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Wonderful best option Instead the Classic 4 days inca trail

(A great hike from Lares to Quishuarani – Cancha Cancha – Huaran – Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes Town and final day includes a  full day tour of Machu Picchu Inka city)
 

Lares to Machu Picchu

Introduction

Trekking in this area takes you into the remote and rarely visited Lares Valley with the spectacular backdrop of the Urubamba Mountains. The Urubamba range lies to east of the Sacred Valley. It stretches for 30km, and has several snow-capped peaks, the best know of which is Veronica (5,750m), the most prominent snow peak that can be seen from the Machu Picchu train. The Urubamba range in its entirety is seen at its best from the road between Cusco and Urubamba. This is one of my all time favourite views. The Lares Valley lies to the east of the Urubamba range and its easily accessible from Cusco. The Area offers moderately strenuous trekking, though small mountain villages, crossing passes of over 4,000m with spectacular views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. The trek, described here, gives you the rare snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon. The trek, described here, gives you the rare opportunity to see how the Quechua-speaking Indians of the high mountain villages live by farming potatoes and oca, and herding llamas and alpacas on the inhospitable flanks of the towering peaks.

The Lares Valley is particularly well know for its very high-quality, brightly coloured weavings and characteristic upturned hats, many of the popular tourist markets being supplied from here. There are several variations on this trek which you can do according to how much time you have available. Even in the dry season be prepared fro bad weather. Although in this area always people not far away, they often don't speak Spanish. If you want to take mules or porters and a guide you will probably have to organise it through one of the agencies in Cusco.

(From Peru and Bolivia, The Bradt Trekking Guide)

The trek itself is rated moderate, similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, One pass over 4000m so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude. If arriving from sea level then plan on spending at least 2 days in Cusco and the surroundings before undertaking the trek. Welcome to the Lares Trek through the Sacred Valley – a stunning trip designed to avoid the crowds found on the traditional Inca Trail, with ample opportunities for viewing wildlife, meeting locals, and immersing yourself in ancient surroundings.

Please Note: We do offer two options of Services:
1.-Private One
2.-Shared Service
Please find the differences below, thanks.
 

Departures are available throughout the year. However, due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is between March - December.

Lares - Llamas

Departures: To suit group requirements March - December
Minimum 02 passengers at the time of departure (actually we are o.k. if you are 02 people, we can leave any day which is fine for your plans)

Fixed Departures 2009: Every Day
 

What is included: (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared  Service)

• Collection from your hotel in the morning
• Transportation by bus to the start of the trail (Lares - Pascana)
• English speaking professional guide
• Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks
• Double thickness foam mattress
• Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking)
• Accommodations: 2 nights camping, 1 night hotel
• Cook and Cooking equipment
• Meals (03B,03L,03D) - food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude
• We supply boiled water to fill in your water bottle all the time, if requested with enough time ahead (while hiking)
• Teatime the first two days (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
• Horses days 1-3 (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
• Kitchen tent
• Accommodation for our crew
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus from Machu Picchu ruins up and down to the village of Aguas Calientes
• Machu Picchu entrance fee
• Train ticket (Backpackers service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
• Transfer from the train station to your hotel.

What is not included: (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared  Service)

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes US$4
• Sleeping bags (4 season) can be hired in our office for US$12 for the 3 day trek.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Personal equipment

What you need to bring/carry: (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared  Service)

• Backpack,
• Sleeping bag 4 season suitable for temperatures down to -5C (can be hired from our office for US$12 for the 3 day trek)
• Sleeping mattress (we will provide you with this)
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for a few dollars)
• Strong, comfortable footwear
• One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)
• Sweater and jacket (something warm)
• Water bottle, ideally non disposable canteen (boiled drinking water will be provided)
• Torch / Flashlight and batteries
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
• Sun block (sun protection cream)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
• Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, energy bars etc,
• Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries, cash in soles and US$
• Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
• Optional: walking Poles /sticks (rubber covers necessary)
• You also need to bring your original passport on the trail.

Options: (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared Service)

Other information: (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared Service)

(2) Time of arrival in Cusco. Unless you plan to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes, you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 9pm on the 4th day of the trek. This tickets are subject to availability and at times of high demand we may have to change your departure to an alternative service / departure time without prior notice departing on the someday as stated in your service voucher.  This alternative service may run only as far as Ollantaytambo, in which case we will  provide transport for you back to your hotel in Cusco. If the service is more expensive Andean life will pay additional cost. This applies to return by train only and Andean life will not be responsible for additional costs associated wit returning to Cusco in any other form. If it is your decision to change to a different service or different date you must inform us at the time of purchasing the trek and pay any additional cost yourselves.

(3) If any of the third party costs listed above change to increase the cost of the trek we will immediately update the trek price listed on our website (apart from the exchange rate which can continue to go up and down throughout the year so the website will not be updated to reflect these cost changes). Clients will be liable for paying any increased cost of the Inca Trail trek upon arrival in Cusco.

(4) Trek Itinerary: For a detailed description of our 4 day trekking itinerary see below.

(5) Andean Life Trek Cancellation Policy (in both options,1,2, Private Service and Shared Service)
 

1. The trek deposit must be paid prior to the date shown on the trek confirmation email. Clients must email Andean Life to confirm that they have paid the deposit. Failure to pay the deposit and/or inform us of the deposit payment details before this date will result in automatic trek cancellation.
2. The trek balance must be paid in the Andean Life office prior to 8pm, at least 2 days prior to trek departure. Failure to pay the trek balance prior to this time will result in trek cancellation.
3. Trek cancellations made between payment of trek deposit and 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure date: Return of all payments made, less the trek deposit of US$150 per person, less any costs associated with receiving and returning the payment.
4. Trek cancellations made after 8pm, 2 days prior to trek departure: No cash refund. However we will give to your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, your bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and your round trip train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back to Cusco (approximate value US$150). Please note that the client will be responsible for changing the dates of any of these tickets (if necessary) and any costs associated with such changes.

In all instances of trek cancellation by the client Andean Life will provide written confirmation of the cancellation and details of any payments lost so as to be used in the event of any insurance claim made by the client.

Trekking Itinerary 2009

• Lunch can be taken at Aguas Calientes town before to take the tourist train back to Cusco
• Optional stay 01 extra night in Aguas Calientes. Cost of Hotel : 15 - 20 u.s. per person.

KeyWord Reference:

Andean Life Tour Operator

Main Office N° 1 : Calle Santa Teresa 381, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Office N° 2 : Calle Plateros 372, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
(Both ones located just half block from the main square of Cusco City)
Fax Telephone: 00-51-84-261269
Emergency Mobil Phone: 00-51-84-9673544

Licensed Inca Trail tour operator, specialists in trekking in the Andes (Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and other treks)
©Andean Life 1999 - 2005. All material within this web site is original work and subject to national and international copyright laws and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.


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