Trekking + Mountain Biking 2006

Standard Pool Service: where you’ll be joining a group of other tourists like you coming from different parts of the world, a great opportunity to have fun and make new friends.

Lares Valley Trek & Bike (3D/2N)
COD:BT3

A marvelous three day excursion through the Lares Valley, with its typical Andean communities and thermal-medicinal baths. The routes whether on bike or on foot surrounded by fresh air, make us live and breathe the spirit of the Andes in all its glory. The path finally takes us past the fort at Ollantaytambo the path the locals take from the jungle to the sacred valley. We also pass by the village of Willoq where the locals still conserve many original Inka customs.

There is an option to extend this tour by one day to visit the sanctuary of Machupicchu.

Difficultly Level: Moderate to Intermediate (ascents, straights and descents)

Tour Description

Departures 2006: (minimum 3 people) We offer this tour for any date providing there is a minimum of three people.

Day 01: Cusco-Lares Valley

We will pick you up from your hotel before heading in private bus to the highest point in the Lares mountains (4,470 metres/ 2.5 h) Here we start our 24 km downhill mountain biking adventure which should take around three hours until we stop for lunch at around 1,300 metres altitude (level 2-5) in Pampacorral, we then head to Lares in the afternoon. Once in the small village we set up camp next to the thermal baths and can take a delicious and refreshing hot dip.
LD/ Camping/Private bus/ bike

Day 02: Lares Valley – Lake Ipsaycocha

After a 7 am wake up, some hot tea and breakfast we pack our bags ready for our next adventure (trekking) the bikes and all other kit are loaded onto the llamas or horses for the ascent to Huaca Wasi (3600m). The route was built by locals to transport goods on llamas to market and remains in use today. We arrive in Huaca Wasi around 11am where we will get the chance to visit a typical Andean household and learn a bit about their way of life. We get to speak to the MORADORES who always love to share some stories with us. It is optional to leave some small gifts for the community at this point. One hour more uphill to 3,750m brings us to our lunch stop. After a deserved rest and with our energy restored our path leads us past lakes and up beautiful ascents until we reach the highest point in our trip, a breathtaking 4,400m, at 4.30 pm. From the top we can take photos of both the Patacancha and Lares valleys. We then descend down towards Lake Ipsaycocha (5 pm) where we set up camp, enjoy hot tea and wait for dinner to be served at around 6 pm. This concludes the second day of our Andean adventure.
BLD/ Camping/ bike

Day 03: Patacancha- Willoq – Ollantaytambo

After breakfast and some final hints and tips on successful mountain biking from our guide we set off down the Patacancha valley towards the Patacancha community, encountering some beautiful scenery as well as llamas and alpacas along the way. On arrival in the community at around 11 am we can take a break and also use the opportunity to buy unique hand crafts made by the locals that you will not find any where else in Peru. We then head to the next community and our path widens as we pass Willoq, a very traditional Andean community, before we arrive at around 1pm in Ollantaytambo. After a delicious lunch we travel back to Cusco, where on arrival at 6pm each passenger will be dropped back to their hotel, bringing to an end the adventure.
BL/Private bus/ bike

Standard Pool Service

Group: Minimum 3, Maximum 15 people.

Includes:

• Pre-departure briefing
• High quality mountain bike
• Safety equipment (helmet and gloves)
• First aid equipment
• Four man tents for two people.
• Mattress per person.
• Specialist guide.
• Cook, assistant and cooking equipment.
• Private transport there and back.
• Meals ( 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners plus snacks)
• Two nights camping.

Does not include:

• Breakfast on the first day, dinner on the last day.
• Sleeping bag, this can be rented from us, $15 for the 3 days.

Recommendations on what to take:

• Sleeping bag (for the Mountain)
• Comfortable medium sized rucksack, 5Kg max.
• Sun glasses.
• Torch
• Altitude pills
• Warm clothes (hat, scarf, jacket and gloves)
• Four pairs of socks (its important to have dry warm feet)
• Rain jacket
• In the rainy season its essential to take all equipment wrapped in plastic
• A warm lightweight jacket for the descent from the mountains.
• A pair of walking boots.
• Sandals
• Small towel
• Swim suit
• Sunhat or cap
• Sun block
• Mosquito repellent
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: sweets, chocolates, energy bars etc.
• Cash in soles or dollars (no cash points in Ollantaytambo)

BT3 EXT. 1D

(Optional) 1 day extension to visit the sanctuary of Machupicchu.

Day 03: Ollantaytambo- Aguas Calientes

After lunch you will have time to visit the archaeological area at Ollantaytambo. At 7.30pm a short train journey brings us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, arriving at 9pm, we will get a good night sleep in our hotel to enjoy Machupicchu the following day.
L/ Camping/Train ticket

Day 04: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco

After an early breakfast we take a bus up to the lost city of Machupicchu. Our guide will provide a thorough explanation of the remains of this fascinating culture, and after a three hour guided tour you will have the rest of the day free to take photos and explore on your own. We eat lunch in Aguas Calientes and there will also be an opportunity to visit the thermal baths should you wish. The 5.15pm train arrives in Cusco at around 8.30 pm where we say our farewells at San Pedro station.
B/Bus ticket / Train ticket to Cusco or Ollantaytambo +bus to Cusco

Includes:

• Backpacker train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
• Backpacker train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
• One night accommodation in a hostel in Aguas Calientes.
• Guided tour around the sanctuary of Machupicchu.
• Return bus ticket to Machupicchu from Aguas Calientes.

Does not include:

• Lunch in Aguas Calientes, or dinner on the third and fourth day.