Combined with the Lares trek plus Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this is a trek that combines two wonderful valleys & mountain ranges with very different ecologies & landscapes.Trek through the Lares Valley, where you'll pass between glacier-capped
mountains where llamas and alpacas graze in the surrounding hills. You'll visit the town of Lares, a colourful traditional town in the heart of the valley.
Discover the you you never knew...
Discoveryourself in Peru
ALL DEPARTURES 100% GUARANTEED - IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING
YOUR BEST CHOICE of an Alternative TREK and still walk through classic Inca Trail SEE Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Inti Pata, The Sun gate, SEE the sunset at MACHU PICCHU... next morning early see the SUNRISE and have plenty of time for a guided tour and time to explore in your own... twice in MACHU PICCHU .!!!
This itinerary is a great alternative to the classic Inca Trail trek when permits happen to be sold out. You still get to hike the last day of the Inca Trail Then you get to walk through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, yet you'll spend the first 2 days trekking through the Lares Valley, to give you real insight into life in rural Peru. We are an indigenous Quechua company, we speak the same language as them, we continue to practice the same traditions, that is why our relationship is very good and you, our guest, will be especially welcome and will provide information on local life. The trek takes you through local native communities and farmsteads and provides a unique experience and introduction into authentic Peruvian culture.
Itinerary
Day 01 Cusco – Wacawasi village– Qomercocha lake
We leave from Cusco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley arriving to Community of Huacawasi. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Here we can observe their talented skills and brilliant techniques in the fabrication of ponchos and other garments. Passing the village, we begin climbing up to Qomer cocha lake at 4,000 masl. From here, we catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5,750 masl). Qomercocha is small lake with an abundance of high-altitude birds, including the Andean goose, known for its color and size; the Puna ibis, and other aquatic birds that soar through the mountains also you will see large herds of alpacas and llamas. where we will stop for campsite for the night.
Day 02 Qomercocha lake - Ipsaycocha lake - Patacancha village - Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley
After breakfast we start ascending for approximately 1-2 hours, we will arrive at the highest pass on our trek- Ipsaycochaccasa (4,400 masl). Here we will rest for a bit, feeling the cold of the air high in the Andes, almost touching the cloudand after all nice views and pictures we descending into the Ipsaycocha lake here we will have our first campsite, close to the Lake of Ipsaycocha. After lunch we descending to valley of Patacancha village where we will be able to appreciate the typical life of the locals; then we will do a small walk through the village, after we will take a local bus to Ollantaytambo sacred valley(approximately a 40 min. ride). we eventually arrive to the Ollantaytambo tonw. The view from the top of the ruins at Ollantaytambo at sunset is outstanding: the valley turns golden from the reflection off the hillsides, and bright greens from terraced agriculture that goes for miles. Here we will set our campsite for the night.
Day 3: OLLANTAYTAMBO SACRED VALLEY – 104kms – WINAYHUAYNA – SUNGATE - MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
Distance: 12 Kilometers / 7.5 Miles We take the early morning Expedition train from Ollantaytambo through the picturesque Sacred Valley to Km 104, where we enter the trail. Our hike continues gently upwards for approximately 4 hours until we reach the beautiful Inca complex of Winay Wayna, where we stop to eat a nutritious and plentiful bagged lunch. Sub-tropical flora and fauna surrounds us as we continue 2 hours to the Sun Gate, from where we will see Machu Picchu. We will walk down past the majestic ruins, and then take the bus to Aguas Calientes to spend a relaxing night in a comfortable hotel.
Day 4: AGUAS CALIENTES/ LOST INCA CITY, MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast and an early start, we take a 30 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins, where we will tour the amazing architecture and mysterious temples left by the Incas. A professional, English-speaking guide will help us understand the sophisticated ideas and technology of this highly-advanced culture. Once the official tour is completed, we will have plenty of time to explore the Sanctuary on our own before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
Included
With the Lares Trek package you will receive:
Transportation and Tickets
Private transport from your Cusco hotel to the start of the trek
Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
Transfer from Cusco train station back to your Cusco hotel
Entrance tickets to Machupicchu
Camping Equipment
We use four-season Eureka tents with two entrances and a capacity for four people (for comfort, only two people per tent)
Foam mattresses, tables, and seat for each tent
Food and drink utensils
Dinner tent and kitchen tent for the group
First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
Team
Professional, knowledgeable bilingual guide
A cook to prepare your meals
Porters to carry provided equipment and food (additional porters can be hired to carry your personal belongings)
Our guides are professional and multilingual. Not only do they possess an excellent knowledge of the Inca Trail, but they’re also wholly familiar with all of the intricate archaeological, historical, and cultural Inca traditions. All of our tour personnel are also highly qualified in tour group management and in first
Food
High quality meals to provide the necessary energy for this challenging trek
In addition to three meals daily, you will be given revitalizing snacks
Hot drinks such as tea and coffee, as well as enough water for your canteens, water bottles, or hydration packs (collected from local streams and boiled while on the trek)
Prices
Price per person: US$720 (Minimum 2 persons; departures all year)
* We include duffle bags 8kls and a horse that will carry your personal belongings in all of our treks at no additional cost.
