LARES TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

The “Weavers Trek”

Timing: 4 days, including Machu Picchu Tour
Grade: Moderate

The Lares Valley trek, also known as the “Weavers Trek” takes you on a route though high Andean Scenery visiting many highland villages where life goes on much as it did centuries ago. The native people, descendents of the Incas, continue living a very traditional way of life and maintain ancient customs, agriculture and way of dressing. They still practice the ancient Incas weaving techniques and are known for producing high quality colourful traditional textiles.

This trek combines exciting and varied Andean scenery with lush forests, mountains and lakes with ancient culture and the opportunity to meet and make friends with local people.

This is a moderate level trek, and while the hiking is not hard, you do have to climb up to a high pass at 4550m on day two of the trek. You do need to have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to hike climbing steadily uphill for 2 to 3 hours and hike up to 7 hours on the longest day to enjoy this trek.

Day 01: Cusco – Lares – Waca Wasi

We depart Cusco early in private transport and drive to the village of Lares where there are some thermal baths. We have breakfast at Lares then meet up with our muleteers and start the hike. The hiking up the valley is very scenic passing by corn and potato fields and small Andean settlements with stone walled homes with thatched roofs. We cross a small river named Trapiche and will have lunch next to the river. After lunch we continue hiking up towards Waca Wasi (3800m) which is a charming little community of mud brick and grass thatched houses, where we set up our first camp. We have the opportunity to meet llama herders, local traditional weavers and kids dressed in their colourful traditional clothing.
Driving Cusco to Lares hot springs = 3 hours by road
Walking Distance = approx. 9kms
Hiking Time = approx. 4 hours

Day 02: Waca Wasi – Mantanay

The second day is the hardest day of the trek with a high pass to cross. We depart camp and walk through Waca Wasi Village. We will meet many local women who wear brightly coloured and decorated traditional clothing, full skirts and colouful hats. These local women are specialist weavers and they lay out displays next to the trail for us of their high quality textiles (hence the name “Weavers Trek”). We can buy quality weavings direct from these lovely humble and shy highland ladies at cheaper prices than in Cuzco. The other attractive of the Lares Valley trek are the many herds of Llamas seen grazing along the trek route. After Waca Wasi the trail makes a short climb to Huahua Gasa Pass at 4550m before descending past two small lakes. We have lunch by the lake and then continue walking for about 2 hours to the second camp at Mantanay at 3650m.
Distance hiking = 14kms approximately
Hiking time = around 7 hours

Day 03: Mantanay – Yanahuara – Ollanta – Aguas Calients

An easy final day hiking today. The trail descends gently down valley for about three hours finally joining into the famous Incas Sacred Valley. Our private trek transport takes us for the short 20 minute drive to Ollantaytambo where we catch the afternoon Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes. & check into hotel.
Distance hiking = 8km approximately
Hiking time = around 4 hours

Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour & Return to Cusco

After an early breakfast from Aguas Calientes we take the bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Cuzco.

Download PDF for climb description & notes

Contact us for more information and prices.

If you know, tell us the approximate dates that you would like to be climbing and the number of people in your group, as well as if you prefer a private climb or would be happy to join with other people.

 

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