Machu Picchu Lodge Trek (11 Day)

DAY 1:   LIMA
Lima Accommodations
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or to visit the city and surroundings sites. Overnight Lima.

DAY 2:   LIMA – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Morning departure for flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel. The morning is free to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft / 3309 m). In the afternoon, you will have a walking tour to visit the local markets of Cusco, the colonial Cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After we will depart for a tour of Cusco's temples and visit each distinct Inca sight – The fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital from attacks and the sacred water temple of Tambo Machay. Overnight Cusco. (B)

DAY 3:   CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Full day guided excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the picturesque town of Chincheros, next we continue down the Urubamba valley to reach the charming town of Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.). After lunch, visit Pisac and its open air market*; this is a great opportunity to get souvenirs. Our last stop will be the native weaving cooperative of Awanakancha that was set up to help insure that ancient Peruvian textile crafts are passed on to future generations. At Awankancha, you will also have the opportunity to see a variety of South American cameloids (Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas and Guanacos). Return to Cusco. Around 7 pm you will have an important Pre Trek orientation at a local restaurant with your Lodge Trek guide. Overnight Cusco. (B,L)
*Due to its popularity, there is a market at Pisac every day, with the largest market day being Sun, as well as Tue & Thu.

DAY 4:   CUSCO – SALKANTAY LODGE & ADVENTURE RESORT at SORAYPAMPA
Lodge Trek Accommodations
After breakfast, the guests will be picked up at 7 am at their hotel in Cusco by an MLP guide and vehicle and transferred (about 3.5 hours) to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (SLAR).  Along the way, we will take a break to visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. 1.5 hrs from Cusco).  After leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata.  We then ascend a winding mountain track to the beautiful valley of Soraypampa  and Salkantay Lodge (12,690 ft/3,869 m).  This region is dominated by Mt. Salkantay (20,600 ft / 6,270 m), which is the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology, and therefore a fitting name for the first lodge.  After checking in, your first afternoon is free to adjust to the altitude.  An evening briefing by the fire is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Relaxing soak in the outdoor jacuzzi also available. (B,L,D)

Optional Trek: 30 minutes from Mollepata, guests have the option of choosing to trek from Marcoccasa (11,979 ft/ 3,651 m) to Salkantay Lodge, along an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path).  This is a good opportunity for you to acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 5-6 hour trek on the first day, box lunch will be served (guests who do not wish to trek will be transported to the lodge in the vehicle).

DAY 5:   SALKANTAY LODGE & ADVENTURE RESORT at SORAYPAMPA
Lodge Trek Accommodations
This day is spent at leisure for rest or practice hike, depending upon guests’ level of acclimatization. We recommend guest do the organized half hike to a beautiful glacial lake, to get the feel of high altitude trekking, or do a scramble to a viewpoint to take in the panorama. The most popular activity at Soraypampa is a half-day hike (3-4 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging) to a glacial lake, Humantay Lake (13,845 ft/ 4,221 m). This activity is excellent for acclimatization and a first immersion into high-mountain trekking. In the afternoon, guests may choose enjoy a relaxing soak in the outdoor jacuzzi. In the evening the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken at the Lodge. (B,L,D)

Optional Horseback Riding Excursions:
1) Long Excursion: 5 – 6 hours ride to a nearby high view point, where a huge Inca cross has been placed (1 - 2 hrs riding on a steep hillside). This excursion will replace the hike to glacial lake. $90/person
2) Short Excursion: 2 hours ride around Soraypampa in the afternoon (after hike to glacial lake). $40/person

DAY 6:   SORAYPAMPA – WAYRA LODGE at HUAYRACCMACHAY
Lodge Trek Accommodations
This is the big day – the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start at we will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is the Salkantay pass (15,213 ft/4,638 m. At the pass we stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, with the south face of Salkantay towering above us. From the pass we continue our descent toward the Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay (12,812 ft/3,906 m), our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is taken en route. This is a great place to enjoy the night sky while relaxing in the jacuzzi. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge. Hiking time: 6-8 hours. Total excursion time for day: 7-9 hours. Hiking level: challenging with a 15,000ft mountain pass. (B,L,D)

