Trek & Climb: Lares Valley to Glacier Velo de la Novia (5,269M)

Trek & Climb: Lares Valley to Glacier Velo de la Novia (5,269M) – 6 Days

Overview

Trek & Climb: Lares Valley to Glacier Velo de la Novia (5,269m). The Urubamba Mountain Range is part of the Central Andes of South America; home to Wakaywillke Mountain (Verónica, 5,919 masl), Sawasiray (5,810 masl), Chayñapuerto (5,610 masl) and Chicón (5,500 masl).

Likewise, the views of snow-capped mountains like the Apu Salkantay (6,272 masl), and others that make up the Vilcabamba Range will be part of this unique experience in the Peruvian Andes.

This expedition presents archaeological sites; that have a privileged view and connection with the pampas of Maras and Moray (Inca Greenhouse). You will have contact with local people who still keep their traditions and customs alive; and who will be part of this great adventure. Also; you will discover the existence of Andean deer, foxes, pumas, viscachas, condors, falcons, Andean geese, hummingbirds.

The thermo-mineral-medicinal waters, much visited by tourists and locals alike, are one of the natural attractions of this unexplored side of Lares.

You will be part of a unique expedition; since you’ll be able to practice mountain climbing at an easy level in the French scale.
IMPORTANT; (The height and distance data are referential, having a slight margin of error, because some data were taken by Google earth, GPS and barometer watches).

In the Peruvian Andes, there are a wide variety of peaks that require a good level of technique, and experience. The glacier Velo de la Novia is a great introduction to glacial climbing, it is quite a flat climb with good compact snow that make it a great first experience to this discipline. At the summit of the glacier you’ll experience clear views of the surrounding range and peaks such as the southeast view of Pumahuanca and southwest of the Sirihuani.

Sustainable tourism
So then; you can help to protect these mountains; lagoons, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and the natural environment by the way we approach the mountain climb. We take care to minimise the footprint we leave & fill ourselves with the energy existing in the Sacred Apus that traditions say are sources of immense power. Your ascension will incorporate respect for the whole environment; along with good health and your own experience of high-mountain climbs.

Highlights
Climb a Glacier and experience rare views of the surrounding Urubamba Mountains.
Visit and adventure a unique rural area of the Sacred Valley.
Contribute to the region in a sustainable way.

Included
Breakfast x 5
Lunch x 6
Dinner x 4
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
Professional bilingual guide
Cook
Muleteer & Mules
All camping equipment (Sleeping bags to hire + Walking sticks)
Machu Picchu Extension – Entrance Tickets, Transport & Guide

Not Included
International Airfare
Hotels before & after (can be organised as part of trip)
Tips for crew
Any additional extras
Domestic flights (can be organised as part of trip)
Crampons, Ice Axe, Harness, Helmet (can be hired as part of trip)

Joining Arrangements	There will be a pre-trek briefing held usually the evening before departure, at your hotel, to go over the details of the trek and any specific requirements not already captured.
Food & Water	Prior to setting off we recommend you steer clear of street food and only eat in good restaurants, to avoid any stomach complaints. Likewise with tap water, it is largely untreated, please only consume bottled water only or sterilised water if you have the right equipment.
Special Diets	We’ll ensure that we cater for all of your dietary needs, at the point of booking we’ll collect this information from you. We can secure special menu requests also for your trek party.
Trekking Crew	We are able to customise our treks to suit you, but usually our treks are guided by a professional bilingual guide, mountain cook, arriero (horseman) and mules to carry all equipment (passenger horses also available on request). They become a large part of your trekking expedition and it’s a great experience working together.
Acclimatisation	This is a really important part of your trip planning process, please find a link below which explains a little more about preparing for altitude. Altitude Preparation
Preparation	Attached below are a couple of links which will explain how to prepare for your trip & trek in advance of your arrival. We recommend being prepared in advance to save time & stress whilst you’re in Peru. Trip Planning \| Trek Planning
Machu Picchu	An excursion to Machu Picchu is included as part of your trip, including professional bilingual guide, entrance tickets, return trip bus tickets, Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountains (mountain climbs to be confirmed on reservation) & your return train ticket to Cusco.
Covid-19 (Coronavirus)	We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. We also have access to on-call health services for your time with us.
Covid-19 (Useful Links)	World Health Organisation \| World Health Organisation – Peru \| Covid-19 Data – Peru \| Covid-19 Daily Statistics
Available Discounts	Throughout 2022 we’re offering a 15% discount for each member of a group larger than 4+
Reservation	Please contact us to reserve your trek and we will send you our deposit & payment options.
Customer Service	Please feel free to contact us at any point before your trip for any queries or problems.

