Luxury Trek to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Rediscover the Empire of the Incas on this physical, cultural, and spiritual journey that will take you through the magnificent Salkantay Valley on an ancient trail to the legendary ruins at Machu Picchu.

Traverse across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, viewing nature in its purest form, discovering more than 15 different ecosystems.

Share in the culture and customs of local Andean families who maintain age-old traditions. Best of all, you will travel from lodge to lodge along uncrowded trails in areas so remote that your only company may be a mighty condor.

This unique experience is fully-guided and assisted, so your only task is to follow in the footsteps of the Incas. Groups are small, with a maximum of 12 participants, with a highly experienced team of guides and mule trains to carry your luggage, so that you can enjoy each moment fully. This is a unique, once-in-a lifetime experience you will not want to miss.

• Day 1: Cuzco – Salkantay Lodge

  After an early breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco by a guide and vehicle in direction to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort in Soraypampa.
  
  En route we will take a short break to visit the 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 where we stop for a short coffee break before ascending to a place called Marcoccasa (30 minutes from Mollepata by vehicle).
  
  Here, we will begin our trek to Soraypampa, on an old route called the "Camino Real" (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for guests to acclimatise and enjoy a mild & beautiful 4 hour trek on their first day. (Hiking level: moderate). (Optional: guests who do not wish to trek may be transported to the lodge in the vehicle). 
  
  The Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley – the "Salkantay", the 2nd most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at 20,600 ft (6,270 m), the highest in the region.
  
  After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, you will be shown to your rooms. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude.
  
  An evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Hiking time: 4-6 hours. Total excursion time for day: 5-7 hours. Hiking level: challenging with a 15,000ft mountain pass. Overnight at Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort. (L,D)

• Day 2: Optional hike to glacier lake

  This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon guests’ level of acclimatisation.
  
  The most popular activity at Soraypampa is a half-day hike (3-4 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging) to a glacial lake where the more adventurous might take a very short swim!
  
  This activity is excellent for acclimatisation 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 four days. Distance walked (optional): 6 km (3 - 4 hours). Overnight at Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort. (B,L,D)

• Day 3: Salkantay Lodge – Wayra Lodge

  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 m (15,000 ft). 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. Hiking time: 5-6 hours. Total excursion time for day: 6-8 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging, basically due to distance, not terrain. Dinner and overnight at Wayra Lodge .  (B,L,D)

• Day 4: Wayra Lodge – Colpa Lodge

  Following the long first day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. We then begin our trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery.
  
  Our arrival at the next lodge encounters a “Pachamanca”-style lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking).
  
  The Colpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor hot tub in this lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small, far-away, local town. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Hiking time: 3-4 hours. Hiking level: easy to moderate. Overnight at Colpa Lodge. (B,L,D)

• Day 5: Colpa Lodge – Lucma Lodge

  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, ‘granadillas’, and orchards.
  
  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, 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: 5-6 hours. Total excursion time for day: 6-8 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging, basically due to distance, not terrain. Overnight at Lucuma Lodge. (B,L,D)

• Day 6: Lucma Lodge – Aguas Calientes

  After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900ft), 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 are 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 Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hour descent).
  
  Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short (30 minutes), scenic train ride away. Total hiking time: 4-6 hours. Hiking level: moderate to challenging. We then arrive in Aguas Calientes to check-in to our hotel for the night. Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. (B,L,D)

• Day 7:Machu Picchu – Cuzco

  We wake up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 min).
  
  A complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided (2 hours).
  
  Guests will have about 4 additional hours to explore the site on their own (there is a lot to do and see).
  
  Afterwards, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train takes us to Ollantaytambo (1½ hrs), where a private vehicle awaits to take us to Cusco (1 ½ hrs). Upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7-8pm) we will drop guests off at the hotel of their choice. (B,L)

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.