Details of the Trip
Day 1: 4 Lakes – Pampamarca (Canoeing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking)
Your adventure begins with an early hotel pick up at 4am. We will then drive towards the province of Acomayo to our first lake – Pomacanchi. This lake is known for its variety of native marine life. Next, we bike toward the second lake (20km – flat) – Acopia. This lake is known for its unique bird life such as Flamingos, Andean Ibis, and Puna Teals, among other birds. Take your time bird watching, or just admiring the tranquility of the lake, then your chef will serve you a gourmet lunch at our camp by the lake of Pampamarca.
Later in the afternoon, we will enjoy canoeing and kayaking. Finally, we will go back to camp to enjoy our delicious dinner. So far from any city, you will have a very clear view of the stars. Your guide will teach you about the Inca Constellations and how they still guide agricultural cycles to this day.
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Campsite
Day 2: Inca Bridge of Qeswachaka, Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain
After an early delicious breakfast, we drive for 35 minutes to the town of Quehue, where the ancient Inca rope bridge is located. Admire the intricate construction and if you are brave, try crossing the bridge! It may look or even feel delicate, but the ropes made of grass are impressively strong. You will also enjoy views to the Apurimac river. Then, will be go back to our campsite for an early lunch.
Afterwards, drive towards the trailhead at Palcoyo, which is about 1.3 hours. Take a small break and then take a short, gradual uphill walk (30-45 minutes) towards Palcoyo Pass (5000m/16,400ft). Here, you will have spectacular panoramic views of Palcoyoc Rainbow Mountain peaks as well as the highest mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate at (6,384m/20,945ft)! We will spend an hour or so at the pass taking pictures, having a snack and enjoying the spectacular view. Once we are done enjoying the scenery, we walk back down the way we came. Take our private transport to Cusco, arriving at the hotel by 7pm.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Included
- Private transportation with hotel pickup and drop off
- Professional English speaking lead guide
- Assistant guide/mechanic
- Mountain bikes
- Biking equipment (helmets, biking gloves, etc.)
- Canoeing and kayaking equipment
- Chef
- Dining tent and food
- Camping equipment
- Tents (4 person) but used only by 2
- Portable toilet
- First aid kit and Oxygen
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary, prepared by our chef
Not Included
- Tips
- Services not mentioned in this tour
PRICES:
- $397 USD per Person
IMPORTANT INFO
Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and this tour.
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport and taken to your hotel. Please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look out for our representative holding an orange SAM Travel Peru board at the exit from the arrival terminal.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle arcilaso 210, office 207 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE
Of course! During the 4 Lakes Circuit, your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you. Please pack what you will be needing for the tour only.
HOW TO BOOK
FIRST, to book your tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click on this link: BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group):
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
*** We require copies of your passports as well as they will be needed to make the booking.
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person, in order, to purchase permits for the Inca Trail. 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 samtravelperu@gmail.com.
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER BOOKING?
Yes, but with some restrictions. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to change the date of your tour. If you cancel your 4 Lake Circuit, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
Yes! You have to bring your original passport. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permit and we can change it when you get your new passport. Please send the new passport as soon as possible.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you plan to always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions.
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 take between 24 hours 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. We offer the Cusco City or Sacred Valley Tours that you can book while you are acclimating. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are usually between 2-6 persons. Sam Travel Peru is specialized in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provide a personalized service.
ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TREK?
Absolutely!! Hotel pick ups and drop offs are included with all of our packages!
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 for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. We incorporate universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL?
SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.
SMALL GROUPS
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM Travel Peru we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.
OUR TOUR GUIDES
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
OUR SERVICE PROJECTS
At SAM Travel Peru, we have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
SAM Travel Peru is so proud to be able to support our local people, not only by employing them but also by going back to our own grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!
PACKING LIST FOR THE 4 LAKE 2D/1N
- Original passport
- Good daypack (25 to 30L)
- Water 1 to 2 liters of water (Please bring reusable, not disposable bottles)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Toilet paper
- 1 change of clothes for the second day
- Clothes appropriate for canoeing and kayaking on the first day
- Polar or sweater for chilly mornings and evenings
- Jacket
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Wool hat evenings or early mornings
- Rain jacket – rainy season
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Rain plastic poncho
- Camera and extra batteries (there is no electricity available at camp)
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
