LARES TREK FAQ
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ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
We recommend you to arrive to the city of Cusco at least two days before starting your lares trek . Since this will allow you to acclimatize your body to the mountains and thus avoid altitude sickness, also you can make the payment of your tour balance. And meet your travel staff.
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THE BRIEFING FOR THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
The briefing for the lares trek will take according your arriving date, you can came to our travel office , which is located at Marques Street 250, second floor. Our office schedules are from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm. Monday to Saturday.
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CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE
Of course! During the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.
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HOW TO BOOK THE LARES TREK MACHU PICCHU
FIRST, to book your Lares trek to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase the Lares trek to Machu Picchu permit without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- O.B. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
*** We will need each participant’s passport at the time of booking. They will be need, in order, to purchase tickets.
SECOND, we require a deposit of $318.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares trek Machu Picchu. You can make your deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
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WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles). We have many ATMs within the historical center. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of [email protected].
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HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount.
Send us a copy at: [email protected]
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MAY I CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought the Peruvian government does not allow any changes so we can’t change any dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. With alternative treks, we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date. If you cancel your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
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DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT
Yes!, You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport you sent to us to book your Lares Trek, other entrances and reservations. In case, you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train.
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WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
The weather in the Lares Trek is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend to always dress in layers as it is more easier to adjust to the different climates.
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WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS
In general, if you excerise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 24 hours to 2 days.
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
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HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP IN THE LARES TREK?
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are between 2-6 persons. Eco Path Trek specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.
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HOW MANY COOK/ HORSE MAN FOR THE GROUP IN THE LARES TREK?
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of horse man depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 1 horse man, 4 trekkers will have 2 horseman, 6 trekkers will have 3 horse man, 8 trekkers will have 4 horse man.
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HIKING THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
The evening before you start your lares trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. The horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the lares trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.
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IS THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?
The Lares trek to Machu Picchu is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,700 mt. On the second day of the trek, we climb two mountains. The trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles in a day or working out in the months leading up to the lares trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the lares trek.
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ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU ?
It has been highlighted by most of our clients, especially by lady trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet!! Eco Path Trek toilet facilities have an individual tent and a “camping toilet with a seat.” Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite. At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean.There are hot showers and hot water pools to soak in and relax on the first day of your trek at the Lares Hot Springs. Be sure to bring your bathing suit.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the lares trek due to a health issue, Eco Path Trek will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the Lares trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to the Lares Village and then to Calca Town, and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
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ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL?
Absolutely!! Hotel drop off is included in your lares trek package. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too.
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AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN DEPARTURE?
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. So we will try to make the reservation at 14:30 pm arriving to Cusco at 18:45 pm.
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TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Eco Path Trek destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
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IS ECO PATH TREK SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