DAY 7:   HUAYRACCMACHAY – COLLPA LODGE at COLLPAPAMPA
Lodge Trek Accommodations
Following the long first day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Huayraccmachay. We then begin our trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Cold snack en route. The Collpa Lodge (9,414 ft/2,870 m) is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. We arrive for a late lunch at the lodge and are treated to a traditional Pachamanca (a roasted pig that is cooked underground with hot stones). After a day of downhill walking, enjoy a soothing jacuzzi soak. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Hiking time: 3-4 hours. Hiking level: easy to moderate. (B,L,D)

DAY 8:   COLLPAPAMPA – LUCMA LODGE at LUCMABAMBA
Lodge Trek Accommodations
After an early breakfast we head down the Santa Teresa River Valley. We will pass through banana, granadilla, and avocado orchards and coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world). We stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. After another hour of trekking a private vehicle arrives to take us to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” (30- minute drive). From the head of the trail it is a short climb (30 min.) to the Lucma Lodge (7,003 ft/2,135 m/), set amidst small scale gourmet coffee plantations and avocado trees and our destination for the evening. This is our last night to enjoy the jacuzzi under a star filled Andean sky. Hiking time: 5-6 hours. Total excursion time for day: 6-8 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging, basically due to distance, not terrain. (B,L,D)

Optional Zipline Tour:   Guests have the option of going on an exclusive half-day excursion on an exciting and scenic Canopy Zipline Tour. This Canopy is Peru’s first, and South America’s highest. There are 8075ft (2500m) of cables in six sections. The longest ride or section is 129ft (400m) long, and the highest is 485ft (150m) high.
$95 Per Person (2 passenger minimum)
Note - Guests who choose to do the zip line would miss the Day 8 hike from Colpa Lodge to Lucma Lodge (which is along the Santa Teresa river). This optional activity includes transfer to the village of Santa Teresa, a 2 ½ hour guided canopy zip line tour, all necessary safety equipment and training, and lunch. At the end, the guests are driven to the start of the Llactapacta Trail for a 20-minute hike to Lucma Lodge.

DAY 9:   LUCMABAMBA – AGUAS CALIENTES
Lodge Trek Accommodations
Up early for our last day of trekking. We hike uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata pass (8,974 ft/2,736 m) and upon reaching the Llactapata ruins, our efforts are rewarded with a spectacular 180 degree view of the mountains, including our first glimpse of Machu Picchu to the southwest. We will have plenty of time to get great photos and enjoy the views from the Llactapata ruins. Not far from the ruins, lunch is provided in view of Machu Picchu. Our final steep descent leads us to the Vilcanota River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hours descent). If time permits, we will stop at the river for a quick rest before heading to the train station (near the Hydroelectric plant for a well deserved cold drink. From the Hydroelectric train station (5,809 ft/1,771 m) it is a short ride to Aguas Calientes (6,232 ft/1,900 m), a small town near the base of Machu Picchu. (Total hiking time: 4-6 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging). Arrive Aguas Calientes (4pm approx) and check-in to the beautiful Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel. Remainder of day is free to enjoy the hotel amenities and delicious included dinner. Overnight Aguas Calientes. (B,L,D)

DAY 10:  MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
After an early wake up and breakfast, we make our way to the bus station for the ride (30 min) up to the Machu Picchu ruins (7,872 ft/2,400 m). Our early arrival gives us plenty of time, before the guided ruins tour (2 hrs), to enjoy the serenity of these enigmatic ruins or climb the famous peak of Huayna Picchu* (8,921 ft/2,720 m), the iconic mountain seen behind the ruins. You will have an opportunity after the tour to explore the ruins complex without your guide at your leisure. At the appointed time, we will meet and return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and go to the train station for the afternoon Vistadome train return departure. You can arrange with the guide a later bus return to Aguas Calientes, if you would like to further explore the ruins. The train will arrive in Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs), from there we will transfer (1.5 hrs) to Cusco by private minibus to our hotel. Arrive 7-8 pm (approx.), overnight Cusco. (B,L)

*Climbing Huayna Picchu (permit required) – Only the first 400 people who purchase permits are allowed to climb the peak, per day (subject to change by park administration at any time). Two opportunities for 200 people (400 total) are offered per day (7am or 10 am).

DAY 11:  CUSCO – LIMA
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight (End of Services). Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco also can be arranged. (B)

Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Physical Requirements: Involves moderate to strenuous trekking/hiking at high elevations (above 10,000 ft.) and in varying temperature conditions. Good walking/aerobic fitness is required.

Note: Any physical activity at high altitude can be a challenge. It is the traveler's responsibility to best evaluate their physical ability to meet the stated Physical Requirements.