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Ecological Sustainable Adventure Travel Tours
Quechuas Expeditions Authorized Inca Trail Adventure Tour Operator
Under Local Mountain-jungle & cultural Multilingual Guides Management
QUECHUAS EXPEDITIONS Highly Recommended By:

The Lares Trek - (with Colca Canyon & Lake Titicaca)15/D

Enjoy this tour through the very best of southern Peru, from one of the world’s deepest canyons to the highest navigable lake in the world and into the Andes. Start in Lima and then onwards towards Arequipa, the “White City”, followed by a boat trip on Lake Titicaca home to floating islands of the Uros people. Finally, hike through the Andes along the less travelled Lares Trek and visit the legendary Machu Picchu.
In Colca Canyon we have the best view down into the canyon in order to observe the majestic flight of the condors rising with the morning thermals. We have plenty of time to enjoy the valley before our journey to Puno and the amazing cobalt blue waters of Lake Titicaca. Take a boat ride to the traditional island of Amantani where you’ll stay with the locals, learning more about their ancestral traditions and daily life.
The Lares Trek is an excellent alternative to the extremely popular Inca Trail. This trek follows a path through spectacular mountain, lake and valley landscapes that have changed little over the last 500 years. You’ll have the opportunity to observe the traditional life of the Andean farmer as the trek progresses through numerous colourful, villages. You’ll see stone thatched houses surrounded by herds of alpacas and llamas and perhaps you’ll be able to pick up a couple of guinea pigs for dinner - try if you’re a real adventure traveller!
Finally, you’ll get to visit the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu and be able to relax and ease any aches and pains in the hot springs at Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). To undertake this trek you will need to be of a reasonable level of fitness and it helps if you walk regularly. Remember this trek reaches 4550m of altitude at some points and this can often affect performance. It is important you are acclimatised before attempting this trek.

Lares Trek with Lake Titicaca - BRIEF ITINERARY

Day:1: Arrive Lima (Overnight in Lima hotel).
Day:2: Arrive Arequipa and take a visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina (Overnight in Arequipa hotel).
Day:3: Colca Canyon (Overnight).
Day:4: Puno (Overnight in Puno hotel.)
Day:5: Island visit and boat trip on Lake Titicaca - Amantani (Overnight Amantani home stay)
Day:6: Island Visits - Taquile & Uros (Overnight Puno).
Day:7: Cusco (Overnight Cusco hotel.)
Day:8: Tour of the Sacred Valley (Overnight Ollantaytambo Hotel).
Day:9-11: Lares Trek (camping - final night hotel in Aguas Calientes.) NO PERMIT REQUIRED BOOK IN ADVANCE options instead of Lares trek/Salcantay trek/Inca Jungle
Day:12: Visit Machu Picchu. (Overnight Cusco hotel.)
Day:13: Cusco (Overnight Cusco hotel.)
Day:14: Arrive Lima (Overnight Lima hotel).
Day:15: Depart Peru

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY: Walking and journey times are approximate

Day 1: Arrive Lima (Overnight in Lima hotel): Transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.

Day 2: Arrive Arequipa (Overnight in Arequipa hotel): Fly from Lima to Arequipa where you will meet with your tour leader who will be with you for the trip. Transfer to hotel. Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city yet it maintains a laid back atmosphere and a traditional colonial style as it lies in the shadow of El Misti volcano. We take a visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life. Later in the afternoon we visit the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries where we have the opportunity to view the Inca mummy known as “Juanita”.

Day 3:Colca Canyon (Overnight): Travel for approximately 3 ½ hours along a rough, rutted road through high plains flanked by extensive Inca and pre-Inca terracing en route to Colca Canyon. On our drive there are ample photo stops allowing us to enjoy some spectacular views of volcanoes, agricultural terraces and wild alpaca and vicuña herds. We spend the night in the Colca Valley allowing us time to acclimatize and take a dip in the relaxing thermal baths of La Calera.

