In 2013, Mountain Lodges of Peru received a loan from the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC). It used the money to build mountain lodges under a pioneering tourism model devised by the Inter-American Development Bank that emphasizes social inclusion. The communities in the area are active partners of Mountain Lodges of Peru and share directly in the enterprise’s profits.

A wonderful alternative to the more heavily traveled Inca Trail, the Lares Trail is noted for its cultural attractions, including traditional weavers attired in colorful dress, roving herds of alpacas and llamas, and a panorama of waterfalls, snow peaks, and glacial lakes. An extensive network of trails throughout the region lead to traditional Andean highland communities unchanged for centuries, where guests can meet local communities and get a glimpse of the distant past, and to spectacular Inca archaeological sites including the fortress of Pisac and the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, where the rebel Inca leader Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in battle. More challenging trails bring guests to remote passes with views of Andean peaks, with the occasional condor soaring above. After a day of hiking and exploring, the travelers return to the lodges where they can enjoy the comforts of a spacious guest room with hot shower, gourmet dining, lounging by a fireplace while recounting the adventures of the day, and even the amenities of a Jacuzzi and massage. The lodges are designed to blend into the existing landscape, reducing their visual impact to a minimum, and the use of local materials—stone, adobe, wood, and straw—reflect the region’s traditional construction.