CUSCO, LARES TREK & MACHU PICCHU TOUR 9 DAYS

Day 1: Arrival in Lima / City Tour (Night hotel in Lima)

Arrival in Lima and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive during the day, your hotel will be in the Miraflores neighborhood, with good shops and restaurants, and you will have a city tour included in the afternoon. If you arrive late at night, you will be near the airport to sleep a little more before the next day’s flight.

Day 2: City tour

Reception in the city of Cusco, transfer to the HTL where an aromatic matte of stimulating coca will be served for the height of the city.

2:00 PM EXCURSION CITY TOUR: which includes a visit to the Temple of the Sun or Koricancha, also visit the 04 ruins surrounding the city, The Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, Kenko, Puca Pucara, finally «The Baths of the Inca» Tambomachay, 6:30 PM Transfer to the hotel.

Hotel night in Cusco.

Day 3: Tour South Valley

At 8:00 am we will pick you up from your hotel to start our tour. In our vehicle we will go to the southern part of Cusco. As a first point we will visit Tipon, an archaeological site where the cult of water was surrendered. In this place we will be able to appreciate the most important hydraulic system in the region, at the same time we will be able to observe several enclosures, agricultural terraces and irrigation systems that until today are maintained. After this, we will continue to Pikillaqta, a pre-Inca archaeological site, used as an administrative center of the Wari culture. This place shows us the domain they had in urbanization that had the wari culture. After this visit we will go to the town of Pisaq where we will have lunch. Then, we will visit the archaeological site Pisac, where we will appreciate the great Inca cemetery, agricultural terraces, temples, irrigation systems and andenería. Then, we will go to the town to appreciate its craft market more. Then they will have the free time to be able to acquire some souvenir if they wish. Finally we will take another route to return to Cusco, on the way if we have time we can visit the animal shelter of Cochahuasi, where we can appreciate part of the fauna of the place. We will return to your hotel in the city of Cusco around the. 7:00 pm

Day 4: Chinchero- Maras- Moray- Ollantaytambo

After breakfast at about 8:00 am we will pick you up from your hotel to start our journey to Chinchero. It is believed that Inca Tupac Yupanqui son of Pachacuteq ordered to build this site for agricultural purposes, in which you can also see the great sample of Inca architecture. In the same way we will appreciate its colonial church that was built on an Inca palace. Chinchero is a town that stands out for its textile industry that continues to maintain that ancestral tradition. Then, we will go to the town of Maras, there you will have a short walk through its streets and colonial houses where each entrance of each house has a unique decoration, this helped distinguish families and their social classes in time of the Peruvian colony . Then we can visit the salt mines, where we will appreciate the salt process for human consumption, and the amount of wells that are in place.

After visiting Maras we will go to Moray. Moray was used a center of agricultural experiments, such as the adaptation of some plants from the coast to the mountains. It was very important for agricultural development and food in the time of the Incas. It is now protected by (UNESCO). We will have a buffet lunch in Urubamba. After lunch, we will continue towards Ollantaytambo. We will visit the archaeological center built as a religious agricultural military center, to administer and control the sacred valley, in the same way we will observe several liturgical fountains, platforms, gardens and important temples. Finally we will return to Cusco to our hotel.

• Altitude: 2850 – 4400 meters
• Season: All year
• Duration: 04 Days – 03 Nights
• Difficulty Level: Medium

Day 5: Cusco – Huaca almost happened – Lares thermal baths – Huaca Wasi

By averaging 6:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in our vehicle. To head towards the sacred valley. During the trip we pass through some archaeological groups and craft markets. We will make a stop in Calca (2940m) to visit your local market. Then, we will continue the trip on our bus to the town of Lares (3250m). Here, we will visit the thermal baths of Lares where you will have a relaxing moment (average temperature of 28º and 34ºC.). After lunch, we will begin our hike discovering the mountains of granite and andesite origin in addition to finding the cozy landscape and its warm people that welcome us. Our camp is in Huacawasi (3600m), where we will meet with some local families. They will introduce their family members, and each one of them has the ability to transform alpaca wool into a colorful and well-finished textile product.

