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Lares to Machu Picchu
4 day Trek - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How does the Lares to Machu Picchu
trek compare to the traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
A1: The Lares trek is slightly shorter than the Inca Trail. The
trekking part of the 4-day Lares tour actually finishes around midday on
the 3rd day in a small village called Patacancha. The group then
takes the bus down to Ollantaytambo for lunch and a short rest.
The group then takes the train for the 90 minute ride to Aguas
Calientes where the group spends the night in a hotel. On the 4th
day of the tour the group takes an early bus up to Machu Picchu
for a guided tour. Usually the group arrives at Machu Picchu for
around 6:15am. The standard Inca Trail trek, in contrast, starts
further along the Vilcanota Valley just beyond Ollantaytambo and
treks all of the way to Machu Picchu. Trekkers on the Inca Trail
arrive at Machu Picchu around 8:30am. The Inca Trail is famous
because it passes many Inca archaeological sites along the route
of the trail and also passes through a large variety of
eco-systems such as high mountain puna (grassland), cloud-forest
and sub-tropical vegetation. The Lares trek takes us through small
village communities in the mountains. The Lares trek is a more
culturally rich trek as it allows us to see Quechua farmers
working in the fields, tending their herds of llamas and alpacas.
In these mountain regions the local people are still proud wear
traditional dress. We will camp in the grounds of the community
and have the opportunity to see locally-produced weavings and
handicrafts. The scenery along the route of the Lares trek is
spectacular with many snow-capped peaks and turquoise lakes. On
the Inca Trail porters are used to carry the equipment whereas on
the Lares trek horses and llamas are used to transport the load.
The Inca Trail is still much more popular than the Lares trek. For
this reason the government has restricted the number of trekkers.
Trek permits are required and these permits can sell out many
months in advance. There is currently no restriction on the number
of trekkers on the Lares Trek and permits are not required
although this may change in future years. There are still a lot
less people on the Lares trek particularly the route that we
offer. Overall it is still hard to beat the traditional 4 day Inca
Trail but the Lares Trek is certainly offering an excellent scenic
and cultural alternative.
Q2: How far in
advance do I need to make a trek reservation?
A2: Trek permits are
not required for this trek so in theory you could just turn up in
Cusco and book this trek a day or two in advance. However the
train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back to
Ollantaytambo at the end of the trek are becoming more and more
difficult for us to purchase at short notice and it is highly
recommended that these tickets are bought at least 2 weeks before
trek departure. Space within the group is also
limited so if you don't have much time in Cusco and you really want
to do this trek then we would recommend making a trek booking as
far in advance as possible.
Q3: What are the best months to do the Lares trek?
A3: The best months to do the Lares Trek are during
the dry season from April to October. Outside these months it is
possible that some of the high passes along the trek may become
blocked by snow which is why we only offer this trek from April to
October.
Q4: What about
payment, do you need a deposit?
A4:
After we have confirmed your trek booking you
will need to pay a trek deposit of US$200 per person. The deposit can be paid by
PayPal (preferred method as it is quick), or by bank transfer. UK clients can also pay their
deposits into our UK LloydsTSB account (no transfer fee).
The remaining
trek balance needs to be
paid in our office in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the trek departure date,
before 7pm. Payment is
to be made in cash (US dollars or local currency) or by American
Express travel checks (3% commission charged).
When we confirm your trek booking we will send you more details about
how to pay the trek deposit. Please note that the trek deposit is
non-refundable & non-transferable. The deposit is used to reserve
your train tickets and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu as well as reserving
your space within the group. After purchasing your train tickets
and Machu Picchu entrance tickets we cannot change the date of
trek departure or change the name or passport number on the
tickets.
Q5: Is the trek
difficult, do I need to be fit?
A5: The Lares Trek is a 39km hike through mountainous regions. The
maximum altitude reached is 4500m above sea level which is 300m
higher than the highest point on the Inca Trail. You
should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting the trek. You have
to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. Try walking 15km
in a day or go to the gym in the months leading up to the trek. It
is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to
spend 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3400m) prior to starting the trek.
