4 Days - 3 Nights
Trekking
Low
The Lares valley is one of the most picturesque villages in the southern part of Cusco. Lares Valley is particularly well known for its very high-quality, brightly colored weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. Although in this area always people not far away, they often dont speak Spanish. Although in this area always people not far away, they often dont speak Spanish…The 4 days Lares Llama Trek is a great alternative, ending at Machu Picchu.
The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, one pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. This 4-day newly developed itinerary offers an outstanding combination of amazing mountain scenery in a remote area and visits to authentic Quechua communities such as Wacawasi, Willog, and Patacancha and reaches Aguas Calientes on the third day. The last day is devoted to the visit of the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.To have the best experience we combine interaction with the local people and use their Llamas to carry all the camping gear and our backpacks, how ancient Andean people did.
This trek takes us into the Lares region of the Peruvian Andes, passing green valleys, tranquil mountain lakes and high passes, with breathtaking views of snow-capped Andean peaks rising to just under 6,000 meters. Our route takes us through many small village communities that offer a rare & fascinating insight into traditional Andean life. Finally we make our way by train to Aguas Calientes and continue on to Machu-Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas. We have plenty of time to explore this renowned and fascinating site, climb to Huayna Picchu, walk to Sun-Gate etc.
South Adventure Peru Tours: Strongly recommend book this amazing trek as far in advance as possible, prior you arrive to Peru. The entrances to the santuary of Machu Picchu and Huaynapichu must be booked 3 to 4 months in advance…South Adventure Peru Tours recommend spending two nights in Cusco before to begin the Lares Valley trek to Machu Picchu; two spending at 3400m (Cusco) will be great to aclimatize to the altitude.
Important info: Since July 20th 2011 the entrances has been limited , due to the high demand and limit of entrances to the santuary of Machu Picchu and Huayna picchu we suggest you book in advance before it runs out of spaces.
We take small groups, Why ?
The principal reason to take small groups in the inca trail to machu picchu, is to provide personalized service, in a small group is easy to keep walking together and enjoy the nature of the inca trail, there is a possibility to make friend and share experiences, interacting more closely with each other. Whereas, in larger groups from (10 – 16) people it trend to split into factions. Moreover, in larger groups tends to be a sizeable difference often over onehour in a section of the trail between the fastest andslowest member, what makes more difficult for the guides, cooks and porters to make their effective labors. In small groups, people are more likely to arrive at roughly the same time to hear the guide’s explanations. Also our porters are given the same food as the tourists.
In larger groups agencies often provide inferior food for the porters. Smallgroups require less space in campsites and this enables the guide to select better locations. In small groups the guide, cook and porters have a more intimate relationship with the tourists and are better able to meet individual needs and attend to environmental issues such as waste disposal, contamination, etc. as the group will be together more of the time. Because of these reason in our standard service we take small groups, only in a group of friends and delegations we manage larger group. So choose small group.
What are the benefits of doing a private tour? One of the main reasons why the private option is sought after is because you do not need to worry about which dates we have departures set for or if our departures have enough space…Your only concern is whether or not there are permits available…You can choose almost any date that you want if permits are available. In addition to the convenience and flexibility in booking, the private option provides a more personal trip experience for your group. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel….The guide will focus all of his energy and attention on your group. You can also be more specific about the foods that you would like to be served during the trek. It is a truly wonderful experience to go on such an amazing journey with only your friends and loved ones. Ask at South Adventure Peru Tours how you can arrange your own private tour.
Lares Valley weather:
Dry season (April – November) Day temperature 15ºC/21ºC / Night temperature -0ºC/5ºC Wet season (December – March) Day temperature 17ºC/22º;C / Night temperature -2ºC/5ºC. Local Kids and Adults: Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We dont recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you dont speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people dont permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
At 6am private vehicle will pick you from your hotel, transfer through the sacred valley, archaeological remains, Andean markets, cultivated Inca terraces, small villages, and then pass the highest point of this trek know Huacacasi (4450m), from here downhill to Lares valley (3250m), where we have time to enjoy the thermals baths. Buffet Lunch is provided there as well. Here will meet the rest of our trek team, Cook and the Llameros (Llama or Horses handlers), Llamas or Horses to carry all food, our backpacks, and the camping gear…Three hours of uphill trekking to Wacawasi, there we will set up, our campsite, here there is nice chance to meet the locals and they will show their artisan weaving exhibition and lessons about its ancient techniques.
Today you must wake up at 7am and country breakfast with spectacular scenery. Today is the largest and hardest day of this entire Llama trek, will hike between 7 to 8 hours, on the beginning will be uphill to the Abra Ipsay(4480m). The climb is pretty hard with indescribable panoramic view of snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Chicon and surrounding by stunning landscape. Half way stop for lunch break. While hiking will pass Andean communities, they have a large knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textile so that their colorful clothes, unique from this region. After the pass we’ll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3720m) .Set up the tents and time to explore around on your own.
This day of hike also is considered one of the spectacular trekking, we will visit several communities and indigenious twons such as Willoq (3400m/11156ft) Pumarca (3200m/10499ft) and Ollantaytambo (2850m/9350ft) From Patacancha throught the landscape, crossing these village we can taste the traditions and habits passed on by our ancestors through the times of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, the Inca – culture and traditions. Then we continue walking and arrive to Ollantaytambo that peaks from its archaeological sites a wide story of Andean history. Between 4 to 5pm, you will aboard the train straight to Aguas Calientes where you will spend the night there , you will have fantastic journey through the sacred valley of the Incas and the remote canyon of Vilcanota to Aguas Calientes village.
The train ride consist is an spectacular views along the way in this wonderful land of the Incas, amazing landscapes of mountains and valleys, Inca farming terraces, in both sides of the valley, snowcapped mountains, and sub-tropical jungle near the Ceja de Selva. From Pachar the sacred Vilcanota River. Aguas Calientes town is set in 2,040 mts and is the closest access point to Machu Picchu. After 1H/45 Minutes of journey along the cloud forest and once you arrive there, you will be picked up by our English speaking guide or our representative and then, you will be immediately transferred to Hotel for check in for the night there.
This day, is one of the most important and interesting days during your whole trip, you will be picked up from your Hotel very early (BEFORE the BIRDS SING) our guide will meet you at your hotel between 4:30 to 5:00am to aboard the first touristic and shared bus to drop off you at the main door where you have to show your original PASSPORTS and ISIC Cards ( if applicable ) at the check point , and then try to be the first visitors inside of the wonder of the world Machu Picchu and the archaeological sites you will have complete guided tour during 2 to 3 hours of this spectacular mystical place.
The GUIDED tour basically includes walk through the different sections such as: The Urban sector, the agriculture sector, and the religions zone was used by the Inca Culture. After the guided tour in Machu Picchu, you will have free time to explore by yourself, walk at your own space, a lot of selfies and to meet other tourists into the sanctuary. According with the time and to your physical conditions, you can coordinate with the tour guide to climb to HUAYNA PICCHU or Machu Picchu Mountain from where you can have the best panoramic view for photos of all Machu Picchu and of deep green canyon surrounding the sacred Inca Citadel. Do not forget that this entrances, must be booked in advance and pay US$ 25 extra.
Afternoon and depending on your train schedule back to Cusco, you will have to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch the train back to Cusco. After the guided tour, our guide will give you all the instructions for your bus down and train back to Cusco. Upon your arrival to Poroy station, you will be meeting again by our staff and then transfer back to your Hotel. (Meals on your own).
Cuzco is a city in southeastern Peru, near
Maras & Moray, Peru has one of the
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