Lares Trekking And Short Inca Trail 4 Days

Day 1: Cusco - Huacawasi - Ipsaycocha

Our first day we leave Cusco very early to reach Huacawasi (Lares), which is the starting place of our hike. Before we start trekking, we will have the chance to visit the community of Huacawasi and learn about the customs and traditions still kept from ancestral times. After this we will start our trek, gradually ascending and passing by small populations that still use the very colorful clothings of their ancestors and herds of llamas and alpacas. Along the way we will have the opportunity to share local experiences.

After ascending for approximately 3-4 hours, we will arrive at the highest pass on our trek- Ipsayccasa (4,450 masl). Here we will rest for a bit, feeling the cold of the air high in the Andes, almost touching the clouds. From here we can see the entire chain of snow-capped mountains in the area, such as the Mountain of Verónica (5,750 masl). After we are rested, we will descend to the Ipsaycocha lagoon (4,350 masl), a small lake with an abundance of high-altitude birds, including the Andean goose, known for its color and size; the Puna ibis, and other aquatic birds that soar through the mountains. Here we will have our first campsite, close to the lagoon of Ipsaycocha.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 9 Km/ 5 Miles
• Time: 5 -6 Hrs
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 2: Ipsaycocha - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo

We will wake up early to local birdsong, and have our breakfast surrounded by the mountains and lagoon in all their splendor. We start out descending toward the community of Patacancha (3,750 masl), which is another ancestral community characterized by its colored woven textiles and indigenous culture. From here we will take a local car/van for approximately 30 minutes to the archaeological site of Pumamarka (3,750 masl), known locally as “The Pueblo del los Pumas” (The City of the Pumas), a mystical and magical place in its location overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After our visit to Pumamarka, we will have a delicious lunch and a nice rest. After lunch, we start walking again on one of the original Inca Trails, passing by different archaeological sites, filled with different flora and fauna, with incredible views of various valleys, mountains, and local villagers along the route, finally arriving in Ollantaytambo, where we will spend the night.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 6 km / 3.7 Miles
• Time: 4 - 5 Hrs
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 3: Ollantaytambo - 104 Kms - Wiñayhuayna -Sun Gate - Machu Picchu

After breakfast, we will make our way to the Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the train that leaves from Ollantaytambo train station heading to Km 104 (start of our walk of Short Inca Trail). The train trip lasts an hour and a half, in this tour you will be able to appreciate beautiful landscapes and different ecosystems.

When you reach km 104 and then cross a suspension bridge to reach the checkpoint, you must present your passport or document with which you made your reservation. At the end of the respective controls we will start with the uphill walk for 4 hours until we reach the Inca Wiñaywayna site which in Quechua means (forever young) Wiñaywayna has a height of 2680 meters above sea level and is considered one of the most attractive sites of this route.

After your guided tour we will stop to eat our box lunch. After recharging our energy we will continue our hike for an hour and a half until we reach the Intipunku (Sun Gate) where you can enjoy the first panoramic views of Machu Picchu. Finally we will continue walking through the last section of the Inca Trail until we reach the place where you can take the classic photo with the old citadel.

Then we take our bus to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in our hotel.

• Meals: Box Lunch & Dinner.
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Distance: 12km / 7.5 Miles
• Time: 6 - 7 Hrs
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu- Cusco

An early morning will reward you with another momentous day of exploring the “Lost City of the Incas”. Your tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction as you absorb the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin.

Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Machu Piccchu Inca City and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.This will give the tourist free time to take photos, scroll on their own wherever your interests take you.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. 

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requeste and it has to be done by booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
• On the 4 day trekking, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is now way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu like the circuit #2 for US$55 per person.
• OPTIONAL extra tickets for Machu Picchu (Circuit #2 ) will cost US$55

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

Added Values For Free

Price & Availability

“The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu  portions of the trek is almost always available year round except it is closed in February for maintenance”

Prices:

Group Service

• US$ 795 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

Private Service                              

• US$ 895 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.

Discounts

• 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: US$40 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Group of 5 people or more: US$30. All you need to do is book the trek together at the same time.

Extras

• Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: US $30 – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade – US$57 per person (For the return to Cusco (Poroy) at 4:43 pm)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Machu Picchu Mountain – US$70 per person  (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Single supplement US$30 per night (for solo travellers with single room)

Essentials

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

For Your Duffel

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

Inside Your Daypacks

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs