The Lares Valley trek is blessed with plenty of high mountain scenery, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. This region is rich for adventure and crisscrossed with paths and routes used by the local folk. In the Lares Valley, women and children continue to wear traditional clothing, of bright red and its varying shades of natural dyes. The Lares Valley trek is sometimes known as the 'Weaver's Way' or the Weavers Trail and is a wonderful way to immerse yourself into Peruvian culture. In the Lares region, the red of the typical ponchos and skirts stand out from a distance as children herd flocks of sheep, llamas, and alpaca. Stone houses are covered with thatched roofs and it's like you have stepped back into the middle ages, while great herds of llamas roam the landscape as you like. Hot springs in Lares have very healing waters and are situated on the side of a mountain looking over a stunning, narrow valley.
You will discover the Quechuan culture in the heart of the Inca land. After finishing our hike we take the train to Aguas Calientes and visit the famous Inca fortress of Machu Picchu World Heritage Site - essential for any tourist visiting this part of the world.
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Tour Location: |
Sacred Valley of Cusco |
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Type of Tour: |
Cultural, Adventure |
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Service Level: |
Confortable tourist - Class accommodations with character, emergency horse and private transport. |
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Requirement: |
12+ / All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult |
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Cultural rating: |
♦♦♦♦ |
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Wildlife Expectation: |
♦♦♦♦ |
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Departure Point: |
Cusco - We pick you up from your hotel. |
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Briefing Point: |
Our guide will visit your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek |
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Return Point: |
Cusco - Our driver will drop-off in your hotel or Airbnb department |
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Size of Group: |
Min: 2 - Max: 8 |
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Age requirement: |
12+ / All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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Duration: |
4 days / 3 nights |
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Difficulty: |
Demanding - Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers. |
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Physical Rating: |
♦♦♦◊◊ |
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Maximium Altitude: |
4780m / 15,682ft. |
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Season: |
Between the months of April - October, since we have the presence of clear skies and lower river rainfall |
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Accommodation: |
Campsites (2 nights), Hotel (1 night) |
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Camping equipment: |
Included on the price of the trek: double tent, sleeping bag, therma a rest mattress, pillow andblanket. |
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Meals: |
4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, 4x afternoon tea (Please allow USD 10-15 for meals not included). |
Day 01: Cusco - Lares - Huacawasi
Day 02: Huacawasi - Ipsaycocha - Patacancha
Day 03: Patacancha - willoq - Pumamarca - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Day 04: Machu Picchu - Cusco
Crew: Salkantay Trek Machu representative in Cusco, a professional bilingual Tour Guide, a Cook, a Muleteer on the Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu.
Accomodation: Campsites (2 nights), hostel (1 night).
Meals: 3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner, 2x afternoon tea (Please allow USD 20 - 40 for meals not included).
Transportation: Transportation by private van, 2x train.
Do I need to book it in advance? 5 day Machu Picchu tour has departures guaranteed, but Inca Trail permits, train tickets and entrances to Huayna Picchu Mountain are subjet to availability! For that reason, we HIGHLY recommend booking it well in advance to ensure you receive exactly what you want!!
PLEASE NOTE: May, June and July are peak months of a HIGH TOURIST SEASON in Cusco. It means that Inca Trail permits are SELL OUT MANY MONTHS IN ADVANCE!!
Please fill in your personal details in our booking form of the following link: Booking Short Inca Trail Online to request a reservation.
Please note: It is very important that you will complete all information correctly to obtain your Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu tickets! Except of this, please do not forget to read and accept our service policies before clicking on the Registration & payment option. Please call us at (+51) 999884236 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
One of our Trip Coordinators will contact you, often within two business hours, to confirm availability of the trip and/or provide you with other options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit of 50% of the total amount to confirm your spot on the trek! The remaining balance can be paid in cash upon your arrival to Cusco.
To pay your deposit, you can choose one of the following methods:
Bank´s name: Banco de Credito
Bank account number: 285-21647033-1-55
SWIFT code: BCPLPEPL
Address: Av. El Sol 189
City: Cusco
Country: Peru
Owner of the account: Edwin Edgar Caviedes Laura
The adventure will begin when our staff picks you up at the hotel for a trip by car to the town of Lares. This route is part of the roads of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Depending on the month of the year, you will see the crops in the mountains that surround the road. You will also see artistic representations of the picturesque villages on the route and we will make a short stop in Calca to take our delicious breakfast.
After arriving you will have time to relax in the thermal waters of Lares before starting the adventure. With the recharged energies, we will take the first steps to more than 3000 meters high. For 4 hours your body will begin to advance along the path to the Wacawasi camp where we will have lunch and rest until the next day.
You will wake up maybe cold but eager to follow the path. We will ascend to reach the highest point of the route: the Ipsaykassa pass, which is more than 4400 meters high. During the winter you will see the landscape surrounded by snow. Extend your arms and feel your strength!
As a reward for your efforts, after half an hour of descent we will have as a reward the lagoon Ipsaycocha, crystal clear waters surrounded by an Andean mountain landscape. Just sit down and contemplate and smile at her. We will arrive to the next camp after four hours of walking. We will pass through Patacancha, a traditional town.
We will go to Pallata (40 minutes) and then we will walk for 45 minutes to Pumamarca where we will have a guided tour of the archaeological remains. Take the opportunity to learn about the Inca civilization and take many interesting photographs.
After taking a steep path and seeing several Inca constructions, and continue along the Patacancha River, we will arrive at the city of Ollantaytambo. Here we will rest and have lunch. You will have free time to visit the markets and shops, talk with locals and discover the secrets of this city. In the evening after dinner we will travel by train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night.
This day will be unforgettable because we will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu. Very early we will go by bus to the ruins where we will have the Great Guided Tour of Machu Picchu for about 2 hours. One of our professional guides will take you through the temples, terraces, palaces, homes and gardens that make up the citadel. You will learn a lot about the Inca culture not only from the explanation but also from the experience.
Then you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace. Then we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and finally to Cusco.
Meal budget: Please allow USD 20-50 for meals not included.
Single room: Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you receive your own single tent and a single room in Aguas Calientes.
Local flights: No local flights are included in the trek´s price!
Many people include the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in their “Things to do”, although what most people don’t know is that there are various Inca Trails Trips to Machu Picchu to pick from in the Cusco region. And other good treks to do in Cusco.
You have to take into account that you will need to book in advance the Inca Trail, and in case it is fully booked, we recommend other best alternatives:
Day 1 - 2: We pick you up from you hotel at 06:00 and transfer you to the Lares community, hot springs and then continune the hike to Lares Trek until Huacawasi camp. Next day, we wake up early and start the trek to Lares, we appreciate the Ipsacocha Lake and the beautiful landspaces of high mountain. Homestay in Patacancha or camping.
Day 3: Breakfast in homestay where we share the andean culture. In the afternoon we take the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
Day 4: Wake up very early and continue the trek to the lost city, guided tour of Machu Picchu and in afternoon we take the train to Ollantaytambo and then bus to Cusco.
In this trek to Lares to Machu Picchu included the train Expedition leave from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes town at 12:45 and the return is 18:45 from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then you will take the tourist bus to Cusco, you will arrive between 22 hrs to 23 hrs to Main square or Plaza Armas.
If you prefer Vistadome train or Luxury train for this trek, let us know before your booking your service.
Please Note: Hostel in Aguas Calientes town is not a 3 star hotel but it is clean, safe and comfortable with a friendly and very helpfully staff. They have Private Twin, Double and Triple rooms, with small private bathrooms and hot gas water system. Hostel has one of the best locations in town, only few blocks from Train and Bus Station and you don't have to do anymore long uphill hikes to get to your room! It is about 10 minutes from the hot spring pools. We try to include an economical accommodation option for this trek to make it accessible for everyone but recommend that if you are wanting better accommodation in Aguas Calientes to celebrate your accomplishment of the Lares trek to Machu Picchu.
UP-GRADING HOTELS in Aguas Calientes town: If you would like to stay in a Hotel 3 star or more, you have to pay extra.
Single Supplement: If you are traveling on your own, and would prefer to share a tent, we'll pair you with another trekker of the same gender and there will not be an extra cost. If you prefer to have a tent to yourself a surcharge of USD 50 will have to be paid. If you want an upgrade any service to the Train or Accommodation or do you want to stay extra night in Machu Picchu, contact us directly to contact@salkantaytrekmachu.com for this to be done and confirmed to you.
IMPORTANT TO MACHU PICCHU ACCOMMODATION: You must present your passport with the TAM immigration slip (copy) to all hotel accommodations. The national sales tax (18%) is charged to all Peruvian citizens and foreigners staying 60 consecutive days or more. In case the room is shared by both a taxable and non-taxable guest at the same time, the sales tax will be applied to the whole room. So please take every caution to not lose this piece of paper. You need to bring it to the Cusco office for your checking.
All of the food is clean. We only use cooked or peeled vegetarian and fruits. The chicken is well cooked to prevent any type of poisoning; the cutlery and table are all washed in iodine solution.
If you have any food restrictions, let us know our staff.
The camping equipment to Lares trek will be returned to Cusco on day 3rd, you need to give to chef the sleeping bag, mattress.
The bed (double room) provided in Aguas Calientes town on nights 3th
This trek to Lares included 5 kilos of personal items in the tour price carried by horses. You will need to carry with you a daypack with your Camera, water bottle, snacks, cold weather clothing and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season May to October)- but as a precaution) and anything you will need before lunch as horses do not walk alongside you.
You will meet up with your bag at lunch and then it will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
The bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes included in this trek and our guide will provided on day 4th
It’s very important to take EXTRA MONEY. You need to take at least 200-300 soles emergency money:
Travel Insurance: We recommend you to obtain a personal Travel Insurance, including Medical problems, baggage loss or damage. If you need help to find a travel Insurance company, click here.
