This Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu of four days perfectly combines the cultural and natural beauty of Cusco. We will enjoy the magnificent views of the snow-capped Salkantay, and the natural attractions that surround it, like Humantay. We will camp in unique places and our experience will culminate visiting Machu Picchu world wonder. The walk takes us back to the time of the Incas and will make us aware of the spirits of the mountains, while we prepare ourselves emotionally to visit Machu Picchu.

Included:

• Informative briefing before the trip; it is made the night before leaving. You can choose the schedule between 6-8p.m.
• Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Challacancha
• Our service includes the overnight in Igloo or Huts- these are much more comfortable than conventional tents. There distribution is of 2 people in each Igloo or Hut (having a maximum capacity of 04 people)
• Kitchen tent, dining room with tables and chairs
• 1 night accommodation in basic lodging in Aguas Calientes
• Cook and kitchen assistant
• Horses: Our horses and mules can only carry a maximum of 7 kilos of load from day 1 to day 2.
• Food: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners are included (vegetarian menus and special diets are available at no additional cost)
• Boiled water every morning (1 liter per person)
• Snack, on day 1, 2 and 3
• We carry a first aid kit and bottle of oxygen for emergencies
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Bus ticket Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu, return
• Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes on day 3
• Train ticket to return from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Bilingual profesional guide (one for groups of 2 to 10 people and two guides for groups of 12 people)
• Transfer from the train station in Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
• Sleeping bag included (for -15 degrees below 0, includes polar sheets)

Not included:

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the last day
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
• Walking sticks U.S. $10 per pair
• Depending on the availability, you can acquire the entry to Huayna Picchu by adding U.S. $20 per person
• Other services not mentioned in the program.

DAY 1: CUSCO - HUACA CASI PASS - LARES HOT SPRINGS - HUACAWASI

We will leave Cusco and head to Lares at 5:00 am by bus. During this trip we will pass several archaeological sites and handicraft markets in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will arrive in the province of Calca (2940m/9646f) first, and then we head to the Huaca Casi pass (4400m/14436f) to descend later to the thermal baths of Lares (3200m / 10499f). Here we will have some time to relax in the pools between 28 and 36 degrees Cº / 82 and 97 degrees F. After lunch we will continue our trek to Huacawasi (3600m/11811f), where our campsite will be located.

Weather: cold.
Duration of transport: 4 hours.
Walking time: 3-4 hours.

DAY 2: HUACAWASI - IPSAY PASS - PATACANCHA

The second day is possibly the most beautiful. After breakfast we will start a 4 hour hike to the Ipsay pass (4400m/14436f). There we will visit some families who live from agriculture and textile design, inspired by the Andean gods. Afterwards we will head towards the village of Patacancha (3650m/11975f), where we will find our campsite.

Weather: cold.
Walking time: 6-7 hours.

DAY 3: PATACANCHA - WILLOQ - PUMAMARCA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES

The third day is also spectacular: we will visit several communities and indigenous villages, such as Willoq (3400m/11156f), Pumamarca (3200m/10499f) and Ollantaytambo (2850m/9350f) which is considered the last stronghold of the Incas. From there we will take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m/6726f), where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Weather: moderately warm.
Walking time: aprox. 6 horas.

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

We will leave our hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am and head to Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) by tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour of the archaeological site, you will have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu (2750m/9022f) on your own. We will leave Aguas Calientes by train at either 2:55 pm or 6:10 pm. Until then you will have time for lunch at one of the restaurants. You will also enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes, concluding our 4 day Lares trek to Machu Picchu.

Weather: moderately warm.
Walking time: 2 hours.

WHAT TO BRING?

• Backpack with rain coat.
• Sleeping bag. Clothing for warm and cold weather such as a waterproof jacket.
• Rain pants and light pants. trekking shoes, sneakers or sandals (for showers and thermal baths), wool or synthetic socks and a sweater.
• Rain pants and light pants. trekking shoes, sneakers or sandals (for showers and thermal baths), wool or synthetic socks and a sweater.
• Rain poncho and a hat. Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, alcohol disinfectant gel, water bottle and sterilization tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
• Camera (wrapped in plastic bag).
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Some selected snacks such as chocolate bar and dried fruits.
• Original passport, original ISIC student card (if you have one) and extra money in soles.
• Because the weather can be very cold and wet, your clothes - once wet - will not dry overnight. So bring some clothes to change into.

Lares Valley to Machu Picchu 4 days ( Group departure)

Includes:

• Transfer from the hotel to the Lares Valley.
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
• Entrance fee to the thermal baths in the Lares Valley.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
• Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
• High quality camping equipment (professional tents Doite, Cima 4, light/4.5kgs extra tents for 2 people. Mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, toilet tent).
• Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks / Vegetarian option).
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Horsemen and mules, throughout the campsite and personal equipment (up to 7 kg).
• Emergency horse (minimum 2 people).
• First aid kit and oxygen balloon.

Does not include:

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus downhill from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes $ 10.00 or you have the option to walk which will take approximately 1 hour.
• Sleeping bag (if you do not have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility to rent one).

Notes:

• From the first to the third day (from Lares hot springs to Ollantaytambo) we will be accompanied by muleteers and mules, who will carry all the camping equipment and private luggage of the passenger (up to 7 kg). From the village of Ollantaytambo all luggage will be transferred on the train with you.
• Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu requires to be booked well in advance, however we charge additional $ 15.00 and we guarantee your entrance to Huayna Picchu (This new state law started since July 18, 2011).
• Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters will also be very grateful for a small donation, e.g. clothes or school supplies for your children.

IMPORTANT:

• TRAINS: Our service includes the EXPEDITION or VOYAGER Train and can be upgraded to the VISTADOME Train category with an additional US$ 50.00 per person round trip.
• HOTELS: You can choose packages based on the type of hotel, and you can also choose hotels for your tour that are not included in our offer. Before confirming, please let us know which hotel you prefer, and we will add it to the package.
• PRIVATE: Please consult with one of our advisors if you want any of the services to be private.

To start your reservation process please send us the following information:

• Name and surname:
• Passport No.:
• Nationality:
• Date of birth:
• Sex:
• Phone:
• It is very important your information about your hotel in the city of Cusco, so we can pick you up there at the beginning of the tour..

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