the LARES TREK
CULTURAL 4d/3n
TOUR OVER VIEW
- Tour Type: Hiking, Culture, Camping, Textile Communities
- Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
- Distance: 39km/24.2335
- Considerations: Permit Required (We’ll obtain it after you book with us)
- Highest altitude: 4700msl – 15419.95miles
- Duration: 4 days/3 days
- Meals: All Inclusive
INTRODUCTION
The famous Inca Trail, or Camino Inca,is recognized world-wide as one of the top 10 treks. This trek moves through the Andes mountain range in Southern Peru passing through clouds forests and alpine tundras with picture perfect views at every turn. The trail is scattered with beautiful ruins open for exploring, before ultimately terminating at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu, a sacred citadel for the Inca civilization. Machu Picchu is a World Heritage site, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, and also one of the new seven ancient wonders of the world.
Itinerary
day 01: Cusco to
Calca puyoc
The Quechua culture began with the rise of the Inca empire and has persisted to modern times, with one in four of all Peruvians speaking the Quechua language today. This trek will take you through traditional, predominantly Quechua-speaking villages that have maintained strong textile traditions passed down by their Inca ancestors. You will have the opportunity to learn about traditional weaving practices, spiritual beliefs, and local customs still observed by Andean communities today. The route of the Lares trek we take is not commonly frequented, allowing you to hike through picturesque mountain scenery, glaciers and cloud-forest valleys without any disturbances. This trek offers you a rare peek into authentic Andean culture and of course, a visit to the legendary Machu Picchu.
Facts and Figures:
- Hiking Distance: 6.5 Hours/ 15 km (Approximately 9.32057)
- Elevation Gain: 120 km (394ft)
- Highest Elevation Point: 3,000 M (9,842 ft)
- Considered: Moderate & Relaxing day
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee
day 02: PUYOC TO CUNCANY
Today will be much easier than the first day as the majority of our hike will be downhill, except for our first two hours. We will be covering 13km/ 8.1mi from Puyoc to the traditional weaving village of Cuncani. We will start by climbing up two hours to the tallest point of our trek, the Sicllakasa pass, at 4830m/ 15,380ft. From there, we will begin our long descent towards Cuncani, passing the Yanacocha, Blackwater, Laguna where we will eat a hearty lunch. We will pass many locals, dressed in traditional bright red clothing. As we walk, we will teach you about the unique customs and culture specific to the Cuncani community and also teach you a few Quechua phrases you can use to converse with locals.
Facts and Figures:
- Walking Time: approximately 6 hours
- Walking Distance: 11 km/ 6.8mi
- Elevation Gain: 1150m/ 3772ft
- Starting Point: Pumahuanca, 3150m/10,330ft
- Puyoc Campsite: 4300m/ 14,100ft
day 03: cuncany to
AGUAS CALIENTES
During this day, you’ll get an authentic peek into what life is like here in the Andes. Departing from Cuncani, we’ll walk for 6km/ 3.7mi to Lares, passing through communities that grow native crops such as Quinoa and Tarwi. Along our way, we will pass women weavers who will show us their handmade, naturally-dyed weavings called llicas, and you will have the opportunity to buy their work directly from them. Upon arriving at Lares, we will relax in the hot springs before being picked up by our vans who will drive us to the Sacred Valley. There, we will take a scenic 2.5-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town that sits below Machu Picchu, to spend the night. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will have the opportunity to choose a restaurant among many options. (Dinner is not included) We will then check in to our three star accommodation for the evening, in preparation of a big following day.
Facts and Figures:
- Walking Time: approximately 2.5 hours
- Walking Distance: 6 km/ 3.7mi
- Elevation Gain: -1760m/ -5774ft
- Starting Point: Cancuni, 3800m/ 12,426ft
- Aguas Calientes: 2040m/ 6670ft
day 04: MACHU PICCHU
to CUSCO
On day 4, we wake-up very early to enjoy the sunrise from Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), and take in our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. We then spend approximately three hours exploring Machu Picchu, where our guide will explain the significance of the major sites within the Lost City of the Incas. You will also have free time to wander around the citadel, or climb Huayna Picchu (the highest peak mountain of Machu Picchu), with even more Incan structures at the peak (please ask for our assistance in booking this additional exploration in advance). Together, we will return to Aguas Calientes by bus, where you can have your choice of restaurants for lunch with your new friends. After lunch, we will take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and then take the van back to our final destination in Cusco.
Facts and Figures:
- Hiking Distance: 7.5 Hours (9 km /approximately 8.7 Miles)
- Highest altitude: 2,800m (9186 ft.)
- Considered: Moderately day
- Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Coffee (lunch and dinner are not included)
Inclusions
01
TOUR GUIDES
All of our guides are native to the region and have a true passion for teaching others about their culture and heritage. They have all studied English; as well as several other languages to ensure that communication is clear on your adventures with us. All our guides are experienced with the Inca Trail, and our other high-altitude treks. They will support you and ensure that you are safe and happy throughout your trip.
