Lima, Cusco and Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days

Today we’ll take a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas which will take up about 10 hours. We’ll start by visiting Pisac. Here we’ll see the Pisac Archaeological Park and Pisac Market. When you visit the Pisac Market, you can walk around the booths and stores full with souvenirs like traditionally made textiles, pottery and jewelry or you can sit in one of the cafes overlooking the market with a coffee to watch the business below. After we’ve visited Pisac, we’ll go to Urubamba where we’ll have a buffet lunch. After we’ve had lunch we’ll go to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo which experts believe to have been a fortress pointing to its strategic location, strong walls and guard posts. You’ll see lots of examples of the Inca architecture left behind throughout the town. After we’ve visited Ollantaytambo we’ll continue the Sacred Valley Tour by going to Chinchero which is also called ‘Rainbow City.’ The people living there still hold on to traditions generations old which you’ll see in their clothing and their small markets. People also come to see their church with its painted murals and traditional market. From Chinchero, we’ll return to Cusco around 7:00pm. Overnight in hotel.

Cusco - Calca – Lares – Wakawasi

Today we’ll start our Lares trek! We’ll start the Lares trek off by picking everyone up from their hotels and driving to Calca, which is about 45 minutes outside of Cusco. Calca is a small town where we have a chance to buy a few last minute supplies for our Lares trek like water and snacks, or have a quick breakfast if you didn’t have time to eat this morning. After our short stop in Calca, we’ll drive to Lares and its hot springs. We’ll relax in the Lares Hot Springs for a few hours which is a great way to start a trek! After our time in the hot springs and a lunch, we’ll start hiking to Wakahuasi. Wakahuasi is about 6 hours from Lares and this will be our camp for tonight. When we arrive we’ll have some time to put our things away and have dinner. Tonight you can relax during your dinner time after your trek today and get to know your group members while you eat and drink tea.

Wakawasi – Yanahuara

On our second day of our Lares trek, we’ll be woken up with a hot cup of coca tea! We’ll have breakfast and continue our Lares trek by walking uphill for 3 to 4 hours to the Wakahuasi Pass. The Wakahuasi Pass is at 4300 meters. We’ll take a much deserved break at the top to rest shortly and take pictures of the area from this height. After our rest, we’ll hike down for about an hour to Lake Auroroycocha where we’ll also have lunch. After we’ve filled up on lunch and had a short break, we’ll keep hiking on our Lares trek to Yanahuasi which is about 3 to 4 hours away. This will be our camp for tonight and we should arrive at about 5:00pm to 6:00pm. This will give us time to get settled in our tents, relax and have some tea before dinner.

Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

We’ll wake up with a hot cup of coca tea around 6:00am before breakfast. We’ll then continue our Lares trek to Machu Picchu, although there will not be a lot of hiking today. We’ll leave our camp in Yanahuara and hike down for about 40 minutes until we reach the local road where we’ll take local transportation to Ollantaytambo. If we have enough time, depending on our train schedule, we may be able to roam around Ollantaytambo for a while or even visit the ruins (entrance ticket not included). When it is time to board your train, you’ll take the Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The train ride takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. In Aguas Calientes you’ll go to your hotel where you can put your things away and freshen up before dinner. If you have time, you can also visit the Aguas Calientes hot springs (entrance fee $4) to relax. After a few days on the Lares trek, you’ll likely be very happy to take a hot shower and sleep in a real bed tonight!

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Today will be the highpoint of our Lares trek since we’ll visit Machu Picchu today! After our breakfast in our hotel, we’ll hike the zig-zag path up to Machu Picchu. At the entrance they will check your tickets to see if they match your passport, so make sure to take your passport and your ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you booked your trip with a student discount. When we’re inside of Machu Picchu we’ll have a 2 hour guided tour where our guide will show us around the main areas and sacred sites. After the guided tour we’ll have some time to roam around on our own so we have a chance to really soak up the enigmatic atmosphere of this magical city.

You also have the option of climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain which will give you a great view over the city of Machu Picchu. It should take about 45 minutes to climb, but remember there are two entrance times which the Machu Picchu officials enforce very strictly. Also remember that Huayna Picchu only has a limited number of entrances daily (400 people per day) and they sell out quickly. You will need to book your tickets well in advance!

When you’ve had enough time to roam the city and take pictures, you’ll take one of the buses down to Aguas Calientes. If you’ve given yourself enough time, you can grab a lunch (not included) and buy some snacks and souvenirs before getting on your train. According to your train schedule, you’ll take the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo, we’ll be waiting there to pick you up and bring you back to Cusco. You should arrive in Cusco around 10:30pm. Overnight in hotel.

Note: The time table for the trains may change according to the train company’s availability. There will also be changes to your itinerary and price if you decide to change your departure time, or upgrade to the Vistadome Train. If you booked later than most of your group for your Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu, you may not be in the same train as the rest of your group. Overnight in hotel.

We will pick you up from your hotel according to your schedule and bring you to the Cusco airport. At the Cusco airport you’ll board a plane to Lima. This will be the end of our services.

• Sleeping bag ($45)
• Trekking poles/Walking Sticks (rental $25 for trek)
• Personal tent (rental $45 for trek)
• Upgrade in class from Expedition Train service to Vistadome (panoramic) Train service (upgrade $50)
• Huayna Picchu entrance ticket ($35 per person). Make sure to book early since there are limited spaces available and they can sell out quickly!
• Entrance fee for hot springs in Aguas Calientes (10 Peruvian Nuevos Soles)
• Upgrade to a single room ($35 per night)
• Extra horse ($80)
• We can also provide great prices on hotels for all of Peru (Standard to Luxury)!

• Original passport
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) if you have a student discount
• Sleeping bag (can be rented as well)
• Walking boots/shoes
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Re-usable plastic or metal water container or camel bags
• Water, money to buy water along the way or water purification tablets
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Torch with batteries

• Shorts
• Walking sticks
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Extra money for personal expenses, tips, lunch on last day, snacks, etc. We recommend that you bring around 300 Peruvian Nuevos Soles
• Bathing suit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes

• To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC (International Student Identity Card) card. Scan the card and email us the copy at the time of your booking for a $20 discount per student!
• For children younger than 17, we offer a $20 discount. Just scan and email a copy of the passports at the time of your booking.

• Itinerary and campsites may change according to the climate and health status of the trekkers.
• Train times for the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo may change according to the train company’s availability and will be confirmed close to the time of the trek. If someone books later than most of the group, we may not be able to provide the same train as the rest of the group.
• Change to earlier/later train time at time of booking (price depending on train availability)
• Tips/gratuities not included but are optional according to the services rendered

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

" Itep Travel is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations , offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”

NOTE: ITEP TRAVEL, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.