CACCHIN- LARES TREKKING 3DAYS-2NIGHTS

OVERVIEW

The Lares Valley is famous for the textile art produced in the communities using techniques and tools which date to pre-Inka times.

The tools used to make the weavings have been inherited from the time when textiles appeared in the Andes (approx. 4000BC). The colours used to decorate their textiles come from plants, oxides, earth and minerals which enrich the finished product. The iconography represented in their textiles serves to transmit basic knowledge through oral means, as it has been done for thousands of years.

On this adventure, we combine the marvellous landscapes of the Andes and their snow-capped peaks, with the living culture developed within them.

We will pass ecological levels such as Quechua, Suni and Puna; with all their local flora and fauna and where we will see the development of economic activities, such as agriculture and the rearing of camelids, which are the main source of income for the local population.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Cochayoq

We leave the city of Cuzco in our private transport, early in the morning, heading towards the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, to the town of Calca to later take the road to the Lares Valley.  The highest point on the road to Lares is 4400 masl, at a pass of the same name.

We continue on the dirt track beyond Lares, to the village of Ccachin, where we will visit some artisans who will demonstrate their abilities in textile confection.  We will have the marvellous opportunity to be able to buy from them directly some of the garments that, surely, we will like.  
Here we will have lunch, to later have the chance to walk or continue in our transport, to the community of Cochayoq; where we will have dinner and camp.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3877 masl / 12719 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 3309 masl / 10856 ft 
Distance Travelled: 7.75 km / 4.81 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 3 hrs

Day 2: Cochayoq – Qelqanqa

We leave Cochayoq and its typical Andean landscape, to climb to the mountain pass of Abra Tirihuayjasa, where we will have a magnificent view of the Tirihuay peak and the Yuraqocha and Yanaqocha lakes.  The descent to the community of Qelqanqa is through the ecological level known as Puna, where the rearing of camelids is the principal activity of the local people.  We will have dinner and spend the night in this community.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4430 masl / 14534 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 3798 masl / 12460 ft 
Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 7 hrs    

Day 3: Qelqanqa – Ollantaytambo

We leave Qelqanqa to tackle the last high pass of our trek, from where we will have a breathtaking view of the Urubamba mountain range.  We will descend through a beautiful pampa to the sector of Punta Carretera, from where our transport will transfer us to the community of Patacancha to later go on to the town of Ollantaytambo. Continuation of your trip to Machu Picchu or back to Cuzco.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Maximum Altitude: 4350 masl / 14271 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 3809 masl / 12496 ft 
Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 5 hrs

PRICE

Services included

• Private tourist transportation Cuzco – Cochayoq
• Guide service in Spanish/ English
• Sleeping bag per person (-10 ºC – Eureka – Cimarron – mummy form, our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use)
• Sleeping liner
• Pillow
• Inflatable sleeping pad (Therm A Rest)
• Cook and assistant
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables (Travel Chair)
• Cooking, eating and bathroom (The Pett) tents
• Portable enviromental toilet (The Pett)
• Food (2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner) – nutritionally balanced menu
• Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
• Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles – Eureka – K2 XT – 4 seasons)
• Single tents available for extra cost
• Mule-handlers
• Mules
• Saddled horse (for every 6 passengers there is one saddled horse)
• One Pachatusantrek kit of 100% biodegradable products (toiletries)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Pachatusantrek water resistant duffel bag for carrying personal stuff (on loan)
• Pre departure briefing
• Private tourist transportation Ollantaytambo – Cuzco

Services not included

• Not mentioned food
• Extra expenses
• Optional tip for field staff
• Evacuation expenses

DETAILS

We recommend that you bring

• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof clothing (poncho)
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Water bottles such as Nalgene
• Basic medications
• Walking sticks
• Swimsuit and towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 2 days and general good health. Pachatusantrek offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek
• DNI / Original Passport

Important Environmental Note

Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste.  We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.