when you trek with apus peru 5% of your trek price is donated to Threads of Peru

Apus Peru - recommended in Lonely Planet Peru 2010, Footprint South America Handbook 2010 & Rough Guides’– Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World

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This is a completely original itinerary designed for Threads of Peru´s unique weaving tours. It has been designed to visit remote weaving villages, as well as give you a taste of hiking in the Andes, and finish up at the hot springs of Lares for a well deserved soak!  This tour visits Chupani, a village not visited by any other tour company in Cusco. (in our knowledge!) This tour is 2 days of remote trekking, plus Machu Picchu. this is ideal for those short of time but looking for something special and different.

Full itinerary - Lares Chupani Specal and Machu Picchu

How is Apus Peru's Lares trek unique? We have worked in community development in these communities since 2007, you visit a school where we pay for a teacher, and you visit women's weaving groups which we have supported through capacitacion projects! This is not the same as other Lares treks! You take a different route, and there are more transport costs involved than other LARES treks that arrive lower in the Valley. We also include Vistadome train service to Aguas Calientes so you are not travelling late at night.

Day 1:  We will start early, departing from Cusco, from where we will drive to Ollantaytambo (2 hours drive). After a short break for last minute supplies is about 1 hours drive up hill to Patacancha. In Patacancha, we will start hiking, gently uphill. We hike for about 4-5 hours, crossing a high pass (4200m) before reaching Chaullacocha.

Note: For people of less than moderate fitness there is also the opportunity to take the car further up the hill to Palqaq, from where the hike to Chaullacocha is approximately 3 hours and has less uphill. This makes the hike easier, but by no means easy. You need to hike this section – there is
no other way to reach these remote villages.

Along the way there will be curious llamas and alpacas stopping to check you out... a beautiful moon like landscape, stunning views of lakes and the odd encounter with a local person tending their sheep and alpacas.

In Chaullacocha, one of the weaving communities supported by Threads of Peru, we will have the opportunity to learn more about this remote village. If you are lucky, the women will be weaving and we can talk to them (via Quechua translators) about their weavings.

The school in Chaullacocha is also supported by our organization and if we arrive during a school day the teachers and children will be happy to interact with us.

We will have lunch in Chaullacocha before continuing on for another 1 - 1.5 hours to Chupani. Chupani is another weaving village that is supported by Threads of Peru. Your tour leader will provide more insights into the work done by Threads of Peru while in Chupani. We will camp the night in Chupani where our professional chef will serve up delicious, hot, three course meals.

Total hiking – 12km – 6 hrs

Note: Hiking the high Andes, is never easy! If you’re not of good fitness you should train at home. We’ll supply emergency horses, but they’re to assist, not to ride the whole way!

Day 2
After a morning visit to the school, we will start climbing uphill on the Colquepata pass, approximately 4100m, and a strong climb straight up for about 2 hours. Though breathless and feeling the climb, we will go slow and be rewarded with truly spectacular views of the mountains and
the achievement of reaching the pass will be amazing. From there its all downhill for about 3-4 hours, tough in itself due to the steep incline of the mountain but filled with interactions with the people that we meet along the way and amazing alpine scenery. We have lunch en route.
We pass through some very remote high villages.

Arrival in the Lares Valley is a relief after the high altiplano – its lush vegetation and pretty
farmhouses are warm and welcoming. We will have a well deserved soak in the hot springs of Lares before heading back to  Cusco (on the 2 day trip) or onto Ollantaytambo (3 hrs drive) where you will take the train to Machu Picchu, if you are opting for the 2 day trek with Machu picchu extension.
Total hiking – 10km – 6 hrs

Cultural note
These are remote and high altitude villages. Conditions are harsh, and even though we will be camping in relative luxury (toilet tent, dining tent and mattresses, conditions are basic). There will be no opportunity to bathe (other than washing hands and face) and you should be prepared for extremely cold conditions. By the same token, this trip has many beautiful views and encounters with the people, and will most likely be the most memorable part of your entire Peru trip!

We strongly recommend you read the 'Responsible tourism' section on our FAQs page prior to visiting these communties, particularly in regard to donating gifts.

Machu picchu extension

You will be transferred from Lares to Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon or evening you will take the Backpacker Train to Aguas Calientes, where there are plenty of restaurants (not included). Approx 3 hours walking. Accomodation: Hostal, Aguas Calientes.

Day three: Breakfast included at hotel. Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in price) so that you can appreciate sunrise from the Watchman's Hut (or Inti Punku if you get up very early). You will then have a three hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. Please note that you need to start climbing Huayna Picchu by 12 noon. Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. Its a 1-2 hour walk back to the village of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can take the bus ($6 - not included). We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are met by a driver at Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly back to your hotel. You will arrive approximately 4 hours after your train's departure from Aguas Calientes.

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• If required, riding horses or horses to carry luggage can be arranged at a reasonable daily rate.
• An extra night in Aguas Calientes can easily be arranged. We can change the date of your train ticket to the following day. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. Please also note that your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for one day only, if you wish to visit the ruins on a second consecutive day you will need to purchase the ticket again, valued at approx $40 US.
  

  What's included?

  For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

  • Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
  • Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek. Private transport to Quiswarani, and from Patacancha to Ollantaytambo
  • Entry fee to Machu Picchu (127 soles)
  • English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
  • Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
  • Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
  • Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
  • Toilet tent
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
  • Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 5 kg per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire an extra mule at a cost of $8 per day.
  • 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
  • Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
  • Tents for our staff to sleep in, sleeping bags & mattresses plus a budget for their meals.
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes - Vistadome service in order to have a good timetable.
  • Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Backpacker)
  • Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (valued at $14 US)
  • Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes village
  • Box lunch final day in Machu Picchu
  • 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in one star hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe hostel with breakfast included and private bathroom. If you wish to upgrade from this hotel, please check out the options listed on our Aguas Calientes accommodation page.

  What is not included?
  

  • Breakfast on the first morning.
  • Lunch on the last day: after the guided tour at Machu Picchu, you will have the choice to further explore Machu Picchu on your own, dine at the restaurant in Machu Picchu or return to Aguas Calientes
  • Entrance to the thermal springs
  • Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day) If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
  • Tips for the guide, cook and porters
  • Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $8US per day.
  • Bus down from Machu Picchu - cost $6US. We give you the option to hike if you wish.

  You should bring:
  

  • A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
  • Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
  • Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
  • Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
  • Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
    We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol etc.
  • Small towel or sarong
  • Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
  • Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
  • Original passport & ISIC card (if you have one).
  • Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
  • Binoculars (if you have them)

  • Want to join with others to reduce price? Guaranteed groups departing at TREKKERS WANTED

    prices 2010 Lares Chùpani Special and Machu Picchu

    # people in group	2	3	4	5	6+
    price USD (per person)	$495	$455	$445	$435	$425

    How much in your currency? Currency Converter by OANDA.com, The Currency Site. 

    Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative):
  • 5% discoun on treks only t for members of South American Explorers Club (SAE)
  • Students: US$ 20.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card and must be below 26 years of age. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid) Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
  • Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)

To make a booking:

• You need to email us to check availability, receive booking forms and then make your deposit.
• For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking
  
  

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APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism...

366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005-2009. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru