The Lares trek to
Machu Picchu offers you the opportunity to trek
ancient Inca paths and routes but away from the
hordes of the classic Inca Trail. Step back in
time as you trek through untouched and
breathtaking landscapes set against a backdrop
of snowcapped mountains, and watch a panorama of
Andean villages, lakes and valleys unfold before
you, revealing a way the way of life of the
descendants of the Incas which has remained
untouched for centuries.
This trek does not run
in the months of Dec and
Jan because weather conditions affect the
trails. |
ITINERARY
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We will be picked up
at 6am. Then we drive towards Calca set in the
heart of the Sacred Valley via Pisac, where we stop
en-route for breakfast. Pisac is a great opportunity
to visit some of the colourful, markets selling
local produce. Here you can enjoy magnificent views
of the surrounding landscapes. We pass the
Hualcapunku Pass at 4400m where we can catch
breathtaking views of the snowcapped peak of
Ausangate mountain that at 6370m is the highest
mountain in the Cusco area.
Along this trail we
pass many Andean medicinal plants and continue to
Lares (3 hours total). There is a great opportunity
to relax at the hotsprings here. |
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After lunch we
continue to our first camp, located at 3300m.
This is a great opportunity to catch glimpses of
tiny Andean villages and this area is famed
because the fantastic weavings created by the
locals. We ask you to respect the local customs
and way of life.
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2ND Day: Lares - Challwaccocha
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An early start
means we can enjoy a hearty breakfast before
starting our trek towards the community of
Huacahuasi, making a short visit to the village.
You may like to donate some school supplies for
the children at the local school. We stop for
lunch and then continue onwards to the Ibsacocha
Pass with beautiful views of the Vilcanota
mountain range.
We encounter a
number of flagstone Inca Trails and cross this
pass before setting up camp on the other side at
Challwaccocha (Fish Lagoon). The views during
today's trek are breathtaking, and we also catch
glimpses of lakes and herds of llamas.
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3rd Day: Challwaccocha - Aguas Calientes
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After breakfast we
walk at a leisurely pace to Patacancha, situated
at 2800m. Along the way we pass local farmers
tending to their herds of llamas and alpacas,
beyond which are terraces of crops. We stop here
for lunch before passing through Willoc,
en-route to Ollantaytambo, where the locals are
dressed in scarlet ponchos, and are the closest
living descendents of the Incas and still follow
their traditions. We have plenty of free time
to visit the ruins here before dinner before
catching the evening train to Aguas Calientes
where we settle in at our hostel for a hot
shower followed by dinner.
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4th Day: Machu Picchu - Cusco
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After having our
nice breakfast in our hostel, we take one of the
first buses up to Machu Picchu, after picking
our entrance tickets up at the control; we visit
the famous archaeological site of South America
and now the New Wonder of the Earth, the tour
usually takes 2-3 hours, after the guided tour
you can spend some hours to visit and enjoy the
place by yourself. After your nice experience in
Machu Picchu, you have to return to the village
of Aguas Calientes, for getting in on your train
back to Cusco. And finally we pick up you at the
train station to your Hotel. (B)
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We
Provide
Private transport to Lares -
Trailhead; all camping and cooking equipment including good
quality mattresses, Ausangate entrance fees, spacious two
person tents, dining (tables and chairs)and cook tent,
Extensive First-aid kit including Oxygen; professional
English and Spanish speaking guides trained in first-aid and
C.P.R. Mules and cook team. All entrances fee needed for
doing the tour (extras are by tour own), All Meals Whilst
Trekking Included as indicated in the itinerary (B =
Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Not
Included
** Tips
for Staff on the trail.
Equipment List
On this expedition we will be
experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing
Altiplano to extremely hot sunshine. During the day
hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and
T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is
advisable. It will get cold (as low as -10°C whilst camping)
especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a
good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal
underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set
of smarter clothes for Cusco. Good quality Alpaca jumpers
are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is
essential for your enjoyment of this trip.
Suggested List
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• Comfortable clothes for
travel
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• Smart clothes for night
life
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• Shorts
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• T-shirts
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• A warm fleece or down
jacket
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• Thermal underwear
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• Warm hat, gloves, scarf
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• Sweater (Available in
Cusco)
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• Waterproof coat &
trousers (poncho)
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• Socks / underwear
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• Trekking trousers
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• After trekking trousers
& t-shirt
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• Good, well walking boots
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• After trek shoes
(sandals)
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• Towel
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• Sleeping bag
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• Water bottle &
purification tablets (optional)
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• Sunglasses
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• Swim suit
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• Sun-hat,
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• Head torch & spare
batteries
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• Book, notepaper & pen
(optional)
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• Sun block
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• Lip balm
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• Binoculars (optional)
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• Camera & batteries
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• Pocket knife
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• Insect Repellent
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• Walking sticks &
protective rubber (optional)
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• Personal toilet kit
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• Money belt
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• Day sack & rain-cover
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• Personal first aid kit
to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), general
anti-biotic, after-bite, anti-diarrhoea tablets,
re-hydration salts & personal medication.
We carry an extensive
first aid kit & Oxygen on all trips, but these are generally
for emergencies only)
Please
note:
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• The mules carry all
your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible
during the day so please bring a small day-pack to
carry your personal day gear in - ie water-bottle,
iodine tablets, camera, sun-block, insect repellent,
light fleece and rain jacket.
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• Any excess gear may
be stored in Cusco at your hotel.
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• Most good quality
sporting equipment is unavailable in Peru so if
anyone wishes to donate any outdoor clothes,
sleeping bags etc they will be gratefully received
by any of our staff.
Policy
to Make a Reservation
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• Complete the booking
form making sure that the name on the booking form
matches that on your passport.
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Deposit of % 50
PERCENT per person is required at the time of
booking.
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• Upon receipt of your
booking we will forward confirmation and complete
information of the trail and included services.
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• The balance is due
not less than 8 weeks prior to departure.
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• Upon receipt of your
final balance you will receive detailed joining
instructions.
And
lastly please note:
The "Lares Trek'' travels
through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we
believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that
makes this trail so very special could also cause certain
problems.
This is a very nature and
adventure trek and we expect our clients to be prepared for
any alteration in climate (Rainy season-November to April-
and dry season - May to October) or/and change programmed
events.
This expedition involves
trekking over several high passes up to 4600 m./
5,091 ft., and involves steep descents. It is
recommended that all clients should have some previous
trekking experience and should be in reasonable fitness.
You should also be aware that
adventure travel, in particular trekking and travelling in
remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it
certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to
assume. You will have to take out adequate travel insurance
to cover these risks and any costs incurred due to sickness,
delayed flights and other factors out of Gregory
Adventure Perú control.
A pre-departure meeting will
be held on arrival in Cusco. It is highly recommended you
attend. All clients will be asked to sign a risk assumption
form and must provide a photocopy of their passport, Peru
entry stamp and details of their travel insurance.
We look forward to seeing you in Cusco ¡¡¡. |
