A great hike through Lares Valley to visit local Quechua natives: This 5 day’s itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain and valley scenery in a remote area, a visit to the authentic Quechua communities and of course the world-famous Inca city of Machu Picchu. The tour leaves from the Sacred Valley, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna, and indigenous plants used for natural dyes, ascent towards Pachacuteq Pass (4458m/14622ft) surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Soirococha.

• Activities: Archaeological sight-seeing, experience the culture, learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking.
• Distance: 31 km. / 19.26 miles.
• Average hiking time:  4 -7 hours per day.
• Duration: 05 days.
• Maximum height: meters (4697m/ 15, 406 ft), above sea level.
• Departures: contact us.
• Number: Minimum 2 passengers.
• Months of Operation: All year.
• Service Type:
  Private: This service is exclusively for groups of friends, couples, families, coworkers, etc. And the itinerary is planned according to your requirements, and on the dates that choose
  Shared: Usually this is a large group where the tourists are all different nationalities and the itinerary is fixed.
  
• Degree of difficulty: Medium high.

OVERALL INFORMATION

Day 01 : Cusco – Cancha Cancha community

We’ll pick you up from your Hotel at 05:30am, and then we leave Cusco and head in the direction of the Sacred Valley by car, en route to Pisaq until arriving at Huran (2.950m/ 9,676ft). Here we start to hike up a small side valley that narrows gradually while ascending onto an original inca trail.  We will get to enjoy a variety of native flora and fauna. After 3 hours of hiking, we´ll arrive to Cancha Cancha (3,800 m / 12,464 ft.) where, we’ll be received by some locals who will serve us some typical food of the area. You will have the opportunity to share an insight into the traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community.

Meals: L, D
Total distance: 07 Km (4,355 miles)
Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,800 m/ 12,464 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3,800 m/ 12,464 ft.

Itinerary

Day 02 : Cancha Cancha - Quiswarani

After breakfast we start by going uphill until reaching Accopata another side of Cancha Cancha community, where shepherds live in typical stone and ichu (straw roof) huts. There we begin a steep ascent towards Pachacutec pass (4458m/14622ft), surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Soirococha. From this pass, we follow a trail that slowly descends, with a permanent view of Colque Cruz, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Sirihuni and Chicon snowcapped mountains, and then we go through Collaycocha Lake (4,200m. / 16, 000 ft.), reaching a waterfall approaching the community of Quiswarani (3, 902 m. / 12, 798 ft.), where we camp enjoying some more traditional food and spending our time with children and the native women weavers.

Meals B, L, D
Total distance: 10 Km / 6.21 miles.
Estimated walking time: 6 - 7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,458 m / 14622 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3,902 m. / 12,798ft.

Itinerary

Day 03 : Quiswarani / Cuncani

We leave our campsite and head towards to the Huillquijasa pass (4, 200 m. / 13,776 ft.), we’ll see the Chicon and Colque Cruz glaciers and the seven lakes full of huallatas (Andean geese), ducks and other water fowl. Over the high point we continue downhill until we reach the community of Cuncani (3,886 m. / 12, 746 ft.); a picturesque village, similar to the previous campsite, yet unique in its own way. This was the last refuge of the royal Panakas, who were an Inca sect. after lunch, we continue past a narrow valley full of spectacular stones and rocks, to reach the Trapiche valley floor. In the afternoon we will continue on the trail along the changing Puna lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer until we arrive in Cuncani 3 hours later where we’ll have dinner and camp out for the night.

Meals B, L, D
Total distance: 8 Km / 4.97 miles.
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4,457 m / 14,618 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3,886 m. / 12,746ft.

Itinerary

Day 04 : Cuncani / Lares / Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes

We leave Cuncani at 8:00am to walk down a fertile valley with typical vegetation, crops and agricultural communities. Along the trail we will see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After an approximately 2h walk we will arrive in Lares (3, 261 m / 10, 696 ft.), the capital of the district with the same name. Lares is a large village whose principal attraction is its pleasant hot springs, where we can enjoy a dip. After having lunch, we’ll go by car back to Ollantaytambo. From here on we can take 3 hours car ride to Ollantaytambo for the extension trip to visit Machupicchu. We take the train around 4: 00pm to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hotel.

Meals B, L, D
Total distance: 6 Km (3.72 miles)
Estimated walking time: 2, 3 hours
Maximum altitude point: 3,100 m (10,168ft.)
Campsite altitude: 2,100 m. (6,889ft.)

