Lares Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days & 3 Nights

Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. 

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SPIDER Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING FOR THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE LARES TREK MACHU PICCHU

FIRST, to book your Lares trek to Machu Picchu, you need to select your trek/tour date and the number of travelers on the right hand side. Then proceed to the next page to complete the booking form. 

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase Machu Picchu permits and train tickets without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as it appears on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.O.B. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

*** We will need each participant’s passport at the time of booking. They will be need, in order, to purchase tickets.

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares trek to Machu Picchu.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address info@spidertravelperu.com to complete the payment. 

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student discount.

• University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, University name and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.
• All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
• For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40 USD.
• Children between the ages of 0 to 2 are free.

All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@spidertravelperu.com

MAY I CHANGE THE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets for Machu Picchu have been bought the Peruvian government does not allow any changes so we can’t change any dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date. If you cancel your Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is non-refundable!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT? 

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport you sent to us to book your Lares Trek, other entrances and reservations. In case, you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or update your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both old and new passports, to be able to enter Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you  always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather patterns.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS? 

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually takes 1 to 2 days.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you  for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness. 

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Our groups are usually between 2-6 people. Spider Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.

HOW MANY COOKS and PACK HORSES FOR THE GROUP?

You will have 1 cook per group. The number of pack horses depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 horses, 4 trekkers will have 6 horses, 6 trekkers will have 9 horses, 8 trekkers will have 12 horses.

HIKING THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc.  A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

The Lares trek to Machu Picchu is a 39 km hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,700m. On the second day of the trek, we climb two mountains. The trail is a fairly difficult trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and exercise regularly . In preparation: try walking 15kms/9 miles a day or working out in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.

ARE THERE TOILETS ON THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU ?

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! SPIDER Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government. In Cancha Cancha we have built our own toilet facilities, that stay locked when we dont have treks. There are hot showers and hot water pools to soak in and relax on the 3rd day of your trek at the Lares Hot Springs. Be sure to bring your bathing suit.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Spider Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the Lares trek.
Generally, those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL?

Absolutely!! Hotel drop off is included in your trek package. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!

AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN DEPARTURE?

It will depend on the train availability (during high season it could be booked out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and a chance to enjoy the amazing views from the train on the way back to Cusco. Therefore, we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20.

HOW MUCH IS THE VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE?

The Vistadome train service has seats that conform to your body, panoramic windows and ceilings. You will be offered snacks and a dance show will take place on board. You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $67 USD. These trains run from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. We will pick you up from Poroy and drive you back to Cusco, which takes about 25 minutes. Please request in advance.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SPIDER Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.