Day 1 10/9 ARRIVE LIMA AND TRANSFER TO CUSCO
Please book your intl flight for:
Arrival in Lima on your intl flight no later than 8:00am on Oct 9th. You will be catching a group air flight from Lima to Cusco at 10:10 am (subject to change by airlines) that is included in your trip package.
You will be provided detailed instructions and contact info for taking this flight prior to traveling. This group flight to Cusco is the official start of the trip.

(If you need to or would like to arrive on Oct 8th or earlier to visit Lima, then we recommend the Marriott Hotel in Miraflores as a place to book for an extra night before the trip, they have an airport shuttle as well)

*If you have joined us on the Amazon Explorer trip from 10/2-10/9, then you will already be in Cusco today for the start of the trip and checked in at the hotel from the night before at no additional charge.
.
Upon arrival in Cusco- We will be met by a staff member and transferred to the hotel in Cusco where you will get checked in. We will have a quick meet and greet with the entire group while we taste a Coca leaf tea (traditional Peruvian drink) After unwinding from the flight we will have time for a special group lunch to get to know our fellow travelers and to be introduced to traditional Peruvian Cuisine. Later that afternoon your Cusco tour guide meets you and takes you on a sightseeing tour of the town taking in the colonial churches and visiting Inca ruins outside the city; Sacsayhuaman (temple of the Lightning), Qenqo (ceremonial place) and Tambomachay (Temple of the water). Early this evening there will be a mandatory meeting for all trekkers to meet guides, go over packing list, safety, etc. Exact time and location: TBA earlier that day. Lunch included. Dinner on your own. Hotel Prisma (or similar)

www.singlestravelservice.com

Hotel De Sol

Day 2 10/10 CUSCO: Breakfast included. Free day in Cusco to partake in one of the numerous adventure tours at additional cost (horseback riding, white water rafting, mountain biking) or just take a free day to explore on your own (ideas include catching a soccer match or shopping for crafts). The rest of the evening will be at leisure to explore Cusco’s great restaurants, nightlife, attractions, or just to relax.
Lunch and Dinner on your own arrangements. Hotel Prisma

Day 3 10/11 CUSCO - CALCA – QUISHARANI- CUNCANI
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included
We leave from Cusco early in the morning by bus and travel through the Sacred Valley. About 1 hour to reach Pisac (3,350 mts) where we will proceed on directly to the ruins before returning for a short stop at Pisac and its famous market. We will then continue onto Quisharani (3,700 mts) where will trek over our first pass at 4200 meters before descending to our first camp at Cuncani (3750 mts).

Day 4 10/12 - CUNCANI – LAGUNA ARUYACOCHA

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included
After continuing up through the valley, we arrive to the community of Huacawasi. People here produce some of the finest weavings in Peru. Passing this community we begin climbing up to our second and highest pass of the hike (4500 mts), From here, we catch a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently for about one hour, we come to the beautiful Aruyacocha Lake, and our last campsite.

Day 5 10/13 - LAGUNA ARUYACOCHA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES:

Breakfast, Lunch are included
Today our trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, we eventually arrive to the administrative Yuanahuara and enjoy our guided tour. Lunch. We continue the hike for an hour and half to arrive Ollantaytambo. This Inca fortress is situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mammoth mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world. This is a perfect place to appreciate the vast archaeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and birds species. We take the afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and spend the night there in a comfortable hotel. Reunite with the non-trek group this evening. Overnight in Aguas Calientes Hotel

Please note- All projected times and hike distances are approximate and only estimates. Actual times between campsites may vary. Guides reserve the right to change campsite locations and/or modify the itinerary if needed. Horses are to help carry supplies and gear not to ride. All times for tours, transfers, daily arrival/departure times, etc are approximate and subject to change at the guide’s and or host’s recommendations. Erik’s Adventures reserves the right to alter the itinerary if necessary due to safety concerns, circumstances outside its control (ie worker strikes, weather, government, etc.). During the trek, we reserve the right to make changes if needed for safety, scheduling, and other concerns.

Winayhuayna

Day 6 10/14 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO:

Breakfast is included.
After an early breakfast at 5:30 am take the early morning bus up to Machu Picchu. After witnessing sunrise over this majestic place, we will have a guided tour of the complex with our local guides (approx. 3 hours) Afterwards, There will be several hours available to spend as you choose in this unique archaeological site, allowing ample opportunities to explore on your own. . Bus back to Aguas Calientes town included. Later afternoon train/bus returns you to Cusco that evening. Optional visit to Aguas Calientes Hot springs (extra charge 4$ per person) before the train ride back to Cusco at around 4:30 pm. Arrive around 9pm at hotel in Cusco. Lunch and Dinner on own arrangements. Hotel Prisma

Day 7 10/15 CUSCO:

Breakfast and Dinner are included. Free day to do another adventure activity or just relax, shopping and exciting nightlife of Cusco. Lunch on own arrangements. That evening there will be a special farewell dinner and cultural show (included) at a famous restaurant in Cusco. Hotel Prisma

Day 8 10/16 CUSCO- LIMA:

Breakfast included. Morning transfer to Cusco airport. Fly back to Lima from Cusco. Arrive Lima airport around 9am. Please book return intl fights home from Lima for after 12pm to ensure you make the connection.

