Peru

Starting Price:	$3,605.00
Trip Length:	10 days

Trekking through Peru

Living Room at Salkantay Lodge

Lucma Lodge

Salkantay Trek: Lodge to Lodge and Cuzco

Description Pricing Itinerary

This is an adventure like no other: you will be able to hike from Cuzco to Machu Picchu staying in the comfort of a mountain lodge every night. Trek from 3,900m to 2,100m, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks like the Salkantay, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 9 different ecosystems from start to finish. Moreover, the chances for ethnic and cultural exchange are ever-present, with local natives who still remain closely attached to their heritage and are very willing to share it with open minds.

Prior to your trek, you will spend two days in the city of Cuzco (built, according to Inca legend, by Sapa Inca Pachacuti who transformed a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu) near the Sacred Valley. You will have the opportunity to discover the city at your leisure while acclimating to the altitude.

Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

Note: This trek is not as restricted as the Inca Trail, therefore a government permit will not be required.

Note: Salkantay Trek: Lodge to Lodge and Cuzco is only available on specific days of the month. Schedule departures subject to availability.

Departure Dates
2012
March: 11, 18, 24, 25, 30
April: 1, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 23, 25, 28,29
May: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 13,14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 29, 31
June:1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30
July: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21, 24, 26, 29, 30
August: 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 29
September: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29
October: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 31
November: 2, 4, 11, 18, 24, 25, 30
December: 2, 9, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31

Dates above are for first day of the trek.

Day 1

Flight from Lima to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure to acclimatize.

Day 2

City tour of Cuzco, visiting the Korikancha temple or Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral and its art museum and the artisans’ quarter of San Blas. We continue to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (Red Fortress), amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. Return to your hotel.

Day 3

Cuzco to Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort at Soraypampa (3,600 meters/11,800 feet above sea level).
After an early breakfast, guests will be picked up at 7 am at their hotel in Cuzco by a guide and vehicle, and transferred to the Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort (SLAR; about 3.5 hours’ drive). En route, we will take a short break to visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (1.5 hours from Cuzco). After leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa.

Optional: Guests can choose to trek from Mollepata to Soraypampa, on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for them to acclimate and enjoy a mild and beautiful 3-4 hour trek on their first day.

The SLAR takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley – the “Salkantay,” the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at 20,500 feet, the highest in the region. After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, the guests will be shown to their rooms and have time to wash up. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude. An evening briefing by the fire is followed by aperitifs and dinner.

Note: Lunch on day 3 is a gourmet box lunch.

Day 4

Soraypampa
This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon guests’ level of acclimatization. The most popular activity at Soraypampa is a half-day hike to a glacial lake where the more adventurous might take a very short swim! This activity is excellent for acclimatization and a first immersion into high-mountain trekking. In the afternoon, guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor Jacuzzi. In the evening, the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next 4 days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken at the Lodge.

Day 5

Soraypampa to Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay (3,900 meters/12,000 feet)
This is the big day: the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start, we will hike up the Rio Blanco Valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 meters (15,000 feet). At the pass, we stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will keep our eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass, we continue our descent toward the Wayra Lodge (“Wayra”: wind; “the place where the wind lives”), our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is taken en route. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge (hiking time: 4-6 hours; total excursion time for day: 5-7 hours).

Day 6

Huayraccmachay to Collpa Lodge at Collpapampa (2,800 meters/9,000 feet)
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. We arrive at the lodge for a “Pachamanca”-style lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking). The Collpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor Jacuzzi in this lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small far-away local town. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 7

Collpapampa to Lucma Lodge at Lucmabamba (2,100 meters/6,600 feet)
After an early breakfast, we head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world!), bananas and orchards. We stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. A vehicle arrives at the lunch spot to pick us up for a short drive to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail. From the head of the trail, it is a short climb (30 minutes) to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible meeting with members of the local community (hiking time: 4-6 hours; total excursion time for day: 5-7 hours).

Day 8

Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes (2,000 meters/6,600 feet)
After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for two hours toward Llactapata pass (2,600 meters/8,500 feet), where we come upon a distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse; an added value is the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. We then begin our final descent to the Vilcanota River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hour descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short, scenic train ride away (total hiking time: 4-6 hours). We then arrive in Aguas Calientes, where you will be greeted at the train station by a representative from your hotel to assist you with your bags. Check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9

Machu Picchu (716 meters/2,350 feet) to Cuzco
We wake up very early to have breakfast at the hotel and then make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 minutes). A complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided. Guests will have about 4 to 6 hours to tour the ruins (there is a lot to do and see). Afterward, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train will arrive in Cuzco before transfer to hotel. Overnight in Cuzco.

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins.

Day 10

Transfer to airport for flight back to Lima or choose from other optional side trips in Peru.

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3605	$3659	$3839	$4129
Single	$5255	$5355	$5709	$6299

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