This time can be put to good use visiting the city of Cusco,
nearby Inca ruins and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Q6: Is there a minimum or maximum
age limit for the Inca Trail trek
A6: There is no government restriction
on the age limit for the Inca Trail. However as a responsible
trekking company Peru Treks does not accept reservations for
children under the age of 8 years old and adults over 65 years
old. All children under 18 years old must also be accompanied by
an adult. We require that all of our trekkers over 59 years old
hire the service of an extra third porter (6kg). We recommend that
if you are over 59 years old you should talk to your doctor
well in advance about how best to plan for the trek and also to
ensure that your travel insurance covers such adventure
activities. We also insist that clients over 59 years old arrive
in Cusco at least 3 days prior to starting the trek (rather than
the usual 2 days). For trekkers over 63 years old we also ask you
to bring a letter from your doctor confirming that you are fit to
participate in the trek. Unfortunately if you fail to bring a
letter from your doctor we reserve the right to cancel your trek and your trek deposit cannot be returned. We do not accept
bookings from single trekkers over 59 years old (i.e. trekkers
traveling on their own) or groups of trekkers where everyone in
the group is over 59 years old, sorry.
Q7:
Can I have vegetarian meals?
A7: Our cooks can provide
vegetarian meals no problem. Just let us know your dietary requirements when you
book your trek.
Q8:
I have a food allergy, can this be
catered for?
A8: We have plenty of clients who have
allergies to nuts, wheat, etc. Please give us details of your
allergy at the time of booking. Please indicate the severity of
the reaction and what type of medicines you have to take in an
emergency. If your allergy is severe you must be accompanied by a
friend on the trek who is aware of your allergy and the location
of any required medicines. Due to the nature of the remote
geographical location of the trail and the lack of suitable nearby
medical facilities Peru Treks will not accept any responsibility,
either directly or indirectly, for any problems due to your
special medical/dietary requirements. We suggest that you to check
with your doctor before booking the trek.
Q9: I have asthma / diabetes /
another medical condition. Can I still do the trek?
A9: You must disclose at the time of
booking any medical condition that you may have that could affect
your ability to do the Inca Trail trek. Peru Treks reserves the
right not to accept a trek booking if we feel that a medical
condition may put your life or the lives of any of our trekking
staff or other clients at risk on the trek. People with heart
conditions, knee problems, severe asthma or are more than 18 weeks
pregnant should not participate in the trek. People with mild
asthma / diabetes / pregnant less than 18 weeks will have to bring a medical note from
their doctor stating that they are fit to undertake the trek. They
will also be required to be accompanied by a trekking companion on
the trek at all times who will trek at their sides and be familiar
with any medicines required in case of an emergency. Peru Treks
reserved the right to cancel the trek booking of a client if the
client has not fully disclosed at the time of making a booking a
medical condition that may pose a risk to the health of the client
and/or other trekkers. No refunds will be given in this instance.
Due to the nature of the remote
geographical location of the trail and the lack of suitable nearby
medical facilities along the trail Peru Treks will not accept any
responsibility, either directly or indirectly, for any problems
due to your special dietary requirements / medical condition. We
suggest that you check with your doctor before booking the trek.
Q10:
Having paid my trek deposit can I turn up in Cusco the day before
to pay the balance?
A10: No. We require
everyone to be in Cusco at least 2 days prior to starting the
trek, although 3 days is even better. Therefore if your trek
departs on a Monday you must come to our office before 7pm on
Saturday to pay the trek
balance. This ensures that everyone in the group is well
acclimatized to the high altitude. Unfortunately we are
no longer making any exceptions to this policy even if our clients
have already been at high altitude
prior to arriving in Cusco. We are strict on this point ! (Please
note the trek balance needs to be paid in Cusco, and cannot be
paid in advance of your arrival).
