Get ready for the epic Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, the “Weavers Way”! This moderate hike takes you deep into the breathtaking Andean Mountains, where every step brings you closer to Peru’s soul. The Lares Trek offers an odyssey through stunning landscapes and ancient Andean culture. You’ll ascend from valleys to towering peaks, passing waterfalls, ruins, and traditional hamlets. Encounter local weavers preserving ancestral traditions, before reaching the grand finale of Machu Picchu. This trek provides an intimate, tranquil adventure where the splendor of nature and heritage come together.
Season: Apr – Dec.
Soak in the rejuvenating thermal waters of Lares Hot Springs, nestled in the Andes, providing the perfect relaxation after a day of hiking.
Ideal for adventurers seeking a challenge without extreme exertion, the Lares Trek offers a moderate yet rewarding hike through diverse terrains.
Discover traditional Andean weaving techniques at local weaving centers, where skilled artisans create vibrant textiles, preserving ancient cultural heritage.
The trek culminates at the iconic Machu Picchu, a breathtaking Incan citadel perched high in the mountains, rewarding your journey with its majestic presence.
Conclude your adventure with a scenic train ride from Aguas Calientes, offering panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and a perfect ending to your trek.
As we traverse both expansive terrains and intimate pathways, you’ll find yourself immersed in a unique blend of nature’s majesty and ancient history. The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a route less traveled, yet it offers an unparalleled experience, weaving through the rich tapestry of the region’s culture against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes.
Meet your River Explorers trip leader at your hotel at 8 am. We travel to the Sacred Valley and Lares scenic byway through one of Cusco’s most beautiful routes with astonishing views of mountains mixed with archaeological ancient cities and charming towns. We’ll met with the rest of the staff cooker, mules as porters and the horseman in Lares, a small town located at 4 hours from Cusco which is the beginning of the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. The horseman will load the gear onto the animals, one this is done our trek adventure begins.
Before hitting the trail, we’ll rejuvenate ourselves in the soothing hot springs, ensuring we’re energized for the adventure ahead! It will take two gentle hours hiking to stop for lunch in our strategically situated post with outstanding views of the Andes.
We will hike for 2 more hours after lunch. Our guide’s favorite, Huacawasi camp is perched on a lofty small valley at 12631 feet – 3850 meters. This peaceful setting is the ideal place to relax and appreciate at the magnificent views of the Wacahuasi surroundings including the charming Andean villages with rustic stone walls and thatched home houses made of ichu (strong grass that grows only at over 3000 meters high).
This will likely be the hardest day of the Lares trek, with 5 hours of constant hike along the Lares Mountains trail, until the highest pass Ipsayccasa Pass (4550 meters/ 14 927 feet) much of which is exposed to the full blast of the sun. However, the benefit of the effort is the chance to connect with the nature and learn the Andean villager’s customs and their way of life. At the top, we will glimpse the colorful canopy of the Andes over lagoons and valleys, lamas and alpacas herds.
The trail as it descends through the highest pass is connected directly into the Ipsayccasa lagoon wich brings unique wild life such as Andean Caracara and Geese, Ouna Ibis and other mountain birds. Along the hike, small springs and ravines offer rewarding side trips that are perfectly blended with the trail. We will overnight at the side of the Ipsayccasa lagoon, enjoying in the accomplishment of completed the hardest day that now is behind us.
As we wake up and breathe jolly the fresh Andean air, get ready for one more day of exclusive mountain beauty that solely Lares trek can offer.
Hiking directly from the camp, our Lares Trek adventure continues, taking enjoyment in the relative light of descending!, nonetheless, good care still must be taken as the drops in some parts of the hike are little difficult. The trail takes us along an open valley with grassy sierra until the village of Patacancha, a great time to do a little textile spotting; this area is famous for their treasury of methods, designs and quality weaving expressing believes, concepts of space, and the connection to other people and animals.
We find ourselves once again at our easy hiking through Willoq community including Huayruros villagers known by their colourful red and black clothing Huayruro is a seed with one black spot that covers one-third of its area “Custom tells that the Huayruro is a symbol of good luck, fortune and fame.
We will reach the end of the trekking after about 2 – 3 hours total hiking. Our van will take us to Ollantaytambo to have lunch and after to the station to connect with el train to Aguas Calientes (town below Machu Picchu). It takes 2 hours in an exciting ride on a train with panoramic windows offering hidden sights of the Urubamba river Canyon with Inca ruins, sculpted stone cliffs and forest that slowly covers as we descend more into the Canyon. At Aguas Calientes we will check into a lovely hotel.
You can bask in the gratification of accomplish something special, a full pass to pass crossing of the Andean Mountains. Your guide will organize a meal to celebrate.
This will likely be the day that everyone was waiting for in the Lares trek. To make this experience more memorable, we plan to arrive early to our last destination. After breakfast and beginning right at Aguas Calientes bus station, an engaging, meandering drive road leads to MACHU PICCHU. An undeniable treasure and a world heritage site. Machu Picchu express the essence of Peru’s culture and its magnificent structures and outstanding scenery have been immortalized by millions of visitors, historians, archaeologists and photographers.
Hikes around the complex are easy as well as difficult and with no doubt you’ll find a hike that will suit to you. Climb the Huayna Picchu a 360 m – 1,180 ft peak that elevates behind Machu Picchu. Other popular trails are Montaña or Intipunku.
Continuing with the program, you will meet with your guide and the rest of the group after taking the bus to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. (Depending of the train availability we may stop at Ollantaytambo, from here you will get transfer to Cusco and then to your hotel).
