Code : XA-11
Road : Closed
Altitude : 2850/4400meters
High Season : All year long
Duration : 4 days and 3 nights
Visiting the valley of Lares is establishing a real contact with the Andean life because we'll cross villages and meet people that still live the ancestral way of living or cultivating their lands. Furthermore they hold on to ancient traditions and wear very typical clothes. These colors mixed with the large variety of flora and fauna on a trek that breathes the traditional way of life makes this an unforgettable and out-of-time experience in these magical and enchanting landscapes that will take you all the way to Machu Picchu .
Machu Picchu remains a breathtaking experience, not only because it was a spiritual, astronomic and agricultural center but because it's one of the largest, most beautiful and best preserved Inca-capitals and the only-one that has been untouched by occidental populations. The site whispers of mysterious secrets and lost knowledge for all those who are interested to listen. The city seems to float in the air and hide inside the clouds. The Machu Picchu-visit is perfect combination of pre-Columbian science and religion, a passionate history, beautiful sightseeing and a relaxing experience.
PROGRAM
1 st Day/Cusco /Huacacasi pass - Lares' Hot Baths/Huaca Wasi (3350/4400 - 3200/3600meters)
We'll leave early in the morning by a private bus from Cusco . During the transport we'll pass a lot of archeological remains, local handcraft-markets as well as large tracks of cultivated lands inside the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley is one of the most fertile places in South America with one of the best products such as maize which is the first export-product of this area.
Halfway the Sacred Valley we'll enter in the province of Calca (2940m) where we'll change roads and ride up to the highest part of this trek called Huacacasi (4400m). After this pass we'll be going down to the little populated Lares Valley (3250m).
A few moments later we'll arrive at the hot medicinal springs of Lares (3200m). Here we'll have time to enjoy each bath with different natural charms and temperatures between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius.
After lunch at the hot baths we'll start hiking until Huaca Wasi (3600m) where we'll camp for the night.
Our transport-time will be around 5 hours. Our trekking time will be about 3 hours in a rather cold climate.
2 nd Day/Huaca Wasi/Abra Ipsay/Patacancha (3600/4400/3650meters)
This will be the hardest day because of the altitude-level. The pass we'll have to cross is called Abra Ipsay and is situated at 4400meters high. It will take us about 4 hours to hike up there at a gentle pace. While hiking we'll pass local communities that throughout the years hold on to their ancestral way of living and Andean traditions. They have a large knowledge of natural agriculture and ancient ways of working textile so that their colorful clothes are unique in the Lares-Valley.
After the pass we'll continue our journey downwards until our campsite next to the small village of Patacancha (3650m).
Our trekking-time will be about 7 hours in a cold climate.
3 rd Day/Patacancha/Willoq/Pumamarca/Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes
(3650/3400/3200/2850 - 2050meters)
Another day of hiking where we'll pass local communities and small villages such as Willoq (3400m), Pumamarca (3200m) and many others. From Patacancha through the landscape, crossing these villages we can taste the traditions and habits passed on by our ancestors throughout the times of the Tahuatinsuyo Empire (the Inca-culture and traditions).
After a couple of hours hiking and visiting the land we'll arrive at Ollantaytambo (2850m) that speaks from its archeological sites, a wide story of Andean history and anthropology of these times.
From Ollantaytambo we'll take the train to Aguas Calientes (2050m), the tourist cal town build beneath the ruins of Machu Picchu where we'll spend the night in a hotel.
4 th Day/Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu /Cusco (2050/2400meters)
After an early rise and breakfast we'll take the first bus up to the archeological complex of Machu Picchu (2400m). A few moments later we'll enter this untouched Inca-sanctuary to have a guided tour with a professional guide. After this tour that will last for about two hours you'll have plenty of time to wonder around the ruins by yourself…And for the bravest among us there is always the ascension to Huayna Picchu or the nearby Temple of the Moon. We'll all meet afterwards to go down to Aguas Calientes (2050m) where we'll take our train back to Cusco .
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