“End of tour”

SPECIAL NOTES ON OUR TRIP

This trip is at higher altitude, pls check with your doctor if you are prone to altitude sickness and also for recommended vaccinations. 

Included in Package:

Domestic flights within Peru (Lima /Cusco and Cusco / Lima)
Airport transfers: on arrival and departure to Cusco
04 nights hotel Cusco, 1 night Aguas Calientes,
Professional local tour guides while on the tours
Private transport on all tours.
Hotels include: breakfast and taxes.
Excursion in Cusco and nearby sites.
Economic Tourist Train/Bus return from Aguas Calientes / Ollant./Cusco-seats reserved.
Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes (25’)
Extra Luggage storage in Cusco hotel
Entry into Machu Picchu
Welcome ethnic lunch on the first day
Farewell Dinner and Cultural Show
US Based Host for entire trip

Included on the Lares Treck to Machu Picchu:

• ·Private Tourist Transport from Cusco to Lares.
  ·Professional English-speaking guide
  ·Mules and or Horses to carry food, camping equipment and client’s luggage.
  ·(Clients carry only a daypack).
  ·Arrieros (horse tender).
  ·Horse for emergency.
  ·Complete camping equipment: two-person tent, tent for toilet, tent for kitchen, dining, cooking gear, oxygen, first Aid Kit, Satellite phone (for emergency only)
  ·Cook and assistant specialized in preparing your meals.
  ·Complete meals while on the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner, tea time every afternoon and wake up tea every morning, purified water.
  .Associated trekking permits and fees
  .

 
Tour Does Not Include:

Visitors pass for Cusco sites $ 62.00 (this is valid for the Sacred Valley)
Domestic Airport departure tax ($ 6.00 each way- subject to change)
International departure tax $ 31.00 (subject to change)
Entry fee to Maras and Moray $ $ 4.00 in soles S/ 10.50
Tips and Gratuities
Extra personal expenses and optional tours
Meals and drinks not mentioned on the program.
FOR TREK- Sleeping bag $ 25.00 (you can notify me in Cusco if you will need to rent one and pay in USD at that time before the start of the trek)

Clothing Items:

Light pullover or sweatshirt

Warm clothes- sweater or polar jacket and/or polar fleece

4 shirts, 4 t-shirts

2 pairs of shorts / skirts

3 pairs of long pants

Underwear and sleepwear

Thongs or flip-flops

Good walking shoes or hiking shoes

Towel and swim wear

Thermal underwear.

Rain gear (poncho, jacket, and pants)

Meals:

We provide all meals during the Trek. Meals consist of a buffet selection of soup or appetizers, main course, dessert, and coffee or tea. All fresh fruits and salads are thoroughly cleaned with disinfected water prior to serving. We also provide at all times unlimited amounts of boiled and afterwards cooled drinking water.   A sample of the MENU while on the trail.   Breakfast: oats, milk, coffee, bread, scrambled eggs, pancakes, yogurt, fruits, tea, chocolate, coffee, coca tea, orange juice.   Lunch: fresh vegetables soups, mais cream, escabeche (Peruvian styled marinated vegetables with chicken), fruit salads, hot drinks   Dinner: Chicken soup, vegetables soups, saltado de lomo (chopped meat with french fried and tomato sauce, estofado de pollo (chicken stew), pasta with tomato sauce. 

Tipping:

Guiding and staff (porters, cooks) is acceptable at your discretion when you feel they have gone beyond their normal job requirements and should be compensated by you for it. 

Meeting Before the Trek:

There is a meeting prior to the departure day to the Lares Trail (IN CUSCO) with Your local guide and with all the members of the group where you will be informed with all the necessary information and recommendations regarding this trek.

Travel Baggage:

The Hotel in Cusco has a storage room where you can leave the travel luggage (extras things you wont need on the trail, in order to lighten your bag up some) when going on the Inca Trail and there is no fee for it, Otherwise you can also leave your things at our office in Cusco.

Climate:

Cuzco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, and the temperatures can drop to 32ºF at night along the Inca Trail.

Temperatures range from 59-68ºF during the day (if it’s sunny), to 41-50ºF during the day (if not sunny) and 32-41ºF at night at the first 2 campsites. At Wiñaywayna and Machu Picchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

Please book early to insure a spot.

Difficulty degree of this hike:  Moderate to challenging