Day 4: Puno (Overnight in Puno): After an early breakfast we depart in the direction of the famous vantage point of Cruz del Condor from where we have the best view down into the canyon in order to observe the majestic flight of the condors rising with the morning thermals. We return briefly to visit the towns of Maca and Yanque, with stops to view the marvellous Colca Canyon. After lunch we transfer by tourist bus to the city of Puno (3800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where we spend the night in a hotel.

Day 5: Island Visit - Amantani (Overnight Amantanti home stay):Today we leave the port of Puno by way of a tourist boat and cruise Lake Titcaca (the highest navigable lake in the world at 3800m). Our destination – the Island of Amananti. We lunch on the island and then we split into smaller groups and billet into family homes where we stay with the locals and experience their style of living first hand for a once in a lifetime cultural exchange. In the late afternoon we can enjoy the breathtaking sunset over Lake Titicaca from the top of the island. On a clear day we will even be able to see the distant peaks of the Cordillera Real in Bolivia.

Day 6: Island Visits - Taquile & Uros (Overnight Puno): Say our farewells to our host families and return to Puno today via our first stop on Lake Titicaca is Taquile Island. The people of Taquile Island’s unique culture, style of dress and lifestyle make for a memorable visit. The island is characterised by the quality of their textiles. Here, the men of the community do all the knitting, as this is strictly a male domain, while the women do the spinning. High quality, locally knitted goods are available for purchase at various cooperatives on the island. We lunch on Taquile before resuming our boat trip to the floating islands of the Uros people. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from the Colla and Inca tribes. Arrive in Puno and spend the night in the hotel.

Day 7: Cusco (overnight Cusco): An 8 hour panoramic bus ride brings us over the highlands to the former capital of the Incas: Cusco. During the trip we enjoy our lunch and visit different tourist attractions like the colonial church of Andahuaylillas and the Inca temple Raqchi (dedicated to Wiracocha the most important god in Andean ideology). Arrive in Cusco and transfer to our hotel for the night (3400 m).

Day 8: Sacred Valley (Overnight Ollantaytambo): Travel through the Sacred Valley and visit the towns and Inca ruins of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo. Get a chance to learn a little about the local people, their way of life and their traditional weaving techniques.

Day 9:Lares Trek (camping): The early start (6 am) allows us the best possible views of our incredible mountainous surroundings, dotted with rural villages throughout. Our hike begins in the village Qeshwarani, from which we begin our gentle pace through the valley of Cuncani, before the high pass of Cuncani. After lunch we continue on our path to the highland village of Cuncani, our destination for tonight. From our campsite, we will have stunning views of snow-capped Colque Cruz. Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Day:10 Today we proceed around Sondor Mountain to a high pass (an altitude of 4440m), from which we will have great photo opportunities: scenic Huacahuasi Lake and snow-capped Veronica Mountain (amongst others!) are visible from the path. After a good morning’s hike, we stop for a quick rest in a living Inca settlement, where many still farm the traditional crop of potatoes in the same way that their ancestors did. We resume our hike upstream to the second pass, Ipasayqocha (4550m) and then descend to our campsite near Lake Ipasayqocha for the night. Approx. walking time 8 hours.

Day:11: (Overnight Aguas Calientes): Today we will have ample photo opportunities: our gentle path is covered in Andean flora, and animals such as llamas and alpacas can be seen grazing along the mountainside. If we’re lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of Andean geese, puna ibis, Andean cara caras or condor. You will feel firsthand the warm welcome of the Quechua people and will have the rare opportunity to see how they live. Our descent takes us through the spectacular valley of Patacancha, where everything remains as it has since ancient times. After our five-hour hike, we reach the town of Patacancha, where we eat lunch and wait for our private bus to take us to Ollantaytambo, we catch the train for an incredibly scenic ride to Agua Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel. Later you may have time to relax aching muscles in the therapeutic hot springs. Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Day:12:Visit Machu Picchu. (Overnight Cusco): Rise early to take advantage of viewing Machu Picchu in the early morning light, the best time to view the 'Lost City of the Incas'. There is free time to explore on your own after our tour, and the opportunity to climb Wayna Picchu, which will allow you to view Machu Picchu from a different vantage point. In the afternoon we return to Cuzco by train, then bus, arriving in the evening.