*Emergency horse available throughout the trek, in the event someone is not feeling well.
Discounts
Student Discount (with valid ISIC card) – $25
Under 15 Discount – $25
Under 7 Discount – $35
Rentals
Hiking poles - US$15.00 (pair)
Sleeping bag -4 season - US$25.00
Private Tent - US$30.00
Air mattress -$15
Extras
Would you also like to hike Huayna Picchu? Sure you we can make it! Its price is US$60.00 per person and there are 2 turns (at 7 am and 10am), Only 400 people can hike Huaynapicchu per day. You will climb it on your own after the tour in Machu Picchu, starting around 10:00 a.m. We recommend that you book your tickets in advance to let us know of your interest in Huayna Picchu. Machu Picchu Mountain is an alternative climbing mountain, which also offers fantastic views of Machupicchu. We recommend it if Huayna Picchu Mountain is full.
Why Explore
WHAT MAKES EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU BETTER THAN THE REST?
Experienced Tour Guide. We hire the best, most accomplished, experienced Explore Adventures Peru guides. Travel & Trek with someone who hiked the Inca Trail for over 900 times, Salkantay Trek for over 500 times, Ausangate Trek for over 300 times, Lares Trek for over 200 times, being at Machu Picchu for over 1000 times. WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE! Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-treks survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment and food. BEST EQUIPMENT. We source all of our sleeping tents, dining tents and sleeping pads from north face, Equipment, an Americans and european outdoor company that has been making time-tested high altitude equipment since 1830. We don’t use locally made tents, which have a tendency to topple over in the wind or leak in the rain, like some operators. BEST FOOD. We prepare hot meals on the mountain using fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. Trust us, the box lunches that every other company gives to their clients day in and out will sap your energy for they are dry, tasteless and comprised of empty calories. SMALL GROUPS. In an effort to provide a more personalized service to our passengers, we in Explore Adventures Peru have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people (min 2 – max 8 / average 5). This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
This itinerary is a great alternative to the classic Inca Trail trek when permits happen to be sold out. You still get to hike the last day of the Inca Trail Then you get to walk through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, yet you'll spend the first 2 days trekking through the Lares Valley, to give you real insight into life in rural Peru. We are an indigenous Quechua company, we speak the same language as them, we continue to practice the same traditions, that is why our relationship is very good and you, our guest, will be especially welcome and will provide information on local life.
We leave from Cusco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley arriving to Community of Huacawasi. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Here we can observe their talented skills and brilliant techniques in the fabrication of ponchos and other garments. Passing the village, we begin climbing up to Qomer cocha lake at 4,000 masl. From here, we catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5,750 masl). Qomercocha is small lake with an abundance of high-altitude birds, including the Andean goose, known for its color and size; the Puna ibis, and other aquatic birds that soar through the mountains also you will see large herds of alpacas and llamas. where we will stop for campsite for the night. 
After breakfast we start ascending for approximately 1-2 hours, we will arrive at the highest pass on our trek- Ipsaycochaccasa (4,400 masl). Here we will rest for a bit, feeling the cold of the air high in the Andes, almost touching the cloudand after all nice views and pictures we descending into the Ipsaycocha lake here we will have our first campsite, close to the Lake of Ipsaycocha. After lunch we descending to valley of Patacancha village where we will be able to appreciate the typical life of the locals; then we will do a small walk through the village, after we will take a local bus to Ollantaytambo sacred valley(approximately a 40 min. ride). we eventually arrive to the Ollantaytambo tonw. The view from the top of the ruins at Ollantaytambo at sunset is outstanding: the valley turns golden from the reflection off the hillsides, and bright greens from terraced agriculture that goes for miles. Here we will set our campsite for the night.
Distance: 12 Kilometers / 7.5 Miles
After breakfast and an early start, we take a 30 minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins, where we will tour the amazing architecture and mysterious temples left by the Incas. A professional, English-speaking guide will help us understand the sophisticated ideas and technology of this highly-advanced culture. Once the official tour is completed, we will have plenty of time to explore the Sanctuary on our own before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.
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