Inca trail tour operator

[email protected]
marca peru
TREK OF LARES PERU BY INKA TRAIL TREK
best picture lares trek inka trail trek
BEST PICTURE OF MACHU PICCHU BY INKA TRAIL TREK
short inca trail experience by inka trail trek
SUN GATE of Machu Picchu by Inka Trail Trek

1

LARES TREK + SHORT INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS

Cusco is a region that is in the southern part of Peru, which still maintains many of the traditions and festivals since the Inca era. If you are a lover of history, culture, mountains and typical villages, this is your tour for you. Since in our Lares Trek  you can meet directly the inhabitants of the Andes of Cusco, who continue to practice all the cultural heritage inherited from the Incas, its beautiful textile, its systems of agriculture and construction. The landscape is also a detail that will enchant you, after two days you descend to the majestic sacred valley, very famous for its climate. And finally you will enter the cloud forest of the Inca Trail that will lead you to the Sacred Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Basic Tour Information

Tour duration: 5 days

Travel Difficulty: moderate

Maximum altitude: 4700 m

Trek distance: 47 km

Reservation from $920

LARES TREK + SHORT INCA TRAIL 5 DAYS

DAY 1: CUSCO-VALLEY OF LARES-QUISWARANI VILLAGE

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch -Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Highest point: 3,900 meters / 12,795ft
  • Lowest elevation: 2,800 m/9,186 ft
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Windy / Cold

DAY 2: HIKE TO THE PACHAQUTEQ PASS-VILLAGE OF CANCHA CANCHA

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch –Dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities
  • Distance: 16 km /9.9 miles
  • Approximate Walking Time: 8 hours
  • Lowest elevation: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
  • Highest elevation: 4,850 m / 15,908 ft
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny/Dry / Windy / Cold/Snowy

DAY 3: VALLEY OF HUARAN-INKARRY MUSEUM-OLLANTYATAMBO

  • Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo
  • Distance: 8 km /4,9 miles
  • Estimated walking time: 3 hours
  • Highest Elevation: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,700 m/ 8,858 ft
  • Level of Difficulty: Easy
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny  / Warm / Windy

DAY 4: HIKING THE SHORT INCA TRAIL – SUN GATE –  AGUAS CALIENTES

  • Meals: Breakfast – Box Lunch – Dinner
  • Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Lodging or similars)
  • Distance: 11 km /6.8 miles
  • Estimated walking time: 5 – 6  hours
  • Highest Elevation:2,700 m / 8,858 ft
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,000 m/ 6,560 ft
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny  / Warm / Wet

DAY 5: TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU  – RETURN TO CUSCO

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Estimated walking time: 3  hours
  • Highest Elevation:2,700 m / 8,858 ft
  • Lowest Elevation: 2,000 m/ 6,560 ft
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Weather Conditions: Sunny  / Warm / Wet

 

Day 1

CUSCO-VALLEY OF LARES-QUISWARANI VILLAGE

Difficulty: challenging

Distance: 11

Altitude: 3900

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am to start our expeditions to the best Trek to Lares, then we will drive for 1 hour to the city of Calca during the trip we will stop at the taray viewpoint, from see the highest mountains of the Sacred Valley, this day we will have our breakfast in the middle of the road, in the ruins of Ancashmarca, which in Inca times was a bigger place for the deposit of food, clothing, weapons, metals, etc. We continue with the trip to Lares for 1 more hours, there we meet our muleteers and horses, who will take the whole team for three days. Then we descend to the thermo medicinal baths of Lares, there you can enjoy for 2 hours, since afterwards we will make our trek to the community of Quiswarani, about an hour; there we will have our fresh and delicious lunch prepared by our chef, after a good nap, we explored the community very famous for its weavers who still maintain the textile traditions of the Incas. In the afternoon we make our walk of the last section that will last 2 hours, through the beautiful landscape of the Andes, we will arrive to our camp that is next to the Yanacocha lagoon, at 4:00 pm.

tejedora lares PERU con inka trail trek
Day 2

HIKE TO THE PACHAQUTEQ PASS-VILLAGE OF CANCHA CANCHA

Difficulty: challenging

Distance: 14

Altitude: 4700

After a delicious breakfast, we will start our trek to about 4 hours to reach the highest point of our trek, during the journey we will meet the villagers who also take care of their llamas, Alpacas, others go to their agricultural tasks, of native potato crops. Today we are going to learn in situ about the agricultural technologies of the Incas, from sowing to harvesting, taking into account that Peru is one of the countries with the largest amount of potatoes, also exotic tubers such as Añu, Oca, Smooth At noon we will reach the highest place in our trek, the Pachacuteq Pass (4700 meters), once there, we will enjoy incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of the Sawasiray, Pitusiray, San Juan, Veronica, glacial lakes, after a time to enjoy the 360-degree angle view, the descent begins towards the lunch spot, just about 1 hour downhill and will be located in the glacial lake, with stunning views of the Sacred Valley. After a short nap we start a downhill hike for 2 more hours to our camp located by the community of Canchacancha (3700 meters), in the way down we use a part of the Inca trails paved, around the lakes large number of Andean birds like Puna Ibis, Andean Goose, perhaps a Condor flying near of the mountain cliffs. Today we end at 5:00 p.m.

