This less-known hike departs from the Sacred Valley of the Incas to enter a route where amazing mountain scenery, glacier lagoons, valley cloud-forest and authentic textile Quechua communities are combined to finally reach the village of Lares, where you can end the trek by relaxing in its famous hot springs. From Lares we drive to Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machupicchu on day 4 of the program. A unique hike to get in touch with Andean people and learn about their traditions and life-style. Social help is appreciated.
Day 1: Cusco to Cancha Cancha
We leave Cusco at 7.00am in a private transport and drive for 2h towards Huarán, the starting point of our trek. On this first day, we walk for approximately 5h following an uphill path that starts in a valley with lush vegetation and that will take us to our first campsite in Cancha Cancha, a small farming community in the middle of a spectacular mountain scenery. We will stop for lunch along the way. Once we get to Cancha Cancha, we set our camp and get to know the local people and their way of living.
Before we start the trek a Q’eros master (Highland priest) will offer the ceremony dedicated to Pachamama (Mother earth) and to the Apus (Mountains).This ancestral ceremony will give us permission and protection for our trek. The ceremony is commons in the Andes or highlands. A priest from the highland will lead and guide the ceremony
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Cancha Cancha to Queuñaqocha Lagoon
We leave our camp after breakfast to start walking along an ascending path that will lead us to the first mountain pass of the trek, the Abra Pachacutec (4400m/14432ft/3h), from which we can enjoy awesome views of glacier lagoons and the surrounding valleys.. Along the hike, we may also have spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains in the area, such as Colquecruz, Minas and Sirijuani. We will have lunch after the pass, to then descend to Quiswarani, a small peasant and textile community, from where we continue following an uphill path until we reach the beautiful lagoon of Queuñaqocha, where we set up our second camp.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Queuñaqocha Lagoon to Lares and Aguas Calientes
Today we continue our hike towards the second mountain pass, the Abra Willkiccasa (4100m/13448ft/2h), offering impressive views of both sides of the pass, especially of the Colquecruz and Pitusiray mountains. The trail continues along changing puna, lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer until we arrive in Cuncani 3h later, another small peasant community from where we follow our hike down a fertile valley with more vegetation, crops and agricultural communities. Along the trail we may see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After an approximated 2h walk we arrive in Lares, capital of the district with the same name, a large village whose principal attraction are its pleasant hot springs, where we can enjoy a dip. After lunch, our private transport will drive us to Ollantaytambo, where we board an afternoon train that will take us to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, we are accommodated at the selected hotel/hostel.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Machupicchu to Cusco
After an early breakfast, we board a bus to go up to Machupicchu and then immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. We then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can appreciate spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.
Meals: -
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress
What is included
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Huarán, starting point of the trek
Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field
One foamy sleeping pad per person
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Toilet tent
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
Chef and cooking equipment
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
1 emergency horse every 6 persons
Accommodation for all our staff
Meals (02B, 03L, 02D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian menu is available at no extra cost
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
Lares hot springs entrance fee
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Private transport from Lares to Ollantaytambo
RT train ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
1D Machupicchu entrance fee
RT bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco – Aguas Calientes
Private transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco including transfer to your hotel if returning on day 4
What is not included
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu
Breakfast on the first day
Dinner on the third day
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too
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 Peruvian Soles s/10.00 per person. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes
Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
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
Sleeping bag (please inform our Reservations Department if you wish to book this extra service at the moment of your booking)
Sleeping pad: will be provided by us but is to be carried by you
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
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. 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 take a bath in the hot springs)
Cash in soles and/or US$
Optional: walking sticks or poles
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu: please let us know if you wish us to make the hotel booking and, in this case, your requested hotel category and accommodation as well as the number of nights you wish us to book. Our Reservation Department will provide you with a list of our selected hotels, services and prices for you to choose from. Our hotel choice is based on previous client reports and regularly updated.
An extra horse to carry your personal items: Peruvian Soles s/46.50 per day. A horse can carry up to 20 kg
Sleeping bag rent: Peruvian Soles s/12.40 per day. Our sleeping bags are –18ºC-comfort (0ºF) and mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
Therm-a-rest inflatable sleeping pad rent: Peruvian Soles s/15.50 per day
Appropriate clothing along this hike
Hiking pants and T-shirts are commonly used during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required along the route. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.
Climate
Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
Along the route to Lares, temperatures range from 10-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 5-15ºC during the day if not sunny and depending on the elevation. Temperatures drop at night, especially in the first two campsites, at higher elevation, reaching 0-5ºC although rarely below.
How to make a Booking
If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website by clicking here or Please contact us; info@etnikas.com
Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
In a maximum of two working days, you will receive an email from one of our travel consultants confirming or denying your booking.
In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.
In case you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, please contact us; info@etnikas.com , we will be very glad to assist you. Your request will be answered by return mail within a maximum of 2 working days.
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