For trekkers wanting to get off the well beaten tourist path and escape to a part of Peru that has changed little over the last 500 years then a trek through the spectacular scenery of the LARES Valley is a must. This remote and rarely visited region offers the trekker an insight into the real lives of the Andean farmer, dressed in their traditional brightly colored ponchos. You’ll have the opportunity to see thatched stone houses surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. Inside the houses you’ll see guinea pigs running loose. There are, however, two passes over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 3 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek
Day 1- Cusco/ Calca/ Lares Hot Springs/Wacawasi: We leave from Cusco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley arriving to LARES Hot Springs and spend the morning oaking in the medicinal hot springs, after lunch we have two hours of trek to our campsite.(L/D) Day 2- Wacawasi/ Epsaycocha: After continuing up through the valley, we arrive to the community of WUACAWASI. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Here, we can observe their great skills and brilliant techniques in the fabrication of ponchos and other garments. Passing the village we begin climbing up to Condor Pass, the second of the trip at 4100m. From here, we catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently for about one hour, we come to the beautiful EPSAYCOCHA Lake, our last campsite.(B/L/D)
Day 3- Patacancha/Huylloc/Pumamarka/Ollantaytambo/ Aguas Calientes: Today our trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, we eventually arrive to the community of HUYLLOC where we have lunch, from here takes two hours to arrive to PUMAMARKA and enjoy the INCA terraces, finally we arrive to OLLANTAYTAMBO. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mammoth mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. This is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and birds species. The group takes the train from OLLANTAYTAMBO to AGUAS CALIENTES at 8:00 PM and spend the night there in a comfortable hostel.(B/L/D)
Day 4- Aguas Calientes/ Machupicchu: After an early breakfast, we'll take a the bus to MACHUPICCHU, we register and start on our 3 hour guided visit. After enjoying the remains, we will take the bus down to AGUAS CALIENTES where you will have free time to enjoy the town before we return to CUSCO.(B/L)
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Prices start from $499 per person. This includes all meals from Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, private transportation to the start of the trek, Train to Cusco from Machu Picchu, all camping equipment, lodging in hostels, mules, cook, all food on the trek and a bilingual professional mountain guide. It does not include airfare from your home to Lima and return, Domestic Airfare, airport departure taxes, alcoholic beverages, special gratuities, phone calls, laundry, or items of a personal nature. The single supplement for this tour will be charged if you desire single accommodations.
TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the Tour registration form and return it with a deposit of $200 per person. If registering by phone, the deposit must be received within 10 days or the space will be released. Full payment of the tour fee is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date.
AIR INFORMATION: Sun God Expeditions Tours E.I.R.L is a full-service travel agency and we will be happy to make any domestic or international air travel arrangements from your home and return. Please feel free to contact us to confirm your air arrangements.
