An alternative to the Inca Trail : Native Communities of the Andes, Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

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AMERIKA VENTURE
Based in Canada
& Costa Rica
Inbound travel agency
& tour operator
Across the Americas
since 1996

Native Communities of the Andes, Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
 An alternative to the Inca Trail...

If you need additional services in Peru, such as flights, transfers, tours and lodging before and /or after your Inca Trail adventure, contact us, we will be glad to assist in organising your journey in Peru.
Type: Hiking
Group:  2 to 16
Duration: 5 days
The Lares Trek, takes place in a hidden valley that very few outsiders have ever entered. The llama shepherds and weavers that inhabit some of the villages of this obscure place, of high Andean Glaciers and brilliant lakes, wear the clothes of Andalucia, Spain in the 16th century! This garb was imposed on hem by the Conquistadors, who extracted the tribute of their colourful textiles. Their isolation has allowed this tradition to continue. You will be furnished with porters that can carry up to 35 pounds. You will also get double-occupancy sleeping tents; kitchen, dining and latrine tents; and the services of professional English-speaking guides and cooks. All meals will be furnished for us during the trekking portion of the trip. You will walk approximately only 4 hours a day; ascending from 9,514 feet to 11,811 feet you will camp by small towns inhabited by the Andean people called Huaruros, known by their vivid hand-woven red ponchos. You will have the opportunity to visit their villages and mingle with the children and towns folk.
winay wayna

Explore Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Inca site

Explore Machu Picchu

DAY 1. CAMP: CANCHACANCHA
Early morning a private vehicle will pick you up at your hotel and take you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and to the head of the trail where starts the trek. Our hike begins in a fertile valley and follows the Huaran River up through a mountain corridor. After walking for about 4 hours, we arrive to the stone houses with thatched-roofs of the Cancahacancha community (11,000').Camp after the town. (B+L+D)

DAY 2. CAMP: QUISHUARANI
Today we pass two brilliant high lakes, Suirococha and Yaruccocha, a beautiful waterfall feeds the second. Here we can see several bird species including Andean ibis, Andean geese and flamingos. You will go over a pass at 14,108, high above the clouds, with spectacular views of the massive Pituseray and Chicon glaciers. Having trekked for about 5 miles you will camp near a small village of stone huts with thatched roofs. We have a treat in store! A ritual performed to celebrate fiestas or the arrival of outsiders will be performed. A lamb will be cooked in the ancient manner. The men of the village all have specific task in the preparation, which is accompanied by thanks to Pachamama, Mother Earth. It is an amazing thing to see (B+L+D).

DAY 3. LARES HOT SPRINGS /HUACAWASI.
An early start will take us to the relaxing hot springs at Lares, where you can bathe, pampering ourselves as we languish in the warm water. After a trek of about 4 miles you will arrive to the community of Huacawasi, the natives here engage in daily weaving beautiful garments. You will be able to observe the shearing of llamas; carding of the wool and dying it with natural colors; and the actual weaving of the cloth and fabrication into ponchos.(B+L+D)

DAY 4. YANAHUARA / MACHUPICCHU:
Early morning walk up to the Yanahuara Pass ( 4,100m). The views are spectacular as we pass large rock formations, lagoons and follow original Inca stone paths that once connected the Lares Valley with the Urubamba Valley. Our gradual descent in another 3.5 hours approximately will take us through the Native
community of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley. From here on we take a 15 minute bus ride to Ollantaytambo where we board the train towards Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). Transfer to Machu Picchu, exploration of the site.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 5.
Exploration of the Machu Picchu Site. Train to Cuzco, end of services.

Notas:

  • Sleeping bag rental : 5$US per day.
  • Insulite mattress provided
    up-grade to a therma-rest mattress : 5$US per day.
  • Advise if vegetarian diet is required.

Throughout this adventure you trek at a leisure pace, camping at more secluded camps, away from the crowds. We run an ecological minded trip by taking out all the garbage including all the human waste. You only carry a small day pack, with your water bottle and camera. Also, on this trek operated in collaboration with Mayuc Expeditions, staff and porters receive a good salary and benefit form decent employment conditions.

Inclusions
Exclusions
  • Private Transportation to head of the trail ;
  • English speaking guide ;
  • Cook and porters ;
  • Lodging in cities ;
  • Double occupancy tents when camping ;
  • All the meals ;
  • Dining tent, kitchen tent and latrine tent when camping ;
  • Bus ride from Yanahuara to Ollantaytambo ;
  • Train to Aguas Calientes and to Cuzco

  • International or local airfare; get a quote
  • Personal insurance; get a quote
  • Sleeping bag
  • Personal equipment and clothing
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
    (US$ 60 adults US$ 30 students)

Dates and Prices
Dates: Departures are programmed every day, throughout the year.
Price per traveller in double occ.: 575 $US 
 (+ 45 $US single occ.)

Special conditions for booking this 5 days tour
Unlike most of our tours that often remain available until about 30 days prior departure; this tour must be booked VERY LONG in advance. This is especially true for the high season (May to September).

You must send your complete payment to book this tour, availability is very limited. If we do not have places available, your request will be refused and you will NOT be charged. If you send your payment using our Paypal option and we cannot confirm availability for you, you will automatically be refunded without delay. This tour should be paid by credit card.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR PLEASE CLICK HERE
In the payment form, please mention the following information:
The tour: LARES 5 days
The travel dates: (ex.: June 1st to June 5th 2007)
NB: If your dates are flexible please mention it using this form: "dates flexible +/-2 days"
The travellers: Full names of the travellers + passeport numbers and citizenship of travellers + complete coordinates of the main contact (if booking for a group or family)
WE CANNOT PROCESS A BOOKING REQUEST FOR THIS TOUR IF SOME INFORMATION IS MISSING.
To order your detailed map of the Inca trail (10$US + shipping), contact us.


Comparing our tours and prices with others, consider...

  • The number of participants in the tour. The SIZE of the group has a major incidence on the quality of the services provided by the tour leader and the driver. Small groups remain personal unlike large groups.
  • What IS and what is NOT included in the tours & services you compare.
  • Our tours respect the principals of ecotourism. Our guides, staff members and providers are meticulously selected to meet our exacting requirements and standards and they are remunerated equitably and considered with great esteem as we much value their participation to our mission.
  • The quality standards of the services and accommodations we provide in our tours are high and our customer service is exceptional. We are committed to offering the very best to our travellers before, during and after their trip.
  • We provide our travellers with the contact information of their tour manager who is available 7 days a week before and during the tour to promptly assist them with any situation or simply answer questions or doubts before the tour starts.


Procedures and deadlines summary:

  1. Upon reception of your booking request we will send you a booking confirmation & invoice (or another offer if the requested services cannot be confirmed).
  2. Upon reception of your invoice, you must send us your initial deposit (30% of the tour price + 100% of flights and/or travel insurance, if these services are booked through us). We accept all major credit cards, checks, wire transfers and cash.
  3. Your final payment must be received 45 days prior to your tour departure.
  4. We send you your travel documents by FedEx courier 30 days prior to your tour departure (or before). We also send you (at the same time) an electronic version (PDF document sent by email) of your documents to keep as a backup copy in your files.
    All payments received are confirmed by our accounting dpt. the next day with an updated account statement sent by email.

General conditions

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