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Daily departures
 9 days: US$2685 / UKŁ1340
 

The Lares Valley is one of the most picturesque in southern Peru, home to high alpine lakes, snowcapped peaks, and traditional weaving and farming communities. Our trip also features hiking within the Machu Picchu sanctuary, including a beautiful section of the classic Inca Trail. And as on all Southern Crossings tours, you're taken care of from beginning to end: airport transfers are included!

 

Day

Location

1

Arrive Lima

2

Cuzco

3-5

Lares Trek

6-7

Machu Picchu

8

Fly to Lima

9

Departure Day


TRIP ITINERARY

Day

Activity/Location

1

Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and you'll have an included city tour in the afternoon.  If arriving late at night, you'll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before your next day's flight, and you'll have a tour of Lima upon your return.
 

2

Morning flight over the Andes to Cuzco.  After checking into our hotel, we'll head to the Plaza de Armas, the center of old Cuzco, then climb up to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman above town for great afternoon views over the city.  Depending on your arrival time, there may be time for shopping or more sightseeing in the afternoon.
 

3

This morning our Lares Valley trek begins.  Traveling by bus we make our way from Cuzco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the town of Calca. From here we head up into the mountains past the communities of Accha Baja and Totora. Viewing the snow covered mountains we arrive to the Lares Pass at 4470ms for the drop into the Lares valley. We pass century plants, wild anis, mountain cara caras, alpacas, llamas and children on their way to and from school. Upon arrival to Lares we will have the chance to soak in the hot springs before an early lunch. While lunch is being served our horsemen prepare the equipment for our 27km trek. Today's trekking is short as we make our way towards the traditional weaving village of Huacahuasi.
 

4

A nutritious breakfast to help us with our mountain experience. Today we will walk to the dizzy heights of 4,300ms and the mountain pass. Today's walking is typical Andean scenery with lakes, snowy mountains, grazing alpaca and villagers shepherding their livestock. After a healthy lunch we continue onwards and downwards through waterfalls and creeks until arriving at our campsite beside Lake Challwacocha.
 

5

Today our trail leads downhill to an overlook facing a wide valley. Descending into the valley, we eventually arrive to the community of Huylloc where we have lunch, from here takes two hours to arrive to Pumamarka and enjoy the inca terraces, finally we arrive to Ollantaytambo. 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 archeological remains and a wide variety of flowers and birds species.  Afternoon train to Machu Picchu pueblo.
 

6-7*

A pre-sunrise bus up to Machu Picchu has us arriving at the ruins and making our way by foot along the classic Inca Trail up to the famous Gate of the Sun. After more exploration of the famous trail, we'll descend back down to the ruins for a guided tour. Unlike most other companies' trips, we actually spend a night at the village below Machu Picchu.  So after our tour, take your time and enjoy this magnificent site.  While most of the tourists are heading down to catch the afternoon train, we can stick around and have the place almost to ourselves, and also come back the next day for more exploration.  This allows us plenty of time at the ruins, as well as time for some other beautiful day hikes in the surrounding mountains, such as the short climb up Wayna Picchu.  We return to Cuzco by train on the afternoon of Day 7.
 

8*

Morning flight from Cuzco back to Lima and a free day in Lima or our included city tour.
 

9*

Depart Lima.

*You may choose to take the return train to Cuzco on the afternoon of Day 6 if you prefer to have an 8- instead of 9-day trip.

 

TRIP DETAILS

9 days: US$2685 / UKŁ1340
Daily departures


Is this trip for me?
Lares Trek is a nine day adventure tour which includes four days of trekking.  As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour and Trip Briefing
You will be given the name, address and phone number of our joining hotel before departing, but that won't be necessary.  On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel.  No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis! 


What's included in the trip 

  • Airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip

  • Southern Crossings bilingual guide

  • All other internal transport (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)

  • Internal flights, Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima

  • Six nights of hotel accommodation, two nights camping

  • Lares Trek costs, including bilingual guide, mules, cook, tent and sleeping mat

  • All food while on the trek

  • Breakfast included every morning with your hotel stay

  • The Cuzco Visitor's Ticket, which includes entrance to the ruins in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and many churches and museums in Cuzco

  • City tours of Cuzco and Lima

  • Machu Picchu costs, including bilingual guide, return train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary

  • Southern Crossings T-Shirt or Cap


What's not included
 International flight to/from Lima, international airport departure taxes (US$25 from the Lima airport), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. Check www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.
 

Extra Accommodation
 We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima: $110 double/$90 single
In Cuzco: $95 double/$70 single
 


Single Accommodation supplement: $460
 Please add this to your total payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private accomodation

 


 Pre-Trip Planner

 

Required documents

All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate.  An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

 

Required immunizations

No immunizations are required of travelers to Peru.  Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations.  We do not visit malarial or yellow fever zones on this tour.  Please consult your physician or local health department for more information. 

 

Things to bring

Our trip will be a backpacker-style adventure. One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:

Please note: During our trek, porters will accompany us to carry most of our things, including all the camping gear.  Each passenger is allowed 15 pounds of personal items which will also be carried by the porters.  Such items would include warm clothing for camping, toiletries, a book, CD player, or other entertainment, etc.  During the day we’ll be using a daypack and will just need to carry water, snacks, rain gear, and a layer or two for changing weather conditions.  Of course most people also carry a camera.

·         Passport and, if necessary, visa

·         Traveler’s checks and/or cash card

·         Airline ticket

·         Photocopies of airline ticket and documents

·         Wearable pouch for documents and money

·         Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase

·         Smaller, comfortable day pack

·         Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in

·         Sandals or flip-flops 

·         Rain poncho or jacket

·         Waterproof pants

·         Sun hat

·         Hat for cold weather

·         Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)

·         Scarf and gloves

·         T-shirts

·         Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments

·         Towel and swimsuit for hot springs

·         Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)

·         Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)

·         Sunscreen

·         Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)

·         Lip balm

·         Earplugs

·         Alarm clock or watch

·         Sanitizing hand wipes or gel

·         Camera and film/digital memory cards

·         Camera batteries

·         Playing cards, games, reading material

·         Prescription medications

·         Toiletries
 

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.

 

Climate

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:

Cuzco: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy.  Nights are cold in Cuzco.  We are traveling in the dry season but no guarantees!

Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain.  Often overcast.

Lares Trek: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy, but you probably won't be cold while hiking.  Nights are cold, and there is always the chance of rain.

 

 

Money guide

The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Current currency conversion
 

1 U.S. dollar = 2.8 nuevos soles

1 GB pound = 6.16 nuevos soles
 

Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options.  Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco.  For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged.  Please note that cash must be untorn.  It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable.  Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.
Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru.  Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect.  Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30.