Q11: What do I need to
bring on the trek?
A11: Backpack,
sleeping bag, double-thickness foam mattress (we will provide you with this
but you have to carry it, it weighs approx 1kg), rain
jacket, strong footwear, one complete change of clothing, sweater,
jacket (something warm), water bottle (metal or nalgene
type) and sterilizing tablets
(Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in
Cusco), flashlight and batteries, broad-brim or peaked cap,
sunblock, insect repellent, toiletries and toilet paper, selection
of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc, camera and spare batteries (nowhere to charge your camera during the
trek). For your own personal hygiene we also
recommend that you bring a small bottle of
antiseptic/anti-bacterial hand gel to clean your hands each time
after using the camp toilets and before eating any snacks / meals. You also have to
bring your original passport with
you on the trek,
with the same passport number you originally made your reservation
with, otherwise you will be unable to go on the trek. Photocopies are no
longer acceptable.
Q12: What do I need to
carry?
A12: We include horses to carry all
the other items such as tents, food and cooking equipment.
Horses are also provided to carry your personal items such as
sleeping bag, mattress and change of clothes up to a maximum of
6kg per person. You will need to carry a daypack with items such
as rain jacket, water bottle, camera, sunblock, snacks, valuables
etc.
Q13: Do I need
to bring walking boots?
A13: Walking
boots are recommended as they provide support to the ankle which
reduces the risk of injury. However it is important that your boots
are comfortable and well worn-in and not brand new. Many people
prefer to trek in tennis shoes but extra care should be taken. We
do not recommend trekking in sandals or using new boots or hiring
boots prior to the trek. Make sure the shoes are sturdy enough for
the duration of the trek and will not fall apart.
Q14: Can I use
trekking poles / walking sticks on the trek?
A14: Many
people like to hike with trekking poles or walking sticks. Unlike the Inca Trail there are no
restrictions
on the use of trekking poles. Metal trekking poles and wooden walking sticks can be purchased in
Cusco. Metal poles can also be hired in many
equipment hire shops in Cusco for about US3 per day.
Q15:
Where can I store the bags that I do not need to take on the trek?
Q15: Any bags that you
don't need to take on the Inca trail can be left at your hotel in
Cusco. Nearly all hotels have a luggage deposit and rarely charge
for this service as long as you are returning to the hotel after
the trek. You can also leave valuables in the hotel safe,
but remember to bring your passport and some emergency money.
Q16: What is the
weather like on the trek?
A16:
Average weather
conditions in Cusco and on the trek
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J
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F
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M
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A
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M
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J
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J
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A
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S
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O
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N
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D
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Av. Max Temp
ºC
|
20
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21
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21
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22
|
21
|
21
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21
|
21
|
22
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22
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23
|
22
|
|
Av. Max Temp ºF |
68 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
70 |
72 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
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Av. Min Temp
ºC
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7
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7
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7
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4
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2
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1
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-1
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1
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4
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6
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6
|
7
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Av. Min Temp ºF |
45 |
45 |
45 |
40 |
36 |
34 |
30 |
34 |
40 |
43 |
43 |
45 |
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Wet days
/ month
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18
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13
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11
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8
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3
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2
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2
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2
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7
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8
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12
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16
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Q17: How warm are the sleeping
bags that your rent?
A17:
Our sleeping bags are rated to temperatures as low as -10ºC
but are more suitable for temperatures of about -5ºC. Since you won't find
temperatures as low as this on the Inca Trail we rate them as very warm and
cozy! We charge US$20 per person for the 4 day/3 night trek. We will give you
the sleeping bag one day in advance so you can try it out. If there are any
problems just let us know when we come to pick you up from your hotel. On the
morning of the 4th day of the trek the cook has instructions to collect all the
sleeping bags and bring them back to the office. After renting out our standard
sleeping bags 15 times we give them to our porters to use. Our sleeping bags are
synthetic (easily washed) and weigh 2.5kg. We do not provide down-filled
sleeping bags because they can't be washed after each use. There are several
equipment rental shops in Cusco is you need to rent down-filled bags.