lares trek in peru by inka trail trek
Day 3

VALLEY OF HUARAN-INKARRY MUSEUM-OLLANTYATAMBO

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 7

Altitude: 3500

After a very nutritious breakfast we will go to the valley of Huaran, which is surrounded by high Andean forests, with native tree species such as Chachacomo, Queuña, Kiswar, etc. The descent is very pleasant since we will enter the valley floor, this place was very respected by the Incas, for its climate and abundance of water. At 9:00 am we will arrive at the town of Huaran, where we say goodbye to our incredible cook and muleteer. Then we take our van to visit the Archaeological Museum of Inkarry, one of the best in the representation of the experiences and beliefs of all the cultures of Peru, such as Caral, Chavin, Nazca, Mochica, Wari, Inca. At noon we go to the town of Ollantaytambo, where we will have our lunch, and you can also walk through one of the most beautiful Inca cities, which still maintains the layout and construction of the Inca architects. In the afternoon you can explore the town Ollantaytambo and the beutiful and original inca town. This day we will sleep in Ollantaytambo in one nice Hostel.

MUSEUM INKARRY BY INKA TRAIL TREK
Day 4

SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU - AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 11

Altitude: 2700

By this stage on your trek, you will have really gotten into the swing of things. Fully motivated and rearing to go, early in the morning we take our train  to 104 kms (2,100m/6,927ft).  At 8:00 am we begin our trek, passing the first checkpoint. Afterwards we initiate a moderate climb for three hours to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna. (2,650m/8747ft). Once there, we notice the weights lift off our shoulders, as we take in the spectacular views of the Urubamba Canyon, the stunning Inca sites around us, and the connection to the traditional four day Inca Trail.  We continue onward  towards the Sun Gate, (2,730m/9,007ft) where we  take flight with excitement as we get our first spectacular view of Machupicchu in all its brilliance and its majestic monumentality. Your destiny awaits you, just one more hour downward, to the Citadel of Machu Picchu,where we can take some pictures, then we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town, where we will spend our last night in hotel.

short inca trail by inka trail trek
Day 5

TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO

Difficulty: moderate

Distance: 4

Altitude: 2400

This day is one of the most important as you will have the opportunity to visit the fabulous temples and sacred sites of the Incas. You should get up at 5:00 am, and then take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Our Machu Picchu tickets are authorized to enter the first time 6:00 am; Within the citadel you will have a guided tour of the most important sites for an hour and a half, then you can stay a little longer and explore on your own. Since the Machu Picchu ticket is valid only for one use, if a person goes out to use the hygienic services for example, he will not be able to re-enter the sanctuary, we recommend going down to the town of Aguas Calientes  at 11:00 am, since that the 5 hours inside Machu Picchu are enough to know and take all the possible photos.

The return train is scheduled at 14:30 pm, bound for the Ollantaytambo station, this trip takes approximately 1h 45m. Then you will be picked up by our condutor and will be arriving at your hotel in the city of Cusco at 18:45 pm approx.

machupicchu ruins by inka trail trek

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE LARES TREK + SHORT INCA TRAIL:

  • All transfers
  • City Tour
  • Entrances to the different archeological Inca ruins
  • Transportation from your hotel to Huaran
  • English speaking professional mountain guide
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
  • Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Bus tickets Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
  • Admission fees to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and all archaeological sites
  • 2 person Igloo tents (large and comfortable) and a roll pad mattress
  • Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • 2 night hotel ( 1 in Ollantaytambo and 1 night in Aguas Calientes)
  • Delicious meals during the trek ( 3 Lunch, 3 Dinners, 3 Breakfast )
  • Cook and cooking equipmentHorseman and mules, to carry all camping and personal equipment (5 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, you need to include the sleeping bag in the 7kgs, it will be carried by our mules)
  • First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
  • Boiled water to fill in your bottles during the treks

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping bag (minus 10 ºC) – US$20
  • Air Mattress – US$20
  • Walking Poles – US$15
  • Wayna Picchu Mountain – US$ 80
  • Energy snacks – chocolate bars, dried fruits (recommended)
  • Lunch and Dinner on the last day

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING TO THE LARES TREK:

  • A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
  • Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
  • Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
  • Torch/ Flashlight and spare 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 – although no malaria risk has been reported
  • Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  • We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
  • Small towel or sarong
  • Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
  • Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
  • Original passport
  • Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
  • Binoculars (if you have them)

LARES TREK FAQ

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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].

  1. 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]

  1. 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!

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.