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Lares to Machu Picchu
4 day Trek "The Weaver´s Way"
*** LM4G Lares to Machu Picchu
4 day Group Service 2008
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Trek Itinerary (option 1)
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Map of the Lares Valley to Machu
Picchu Trek |
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Day 1: Cusco -
Calca - Quishuarani (Lares) - Cuncani
Our bus leaves
Cusco at around 06:00. Its a scenic drive through the Sacred
Valley, passing through Pisac and stopping for breakfast for about
40 minutes in the provincial town of Calca. In Calca you will also
have the opportunity to use the bathroom and buy any last minute
snacks, water, etc. Departing Calca around 08:00 we head off for
the 2 hour drive to Quishuarani (3700m) which is the starting point
for the trek. Along the way you will be able to observe small
Andean communities, spectacular mountain landscapes, herds of llamas
and alpacas.
Heading west up a
small valley we’ll arrive at a lake at the head of the valley and
start a steep zig-zag climb up a narrow trail to the top of the
first pass known as Abra Huillquijasa (4200m), about 3˝ hours from
Quisuarani village. Below you lies a series of stunning turquoise
lakes. We’ll drop down and have lunch beside the lakes before
continuing on for the short trek to the next village of Cuncani
(3750m) in the bottom of the valley (2 hour from the pass).
Arriving in the village around 4pm we’ll set up camp. Walking
distance approx 12km (5-6 hours)
Day 2: Cuncani -
Huacawasi - Ipsaycocha Lake
After breakfast
we'll get back on the trail around 07:00. We will walk slightly
downhill for the first 2 hours to the Chancachaca Valley (3600m)
and then up for about 1˝ hours to the small village of Huacawasi
(3700m). Many of the houses that we see are built from stone and
have thatched roofs. The people of this village produce beautiful
colourful textiles. Here we will learn about the weaving
techniques and be able to admire some of their high quality
ponchos, chullos (wool hats) and other garments. We will rest and
have lunch. We will then continue to climb for approximately 2
hours to the top of Ipsayccasa Pass which, at 4500m, is the
highest pass along the trek. From here we get stunning views of
the surrounding mountains. We will descend gently for about 1 hour
until we reach the site of our second night's camp beside the
beautiful Ipsaycocha Lake. We may be lucky enough to see Andean
Geese, Ouna Ibis and other wetland birds. Walking distance approx
15km (6-7 hours)
Day 3: Ipsaycoccha
Lake - Patacancha - Willoq - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Today is a much
easier day. After an early breakfast we'll walk gently downhill
through a wide-open valley for about 2˝ hours until we arrive at
the village of Patacancha. The people from this area are known
locally as "Huayruros" - the name of a red and black seed
reminiscent of the colour of their ponchos. We'll have a chance to
view some textiles made by the people of this community - the high
quality weavings are famous for their intricate designs reflecting
aspects of their everyday lives and culture. We'll walk slowly
down the valley to Willoq, another Quechua village where the
locals still wear their traditional dress and are proud to
maintain their cultural identity. Our transport will be waiting
for us to take us further down the valley to Inca town of
Ollantaytambo where we will rest and have lunch. In the early
afternoon we will catch a train to Aguas Calientes. This is a
spectacular journey that starts in the Quechua highlands and
slowly descends to lush tropical vegetation as we near Aguas
Calientes. Total journey time about 1˝ hours. We'll spend the
night in a hostal in Aguas Calientes where you'll no doubt enjoy
the opportunity to soak under the hot showers!! Early night.
Walking distance
approx 12km (5-6 hours).
Day 4: Aguas
Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Rise early around
about 04:45 !! to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu.
I'm sure you'll agree that, although it's tough getting up, it's
well worth the effort to see the "Lost City of the Incas" at its
quietest in the early morning light. You'll have plenty of
opportunity to take photos and have some peaceful time alone to
enjoy the sun rising from behind the mountains. Our guide will
give you a tour of Machu Picchu telling you about Inca history and
significance of the major sites of interest. The tour takes about
2 hours after which you will have free time to explore the ruins on
your own or climb Wayna Picchu - the mountain that overlooks the
ancient Inca city (allow a minimum of 1˝ hours). By 11:00 Machu
Picchu quickly fills up with tourists arriving by train and
appears crowded by comparison with the early morning. Most people
are ready to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes around 1pm where
you can have lunch in one of the many restaurants. Late afternoon
train back to Ollantaytambo where a bus will be waiting to bring
you back to Cusco.
The above trek
itinerary is only a typical itinerary and the actual campsites
that we use may vary depending on group size, group ability and
weather conditions. For further information see our
Frequently Asked
Questions page |