02
TICKETS - PERMITS
We are one of the few tour operators authorized to operate many treks in the region of Cusco – Peru, Including lares Trek, Hotsprings and Machu Picchu, and all tickets and permits are included in this magnificent 7-day trek, as well as the entrance to Choquequirao Archeological, Machu Picchu Tickets, etc.
03
MEALS
Our highly trained chefs cook delectable, nutrient-rich meals, that honor your food restrictions while surprising you with International and Peruvian flavors. Prepare for a superb culinary experience to accompany this unforgettable expedition. Food is typically served family-style, three times a day in our dining tent.
04
PORTERS
Included with your trek is a team of porters who, along with our horses, carry all equipment and materials necessary for the trek. They usually walk ahead and set up your camp, so everything such as your tent, the kitchen and food is ready upon your arrival. Your duffel bag is also carried by the porters, so that you can take in the most that each sight has to offer.
05
DUFFLE BAG
During your briefing, you will receive a personal duffel bag to pack all of your necessary belongings in; and will be carried by our porters. The duffle should not exceed more than 6kgs /15.4 lbs, including your sleeping bag. All other personal items needed, should be packed in a personal day pack.
06
TENTS
We consistently maintain 4-season tents in order to ensure peak performance on our treks. In order to ensure maximum comfort, we provide you with a four-person tent to sleep yourself and one other hiker. If you wish to have your own personal tent to yourself, you can request our first class experience option.
07
WATER
We always ensure you have plenty of clean drinking water for mealtimes, as well as enough for you to refill your bottle whenever needed. We use fresh spring water running down from the mountains. We require that you bring your own personal water bottle/s or Camelbak. To care for our spectacular environment, we humbly request that you use a reusable non-single-use plastic bottle.
08
TRANSPORTATION
Your transportation from Cusco to and from this trek is included. You will be picked up directly from your hotel in Cusco and taken to the start of your trek in Ollantaytambo. After your return riverside journey on the train, you will reach the train station, where you will be picked up by a van to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
09
FIRST AID
Every guide is first aid trained, and carries a first-aid kit and oxygen for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, elevation sickness, cuts, scrapes, etc.). In case of emergencies, every guide is equipped with a satellite phone which will allow for a quick exit off the trail to get you directly to a clinic for treatment, if needed.
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FREE STORAGE LUGGAGE
We understand that traveling involves taking extra luggage, especially if you are on an extended vacation; we provide free storage to all our customers who are on tour to Machu Picchu or other tours; for this reason, we offer to store your luggage during your scheduled treks with us.
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BRIEFING
The night before your Machu Picchu hike, you can either come to our office or we can come to your hotel lobby for your briefing. During the briefing, you can also meet some of your fellow travelers that you will be with for the next couple of days. Your guides will explain the itinerary in detail, and will give you your duffel bag for you to pack your personal belongings that will be carried by our porters.
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EXTRAS
We believe it´s the attention to small details that separates us from our competitors. Every hiker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mattress for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking, and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best experience to remember for a lifetime!
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TOUR VIDEO
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BEFORE HIKING
Important Information
YOU NEED TO KNOW
This page has all the facts, figures and important questions answered, while allowing you the opportunity to explore the adventure activities in detail.
AVAILABILITY
ALTITUDE MAP
TRAVEL INFO
BROCHURE
gallery
Luckily for us the founder of Southern Peru Explorers is also a professional photographer! All our photos show the very best of what we do, and can give you a real taste of each of the treks and tours we offer. We recently added an option for photography specific tours, which are lead by professional photographers alongside our guides.
booking
Once you have decided which adventure is best for you and your adventure partners, head over to the ‘Book Now’ tab. This will provide you with a booking form for you to provide your prsonal information. This will directly notify us about your booking, and after payment/deposit, it will reserve your space on the trek/tour you wish to participate in.
PRICE
PER PERSON-
2 People $990.00
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3 People $950.00
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4 People $890.00
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5 People $830.00
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6 People $790.00
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+7 People $750.00
01
FILL YOUR INFORMATION
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PAYMENT METHODS
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related tours
Southern Peru Explorers directly operates all of our treks in the Cusco region, with world-renowned expertise, as trekking specialists. Following is our top recommended tour expeditions:
salkantay
This amazing trek hugs the bottom of the sacred Salkantay mountain as it passes through Quechua communities and lesser-known Inca ruins before finally ending at Aguas Calientes.
inca jungle
This adrenaline-packed tour will take you down-hill biking through cloud forests, rafting through rapids, ziplining through trees and trekking on the original Inca trail, making it one
inca trail
During this trek you will get to see the traditional weaving and handicrafts, as well as many other parts of the local culture. The trek culminates at Machu Picchu, a World Heritage site and one of