Q18: Are there toilets
on the trek?
A18: We will carry a
toilet and toilet tent with us on the trek.
Q19: What is the
maximum group size?
A19: The maximum size of our Lares to Machu Picchu
4 day group service is only 12 persons.
Q20: Is there a
minimum group size and what happens if Peru Treks does not meet
the minimum size?
A20:
We require just 4 persons to depart.
During the last 5 years Peru Treks has always
managed to meet the minimum group size for ALL of our departure
dates and have never had to cancel any group departures or have to
combine with any other trekking company or accept clients from any
other trekking company in Cusco. However if in the event that we do not reach the
minimum required number of persons we
reserve the right to combine our clients
with another trekking company of similar or higher cost. Unlike
many other trekking agencies, including some of the most
expensive, we will not re-sell your trek to a cheaper, inferior
company. There will be NO trek surcharge when combining with a
more expensive trekking company as Peru Treks will
accept responsibility for this extra cost. However we cannot
guarantee that trekking staff used by other companies will receive
the same treatment and high pay as provided by Peru Treks,
although we do our best. If in the rare event that we cannot find
another suitable company with spaces available in their group we
will try to offer you a full refund your trek deposit in accordance
with our Lares Trek terms and conditions. As mentioned before, we hope
this will be a very unlikely event and during the last 5 years
Peru Treks has managed to meet
the minimum group size for ALL of our departure dates and have never had to cancel any group departures
or have to combine with any other trekking company.
Q21:
What do we do for water
along the
trek?
A21: At
meal times we will give you teas, coffees etc to drink. If the
group size is small we will have enough gas to boil up water for
you to fill your water bottles. However this should not be relied
upon and during the trek you may have to use local water sources. You'll come
across a
mountain
spring, fountain
or small stream approximately
every 2 hours along the trail where you can fill up your water
bottle. Take a bottle of at least 1.5 litre capacity per
person. Although the water looks clean it is always
safer to use
sterilizing tablets
or a water filter.
The sterilizing tablets can be bought in most pharmacies
in Cusco.
With these tablets you have to wait between 60 and 90
minutes before drinking. Many people complete the
trek without ever having to use water taken from streams etc, but
sterilizing tablets are recommended for emergencies. Clients can
also bring their own water filter if preferred.
Q22: If I am travelling alone can I
have my own tent?
A22: If you are
travelling
alone and are willing to share a tent with a member of the same
sex, then there is no additional cost. If, however, you would like
your own tent then there is an additional supplement of US$30.
Q23: Can I come back
on a different train than that included in the trek?
A23: If you
are not flexible with your return time or you prefer to return on
a different service such as the Vistadome train (either to
Ollantaytambo or all the way back to Cusco) then you are best to
make this booking directly with Peru Rail yourselves using their
website www.perurail.com We
will deduct the price of our train ticket from Aguas Calientes to
Ollantaytambo (US$34 in 2011) and the price of the bus from Ollantaytambo
to Cusco (US$5) from the price of your
trek. However you must advise us that you do not want us
to include the train ticket at the time that you pay your trek
deposit. You can easily make a booking online
using secure online payment using your VISA credit card. Peru Rail
gives preference to its direct clients rather than trekking
companies such as ourselves so if you want to book anything
slightly different from what we can offer you then it is best to
book directly with Peru Rail. If you are looking at the Peru Rail
website you will notice that there are very few trains from Aguas
Calientes all the way back to Cusco, most of the services only run
between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo (which is in the Sacred
Valley) so you will need to look at their web page: Routes &
Timetables > Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu page for details of
their services. From Ollantaytambo you can take a bus back to
Cusco (cost approx US$5 per person) or a taxi (around US$40).
