Peru Travel

Item Description

Embrace the Andean Highlands: Enjoy your five senses through a trek hiking into the remote and rarely visited Lares Valley (Cusco), and explore wide mountain ranges, spectacular lagoons, Inca trail paths, hot springs, native flora & fauna. You will enjoy the view of snow-capped peaks (such as Mount Veronica at 5,750m/18,864 feet, which is also seen from the Machu Picchu train). Horses are available for carrying personal luggage up to 15 pounds/7 kg.

Live the legend with indigenous Andean communities: You will pass through ancient towns, such as Cancha Cancha, Quishuarani and Cuncani, where you can interact with farmers and their children. Locals, who still use ancient technologies for weaving and cooking, are very friendly and welcoming. You will see their villages (built with stones and the root of ichu-yellow grass), enjoy typical food and get an insight into their traditional lifestyle.

Accommodations & Services: You will stay over night in comfortable camping tents. At the end of the trip, you will be taken back to Cusco city with a private car. Upon request, you can be transferred to the town of Ollantaytambo if you would like to visit Machu Picchu (with additional cost).

Learn more about the Lares Valley trail and the tour plan.

This package has been generously donated by Sun Gate Tours. (Find Sun Gate Tours on Ecotourism Explorer)

Item Special Note

There is no black-out date, but it is recommended to travel between April and October (to avoid rain).

Please note:

• Trek tours leave each Tuesday and Friday.
• Winner will be part of a tour group with maximum 6 other guests.
• Personal horses for riding the trek are available at an additional cost of 70 USD per person.

Included: Equipment rentals, Guided tours, Local fees or taxes, Local ground transportation, All meals (combination of international & Peruvian cuisine) and non-alcoholic drinks.

Please note:

• Vegetarian meals available at no extra cost.
• All meals are nutritious and delicious, made with fresh, high quality local ingredients (quinua, kiwicha, etc.) which are high in energy value and prepared carefully to avoid illness.

Not included: International or domestic airfares & fees, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind.

Sun Gate Tours Green Practices:

• Commitment to Sustainability: Sun Gate Tours is member of The International Ecotourism Society and operates with the Responsible Travel Policy.
  
• Giving back to the destination: Sun Gate Tours makes significant contributions to the maintenance of local communities and archaeological sites.
• Giving back to the local people: Sun Gate Tours makes it a priority to treat local people with respect and dignity, and share benefits of tourism with them. The local trekking staff (e.g. cooks and porters) are paid well above average wages.
• Small group, small footprint: Through small group tours, Sun Gate Tours promote the positive impact of tourism and seek to bring benefits to many communities, help preserve the environment we travel to see, and provide real and positive social exchanges.

Media Recognition & Praise:

• May 28, 2008 - "So you missed the Inca Trail? A guide to alternate treks" by Rachel Barth, CNN.com TRAVEL
• November 2006 - "Taking the Back Roads to Machu Picchu" by Patrick O’Gilfoil Healy, New York Times

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If you need assistance with the purchase of this package or any other items on TIES eco-holiday auction: please contact ecoDestinations@ecotourism.org or +1 202-506-5033 x14.

If you are the successful bidder, you will receive an email from TIES with the certificate confirming your purchase within 24 hours of the auction close. All TIES eco-holiday auction items are valid for one year (excluding the blackout dates noted in the item description) unless otherwise stated. The winner will receive contact details of the trip provider(s) to make travel arrangements.

All proceeds raised from your purchase of this trip will go directly to The International Ecotourism Society to support their numerous projects in support of responsible travel worldwide.