An inspiring alpine expedition connecting remote Quechua weaving communities with glacial valleys, therapeutic volcanic hot springs, and Machu Picchu. The premier flexible cultural alternative to the Inca Trail.
Intimate pace & personalized attention on every route.
100% native Cusco team without middleman commissions.
Oxygen tanks, pulse oximeters, and WFR certified leaders.
Fair pay, warm mountain gear, and community empowerment.
Often celebrated as the ‘Weavers’ Trail’. Combine breathtaking mountain passes with authentic cultural immersion in remote Andean villages that have preserved their traditions for centuries.
Elevate the Lares route with an in-depth visit to the agricultural terraces and sun temple of Pisac. Hike…
An extraordinary blend of high-mountain trekking and authentic Quechua cultural immersion. Soak in volcanic thermal baths, visit remote…
We work directly with local families in Huacawasi and Lares, ensuring tourism dollars support rural education, native textile weavers, and ethical local muleteers.
Fluent in Quechua & English, university-graduated storytellers, and certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFR).
Hot, fresh organic Andean culinary meals prepared daily on trail. Full catering for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
Roomy 4-season Eureka/Doite tents (4-person size for 2 guests), insulated sleeping pads, and cozy dining tents.
Oxygen tanks, pulse oximeters, satellite radios, and 24/7 operations room tracking every team in real time.
While the Inca Trail is celebrated for stone ruins, the Lares Trek is treasured for its living Incan culture. Walking through high-altitude glacial valleys, you encounter native Quechua communities dressed in traditional scarlet handwoven ponchos and embroidered monteras, herding alpacas and speaking their ancestral mother tongue.
Begin your journey soaking in the volcanic medicinal thermal baths of Lares, hike past glistening alpine lakes reflecting glaciated peaks at Ipsaycocha Pass, and finish with a scenic rail journey to Machu Picchu.
No hidden fees. Every critical detail from door-to-door transfers to gourmet meals is taken care of.
When you travel with Wayna Peru Expeditions, you directly support native Quechua highland families. We champion fair wages, strict load weight limits for porters, nutritious meals, and high-mountain thermal gear.
How to prepare respectfully and comfortably for the Lares Valley route.
<p>Highland Quechua villagers are welcoming. Always ask for permission respectfully before photographing children, elders, or weavers.</p>
<p>Bring Peruvian Soles in cash to purchase authentic alpaca textiles, scarves, and beanies directly from the artisans who made them.</p>
<p>Campsites at Huacawasi and Ipsaycocha reach below freezing. Bring a warm down jacket, thermal underwear, and a wool hat.</p>
<p>Unlike the Inca Trail, Lares does not sell out months in advance, making it ideal for last-minute or flexible bookings.</p>
Read genuine feedback from adventurers who explored the Andes under the care of our native guides.
Everything you need to know about Peru’s premier cultural trek.
Lares is physically gentler than Salkantay and features fewer steep stone stairs than the Inca Trail. Its unique highlight is deep cultural interaction with indigenous communities rather than extensive ruins. It also does not require strict advance trail permits.
Yes! Every Lares itinerary concludes with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes on the penultimate day, spending the night in a comfortable hotel before an early morning guided exploration of Machu Picchu on the final day.
Yes. Because emergency horses accompany every group throughout the trek, children aged 8 and up can ride whenever they feel fatigued, making Lares our top-rated alternative family trek.
<p>No government permit limits and daily departures. Contact our native travel architects to reserve your small group or private Lares expedition.</p>
Planning for Lares Treks
