Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge adventure was created so you can experience Peru and the Sacred Valley like never before. For the first time ever, you can trek the Salkantay Trail from one luxury mountain eco-lodge to the next finally reaching the echelon of Machu Picchu.In this journey you will trek from 12,800 feet down to 6,900 feet, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems from beginning to end. You'll engulf yourself in an ancient cultures and explore native civilizations on this camino sagrado (sacred path)."...our Machu Picchu vacation goes far beyond comfortable lodges and great treks… it is a unique opportunity to experience ancient history in the Land of the Incas, contemporary manifestations of deep-founded culture, the most interesting and exotic variety of flora and fauna, culinary surprises, the determination of local people to progress, new friends and like-minded souls."Local guide used by Peru Unbound.Call us today and see the detailed itinerary to learn more about this Machu Picchu lodge to lodge hiking adventure!
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Itinerary
Day 1
You'll arrive the day before into Cusco. We can arrange airport transfer to your hotel.
CUSCO to SALKANTAY LODGE and ADVENTURE RESORT at SORAYPAMPA (3,800m/12,500 ft)
After having an early, sumptuous breakfast, guests will be picked up from their hotel by a local, friendly guide and a vehicle starting 7:00 am to Soraypampa in which Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort also known as SLAR is located. A short refreshing break will be taken on the way to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo. This may take approximately 1.5 hours from Cusco. After leaving Limatambo, we will pass through the mountain village of Mollepata to stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to Marcoccasa which will take 30 minutes by vehicle.
Then, we will start our exciting journey to Soraypampa on an old route known as the "Royal Path", the Camino Real. This is a superb chance for the guests to familiarize and take in the pleasure of a mild and beautiful 4-hour trek on the first day of their adventure. The hiking level is just moderate and this is optional as well. Guests who do not wish to trek will be transported back to the lodge in a vehicle.
The SLAR was named after the magnificent peak at the top of the valley - the "Salkantay" with its 20, 600 ft (6,270 m) peak is the highest in the region and is considered the second most revered peak in Inca mythology.
Guests will be welcomed by our gracious staff and will then be shown to their rooms to be given time to wash-up. Afternoon on the first day is spent at leisure for the guests to adapt to the altitude. After dinner, a charming briefing by the fireplace will take place in the evening.
As a note, the hotel the night before the trek is not included and lunch on this day is a box lunch.
Day 2
SORAYPAMPA
Time is spent for relaxation and any activities depending on the guest's preference for this day. A half-day hike (3-4 hours) with a hiking level of moderate to challenging is the most popular activity. The hike leads to a glacial lake where the more audacious might take a very short swim! This is a great activity for adaptation and captivation into high-mountain trekking! Guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing dip in our outdoor jacuzzi in the afternoon. In the evening, the guide will give a briefing to the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are taken at the Lodge.
Day 3
SORAYPAMPA to WAYRA LODGE at HUAYRACCMACHAY (3,850m/12,600 ft)
Here comes the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu! We will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay after an early start. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass, we will stop to take in scenes of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will also be watchful for any Andean Condor birds often visible in this area. We then begin our descent from the pass toward the Wayra Lodge (Wayra means wind; the place where the wind lives) which is our destination for the evening. A sizzling lunch is taken on the way. We'll have dinner and stay overnight at the Lodge. Hiking time is 4-6 hours. Total excursion time for the day is 5-7 hours and the hiking level is challenging with a 15,000 ft mountain pass.
Day 4
HUAYRACCMACHAY to COLPA LODGE at COLLPAPAMPA (2,800m/9,200 ft)
The next day, we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. We then start our journey downhill above the Salkantay River, through astonishing green sceneries and landscapes. We will be welcomed at the next lodge by a "Pachamanca"-style lunch (subject to availability) which is a traditional underground stone cooking. The Colpa Lodge is located overlooking the bay at the convergence of three rivers. In this lodge is an outdoor hot tub which has the striking views of lavishly productive green mountains and a modest, far away, local town. Dinner will be served at the lodge where guests will stay overnight. Hiking time is 3-4 hours and hiking level is from easy to moderate.
Day 5
COLLPAPAMPA to LUCMA LODGE at LUCMABAMBA (2,100m/6,900ft)
After an early breakfast, we will then proceed to Santa Teresa River Valley, through more inhabited rural areas with coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world!), bananas, 'granadillas', and orchards. We stop along the river for a refreshing picnic lunch. A private vehicle will arrive after another hour of trekking to take us to the start of the "Llactapata Inca Trail", a 30-minute drive. From the head of the trail, there is a short 30-minute climb to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We will have time to explore the small village of Lucmabamba and meet with members of the local community. Hiking time is 5-6 hours. Total excursion time for the day is 6-8 hours and the hiking level is from moderate to challenging, basically due to distance and not terrain.
Day 6
LUCMABAMBA to AGUAS CALIENTES (1,900 m/6,200 ft)
After an early, hearty breakfast, we'll tackle the last day of our trek. We climb uphill for 2-3 hours to Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900 ft), where we can stumble upon a distant but unique view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. An added attraction is the recently restored Llactapata Ruins. After this, we begin our final descent (2-3 hour) to the Aobamba River through rich bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short 30-minute, scenic ride away. Total hiking time is 4-9 hours and hiking level is from moderate to challenging. We will then check-in to our hotel in Aguas Calientes for the night.
