PRIVATE GUIDE LARES trek combines beautiful lakes, local Quechua farming and weaving communities who are still living in the stone houses almost like on the Inca time. the Private Guide will show you the trail goes over the highland communities with unforgettable views of the magnificent mountains, herds of llamas, and alpacas and finally arriving to Yanahuara-Ollantaytambo for lunch on the third day of the trek, in the afternoon the group take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes to spend the night and the last day we go up to Machu Picchu to see the sun rise and explore the Inca site.
Level of difficulty (low, medium, high): medium
Required fitness level (low, medium, high):midium
DAY 1: CUSCO TO QUISHUARANI
Pick up time from your hotel will be at 05:30 am. We will be driving through the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas for about 1 hour with our private transport. Our first stop will be at Calca to have breakfast and we will also have opportunity to by any last snacks, drinks etc. From here we will continue with our bus for 1 ½ hours and then reach Quishurani (3’750m) which is the starting point for the trek. Along the way we’ll be able to view at beautiful mountains and observe herds of Llamas and Alpacas. We will start the trekking by walking up a small valley for around 1 ½ hours that will lead us to a beautiful lake. Here we will have some rest. For the next 1 hours a steep, zigzagging and narrow trail will lead us to the top of the first pass – Abra Huillquiqasa (4’200m). A magnificent view with many other lakes on the other side of the pass will reward you for the strenuous climb. A 1 hour gentle descent where we pass the lakes will bring us to a big waterfall where lunch will be served. After lunch we will continue descending to Cuncani village and then finally arrive to our first camp Yanacocha (3800m).
Trekking distance: 13km
Estimated time: 6-7 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 4200m
Campsite altitude: 3800m
DAY 2: CUNCANI VILLAGE – WACAHUASI – MANTANAY – MISKIUNO
Around 07:00 am, after breakfast, we will start walking gradually up for around 1 ½ hours to the pass Abra Qollqe Cruz (4’000 m). A 2 hour descent will bring us to the valley of Wacahuasi (3’900 m). Many of the houses that we will see in this area are built from stone and have thatched roofs. People from this village make beautiful and colorful textiles and we will be able to admire some of their high quality ponchos, chullos, wool hats and other garments. Here we will take some rest. From here it will take us 3 hours to climb up to the top of Wakahuasi pass (4’600 m). It is the highest pass along this trek and from here we get stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Auroraycocha. We will then gently descend for approximately 1 ½ hours and reach another beautiful lake which is known as Ruraq Cocha (white lake). Where we are going to have lunch and with some luck we may see wetland birds like Puna Ibis or Andean Geese. After another 2 hours of easy hiking we’ll get to the second camp side Miskiuno (3650m).
Trekking distance: 14km
Estimated time: 7-8 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 4600m
Campsite altitude: 3650m
DAY 3: MISKIUNO –YANAHUARA- OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
After an early breakfast we´ll walk down through a beautiful vegetation of polilepis incana (qeuña), polilepis resinosa (chacahcomo), merciantes etc. It’s an easy hike and after around 3 hours we arrive at the village of Yanahaura (3000m). Our bus is already waiting for us to take us further down in the valley to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo (2’800m). Here we will rest and have box lunch. In the early afternoon we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes. It takes us 1 ½ to reach Aguas Calientes by train and you will get there at around 14:30 pm. We will spend the night in a hostal and one of the first things you probably want to do is take a hot shower. You will now have time to either stroll Aguas Calientes or see its many shops, restaurants and bars, or treat yourself with a relaxing bath in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.
Trekking distance: 7km
Estimated time: 3 hours
Maximum altitude: 3650m
Aguas Caliente: 2040m
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES TO MACHUPICCHU AND BACK TO CUSCO
This last day starts very early, we will wake up you at around 04:30am, have breakfast and then take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. It is well worth the effort to get up early as the Inca City is quietest in the early morning and you will have plenty of time to take photos and enjoyed the sun rise over Machu Picchu. Of course our guide will take you to the classic spot to take your post card pictures. This vantage point offers a terrific view of the whole complex, and then our guide will give you a tour around Machu Picchu telling you about the history of Machu Picchu and the most important buildings. After that you will have a free time to explore the site on your own. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machu Picchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch. Usually we take the bus at around 13:00pm. The bus ride takes 25 minutes and your guide will give you your bus tickets. Make sure that before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guide gives you the time and location of the meeting place in Aguas Calientes, where you will get your train tickets back to Cusco.
Service included:
Transport: Private van from Cusco to start of the trek in Quishuarani (Lares). Privat bus from end of trek Yanahuara to Ollantaytambo. Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (your hotel).
Accommodation: Hostal in Aguas Calientes on the 3rd night (based on 2 people sharing one room)
Meals: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners. Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruits, chicken, fish, meat, rice, pasta and hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is very effective against altitude sickness. Tea time every afternoon (tea, coffee, biscuits and popcorn). Every morning and afternoon warm water to clean yourself up. We can also provide vegetarian meals and special diets. Just let us know in advance or during the briefing on the evening before the trekking.
Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish). Always 2 guides for 8 people.
Horsemen and horses to carry the tents, food, cooking equipment and your personal equipment such as mattress, sleeping bag and clothing to change. A maximum of 8 kilos (including the sleeping bag) per person. An emergency horse in case someone needs help and is not able to continue walking.
Camping equipment. 2 people will always share a spacious 4 people dome igloo tent with plenty of space for your backpacks. Inflatable mattress, cooking equipment, dining tent, kitchen tent, first aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Entrance fees to Machu Picchu.
Service not inluded:
First breakfast at Calca (day one).
Last lunch at Aguas Calientes (after Machu Picchu
Sleeping bag (25 US$ to rent)
Tips and the extra spending
Ticket for Wayna Picchu. If you would like to climb Wayna Picchu please tell us for which group (07:00 or 10:00) in the remarks field while booking. Additional cost would be USD 15 and be paid at the briefing.