This amazing authentic 6 day tour package takes you through all the Andes with a lot of opportunities to interact with the real descendants of the Incas, enjoying the life style of the andean people. We take the original Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, visiting stunning archaeological sites, ending at one of the world´s wonder: MACHU PICCHU. This tour package is a combination of adventure, nature, real highland and a lot of culture.
Live the Lares trek Experience in Video !
GROUP SIZE: Small Groups from 2 – 8 people (could be 2, 4, 5…), a small group will make your experience different with a personalized attention from the whole team, where you can also enjoy the route according to its rate hike.
Private transport Cusco-Lares, bilingual guide, cook, mule drivers, mules and support saddle horses, camping equipment (double-, dining-, kitchen- and toilet tents, mats, etc.), meals, 1 night’s hotel in Aguas Calientes, bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, entrance fee to Machu Picchu , train Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Sleeping bag, meals not mentioned in itinerary, extra services such as tips and entrance fees to hot springs in Lares and Aguas Calientes – Optional upgrades
Upon your arrival at Cusco you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a short briefing with the rest of the morning being at leisure to rest and acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon, we will pick you up at your hotel and we will start visiting the Imperial Cusco City, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. We then continue our tour visiting the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. You will have time to enjoy these beautiful sights, after which we continue by visiting the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman which dominates the city. Finally we visit the vestiges of Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, located in the north east of the city before returning to your hotel in early evening.
We depart early in the morning to Calca through the Sacred Valley of the Incas enjoying the stunning scenery. Then we ascend by bus towards the Hualcapunku pass (4,500m/14,847ft), once here we enjoy the spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, rural communities and valleys with plenty of llamas and alpacas. After that we descend to Lares for breakfast and visit the natural hot springs, with temperatures between 28°c and 38°c. Here we have lunch before we start our trek with a moderate climb for 3 hours through unspoiled andean valley to our fist campsite at Huacawasi (3,750m/12,377ft)
Today is the toughest day on the trek: After early breakfast we start trekking with a moderate uphill climb to reach to the highest point of our trek, Ipsay Pass (4,550m/15,017ft). From here we enjoy the spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, isolated communities, llamas and alpacas. After time to enjoy this beautiful sight, we descend to Ipsay Lagoon for lunch. Then we continue downhill interacting with the real descendants of the Incas. Finally we arrive to our camp at Patacancha (3,750m/12,377ft), where we have our high tea and dinner.
We continue our trip through the Patacancha Valley and different native communities, such as: Willoq (3,600m/11,877ft), then we go downhill to Pallata. After Pallata we head uphill to explore the archaeological complex of Pumamarca, an amazing Inca site. The route then follows the course of an original old Inca trail through farming terraces and ancient cemetery. Finally we arrive to Ollantaytambo for lunch.
Ollantaytambo is one of the oldest, largest and most magnificent remains in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After lunch, we explore this living Inca city and some ancient Inca store houses which are located on the hillside. Here we spend the night in a Hotel.
NOTE: On this day; we offer a Mountain Bike Tour (42km all downhill) instead of the trekking. Do not miss it….!
Early in the morning we take our train for two hours and stop at kilometer 104 of Cusco-Machu Picchu way. There we initiate our trek passing the first check point. Afterwards we begin a moderate ascent for three hours to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna (2,650m/8747ft). Once here we may enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba canyon, stunning Inca sites and the connection of the traditional four day Inca Trail. After time to enjoy this beautiful sight, we continue our hike towards the Sun Gate (2,730mts/9,007ft); from here we will have the first spectacular view of Machu Picchu in all its brilliance and majestic monumentality. Afterwards we walk downhill for one hour to the citadel of Machu Picchu and take our bus to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a hostel.
After an early breakfast we leave our hostel to take the bus for the journey up to the Machu Picchu vestiges. Once there we will visit one of the most important mystic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. A three hour guided tour will take us into the history of these mysterious and charming place. After that we have plenty of time for further exploring, taking photos and eventually climbing Huaynapicchu Mountain or going up to the Sun Gate. Then we head back to Aguas Calientes and in the afternoon we take the return train to Ollantaytambo with private bus connection to Cusco.
Meal: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy
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The prices INCLUDE the MACHU PICCHU entrance fee of 179 Peruvian Soles (S/.152 + S/.27 sales tax) which is about US$60, bus from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (US$12), round trip by train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes Expedition Service 84 (US$140), private bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (US$15), Hotel at Aguas Calientes (US$57), and all local sales taxes (18%).
SAM Travel Peru ADDED VALUES
1.- Extra porter for your belongings
2.- Direct Local Tour Operator
3.- Vegetarian meals available without extra charge.
4.- Early train ticket
5.- Pillow
6.- INFLATABLE MATTRESS
SAM Travel Peru does not have hidden charges in the trek prices
“Any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers”
If there are at least 5 people in your group, you will automatically get either: $25 per person or a free Sacred Valley Tour (Must do in Cusco). This discount or free tour is valid for the following adventure trips: Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay trek, Choquekirao to Machu Picchu trek, Lares trek etc.
Please note that this discount does not apply to private treks or any other trek not mentioned here.