhill for about 2 hours to the town of Lares (3100m/10168ft) where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a soak in some open air thermal springs (bring a swimsuit). After having lunch, boarding a private car that will take back to Ollantaytambo where we take the train to Aguas Calientes. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 6 km (3, 72 miles) Estimated walking time: 2-3 hours Maximum altitude point: (3100m/10168ft) Day 05 - Visit Machu Picchu full day / Back to CuscoBreakfast at your hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure. Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel Meals Included: Breakfast * Departure and arrival times are approximated. |
| Dates & Prices |
Private departures: Any date that you want
Price per person:
Private Group means: A private service trek is organized just for you with private transport and your own personal guide. We don't add other people to your group. This enables us to provide the best service possible with personal attention and added comfort. Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
Payment Details: We will require 50% per person payable Sun Gate Tours. The deposit is to be paid by our VISA & MC Payment On-Line.
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| Essential Info |
What we recommend that you bring:
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