Inca Trail Trekking to Machupicchu

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LARES TREK 4 DAYS & 3 NIGHTS

Unlike the popular treks in Cusco, walking through the Lares Valley takes us to see real remote places, a destination still unknown by many. You can say without doubt that this is a journey into the heart of the Andes where few tourists have been encouraged to venture. This wonderful trail will take you to beautiful natural landscapes with beautiful lakes, adorned with stunning and breathtaking glaciers. This is a totally different world from ours, an Andean paradise where the inhabitants of small villages still use ancient forms of life. This wonderful trip also allows the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, voted one of the 7 wonders of our planet.

DURATION: 4 days / 3 nights
SEASON: From January / to December 2012
DEPARTURE: Daily since 2 people
GUIDE SERVICE: Shared (Group)
PRICE PER PERSON:
ADULTO : US $630
STUDENTS WITH ISIC AND CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD: US$610
RETURN : Expedition Train

Upon request: Upgrade to Vistadome Train and first class accommodation

Important Note:
Before taking this tour you must know about the new regulations created to minimize impact on the fragile environment of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, now days only 500 people in total including guides, cooks and porters on the classic Inca Trail, the shorter Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek 7 days are allow to enter in Machu Picchu though the Inca trail daily.
We advise you to book early (at least 90 days in advance is recommended) to secure your spot.

On the other hand, you must have the following information to reserve as in your passport and from each participant in your group:

*Trek departure date:
*Prior arrival date in Cusco
*Name (as in your passport)
*Middle Name
*Surname
*Passport Number
*Citizenship
*Birth date
*Special Food Requirement
*Height
*Gender: Male / Female
*Student with ISIC card: No / Yes
*Accommodation in Cusco (Address and Phone Number)

ITINERARY :

DAY 1 CUSCO - QUISHUARANI (LARES)-CUNCANI-YANACOCHA
At scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel by our representative, then board a vehicle to take you to the community of Lares, through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking a detour through the town of Calca. The trip to Lares offers by the presence of interesting scenarios of the Andean peoples that exist in the route. We recommend bringing a camera always ready, as there are sections where the landscape presents views to remember. It will be ideal bringing some food for this trip, since the trip to the community of Lares takes about 3 hours. We recommend fruits and gifts for children of these villages, it is certain that we will find them welcoming us to the community of Quishuarani (3,700 meters above sea level), which is the starting point for the walk. Throughout the tour, we visit small Andean communities, spectacular landscapes and mountains, herds of llamas and alpacas, and have the company of peasants (people from local villages) in colorful traditional costumes. Carriers will have horses and the help of travel assistants. Begin the beautiful hike through the Andes with a gentle climb from 3700 to 4200 m, at which point you get to the lake called Queuña Cocha, where you can see Mount Sawasiray (5400 m) and Colquhoun Cruz (5600 meters) Here we will find a short climb, the more pronounced in the first tranche. Hualcacasa (4400 meters), Mount Veronica (5700 m, a sacred mountain to Apu in the Valley). It is frequent to see this in the high mountains, after which it descends for 30 minutes to reach the lunch place, located next to the picturesque "Seven Lakes". After lunch, we will begin the descent, which will take about 30 minutes through community Cuncani. Then, little by little, for two hours, we will ascend the beautiful slopes in order to get to our second point, Qolqecasa (4200 m). After 30 minutes of descent, find beautiful lakes and waterfalls, to finally arrive at approximately 16:30 pm at Yanacocha, where we will camp overnight. ( L, D)
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum altitude: 4200 M
Minimum Altitude: 3700 M
Distance traveled: 14km
Approximate Walking Time: 6 to 7 hours.

DAY 2 YANACOCHA-WAKAWASI-MANTANAY
After breakfast, at 6.30 am, we will leave Yanacocha and gradually descend for about 2 hours to Chaqchapata (3950 m).
We will be able to see the potato crops, herds of llamas and alpacas that are developed in this part of the Andes (part of the camelid family), as well as the local communities of people still in our time continue to live in farmhouses made of stone. Along the slope can be seen Chaqchapata farmers. 30 minutes later you will find Wakawasi. Then go up to about one hour and a half for our lunch in “Hierba Esponjosa” (spongy grass). We will also see a glacial stream, Champacocha.
After our lunch break, climb for about an hour to reach the highest point our walk, Auroracasa pass (4600 m) where we can see the lagoon Auroracocha. From Auroracasa we will descend to the two lagoons, where you will be allowed to take pictures of this beautiful landscape, and then enter the valley of Queuña. At this point it is inevitable notice a change of scenery with beautiful mountains, before reaching our campsite after a journey of approximately 2 hours. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Camping
Maximum altitude: 4600 M
Minimum Altitude: 3950 M
Distance traveled: 16km
Approximate Walking Time: 7 to 8 hours.

