Salkantay Lodge to Lodge Trek

Welcome to Peru! Arrive Lima and transfer to the Wyndham Airport Hotel located adjacent to the terminal.

A short flight from Lima to Cusco and then the afternoon is yours to explore this quaint city and former capital of the Inca Empire. On Day Three, you’ll enjoy a city tour with your guide, including the San Blas artist enclave, the Qoricancha Temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun, the cathedral on the Main Square, and finally, the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a colossal stone structure, carved and fitted together with incredible precision. Overnight for two nights at El Mercado.

After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. The first stop is a visit to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site enroute to the mountain village of Mollepata. Enjoy lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse in the village, where you will also have the opportunity to learn about local agriculture and livestock. After lunch comes a scenic ride on a winding mountain road to Challacancha. Here you will begin your half-day moderate hike to the spectacular Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa along the picturesque “Camino Real” (Royal Path). The Salkantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley, the second-most sacred peak in Inca mythology and at 20,574’, the highest in the region. (12,690’ / 3,869m) 3 miles; 3-4 hours

The high Andean valley of Soraypampa is a spectacular place for a free day to acclimatize with unimpeded views of Mt. Salkantay.

Today’s moderate acclimatization hike takes you up the slopes that border the plateau behind the lodge. Your hard work will be rewarded with stunning views across Lake Humantay’s glistening turquoise waters and the Humantay glacier looming overhead. Relax on the shores of the lake, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot, and participate in a traditional ceremony to honor “Pachamama” (Mother Earth).

After your descent back to the lodge, you’ll be greeted with a hot lunch. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax, enjoy a massage, or soak in the outdoor hot tub for a spectacular view of the Salkantay Peak at sunset.

Locals in this region refer to the mountain as “Apu Salkantay” out of reverence to the god-spirit that resided within and protected their people. The Incas had great respect for mountains such as Salkantay and Ausangate as they towered above them and touched the heavens which is home of the sun god, Inti. (12,690’ / 3,869m) 4 miles; 4 hours

Today is the big day as you hike from 12,690’ over a 15,213’ pass and then down to 12,812′! Begin your four-day trek to Machu Picchu in earnest by circling Humantay Peak, gradually making your way along expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders. The most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that lead you to Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trek (15,213’ / 4,636m), with views of snow-capped Vilcabama Range in every direction. Here, Andean condors can often be spotted soaring nearby. The journey continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations often shrouded in fog, followed by a very welcome hot picnic lunch. After lunch, enjoy a short siesta before the final hike through the area’s bucolic rolling hills, eventually leading you through the plateaus at Wayraccmachay. Descend toward Wayra Lodge (Wayra means ‘wind’ in Quechua) to soak in the jacuzzi under the stars.  (12,812’ / 3,906m) 8 miles; 6-8 hours

After a leisurely breakfast, continue your trek downhill from 12,812 feet into the Colpapampa Valley, descending into lush Andean cloud forest teeming with orchids, giant hummingbirds, and beautiful views of endless valleys and towering waterfalls. Lunch is served al fresco style at a scenic spot with forest life teeming all around you. Upon arrival at your lodge at 9,414’, you’ll be greeted with a traditional Peruvian feast to honor the Pachamama (Mother Earth) that is cooked by layering meat and vegetables with hot stones, then burying it to bake. Colpa Lodge is located in a lovely pasture amidst lush vegetation full of birds in this transition habitat between cloud forest and a sub-tropical vegetation zone. Ease any hiking stiffness with a soak in the outdoor hot tub, under the stunning array of Southern constellations. (9,414’ / 2,870m) 6 miles; 3-4 hours

Today you will hike through the Santa Teresa River valley. You will stroll along a rolling trail that crosses avocado orchards and coffee plantations alongside streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. Everything seems to become more lush and tropical as you hike down from 9,414’ to 7,003’. After a hot picnic lunch by the river and some time to relax, a short hike brings you to the end of the trail and a waiting vehicle. From here, it is a short drive to the trailhead of an original Inca Trail and a short walk to Lucma Lodge, set in a tropical wooded enclave. Often you’ll visit with native Quechua members of the local community who are small-scale farmers, producing what is considered by some to be one of the finest shade-grown coffees in the world. (7,003’ / 2,135m) 10 miles; 5-7 hours

After breakfast, depart from Lucma Lodge at 7,003′ and embark on a two to three hour climb through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. Lush trees create green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is nearby. Your first milestone today will be the top of Llactapata Pass at 8,974’ / 2,736m. This is one of the most beautiful protected remnants of an Inca Trail 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 four and a half kilometers away across a deep chasm with spectacular views of Machu Picchu’s legendary Watchman’s Tower. You’ll explore Llactapata’s sun temple, residential areas, and remnants still unexcavated just as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1912. Your final descent is along a trail that zigzags down through lush bamboo forests, varied fruit orchards, and more coffee plantations to the roaring Aobamba River. Celebrate as you cross the bridge over the river and take your final steps of the trek enroute to the train station for a scenic one-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. (6,693’ / 2,040m). 7 miles; 5-6 hours

This morning a train will take you to the 104th kilometer of the Cusco to Machu Picchu railroad, and the starting point of the final hike to Machu Picchu. As you climb the hand-hewn stone steps carved by the Incas, you will gradually ascend for about three hours, towards Wiñay Wayna archaeological site. After a picnic lunch, you will continue through the semi-tropical forest towards Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where, just before sunset, the panoramic splendor of the entire Machu Picchu will unfold before you. After wondering at such an impressive spectacle, a bus ride back to the valley takes you down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, readying yourself for more extensive explorations tomorrow. 8 miles; 7.5 hours

Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Your guide will accompany you on a walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent fortress. Take time to hike the towering Huayna Picchu peak (hiking permits included) and explore and photograph the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes. Visit the temples of Inca royalty, and see the Intihuatana, the ancient stone sundial. At some point, be sure to take a moment and sit quietly – listen to the wind, meditate, and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you. After the visit, you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before a scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately one and a half hours) and a vehicle transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. As night falls and the sunset shadows play across this amazing valley, you will be touched by a feeling of peace and rejuvenation.

This morning you’ll explore the Sacred Valley, an agricultural hub for the Incas and still a fertile area today. Your first stop will be the Chinchero village, famous for the extraordinary beauty and quality of its hand-woven textiles. Your journey continues up to the Moray archeological site, used as an agricultural testing ground. The site’s system of concentric terraces served as a perfect agricultural laboratory for the Incas. Then it’s off to the Maras salt works. Here, over 5,000 evaporative salt ponds are hand-tended and produce some of the purest salt in the world. Return to the Sacred Valley for a final night overlooking this special corner of Peru.

The morning is yours to rest in the tranquility of the valley or head to Cusco for some last-minute souvenir shopping before heading to the airport to catch your departing international flight.