Day 7
MACHU PICCHU (2,450m/8,000 ft)
We start the day by waking up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then head to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 minutes). We will be provided by a complete guided tour of Machu Picchu (2 hours). Guests will be given additional 4 hours for exploration of the site on their own (a lot of things to do and see). After this, we return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch and then to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train is headed to Ollantaytambo (1½ hours) where a private vehicle awaits us for a trip to Cusco (1½ hours). We will then take the guests to the hotel of their choice upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7-8 pm).
Please note last night hotel is not included in the trip price.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Daily Departures: Trips depart most days from March 1 - December 31
Prices (2022):
- Low Season - $2990 (March 1st – March 31st and November 1st – December 14th
- High Season - $3990 (April 1st – October 31st and December 15th – December 31st)
*Rates are per person for the 7-day/6-night lodge trek program, based on shared accommodations in a twin, double or triple room
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
- Requested Single Room: 50% supplement of the retail cost per person
- If a guest is a single willing to share, we will do our best to pair up the guest with another traveler of the same gender.
- In case ultimately no roommate is found then the guest would only be subject to a 25% supplement of the retail cost per person
TRIP RATE INCLUDES
- All services from pick up in Cusco on Day 1 to drop off in Cusco on Day 7.
- Transportation from hotel in Cusco to Soraypampa on Day 1 and from Ollantaytambo back to hotel on Day 7.
- 6 nights lodging (5 nights in MLP lodges and 1 night in Aguas Calientes in a 4-Star hotel)
- All meals except breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 7
- Service of a bilingual guide (Spanish/English) from Day 1 to Day 7. Tours are led in English.
- Transportation of personal belongings on the trek by pack horses/mules and/or porters
- Guided visit of Machu Picchu Sanctuary (includes entrance and transportation to the site)
- Traintransportation(HydroelectricStationtoAguas Calientes, and Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo)
- At the lodges we provide filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks free of charge. Alcoholic and sports drinks, and natural bottled water are not included. Only filtered water and tea are available free of charge at the Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel.
FAQ & More
What is the weight limit for luggage/clothing/equipment that each traveler can take on the trek?
Maximum weight that mules and porters can carry is 35lbs per guest, so this will be the weight limit. Pleaese note that "hard" luggage poses a problem so a soft duffel is recommended.
What should guests do with their remaining bags and clothing?
Any extra luggage can be stored at your pre-trek hotel in Cusco.
How is luggage transported from lodge to lodge? Is it with us at all times?
During the day your main bags will be with the porters and mules who travel ahead of the grpup so it is important that you pack your day bag wiyth everything you need for that days trek. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the lodge on your arrival.
What's the weather like?
On this trek you will experience all types of weather ondidtions and it is recommended that you pack for this. We recommend packig layers that can be added or removed as the temperature varies. The trek passes through 9 bio-zones between high atltitude alpine to high jungle.
Here is a rough guideline:
December - March - Cold and Rainy
April - June - Fair
July - August - Dry and Cold
September - November - Occassional Rain and Fair
How many guides will be with the group on the trek?
We have 1 guide for every 7 guests and an assitant guide included for groups 8 - 12. Inthe case of an emergency evacuation our cooks and porters know the area and trek very well so can act as assitant guides where required. All of our guides have a Wilderness First Aid Certificate.
What kind of emergency procedures are in place if a guest injures themselves in a way that disables them from continuing the trek (i.e. falls and breaks a leg)? What is the nearest hospital and how can they get there? Can the rest of the group continue
All of pur guides are trained to handle emergencies and all lodges have the ability and equipment to deal with basic medical issues. We also work with an emergency helicopter rescue service should this be required. In the event a guest needs to seek a greater level of medical help there are medical centers availble withing a day's ride.
All of our guides carry a first aid kit and portable oxygen.
What is the electrical current found at the lodges if a guest wants to use their own electrical appliances?
The Lodges operate on 220V. Most moderen electronics can work on this voltage but if your items are 110V you should bring an adaptor as the lodge has very few avaialble.
Where do we meet our group/guide? When and where will we be picked-up on Day 1?
There will be a pre trip briefing held the night before your trek at a central Cusco hotel. You will receive an invitation in your final pack outlining a precise time and location.
What is the terrain like? How challenging is it?
This trek is rated moderate to challenging. It covers 32 miles of uneven, rocky terrain. The most challenging will be Day 3 which has a 3,000ft elevation gain in just 3 miles taking you to an altitude of 15,000ft. WE recommend a good level of fitness and prior hiking experience for this trip. Please contact us if you have any questions of concerns.
Do I need Travel Insurance for this trip?
You must have evidence of medical insurance that covers you for treatment in Peru and for emergency evacuation or treatment. If you do not have this MLP will purchase this on your behalf at a rate of $8 per day and you will be invoiced. This coverage can be purchased through most travel insurance companies.