DAY 3 MANTANAY-YANAHUARA
After breakfast, at 7:30 am, we will start our walk that will bring us a much easier day, as we descend to lower altitudes and enjoy breathtaking views of the areas of Maras Moray and Salineras, the mountains and the valley Queuña. You will notice the sudden change of climate and environment, and will see local farmers and agricultural crops in corn, potatoes and vegetables. The tour takes about 4 hours, after which it reaches the picturesque town of Yanahuara, where we will enjoy the last lunch together on our trip before the departure of our staff, leaving the horses and horsemen. A private bus will take us to the station of Ollantaytambo, where we board the train for a 2-hour trip to the city of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Camping
Maximum altitude: 3900 M
Minimum Altitude: 2700 M
Distance traveled: 12km
Approximate Walking Time: 4 to 5 hours

DAY 4 AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHUPICCHU-OLLANTAYTAMBO
Very early, at 5:30 am, after the breakfast we will depart to experience a perfect visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu. You will need to leave early to avoid congestion with other groups of tourists and enjoy the spectacular view of sunrise over the mountains of Machu Picchu. To reach the ruins of Machu Picchu, it is necessary to take the local bus. This short bus ride takes only 20 minutes, and runs an unpaved track, very steep and winding through a jungle and mountain features stunning views. Finally, we arrive at Machu Picchu, where our guide will accompany us on a tour of the most important sectors of this beautiful citadel. In Machu Picchu we will go 2 hours with our guide and visit the agricultural area, consisting of sets of agricultural terraces, the urban area where the occupants lived and where some of the main civil and religious activities.

We will also visit the Intiwatana of Machu Picchu, located on the top of the citadel, the Temple of the Sun, the Condor and other major sectors. Later we have free time to explore the city on our own account. Around 13:00, we will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can take your lunch. Next, take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then we will be transported in a comfortable tourist bus to Cusco. The trip to the Cusco will take approximately 4 hours. Crews will pick up participants at the train station and directs them to their hotels. (B)

Maximum altitude: 2400 M
Minimum Altitude: 2000 M
Distance: 0 km
Approximate time of Visit: 3 to 4 hours.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDED:
-Briefing time one or two days before the trek.
-Transportation from Cusco to the start of the trek
-Professional English speaking guide.
-Assistant guide from more than 9 passengers.
-Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast L: lunch D: dinner)
-High Mountain Tents
-One inflatable sleeping pad per person.
-Dining tent with tables and chairs
-Kitchen tent
-Cook and cooking equipment
-Mules (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
-Mules to carry personal gear up to a Maximum of 5kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad).
-Duffle bags for personal luggage, per person.
-All camp waste is hauled out of the park
-Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners + daily morning snack).
-Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
-One Textile Snack Bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment.
-Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
-Comprehensive first-aid kit including oxygen bottles
-1 night hostel in Aguas Calientes – 3rd day
-Train ticket (Expedition class) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes – 3rd day.
-Train ticket (Expeditions class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo – 4th day.
-Transfer from the train station- hotel in Cusco

OUR SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
-Sleeping bag (can be hired at an extra cost in Cusco)
-Extra Mules
-Fourth Lunch in Aguas Calientes
-Walking poles.
-Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/10.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
-Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
-Dinner on the last day
-Extra services not mentioned in the program
-Tips for guides, porters or chefs and extra expenses

WHAT WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING
-A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
-Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
-Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
-Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
-Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
-Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
-Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
-Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
-Sun block
-After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
-Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
-Handkerchiefs
-Toilet paper
-Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.

Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection

-Water container and water for the first morning.

Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
-Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
-Small towel
-Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
-Cash (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
-Original passport
-Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
-Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the soil)

TRAIN SERVICE:

The Expedition is a travel experience with all the quality and benefits at a lower cost. Is a service designed for the traveler’s comfort, with four passenger seats located in front of each other, so you can share your experience, and for the faithful backpack that is always with you we offer racks placed above the seats. Also, this train has panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating, and Andean music that creates a cheerful atmosphere.

If you will take any trek with us. we ask you to fill the customer chart regarding the commentaries or otherwise you can inform to the Operations Department.
This is a very important requirement and necessary to do after take the tour to avoid problems regarding the quality of the service and help you to resolve it before you leave to your country otherwise our agency is assuming that all your services was ok therefore we are not going to accept any claims.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS
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Lima: 998181709 (+51 Calling from abroad)
Fax Number +51 1 2421273

Cusco: 998182455 (+51 Calling from abroad)
946320668 (+51 Calling from abroad)