Q24: If I come
back on a different train from that arranged by Peru Treks will
you still send a bus to Ollantaytambo to collect me?
A24: If you decide
to book your return train yourself our decide to change your
return time from that arranged by Peru Treks once you arrive in
Cusco then unfortunately we won't be able to send a bus to meet
you in Ollantaytambo and take you back to Cusco. However not to
worry since if you let us know before you start the trek, we will
refund you the transport costs of US$5 per person so that you can
take a bus back to Cusco. There are many buses waiting at the
station in Ollantaytambo to meet the train. Alternative you can
take a private taxi back to Cusco which costs in the region of
US$40
per taxi which works out
fairly reasonable if there are 4 of you, US$10
per person. Max 4 persons per taxi.
Q25: Can I stay an
extra night at Aguas Calientes, what is the cost?
A25: If you want to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after
the trek
this can easily be arranged independently by yourselves. We will purchase your
train ticket to return from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo the following day. You need to let us
know at the time of making the trek reservation so we can reserve
your train tickets in advance. You must advise us before
paying the trek deposit. Obviously if you stay an extra
night then you will have to pay for your accommodation,
meals etc You can
find a list of recommended hotels and contact details on the web
page
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/hotels/machupicchu You can make a
reservation in advance (recommended May to Sept) or simply turn up in Aguas Calientes and
book a room. If you return to Machu
Picchu the following day then you will have to pay for the return
bus fare up to the ruins (US$7 each way)
and pay another 126 Peruvian Soles (about US$43)
entrance fee. If you stay an extra
night in Aguas Calientes we won't be
able to send a bus to
Ollantaytambo especially to pick you up so we will refund the
price of the bus ticket (US$5) and you
can simply catch a bus when you arrive in Ollantaytambo, for Cusco.
There are plenty of buses waiting in Ollantaytambo to take
passengers back to Cusco. Alternatively you can return in a taxi
(approx cost US$40 per taxi which works out
fairly reasonable if there are 4 of you, US$10 per person. Max 4
persons per taxi).
Q26: Do you recommend staying an
extra night at Aguas Calientes?
A26: The website
www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/gallery/photos_aguas_calientes_machu_picchu_peru.html
has some good photos of Aguas Calientes and also of the thermal
springs. The advantage of staying the night in Aguas Calientes is
that you can spend all day at Machu Picchu. Most people leave the
ruins at about 2pm to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to
have lunch or visit the thermal springs. Machu Picchu is therefore fairly
quiet between 3pm and 5pm. You will have to check the time of the
last bus back to Aguas Calientes but it is usually about 5:30pm.
Staying an extra night at Aguas Calientes also gives you the
opportunity to return to Machu Picchu early the following day.
This is particularly useful during the wet season (December to
March) when you are more likely to encounter rain and Machu Picchu
enshrouded in mist and clouds. During this type of weather Machu
Picchu has an almost mystical atmosphere, but if you are looking
for photos of the "Lost City" in the sunshine then the extra day
spent at the ruins helps to improve your chances. The decision as
to whether to spend an extra night at Aguas Calientes may depend a
lot on how much time you have in Peru. From our experience
however, many people who had planned to stay an extra night in
Aguas Calientes usually end up trying to change their train
tickets to return to Cusco straight after the trek (this is
subject to availability and often quite difficult). Machu Picchu
is fairly small and 4 or 5 hours is usually sufficient for most
visitors. Many people are surprised by the beauty of Cusco and
would prefer to spend more time discovering this city than
revisiting Machu Picchu for the second time.
Q27: What happens if I arrive at
Machu Picchu and then decide to stay an extra night, can I change
my train ticket?
A27: It is still possible to make
changes to your return train ticket if you decide to stay an extra
night at Aguas Calientes. You will have to take your train ticket
personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to
change the return date of your ticket. You will probably be asked
to pay an extra US$10 administration fee and changing the ticket
will be subject to availability of spaces on the train on the following
day.
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