Lares and Inca Trail Express Trek
The Lares Trek is one of the most popular alternative treks chosen by travelers to Cusco. This route passes through typical local communities, enabling travelers to witness how the people of the Andes have conserved their traditions. The scenery in this area is spectacular, with inter-Andean valleys overlooked by soaring snow covered mountains. The trek ends in the Patacancha valley, where local people continue the weaving traditions of their forebears. Below this valley is Ollantaytambo, from where you will overnight before doing the Inca Trail Express Trek to Machu Picchu the next day.
This makes a great alternative if the 4-5 day Inca Trail permits are sold out and you want more hiking than just the Inca Trail Express Trek. You get more of a cultural trek and still get to hike into Machu Picchu. You still need to get an Inca Trail permit, but the 1 day permits are usually easier to get.
This makes a great alternative if the 4-5 day Inca Trail permits are sold out and you want more hiking than just the Inca Trail Express Trek. You get more of a cultural trek and still get to hike into Machu Picchu. You still need to get an Inca Trail permit, but the 1 day permits are usually easier to get.
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Day 1 : Cusco / Calca / Lares Thermal Baths / Wacawasi
We will leave Cusco at 6.00 am for the drive to Calca, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is an excellent time of day to enjoy the fine scenery visible on all sides of the road. On the way there will be time to visit the Inca granaries of Muyoq Orqo, after which we will continue along the valley road, passing Mount Sawasiray before beginning our ascent to Lares at the pass known in Quechua as Willka Punku (“Sacred Gateway”). We will have plenty of time to rest and enjoy the Lares thermal baths. After lunch we will begin our walk to the first campsite at the village of Wacawasi, where we will visit local weaving families and have our evening meal. Meals: Lunch, Dinner Driving distance: Cusco to Calca: 31.6 miles (51 km) paved road Calca to Lares: 26 miles (42 km) dirt road Approximate bus journey time: 3 hours Total trekking distance (thermal baths to Wacawasi): 3.9 miles / 6.3 km Approximate Walking Time: 3 hours Maximum Altitude: 10,775 ft / 3285 m Day 2: Huacawasi – Ipsaycocha – Patacancha valley After breakfast, we will continue our trek in the direction of Ipsayqocha pass, a steady climb through the natural habitat of llamas and alpacas. Here, in addition to appreciating the surrounding panoramic views, it is possible to observe several high Andes bird species. At 4420 meters (14,500 feet) above sea level, Ipsaycocha is the only high pass on our route. Here the Andean landscape is dotted with herds of llamas and alpacas. Once over the pass, a long descent will take us to the Patacancha valley, where we will camp. Trekking distance: Huacawasi – Ipsayqocha 9 kilometers / 5.6 miles (5 hours); Ipsayqocha pass - Patacancha valley 6.5 kilometers / 4 miles (3 hours) Altitude:
Breakfast, Lunch, dinner Day 3: Patacancha valley – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Machu Picchu This morning we will hike to the indigenous village of Willoq, a traditional farming, llama herding and weaving community that has conserved its traditional way of life. The trail follows a narrow valley through Inca terraces still used by local people to grow potatoes, corn, quinoa and other native crops. Along the way, we will pass the Inca archaeological site of Pumamarca. In the village our vehicle will be waiting to take us to hotel in the Sacred Valley . Trekking distance: Patacancha valley – Willoq 3.90 kilometers / 2.42 miles (2 hours) Pallata – Pumamarca 2 kilometers / 1.24 miles (4 hours, including time to explore the site) Altitude:
Meals: Breakfast, lunch Day 4: Ollantaytambo / km 104 / Winay Wayna / Aguas Calientes We will pick you up from your hotel in the early morning and take you to the train station. Our hike will begin at Km 104 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railroad. On this beautiful short trek we will experience spectacular scenery dominated by snow-capped peaks, and there will be plenty of time to visit the fascinating Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. We will have our first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, or Intipunku, high above the Inca city. Forty minutes later, we will arrive at Machu Picchu, from where we will descend to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Overnight at hotel of your choice Traveling time: • Ollantaytambo – Km 104 of the railroad (train): 36 kilometers / 22.4 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) Trekking distance: 9.3 kilometers / 5.8 miles (5-6 hours) Altitudes: Km 104: 2201 meters / 7219 feet; Wiñay Wayna: 2665 meters / 8743 feet; Intipunku: 2693 meters / 8833 feet; Machu Picchu: 2460 meters / 8071 feet; Aguas Calientes: 2070 meters / 6791 feet Meals: Box lunch Day 5: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu Today will be devoted to an extended tour of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Our guide will escort us as we visit the site’s temples and palaces and wander through its residential and agricultural areas. After this guided tour you will have plenty of free time to walk around these famous ruins independently or visit the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (another permit is required for this and departure times are fixed), before rejoining the group for the return trip to Cusco by train. "I just wanted to thank you for booking a wonderful trip for Bernadette and myself. It was a trip of a lifetime! We were a bit tired. Getting up at 5-6 am every morning was a bit hard. But, I don’t think we had a choice. Our guide Walter was a gem. The trekking part was the greatest part of the adventure Again, it was great and we really had a wonderful time." Lori |
2024 Price per person in US$: private with 2 = $1476, with 3 = $1177, with 4 = $1035. Group price = $1434 single supplement = $100 Included:
Not included
Our operator is Safe Travels Certified
We can add airport transfers, hotels in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes and day tours from Cusco (while acclimating to the altitude) to make a complete package. Just let us know what you would like to add. What to bring:
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