Compare Cusco Adventure by Conde Travel vs The Lares Trek with One-Day Inca Trail by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 710 | $ 1,087 |
| Price Per Day | $ 89 | $ 136 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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N/A |
| Meals Included |
7x breakfast, 6x lunch, 4x dinner |
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners |
| Description |
Combine adventure and culture in the Cusco region. We will start with exploring the city of Cusco and the impressive surrounding archaeological sites. The second day we will continue by travelling through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas with its typical villages, market squares with handcrafted products and churches. On the third day, the real challenge starts when we start the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Four days of trekking through the mountains at high altitudes with gorgeous views of the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay, two nights of camping and one night of lodging with a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from your bedroom window. We end the tour by visiting Machu Picchu and optionally Huayna Picchu where your guide will tell you all about the history behind these famous sites. |
Embark on an incredible eight-day exploration through Peru's Lares trek with a taste of the iconic Inca Trail. Take a guided tour through the Sacred Valley, stopping at a women's weaving co-op before beginning your hike. The Lares Trek might not be as touristy but it's no less breathtaking with scenic views of lagoons, the snow-capped Chicon Mountain, Andean flora, and opportunities to meet local Quechua people along the way. A guided tour through Machu Picchu at sunrise, the best time to see the Lost City of the Incas, is a suitably stunning way to conclude your adventure. |
DAY 1 CITY TOUR
We pick you up from Cusco Airport and bring you to your hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure and get some rest to get acclimatised to the altitude. At 13.10 in the afternoon we will pick you up from your hotel to take the guided city tour of approximately 4 hours. First, we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, located on the Plaza de Armas. Then our tour will continue to Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun) and the Convent of Santo Domingo as well as to several of the city’s impressive archaeological ruins such as Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. Afterwards we will return to the city to spend the night in Cusco
DAY 2 SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. to take the guide tour to the Sacred Valley of The Incas where we will see the little town of P’isaq and its typical handicraft market and the plaza. We will continue the journey to Urubamba where we will have an exquisite lunch buffet, then we continue with the tour to get the tourist centre of Ollantaytambo where we are going to see important archaeological remains. Coming back to Cusco by Chincheros, another tourist centre and colonial town. There we will visit the church and plaza. Then we return to Cusco for the night.
DAY 3 SALKANTAY TREK – MOLLEPATA – CRUZPATA – SORAYPAMPA
We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and then we go by bus to Mollepata. As soon as we are at Mollepata, we’ll have breakfast then we start hiking the first 3 hours, a little bit uphill to get Cruzpata where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – and this is just the start! We will begin our trek towards Soraypampa. Where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner
DAY 4: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY OR COLLPAPAMPA
We start walking after breakfast at about 5:30 am, Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas, this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get highest point of the trail (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. We’ll have lunch and we hike again in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft) where we’ll have dinner.
Day 5: CHAULLAY – LUCMABAMBA – LLAQTAPATA
After having breakfast around 8 a.m., we will go by bus to Lucmabamba. From there we will walk up to the Llaqtapata ruins in about 2 hours and after a short break we descend for another half hour to the Llaqtapata lodge. We will have lunch at this amazing location with a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu and free time for the rest of the afternoon to relax, explore the area or go horse riding. Then we will have a traditional Peruvian dinner and have a good night’s rest to prepare for the following day.More info Llaqtapata click here
DAY 6: LLAQTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
The next morning, after a good breakfast we start the descent for about 1.5 hours to the river Ahobamba where the bus awaits us. Those who reserved in advance will do zip lining or go to the hot springs near Santa Teresa. The rest of the group will go to meeting point of Hidroelectrica where the entire group joins for the lunch after the activities. After some relaxing at this spot, we will continue walking along the train track that is leading through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We walk for about 3 hours and you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, different Eco farms and possibly wildlife curious of your arrival in the region (arrival set for around 4:00pm). Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we all will get together in a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you are free to visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.
DAY 7: MACHUPICCHU FULL DAY
We will enjoy a very early breakfast and start your 1 hour ascent to Machu Picchu on foot or by bus (optional). There you’ll meet your guide at the entrance of Machu Picchu, early enough to appreciate the breath taking sunrise. We will continue with a two hour guided tour of this magical place. After the guided tour there will be free time to explore the site in more detail. To climb the mountain of Machu Picchu you can choose one of the two groups at 07:00 am or 10:00 am. Huayna Picchu is an optional climb that you have to book at least 3 months in advance (please verify with us for availability). This hike will take us about an hour and it’s really worth it; the view is breath taking and the experience will be unforgettable. Enjoy and recharge your energy for a moment before descending. Note: this is an optional hike that has to be reserved at least 3 months in advance. In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards we will take the train back to Cusco where you will spend the night in your hotel.
DAY 8 END OF TOUR
Today is the end of your tour. After breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred back to the airport.
Day 1 Cusco
Arrive at any time.
Arrive early and spend some time exploring the city. Meet the group at the welcome meeting, check for the start time on the welcome note at the hotel.
Please note: hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2 Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them. Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Day 3 Lares Trek
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to Lares town where the hike begins. Spend the first night at a G Adventures-supported campsite in Cuncani.
The Lares Trek is a scenic, less touristic route to hike through the Andes. It is one day shorter than the Inca Trail but higher in elevation. Enjoy G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Lares Trek.
The locations and distances may change on this hike, as camping will be done in different places depending on pace, ability, and weather. The first night will always be spent at the G Adventures-supported, community-owned and managed campsite in an indigenous village previously bypassed by the tourism industry. In most cases, the CEO will hike the Lares Trek with the group.
Day 4 Lares Trek
Start early to hike from the foothills of Sicllaccasa Mountain to its high pass (4,800m/15,748 ft), providing scenic views of lagoons and the snow-capped Chicon Mountain. Celebrate after reaching the highest point by making an offering of coca leaves to the Andean gods. After the morning hike, stop to rest and take in the amazing view. Continue hiking downhill to our second campsite near the stream for the night.
Day 5 Lares Trek/Ollantaytambo
Enjoy the last few hours of hiking before travelling by van to Ollantaytambo to enjoy a good night's rest at your hotel.
Day 6 1-Day Inca Trail
Travel to km 104, disembark the train and start trekking on the Inca Trail. Hike steeply up into the mountains past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata. Gain insight into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way, and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon.
Day 7 Machu Picchu/Cusco
Rise early and enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Later, travel back towards Cusco by train.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins, then head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes. Take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo to meet the van for the ride back to Cusco.
Day 8 Cusco
Depart at any time.
