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Home > Destinations > South
America > Peru > Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Trek
Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Trek
Our Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Luxury Trek is a physical, cultural, and spiritual journey along ancient footpaths through the Andes en route to the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu. Trek to Machu Picchu in style from lodge to lodge hiking along a spectacular route in the Cordillera Vilcabamba under towering snow-capped peaks dominated by Mt. Salcantay (20,574), the sacred Apu of local Quechua communities we encounter along the way. Like Inca royalty we overnight in the comfort of luxury mountain lodges featuring exquisite Peruvian cuisine, Jacuzzi, lounge, and cozy fireplaces. This less traveled route is a more spectacular high Andean trek than the popular Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu.
Check out the 5-minute preview of our new video: Machu Picchu Mountain Lodges Trek
DAY 1 : LIMA
Arrive in Lima. Overnight in the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel or transfer to overnight at Hotel Casa Andina in Miraflores.
 | | | Learn about Quechua life visiting native Andean communities. (Photo: Egret Communications) | | DAY 2 : CUSCO Morning transfer for one hour flight to Cusco and transfer to in to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Libertador in a Colonial-style room (or similar). [B]Note: Optional upgrade at extra cost to El Monasterio, a restored 400 year old former monastery.
DAY 3 : SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS Full day exploration with an expert guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit pottery or weaving workshops, markets, and Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Return to Cusco and overnight at the Hotel Libertador in a Colonial-style room (or similar). [BL]
| |  | | | Spectacular view of Mt. Salkantay from Salkantay Lodge (11,800 ft.) | DAY 4 : SORAY PAMPA, SALCANTAY LODGE Pick up at 8 am in Cuzco (Tue or Fri) and drive 3.5 hours to the Salcantay Lodge our base for two nights (11,800). En route we visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi, a center for Inca rituals representing the finest masonry built with highly polished granite. We pass through the mountain village of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacular valley of Soray Pampa. The Salcantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley, the most sacred peak in Inca mythology and at 20,574, the highest in the region. After lunch enjoy this first afternoon at leisure to adjust to the altitude. You may choose to participate in any of the optional activities offered at the lodge. An evening briefing around the fire is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Overnight Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort at 3,600m/11,800 ft. [BLD]
Note: The Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort has 12 private double or twin rooms with private facilities. Each of the other trekkers' lodges along the route (Wayra, Collpa, and Lucma) have 6 private double rooms with private bath. See complete description of all the Machu Picchu Mountain Lodge Trek accommodations.
DAY 5 : SORAY PAMPA The high Andean valley of Soray Pampa is a spectacular place for a free day to rest or participate in a variety of activities. Walk around the meadow, photograph the unimpeded view of Mt. Salkantay and visit with local people, or head out with a local guide to fish a high glacial lake for rainbow trout, scramble up moraine to a spectacular viewpoint, or ask about horseback riding and mountain biking. A packed lunch is available for those choosing to venture out for the day. Prepare for the start of our trek at an evening briefing about the next four days. Overnight Salkantay Lodge and Resort. [BLD]
DAY 6 : HUAYRAC MACHAY, HUAYRA LODGE Today we begin the four-day trek to Machu Picchu hiking up the Rio Blanco Valley approaching Humantay Peak across from Mt. Salcantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,470m (14,700ft) where we rest on the shores of Lake Salcantaycocha surrounded by views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabama Range in every direction. Descend toward Huayrac Lodge to soak in the Jacuzzi under the southern constellation. Overnight at Huayra Lodge at 3,650m/12,000 ft (6-8 hours hiking) [BLD]
DAY 7 : COLPA PAMPA, COLPA LODGE After a leisurely breakfast we continue downhill into the Colpapampa Valley descending into lush Andean cloud forest teeming with orchids, giant hummingbirds and beautiful views of endless valleys and waterfalls before us. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the way. Colpa Lodge is located in a lovely pasture amidst lush vegetation. We arrive in time for an optional excursion to a nearby hot spring or visit the local Quechua Indian village who supply the lodge with fresh foods. Dinner and overnight at Colpa Lodge. (5-7 hours hiking) [BLD]