Itinerary

Day 05 : Aguas Calientes - Machupiqchu - Cusco

With another early rise, we go to the bus station to take the bus to Machu Picchu. This bus takes 25 minutes by uneven track, where we will do tour of the Inca citadel, your tour guide will guide you around for about two and a half hours, to show you the most important sectors of this beautiful and enigmatic Inca citadel and then you will have some free time to wander, explore and take photos. Or alternatively you could decide to climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (tickets required), where you can see spectacular panoramic views of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the great Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes, where if you want, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to Cusco, and we drop you off at your hotel / hostel. Travel time 4 hours. End of our services.

Meals: B
Total distance: 4 km / 2.49 miles.
Estimated walking time:  2 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft.
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft.

Itinerary

• Your original passport, student card ISIC (if applicable)
• A Sleeping bag, a backpack for hiking, 2 pairs pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4-poles (long and short), several pairs of socks, Sandals, towels, toilet paper, gloves, thermal jacket, a hat for cold days, sunglasses and sunscreen for when the sun comes out.
• A liter bottle of water.
• A Flashlight with spare batteries, matches, knives.
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof with ankle protection).
• Insect repellent, cream to hydrate the face and/or body.
• A Raincoat (poncho for rain).
• Energy foods (dried fruits, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc...).
• Soap and other toiletries and clothes to change.
• Swimsuit (recommended for the hot springs).
• You should bring appropriate clothing for both hot and cold days of the tour.
• Also, depending on your interest, you could bring a camera or camcorder, binoculars, compass; all such equipment should be lightweight.
• Basic medical supplies.
• Extra money in soles and dollars.
• Optional: walking sticks.

WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING

• An orientation to clarify all the details of the tour, 1 or 2 days before departure.
• Private transportation from your hotel to Huaran.
• Entrance ticket to the Valley of Lares Trail and Machu Picchu.
• Guided Tour for the Valley of Lares Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
• Professional Guide: Bi-lingual, speaks both English and Spanish, 2 guides from more than 9 passengers.
• A Cook responsible for meals. (04 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 04 dinners) - Please notify us if you are a vegetarian.
• Horsemen and mules will be in charge to carry the camping equipment and food.
• Boiled water for each meal, and for the places where there are no shops to buy water.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Camping equipment: Tents 04 people capacity for 02 persons, sleeping pad, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent, toilet tent, cutlery.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• Mules will carry 5 kg maximum from your personal stuff.
• Private transportation from Lares to Ollantaytambo.
• Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town (4rd day)
• One night accommodation in Machu Picchu town.
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – 5th day.
• Train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus service from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Portable Radio (Walkie Talkies); Basic first aid and oxygen bottle.
• 24 hours assistance.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED

• Meals: breakfast and lunch 1st day and 5th day.
• Sleeping bags (please note that you can rent them from us).
• Foods that are not listed.
• Admission to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

WE DO NOT INCLUDE

• Sleeping bag US$ 25.00 complete tour.
• Thermal-rest mattresses or inflatable sleeping pad for US$ 25.00.
• Discount of US$ 20.00 with International Student Card (ISIC Card).
• You can rent an extra horse if you are tired or you can`t walk any more for. US$ 40.00 per Day.
• Bag pack for, US$ 13.00 whole tour.
• When you reserve and then specify the type and category of hotel (2 **, 3 ***, etc.). Prices range from US$ 25 to US$ 750. This will modify the published tour price.
• If you want to return to the ruins the next day, you have to pay admission again. (Only the first entry to Machu Picchu will be included in the tour).
• All our programs are with the Expedition train service (for a comfortable price), but if you want another type of service, like the Vistadome train service (first class service) or Hiram Bingham (exclusive luxury Orient Express service), each train service is a different price, which obviously modify the published tour price. We can customize your travel, all you need to do is contact us.

OPTIONAL

• We request that you give us all your relevant personal information to proceed with your booking.
• For each tour or service that you book, our online staff will send you an email of confirmation for your booking tour within 24 hours of you making the booking, which you must print and present before the beginning of the tour.
• Confirmation of your booking will be issued once the payment has been made. Upon our receipt of you payment, our on line staff will send you a Trip Boucher.
• Our staff on line will send you all the tour information you will require, such as office address, telephone number and name of the person who will provide you the services, by e-mail.
• ANDEAN TERRITORY EIRL is a tourism company with extensive experience in the tourism service and provides a high quality service, ensuring that our customers enjoy their respective trips or tours without having to worry about organizing and planning everything – We do that for you.

>> Andean Territory’s terms and conditions

Optional