Lares Trek, Fundo Huaran

At 6 am you will be picked up at the hotel by our private transport which will bring you into the sacred valley of the Incas. The ride will take about 2 hours. We will take a short break close to the town of Calca in order to have breakfast. You will also have the opportunity to buy snacks like fruit, chocolate and water etc. in case you didn't get a chance to do so in Cusco. We will drive a bit further to our starting point, the plains of Huaran (3.000 m / 9.840 ft ASL) where we will meet our wranglers with their horses and commence our trek. The trail ascents steadily for 4 hours to the center of the valley of Huaran, following the river Cancha Cancha to a small community of the same name. Along the way we'll be able to see the traditional farmland of the locals, enjoy the view into the impressive valley of the river and walk through the typical Polylepis woods, which unfortunately are diminishing. This vegetation is particularly interesting due to its abounding wildlife, especially the humming birds and the Venus-flytrap. In the village we will be able to enjoy a traditional, Andean lunch and continue with our hike after a short break. After two more hours of hiking we will reach our campsite “Acopata” at  3.950 m/ 12.960 ft ASL. We will spend the night here after a traditional dinner and a short briefing for the next day.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation / Lares Trek: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 3,700 m.a.s.l - 12 139 feet
Minimum Altitude: 2,800 m.a.s.l - 9 186 feet
Distance Travelled: 10 km approx - 6,213 miles
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours

After breakfast we continue our ascent. This is the longest and most exhausting day of the trail. We will climb for about 3 hours to the highest point called “Pachacutec” at  4.750 m / 15.580 ft ASL. The view from up here is breathtaking, you can see the impressive mountains and the glaciers  Pitusiray and Sahuasiray as well as emerald green lakes. From there we descend for about 2 hours to the glacier lake Qoyalaycocha where we will break for our traditional lunch. After a short break we continue for another 2,5 hours to the village of  Quishuarani.

Along the trail we will be able to observe free range flocks of lamas, alpacas and sheep, and with a bit of luck we might be able to spot the gray Andean deer, the Andean goose, falcons, ducks or even the noble Andean fox.  We will camp at the community center which offers bathrooms and a camp site. In Quishuarani you will be able to purchase alpaca textiles which are still handmade according to the original style and tradition of the Lares valley.

In the afternoon we will provide a small snack and later our ample traditional dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation / Lares Trek: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4,540 m.a.s.l - 14 895 feet
Minimum Altitude: 3,900 m.a.s.l - 12 795 feet
Distance Travelled: 14 km approx - 89,477 miles
Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

We will have to get up at 6 am and begin our ascent after breakfast. We will climb for 4 hours to the pass of Cuncani  4.200 m / 13.780 ft ASL from where we can admire the mountain range of Urubamba with the peaks of the Willcaccasa (4.458 m / 14.625 ft ASL), the Padreyoc (5.500 m / 18.045 ft ASL), and part of the Veroni (5.800 m / 19.030 ft ASL) as well as turquoise lakes and the marvelous landscape of the valley itself. We will now descend for about 2 hours past several lakes until we reach the banks of lake Cuncani where we will enjoy our lunch. Another hour of walking will bring us to the village of Cuncani ( 3.900 m / 12.795 ft ASL). In Cuncani you can buy traditional woven fabrics. Along the way we will meet people who are dressed in these colorful fabrics. The flock of lamas, alpacas and sheep will also accompany us on this stretch of the way. From Cuncani we will descend further into the valley of Lares, known for its medicinal hot springs, where we will enjoy a well-earned hot bath. Our bus is waiting for us at Lares and will take us to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon. There we will change onto the train to Aguas Calientes. You will be picked up upon arrival and accompanied to your hostel. In the evening there will be a briefing by your guide, coordinating your visit to Machu Picchu for the next day.

Accommodation: Hostel                                                                                                      
Maximum Altitude: 4,458 m.a.s.l - 14 625  feet                                                                       
Minimum Altitude: 3,190 m.a.s.l - 10 465 feet
Distance Travelled: 13 km approx - 8,077 miles
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours.

We meet our guide early to walk or drive up to the arqueological complex. We have to get our tickets checked at the entrance. Once we are inside we start with our guided tour ( 2 – 2,5 h).

Afterwards we have free time to explore on our own or enjoy the views. In the afternoon we have to return to the train station to take the train back to the Sacred valley or Cusco, transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

NOTE: If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu mountain you need to advise and book this in advance as spaces are limited and there is a new fee of 20 US$ per person.

Meals: breakfast

Train: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo station.

Huayna Picchu, or Wayna Piccchu, is the oft-pictured mountain rising in the background several hundred meters above the Machu Picchu citadel. A stunning outlook over Machu Picchu and the surrounding area, it has become a very popular hiking destination, so much so that access is now fee-based and limited to 400 daily permits – 200 at 7am and 200 at 10am.
Physically fit hikers will reach the top of Huayna Picchu in about 45 minutes, but should not underestimate the climb. It is not an easy trek, especially in the rain. The most dangerous parts involve steep steps with via-ferrata-style support cables and railings.

There is even a girth-limiting squeeze through a narrow tunnel. Take care at the summit, which can get crowded.
PLEASE NOTE: If you hike a Lares trek to Machu Picchu then you can add Huayna Picchu to your Machu Picchu entrance for US$20.

During the Lares trek your main luggage will be stored at your hotel in Cusco and you will receive a small duffle bag at your briefing (which will be held the evening before you start the Lares trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. The Horses or Lamas will transports these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the horses will always be ahead of the group. You should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sun screen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag must not weigh more than 9 kilograms (19 lbs) which is to include your sleeping bag. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 9 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra amount together with your day pack.
Sleeping bag / Lares Trek: You will need a good warm sleeping bag. Where possible we recommend you bring your own sleeping bag, however adequate ones can be hired locally (for approx US$ 20) but we can take no responsibility for the standard. If you are planning to hire a bag it is a good idea to bring a silk sleeping bag liner to use inside for added warmth and comfort. A four season (or - 8) bag is recommended for the winter months / June & July. At other times you will probably be fine in a 3 season (or -4/-5) bag although this depends on how much you feel the cold and is given as a guideline only. If you are travelling in winter and you do not wish to invest in a 4 season bag you may want to consider purchasing a 3 season bag plus a sleeping bag liner and bringing additional clothing.

Included:                                                           

•     private bus: Cusco – Huaran, Lares – Ollantaytambo, train station - Cusco
•     english speaking, professional Guide for the trek and Machu Picchu
•     all meals (till lunch of day 3), boiled water for drinking during the trek
•     cook and cooking equipment
•     quality double tents and mats, tables and chairs
•     horses to carry food, cooking- and camping equipment and 7 kg of luggage per person
•     First Aid Kit
•     train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back, transfer to Cusco
•     one night hotel in Aguas Calientes (DWB) including breakfast
•     entrance fee to Machu Picchu

Not Included

•     drinking water (partially)
•     sleeping bag (can be rented in Cusco)
•     entrance fee to Huayna Picchu (20 USD$ p.P).
•     dinner and lunch in Aguas Calientes
•     extra horse for personal luggage