DAY 8 : LUCMA BAMBA LODGE Trekking down the Santa Teresa river valley we begin passing through populated rural areas with orchards and coffee plantations as the terrain becomes subtropical and lush. We stop along the river for lunch from which point it is a short climb to Lucma Lodge, set in a tropical wooded enclave. We take some time in the afternoon to visit with native Quechua members of the local community. The glory of Lucma is its view of Machu Picchus legendary Watchmans Tower, seen today just as native Incas first saw it. Overnight Lucma Bamba Lodge at 2,000m/6,600 ft (5-7 hours hiking). [BLD]
DAY 9 : INCA TRAIL AND LLACTAPATA RUINS COMPLEX Well fit and acclimated we arise early to tackle the last day of our trek heading uphill for 3-4 hours through lush cloud forest over the Pallayata Pass (2,600m/8,500ft). This is one of the most beautiful protected remnants of an Inca Trail trek that leads to the recently discovered and incredibly extensive Inca ruins complex of Llactapata. Thought to have been the primary residential complex for workers who built Machu Picchu, it is located just 4 km across a deep chasm with spectacular views of the citadel. We explore the site, including a sun temple, residential areas, and remnants still unexcavated just as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1912. We descend a winding trail to the Urubamba River through lush bamboo forests, crossing a long, hanging bridge under the gushing waterfall of the hydroelectric station where the trail opens up at the railway line. We hop the rail for a short ride up the tracks to the village of Aguas Calientes to check into our hotel. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (or similar) at 8,000. (5-6 hours hiking/5 mi) [BLD]
DAY 10 : MACHU PICCHU Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Our guide will accompany us on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the morning to explore and photograph the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. You can hike up the precipitous stone stairs of towering Huayna Picchu peak to get a breathtaking view of the setting. Leisurely return on the afternoon train to Cusco, where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Hotel Libertador (or similar). [BL]
DAY 11 : RETURN TO LIMA Transfer to Cusco airport for a morning flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in for day use at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Miraflores until your evening departure. [B]
Recommended add-on: Ask about dinner arrangements at one of Lima's fabulous Nouveau Andean cuinsine restaurants. Half-day tours in Lima and its museums are available upon prior request. Observe the blend of cultures in one of South America's oldest capital cities on a tour of the old colonial center of downtown Lima, the church and catacombs of San Francisco and the cathedral of Lima. The most comprehensive museums in Lima that feature Perus archaeological heritage are the Gold Museum and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology.
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - | Days: 11 | Grade: III, Strenuous high altitude hiking, first-class accomm (click for grades definition) | 2010 Price: $3775 per person | | | | | 2010 Departure Dates | | | Sep 7 - Sep 17, 2010 Sep 9 - Sep 19, 2010 Sep 14 - Sep 24, 2010 Sep 16 - Sep 26, 2010 Sep 20 - Sep 30, 2010 Sep 21 - Oct 1, 2010 (S) Sep 28 - Oct 8, 2010 Sep 29 - Oct 9, 2010 Oct 4 - Oct 14, 2010 Oct 5 - Oct 15, 2010 Oct 10 - Oct 20, 2010 Oct 12 - Oct 22, 2010 Oct 14 - Oct 24, 2010 Oct 17 - Oct 27, 2010 Oct 19 - Oct 29, 2010 Oct 20 - Oct 30, 2010 Oct 26 - Nov 5, 2010 Oct 28 - Nov 7, 2010 Nov 2 - Nov 12, 2010 Nov 9 - Nov 19, 2010 Nov 16 - Nov 26, 2010 Nov 23 - Dec 3, 2010 Nov 30 - Dec 10, 2010 Dec 7 - Dec 17, 2010 Dec 14 - Dec 24, 2010 Dec 15 - Dec 25, 2010 Dec 16 - Dec 26, 2010 Dec 21 - Dec 31, 2010 Dec 22 - Jan 1, 2011 Dec 24 - Jan 3, 2011 Dec 27 - Jan 6, 2011 (and on request) | (S) = Space limited |
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| | | Included: Services as specified in the itinerary above include lodging and accommodations; English-speaking expert guides; guided tours and excursions; airport-hotel transfers and land transportation; meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; services of in-bound land operator offices for airline reconfirmation; and tour operations and Wildland Adventures' travel consultation and pre-departure services. | | | Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as international air; local air transportation; airport taxes; tips and gratuities; optional or suggested services that are on your own; insurance of any kind; personal expenses; extra beverages and alcoholic drinks; medical costs; and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in our itinerary for reasons beyond control. You will need to carry about $300-$500 extra cash (must be in local currency or US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips, alcoholic beverages, and meals not included in your itinerary. Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the above itinerary are also not included. Always carry enough cash for international ($28) and local (approx. $5) airport departure taxes. | | | Trip Notes: Total deposit to confirm space is $500 per person and is non-refundable upon confirmation to hold your space at the lodges. Optional hotel upgrades at Monasterio Hotel in Cusco ($195 per person, per night) and/or the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu ruins ($355 per person, per night) on request based on availability. This trip is not suitable for children under 12 years. | | |