Details

Itinerary

Leaving Cusco at 5am; heading northeast for 2.5 hrs towards the entrance of the sacred valley where you'll be able to see terraces and constructions from the Inca era such as Pisaq, from one of its viewpoints. Then continuing to pass through corn plantations near the Urubamba river until reaching Calca (2,937m), where you'll go to the Central Market to interact with the local people and have breakfast. Continuing to Huaran Farm, and from there to the start of the expedition at an altitude of 3,292 meters; where our muleteer will carry our equipment on mules. You'll go through a very quiet path and ascend for around 3 hrs to Cancha Cancha (3,961m). Here you'll take lunch and rest.

Walking hrs: 3.
Distance: 7 km.
Maximum height: 3,961 masl.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Today you'll start the hike at 7am, to reach the Pachacútec pass (4,680m) in 3 hrs. Then you'll descend for 2 hrs to have lunch near a lagoon used as a fish farm, at 4,237m, and finally descend for 1 hr to Quiswarani (3,942m). Passing before by the Qanchispacha waterfalls, a Quechua term that translates as 7 waterfalls, and you'll have the view of one of the Snowy Mountains called Sirihuani (5,330m) of level AD, in the French scale.

Walking hours: 6h.
Distance: 13 km.
Maximum height: 4,680m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a good early breakfast; it will take 3 hrs to reach the Willkiccasa pass (4,210m), passing by one of the 4 lakes that you'll discover during the gradual ascent and then descending 2 hrs to Cuncani (3,868m), where you'll have lunch, and then decide whether to go to the Lares hot springs (3,233m) 2 hrs walking or by local transport in 30 minutes.

Walking hrs: 5 hours.
Distance: 11 km.
Maximum height: 4210m.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp

Today you'll leave early; after breakfast and with energies renewed, the ascent to the pass will take 3 hrs. During the gradual ascent we will see more lagoons and the peaks of the Snowy Chayñapuerto (5,610m), Sawasiray (5,810m), Chicón (5,500m) and once you reach the Pumawankajasa pass (4,787m), you'll have a clear view of the pampas of Maras and to the northwest the Apu Salkantay (6,272m), to the east a solitary snow-capped mountain, and an altar with a cross with offerings and flowers, a pilgrimage made every year by the inhabitants of the Urubamba. Then you'll descend for 1.5 hrs to Cuyoc (4,260 m), which will be our base camp in readiness for the climb the next day.

Walking hours: 5 hrs approximately.
Distance: 11 km.
Maximum height: 4,787m.

Today leaving very early to fulfill our objective of reaching the glacier Velo de la Novia (5,035m), starting at 3am and arriving at 6am. It's a steady glacial climb utilising your crampons and ropes, where from the summit you'll have a spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains, lagoons, valleys and both sides of the Urubamba mountain range. Then descending in 3.5 hrs to the district of the same name and from there taking private transportation to Ollantaytambo (2,868m), and boarding the train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,020m)

Walking hours: 6 hrs approx.
Distance: 5-6 km.
Maximum height: 5,269m.
Accommodation: Hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

At the end of the trek, we finish near to a town called Ollantaytambo, at this point there are a couple of options.

1. You can either spend the night in Ollantaytambo, enjoy this lively little town & the ruins here, then have a leisurely morning the following day, followed by a 1.5hr train journey to Aguas Calientes.

Then you arrive by around mid-afternoon in time for the afternoon session tour of Machu Picchu. This is a more tranquil & serene time to explore the citadel as it is less crowded.

There are 2 entrance times for Machu Picchu - 7am & 12pm
You can also include hikes to Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu mountain

2. Head straight to Aguas Calientes directly after the trek. Most take this option if they want to head up to Machu Picchu as early as possible to see the fabled sunrise. This option makes the last day of the trek a long one & the following day also, but both options are available, it really depends how you'd like to do it.

Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals' absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century.

If there's time, hike up to Machu Picchu Mountain (optional & depends on ticket availability) for a bird's eye view of the citadel. Afterward, a tour guide will show you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel.

After the two-hour tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to connect to your train to Ollantaytambo and your connecting transfer to Cusco.