Day 13: Cusco (Overnight Cusco): Free day in Cusco. Shop for souvenirs or take a look round Cusco’s beautiful Main Square with its colonial architecture or take an optional city tour (this and any other activities can be arranged through your tour leader).

Day 14: Arrive Lima (Overnight Lima hotel): Transfer to airport and catch our flight to Lima. Say goodbye to your tour leader at Cusco airport. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. You may want to book a city tour if you have time.

Day 15: Depart Peru: Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.
 

WHAT TO BRING:
Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential.

Checklist:
• Original Passport (and some copies)
• Travel insurance (and some copies)
• Airline tickets (and some copies)
• USD cash and travellers cheques
• Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Camera and films
• Rechargeable batteries and adapters
• Reading/writing material
• Binoculars
• Cover for backpacks
• Pocketknife.
• Fleece top
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Small towel and swim wear
• shirts/t-shirts
• Sun hat
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 pairs of long trousers *zipp off
• 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
• Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
• Knee-length socks (to be used with rubber boots, if provided at the jungle lodge)
• Sport hiking sandals
• Sun block
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (biodegradable)
• Watch or alarm clock
• Water bottle
• Purifying tablets or filter
• Flashlight head light recommended
• Money belt
Personal first-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhoea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

RECOMMENDED IF YOU DO INCA TRAIL- SALKANTAY- LARES TREK – INCA JUNGLE – CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHU PICCHU - AUSANGATE AND OTHER TREKS THAT LAST MORE THAN 2 DAYS

Sleeping silk liner (for sleeping bag)
Wool hat, mitts or gloves (preferably waterproof)
Rain poncho ,plastic bags for your personal stuff to keep dry
Sleeping bag (it can be hired form us )
Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
Thermal underwear
Money Exchange: Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit cards or debit cards will actually work in Peru. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash, travellers cheques and cards is best, although you will usually be charged a commission or given a less-favourable exchange rate for travellers cheques. Always take more rather than less.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).

The Price Includes: Tour GUIDE leader (who is your guide in the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Cusco), cook who is charge of making the food , 4 season (MOUNTAIN HARD WEAR Tent performance elevated retailer ) 4 man tent for 2-people so there will be plenty of space to set up your backpacks ,THERM-A-REST Sleeping mattresses ( a whole new way to sleep in comfort.), equipment (double-, dining- and kitchen-tents, mats, table, chairs etc.) entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu. English speaking local tour guides at Colca Canyon and Puno. All internal transport connections.

Group Size: 4 – 16

Group Leader: Bilingual tour leader from Arequipa to Cusco.
Accommodation: Hotel (10 nts), camping (3 nts), homestay – basic with the locals (1 nt)
Transport: Train, bus, plane, boat, hiking
Meals Included: All meals while on the Inca Trail. This includes snacks and fresh drinking water. Meals while on the island tour. Breakfasts included when staying in the hotels.
Meal Budget : Allow approx. US$10 /$15 for every meal not included.
Not Included:*Sleeping bags, blow up mattresses, alcoholic drinks, tickets for the hot springs at Aguas Calientes, tips for the guides, porters and other staff. Lunch and dinner whilst staying at hotels. City tours of Lima and Cusco. All airport departure tax - Lima International Departure tax is approximately $30 USD and Lima Domestic Departure tax is approximately $6 USD. Travel insurance and things of a personal nature – laundry and telephone calls, personal taxis, souvenirs etc.
*Sleeping bags, air mattresses and hiking poles can be easily rented in Cusco at a price of $4 per day. Just ask your tour leader.
 

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