• Transport time 3hrs 30.
• Walking time: 4 hours in cold weather.

Day 6: Huaca Wasi – Sondor – Huacahuasi Pass – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Miski Unu – Pucara

During the morning, we will take a path that is not very common for the walker, it goes towards the Huacahuasi Pass (4400m). It is the highest point of the hike and this shows us a snow signal that makes it even more attractive to reach the top. While we observe its natural attractiveness, we will pass through two lagoons known as Aruray Cocha and Yurac Cocha (place where we will stop for lunch). After lunch, we will pass through the forest of Queuñas (Polylepis), which will allow us to discover the flora (orchids, bromeliads and other species) and fauna (Birds) that have developed to more than 3’600m. Our camp is located in the Pucara sector (3’000m), where we will discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

• Walking time: 8 hours in cold weather.

Day 7: Pucara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we will take the path of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo at 2’850m (Ollantaytambo is considered the last town of the Incas). Here we will discover the Inca Trail, the Inka town of Ollantaytambo and the Pinkulluna sector (Mr. Tunupa). After our lunch, we will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2’050m), and head towards our hotel to rest.

Note: the entrance to the town of Aguas Calientes can vary according to the availability of seats in the train that can be a train from 12h58 to 19hrs.

Day 8: Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up and then take the bus that will take you to the citadel of Machu Picchu. At 6 am, we will enter and visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m), a place that will enrich us, for its history and culture, we will visit the most important sites of the archaeological site. Together with our guide we will explore the site for an average of 2 hours. Then you will enjoy the tranquility, in your free time. Then, take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, and take your train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo we will pick you up from the station and then take you to your hotel in Cusco (3350m).

Day 9: Departure

We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.

Backpack, sleeping bag, warm and cold weather clothing such as waterproof jacket, fleece, pants and trekking shoes, polo shirts, rain poncho, hat, sunscreen scarf, insect repellent and gel-disinfectant alcohol. Water bottle and sterilizing tablet. Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), flashlight and batteries. Small snack selected as a bar of chocolates and dried fruits. Original passport, student meat “ISIC” and extra money in soles.

How difficult is the Lares Trek 9 Days?

The Route from Lares to Machu Picchu is considered a moderate walk. It is not a technical walk, but the altitude can affect some people. We recommend buying a wooden cane while in Peru, as it will help with your balance and reduce the load on your knees. We ask you not to use a cane with a metal tip, as it can damage the fragile environment along the way.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Lares Trek 9 Days?

It is impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Its genetic capacity to adapt to height is determined by its genetic composition and has little to do with physical condition or health. Most people will not have problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full day in Cuzco (3249 m), take it easy and drink a lot of water, it is usually enough for most people.

The highest point you will reach while walking on Lares Trek is 4550 meters. You will sleep at 3600 meters for one or two nights.

When do we get to Machu Picchu and how much time do we spend there?

You will arrive in Machu Picchu early in the morning of the 8th. You will meet a local guide who will take you on an informative 2-hour tour of the ruins. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own before the group travels by bus to Aguas Calientes, where we will take the train back to Cuzco.

Do shippers carry our luggage during the Lares Trek 9 Days?

No, llamas, cargo mules and / or horses will be provided to carry your personal items. You should still bring a day pack to carry all the essentials you want or need, such as water, snacks, camera, sweater, raincoat, etc.

How cold is it on the Lares Trekg Days (I will have to bring hats and gloves)?

The high altitude means that it can be quite cold, especially during the Andean winter (May – September) when the temperature can drop below zero degrees (Celsius) at night. It can still be cool at other times of the year, so we recommend wearing thermal underwear and a warm sleeping bag. You can buy hats, gloves, hand-woven, warm, economical and locally made in Cuzco.