LARES TREK TO MACHUPICCHU (4 DAYS - 3 NIGHTS)
This is a unique way to see the Andean world

We recommend two days predeparture to aclimate. We have the city tour of Cusco Inca arqueological sites. Also the sacred valley of the Incas full day tour

The Inca road system was the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The network was based on two north-south roads, with numerous branches. The best known portion of the road system is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Main routes The eastern route ran high in the puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru (The capital of the Inca Empire) to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the mountains and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 kilometres (25,000 mi) of roadway and provided access to over 3,000,000 square kilometres (1,200,000 sq mi) of territory.

Situated between 500 to 800 meters (1,600 to 2,600 ft) above sea level, this monumental road, which could reach 20 metres (66 ft) in width, connected populated areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones as well as ceremonial centers and sacred spaces. These roads provided easy, reliable and quick routes for the Empire's civilian and military communications, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were imperial soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges. Although the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about 1 to 4 meters (3.3 to 13 ft) in width.

Much of the system was the result of the Incas claiming exclusive right over numerous traditional routes, some of which had been built centuries earlier. Many new sections were built or upgraded substantially: through Chile's Atacama desert, and along the western margin of Lake Titicaca, serve as two examples. The Qhapaq Ñan (English: Great Inca Road, or Main Andean Road, and meaning "the beautiful road") constituted the principal north-south highway of the Inca Empire traveling 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) along the spine of the Andes.

The Qhapaq Ñan unified this immense and heterogeneous empire through a well-organized political system of power. It allowed the Inca to control his Empire and to send troops as needed from the capital, Cusco.

The most important Inca road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 kilometres (3,200 mi)). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m (16,000 ft). El Camino de la Costa, the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.

Itinerary
This is a unique way to see the Andean world. Get in touch with the people and the nature and share the spiritual World with the essence of the past, revive the Andean mysticism through the presence of this magical world. Enjoy different ecosystems, see the flora and fauna and challenge nature.

Day one: Huaran, Cancha Cancha
We pick you up in the capital of the Inca Empire; drive northeast for about 2 hours, tour the sacred valley arriving to the small town of Huaran (2900mts). The trailhead lies nearby, after getting ready all equipment, horses and mules with cargo we will prepare our self for the hike. In the beginning of the hike we start in Andean semidry forest, with the opportunity to see some andeanflora and fauna typical from that ecosystem then we go up through the different Andean valleys following the Cancha Cancha River full of with small waterfalls falls cascading into the Wilkamayu River. After 5 hours hike we will arrive to the Andean community of Cancha cancha (3900mts) covering approximate  10 km.Our camp will be in the grass land area near the village with incredible views of the snow peak Canchacanchacasa(4984mts) and the Chicon(5530mts)and the opportunity to see some Andean flora and fauna. (L, D) Camping.

Day two: Cancha Cancha, Abra Pachacutec, and Quiswarani
We start the day off with a good breakfast. Afterwards we begin our trail with the incredible views of two glacial lakes called Suirococha and Yuraccochahere where we will explore the fauna and flora of the grassland in order to see the grass called Ichu (stipa sp) used by the Incas for ropes for the construction of suspension bridges and also to transport some of rock from the quarry to the city contructions.As well some Puyas (puya densiflora) and some native Queoñas (polilepis spp) Also some Andean bird like Puna ibis (Pklegadis ridgwayi) and Andean flickers (Colaptes rupicola) and the Andean goose (Chloephaga melanoptera).after all the nature we will continue to our pass for 2 to 3 hours at (4700 mts).When we arrive to the top there will be incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain rage and some snow capped called Pituriray at (5750 mts) and the Chicon at (5530 mts). After we will continue descending through a succession of small interandean valleys with a original Inca stone path with amazing views of the different glacial lake and some Andean grass land until we reach the ecosystems called the scrub bush vegetation or Andean semi dry forest. When we arrive to the camp there will be some of our native Quechua people in the community with the chance to introduce then, where we will camp. We will hike for about 8 hours with lunch in a nice spot, covering a distance of 13 kilometers (B, L, D) Camping

Day three: Quiswarani to Cuncani
On this our third day we take a small trail going west that cuts through the mountains and the small valleys zigzagging up our second pass called Huillquijasa (4400 mts). From this point we will see part of the large mountain range called Vilcanota . Going down we will encounter small glacial lakes and trek through various small inter Andean valleys with the chance to see some native flora and fauna. Such a Quiswar (Buddleja longifolia) and the tree called Tancar (Duranta armata) and the colle tree(Buddleja coriacea). As well some species of Finches like the white winged Diuca finch ( Diuca speculifera ) and the some collared warbling finch (Poospiza hispaniolensis) In this grassland area we will see herds of Alpacas and lamas as well some Montane Vizcacha (Lagidium peruanum) later we will arrive to the village of Cuncani (3700mts)after 9 kilometers and approximate 6 to 7 hours hiking through a beautiful landscape where we will camp. (B;L,D)

Day four: Cuncani, to Lares, to Ollantaytambo
Early we up in order to see sunrise from the mountains with the incredible view of the snow capped called Colque Cruz (5818 mts) from far away. After breakfast we continue descending following the river creek  through the different Andean Valleys for about  with the opportunity to see some Andean forest with  the scrub bush vegetation with chances to see Andean bush called Chilca (Bacharis peruviana)and the Andean bush called Checche(berberis spp). If the time is right we will see the Rufus collared sparrow ( Zonotrichia capensis) and some hummingbirds like the sparkling violetear (Colibri coruscans) and Giant Hummingbird (Patagoniagigas). After a while we have time to enjoy a quick bath in the river nearby. After this refreshing experience we go to the town of Lares (3100 mts) where we can enjoy hot baths and lunch, after hiking for about 4 hours and covering 8 kilometers. After the hot spring bath and something cold to drink. We will drive to the village of Ollantaytambo where we will board our late afternoon train for about 1 and 30 mnutes to Aguas calientes Machu Picchu. (B, L, D) hotel 3 stars.

Day FIVE: Machu Picchu, Cusco
Today after breakfast we will go up to Machu Picchu in order to see the sun rise in the arqueological site (depending the time of the year). After we will begin our tour for about two hours. After there will be time to relax and enjoy the site on your own or go for a optional hike to the Sungate with incredible views of Machu Picchu from above. There will be a good opportunity to see part of the Inca original stone path made by the Incas in order to connect the city of Cusco with the Citadel. As well time to see some flora and fauna of the cloud forest. In the afternoon we return to the town for lunch and then we take the train back to Cusco. (B;L;D) 3 stars hotel.

Included

Sleeping bag.

Tents and  mattresses (all seasons).

Meals.

Guides (historical, cultural).

Hotels.

Camping Equipment and gear. Lunch and dinner tent.

Transportation in and out.

Radio communication.

Horses handlers. Horseback, Mules for cargo.

Train.

Tours.

Admission Tickets.

Portable toilets.

First aid kit .

What to bring
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:

Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).

Sun Block; Insect Repellent.

Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).

Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.

A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.

One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).

Sandals for River use (Teva types).

Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).

Reading material.

Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).

Bathing Suit.

Water Bottle (I liter capacity).

Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.

A bandana for neck protection.

A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).

Camera and plenty of film.

Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).

At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).

And your regular medium to high altitude outer trekking clothes (Anorak-Wind Breaker, Pile or Down Jacket, Wool Hat, Gloves).

Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:

Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com

Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938