Privacy Policy: All the information you provide us, full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, telephone number, and address or your credit card info will be used strictly to process
Salkantay Trek Machu reserves the right to cancel a program in case any of the following circumstances occur:
(i) Client's failure to pay the final balance two days prior to departure date.
(ii) Force majeure: Impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Salkantay Trek machu control. For example: weather conditions not permitting, strike not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc. The following refund policies apply in each case:
(i) In the event of a client's failure to pay the due balance, the client will not have any right for the deposit refund.
(ii) In case force majeure occurs, Salkantay Trek Machu will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All costs derived will be at the expense of the client. In case none of these would be feasible, Salkantay Trek Machu would refund all the money paid except all the incurred expenses so far.
Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the space within the group and once a space is purchased it cannot be resold afterwards.
In case of cancellation by the client, the following refund policies apply:
All other treks or programs (excluding custom itineraries and mountain climbing programs)
(i) Cancellation with at least one month prior to departure: Salkantay Trek Machu will refund 75% of the program costs in case the full amount has been paid, or 50% of the program deposit in case only the deposit has been paid. Cost of the refund transfer will be at the client's expense.
(ii) Cancellation between one month and two week prior to departure: Salkantay Trek Machu will refund 50% of the program costs in case the full amount has been paid. In case only the 50% deposit has been paid, the client will have no right to refund. Cost of the refund transfer will be at the client's expense.
(iii) Cancellation with less than two days prior to departure: will be considered a No Show and no refund will be applicable.
(iv) If the trek balance is not paid two days before the trek departure date, Salkantay Trek Machu will assume the client is canceling the trek and the deposit will not be refunded.
Cancellations regarding custom itineraries and mountain climbing programs will depend on each specific program and will therefore be agreed upon between Salkantay Trek Machu and the client by e-mail accordingly. Salkantay Trek Machu reserves the right to modify the above-mentioned cancellations and refund policies. All modifications will be immediately informed to the affected client through written communication.
As we publish our prices well in advance, we may occasionally be faced with significant cost increases due to factors over which we have no control. As such we reserve the right to impose surcharges (or price decreases) up to one month before departure due to increases in entrance fees, train fares or other transport costs, taxes, if government action should require us to do so or others. Any surcharge or price decrease will be fully explained and justified by Salkantay Trek Machu before implementation. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the program cost the client may cancel the booking and obtain a full refund less expenses already incurred, provided the cancellation is made with at least one month prior to departure date.
Some itineraries of Salkantay Trek Machu have been designed to provide participants with an exposure to the true nature of the environment visited. They therefore involve an element of personal risk and exposure to potential, which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to the client, his/her property or to third parties. The client understands that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity and therefore assumes them as part of the tour. The client accepts that he/she is aware of his physical and health condition and that, under the knowledge of this he/she decides to undertake the above-mentioned risks. The client excludes Salkantay Trek Machu from any responsibility linked to any accident or injury that may occur associated to the clients' health, physical condition or other.
At all times the decision of the company's guide or representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well being of the tour group. The client must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, and foreign exchange and drug regulations of Peru. Should the client fail to comply with the above, or should the client interfere with the well being of the group then the guide or company representative may order the client to leave the tour without recourse to any refund.
The client must be in possession of a valid passport and all visas required for the whole of the journey and the client accepts responsibility for obtaining the same. Any information or advice given by the company on visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
The company will do its best to minimize the effects of matters outside its control, but cannot accept any liability for these matters which include political disputes, border closures, refusals of visas, industrial action, delayed flights, unforeseeable climate, landslides, etc. The client accepts to assume all extra costs derived by any of these factors.
The company shall not be liable for any damage or loss if the failure to carry out the contract is:
1) Attributable to the client
2) Attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and the event is unforeseeable or unavoidable
3) Due to unforeseen and unusual circumstances beyond the company's control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had to be exercised
4) Due to political disputes, industrial action, climate or other matters of a similar nature and any other force majeure
5) Due to an event, which the company, even with all due care could not foresee or forestall. Any liability is limited to the full price paid for the tour. In all cases the company specifically excludes all liability for indirect or consequential loss or expense including loss of profits.
If a client has a complaint against the company the client must first inform the trek guide or company representative while on the tour in order that the guide/representative can attempt to rectify the matter. Any further complaint must be put in writing to the company within 7 days of the end of the tour.
I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.
Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. The horses carry your luggage from Lares (1st day) to Patacancha (2th day). 3 day hike, you will take your luggage by train to Aguas Calientes. You are expected to carry your own luggage (max 10 min). We recommend keeping the weight under 5 kg/10lb. You will need to carry clothes, sleeping bag.
If very important your take best cover backpacker, because the weather in Lares trek to Machu Picchu is change every date, we can’t predict it raining or no. If you don’t have, we recommended putting your clothes, sleeping bag and other personal equipment inside the plastic bag.
