Day 1 ARRIVE LIMA AND TRANSFER TO CUSCO

Arrival in Lima early this morning or earlier on your intl flight. Please arrive by 7:00am or earlier

Proceed through customs and immigrations and check in for your domestic flight to Cusco.

*Please note- If you are already in Lima, please be at Jorge Chavez (LIM) intl airport to check in for your flight 2 hours ahead of departure time.

INCLUDED DOMESTIC FLIGHT: Lima to Cusco departs approx. 0900 AM arrives approx. 1020AM (exact time subject to changing airline schedules)

Upon arrival in Cusco- You will be met by your trip host and staff 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 local Cusco tour and trekking 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).

Welcome Lunch included.  Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Residencia del Sol (or similar)

www.singlestravelservice.com

Hotel De Sol

Day 2 CUSCO:

This morning at the hotel before the tours  there will be a mandatory meeting for all trekkers to meet guides, go over packing list, safety, etc. Exact time- TBA the day before.  

Breakfast at hotel.  Today you may choose between one of two exciting outdoor adventure activities that both include lunch.

MOUNTAIN BIKE MORAY AND SALT MINES IN MARAS.

This exciting tour blends adrenaline pumping mountain biking and breathtaking views with visits to two famous sites near the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Moray is a series of remarkable innovative agricultural terraces that are built in three deep depressions. We reach Moray with a short hike (around 30mins) from our drop off point half way between the Cusco and Urubamba valleys and we take a pack lunch.  In the afternoon on bike, we descend to Maras an important historical source of salt.

After visiting the workers as they produce the bags of salt we walk down the quebrada (ravine) and reach the Urubamba river as it winds lazily towards Machu Picchu and beyond to the Amazon. Here, our vehicle will take us back to Cusco and your hotel.  This is a full day tour!

OR

RIVER RAFTING AT CHUQUICAHUANA URUBAMBA RIVER:

One of our most popular rafting sections during the season is the "Cusipata" section of the river on the Upper Urubamba. There are good class IIl rapids and the water is very pure. We pick you up at your hotel, after one and a half hours drive we arrive to the put -in at the shores of the Upper Urubamba River. Our professional Rafting Guides will give you a safety talk and provide you with all the proper equipment for Rafting. We will be floating for approximately two to two and a half hours, running class II and III, introductory type rapids. Afterwards, we arrive to the take-out. Then a lunch will be provided. Our return to Cusco should be around 430- 5 in the afternoon.  This is a full day tour!

INCLUDES:
- Transportation from hotel in Cusco to the put-in at the River
- All the rafting equipment, such as Helmet, Life jacket, paddle, self bailing Raft
- Spray Jacket, wet Suit
- Professional English speaking Rafting guide
- Delicious lunch
- Transportation back from the River to your hotel

Dinner on your own arrangements.  Hotel Residencia del Sol

Day 3 CUSCO - PISAC – 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 begin our trek and proceed over our first pass at 4200 meters before descending to our first camp at Cuncani (3750 mts) in the afternoon

Day 4 - 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 (4550 mts), From here, we catch a stunning view of the some of the famous glaciered covered peaks up to 5750m. Descending gently for about one hour, we come to the beautiful Aruyacocha Lake, and just passed the second lake our last campsite.

Day 5 - 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 and Special incuded Celebration Dinner for completing the trek!                                                   Overnight at Inka Town Hotel (or similar)

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 and or host’s recommendations. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary due to safety concerns, circumstances outside its control (i.e. 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 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. Rest of day free in Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. Bus back to Aguas Calientes town included. Early evening train Aguas Calientes- Ollyantaytambo /bus Ollyanta to Cusco 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 7:00 pm.  Arrive around 11pm at hotel in Cusco. 

Lunch on own. Group Dinner included in Aguas Calientes before the train ride.      Hotel Residencia del Sol

Day 7 CUSCO

Breakfast and Dinner are included.  Free day to do another adventure activity (at additional cost) or just relax, shopping and enjoying the exciting nightlife of Cusco. Lunch on own arrangements.  That evening meetup in the lobby at 700 pm- There will be a special farewell dinner and cultural show (included) at a famous restaurant in Cusco that we will walk over to from the hotel

Farewell Dinner and Show Included.  Rest of evening at leisure. Hotel Residencia del Sol

Day 8 CUSCO- LIMA 

Breakfast included.  Morning transfer to Cusco airport. Fly back to Lima from Cusco. 

INCLUDED DOMESTIC FLIGHT: Cusco to Lima departs approx. 0730 AM arrives approx. 0850 AM (exact time subject to changing airline schedules) Please book your flight home form Lima for a departure after 1030 am to ensure you make your connection.

“End of tour”

Please note- All times for tours, transfers, daily arrival/departure times, etc are approximate and subject to change at the guide and or host’s recommendations. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary due to safety concerns, circumstances outside its control (i.e. worker strikes, weather, government, etc.). We may use similar hotels to the ones specified in this itinerary.

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

Adventure sport activity (raft or bike tour w/ lunch) on Day 2

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

Tourist Train from Ollyantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Economic Tourist Train/Bus return from Aguas Calientes / Ollant./Cusco-seats reserved.

RT Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Extra Luggage storage in Cusco hotel

Entry into Machu Picchu

Welcome ethnic lunch on the first day

Group Dinners on day 5 and day 6

Farewell Dinner and Cultural Show

US Based Host for entire trip

Included on the Lares Treck to Machu Picchu:

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Tour Does Not Include:

Visitors pass for Cusco sites  $52.00 (this is valid for the Sacred Valley and Cusco sites)

Intl and Domestic Airport departure taxes (some airlines include intl departure tax in ticket)

Tips and Gratuities

Extra personal expenses

Meals and drinks not mentioned on the program.

**FOR TREK- Sleeping bag $ 30.00 (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