Lares Trek to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca 9 Days

Cusco - Calca – Lares – Wakawasi

On our 3rd day of this tour we’ll start our first day of the Lares trek! We’ll start the day by picking everyone up from their respective hotels around 5:00am. We’ll drive about 45 minutes outside of Cusco to Calca. Calca is a small town where we can buy some last minute supplies if we didn’t have time to do so before we start our Lares trek to Machu Picchu. You may want to buy snacks and water here or even have a quick breakfast if you didn’t have breakfast this morning. After we have everything we need, we’ll drive on the Lares hot springs. We’re going to start our Lares trek to Machu Picchu by relaxing for a few hours in the local hot springs! After our time here and lunch we’ll leave Lares and start hiking to Wakawasi. The hike to Wakawasi should take about 6 hours. When we get to Wakahuasi, which will be our camp for the night, we can relax a little while before we have dinner together. We’ll have time to get know the other people in our group over dinner and tea.

Wakawasi – Yanahuara

On our second day of our Lares trek to Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up with a hot cup of coca tea before breakfast! After breakfast we’ll leave Wakahuasi and hike for 3 or 4 hours until we reach the Wakahuasi Pass which is at 4300 meters altitude, so we will be hiking uphill the whole time! At the top of the pass we’ll take a short break to take in the view and take pictures of the view of the surrounding area. From here we’ll hike downhill for about an hour to Lake Auroroycocha where we’ll have lunch. After our lunch we’ll hike an additional 3 or 4 hours to Yanhuara which will be our camp. We should reach camp at about 5:00pm to 6:00pm. This will give us some time to organize our things and have tea and relax before dinner.

Yanahuara – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

We’ll wake up to another cup of hot coca tea before starting the Lares trek today. We’ll have breakfast early then hike downhill around 7:00am to a local road. This should only take about 45 minutes, after which we’ll take local transportation to Ollantaytambo. If we have enough time, according to your train schedule, we can roam around Ollantaytambo for a while and even visit the Ollantaytambo ruins (entrance tickets not included). According to your train time, we’ll board the Expedition rain from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. When we arrive in Aguas Calientes we can drop off our things at our hotel, freshen up and have dinner together. If we have time we can also visit the local hot springs (entrance fee of about $4). After trekking for a few days and sleeping in tents, you’ll likely be happy with a hot shower and a real bed tonight! Overnight in hotel.

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

Today will be the last part of the Lares trek since we’ll be visiting Machu Picchu today! We’ll start the day by having breakfast at the hotel together. After breakfast we’ll hike up to Machu Picchu going along a trail which zig-zags up the mountain. Make sure to bring your passport and your ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you booked your trip with a student discount. You’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the main sacred sites of Machu Picchu but afterwards you’ll have time to walk around the Lost City on your own.

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 taken your pictures and roamed around Machu Picchu for a while, you can take one of the buses to Aguas Calientes. While here and waiting for your time to take the train, you can buy souvenirs and snacks for the trip back to Cusco. You may also have time to buy lunch before you have to bard the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, we’ll be waiting for you to drive you back to Cusco. You’ll arrive in Cusco at about 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.

Today will be the last day in Cusco. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and we’ll take a touristic bus to Puno. Along the way we’ll make stops along a few archaeological sites like Pukara, Andahuaylillas and Raqchi, enjoying the beautiful landscapes as well. For lunch we’ll have a buffet and we’ll have drinks along the way. When we arrive in Puno we’ll go directly to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

On the 8th day of our tour, we’ll start early for our Lake Titicaca Tour by picking you up from your hotel and bringing you to the harbor. From here we’ll take a boat to the Floating Islands of Uros. The Uros people, who live on these floating islands, started building them centuries ago to isolate and protect themselves from other tribes. They gather reeds from the shallow parts of Lake Titicaca bundle them together tightly and construct the floating platforms where they then build their houses and live. While we visit their community we will learn about their customs and their lifestyle.

After we visit the floating islands, we’ll take a boat ride for about 2 hours to Taquile Island where the local community speaks Quechua. They are known for their textiles, their "Chullos", knitted hats with earflaps and "The Calendar Waistband", which shows the annual cycles connected to rituals and agricultural activities. From the island you’ll have a great view of Titicaca Lake and the houses on the island which are inhabited by direct descendants to the Incas. When we reach the top of the island and have walked around for a while, we’ll have lunch together before walking back down to the harbor. Here we’ll take our boat back to Puno. When you reach the harbor, we’ll take you back to your hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Today will be the last day in Puno. We’ll pick you up from your hotel according to your departure schedule and bring you to the airport or to the bus terminal. 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.