7-Day Luxury Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Note: There is a briefing with the guide the evening before the trek.

This trek is with a group of 12 people maximum. Private departures may be available upon request.

Your guide and driver will pick you up early at your hotel in Cusco and head towards 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 a winding mountain road 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 acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 3-4 hour trek ontheir first day. (Optional: guests who do not wish to trek may be transported to the lodge in the vehicle). The Salkantay Lodge 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, 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 fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner.

Distance: Trailhead at Marcocasa to Soraypampa (Salkantay Lodge) is 5 mi/8 km (this is optional, as you can have a ride, if you wish)

Altitude: Soraypampa (Salkantay Lodge) is at 12,690ft/3,869mt. Highest point that day is the lodge.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort

This day is spent at the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort as a time for leisure, 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! Horseback riding is also available.

In the afternoon, guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for 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.

Distance: Rest day at Salkantay Lodge (optional hiking of 4 mi/6 km)

Altitude: Soraypampa (same lodge). Opportunity to hike to Humantay Lake at 13,845ft/4,221mt.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort

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 4,500 m (14,800 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": "the place where the wind lives") our destination for the evening.

Distance: To Huayraccmachay (Wayra Lodge) is 8 mi/13 km

Altitude: Huayraccmachay (Wayra Lodge) is at 12,812ft/3,906mt. Highest point that day is Salkantay Pass at 15,213ft/4,638mt.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Wayra Lodge

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. Our arrival at the 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 jacuzzi in this lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small far-away local town.

Distance: To Collpapampa (Colpa Lodge) is 6 mi/9 km

Altitude: Collpapampa (Colpa Lodge) is at 9,414ft/2,870mt. Highest point that day is the start at Wayra Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Colpa 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. A vehicle arrives to 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 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: 4-6 hours/total excursion time for day 5-7 hours)

Distance: To Lucmabamba (Lucma Lodge is 14 mi/22 km (of this, 4 mi/6 km is a vehicle ride)

Altitude: Lucmabamba (Lucma Lodge) is at 7,003ft/2,135mt. Highest point that day is the start at Colpa Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Lucma Lodge

After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for two hours towards Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900 ft), 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 hours descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short (30 minutes), scenic train ride away. (Total hiking time: 4-6 hours). We then arrive in Aguas Calientes to check-in to the hotel.

Distance: To Train Station is 4 mi/7 km (then train to Aguas Calientes)

Altitude: Agua Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel) is at 6,232ft/1,900mt.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luxury Accommodations: Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

We have an early breakfast at the hotel and then make our way to the shuttle bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 min). A complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided. There is an option to climb Huayna Picchu at 10:00 a.m.(included in trek price). You will have about 4 hours to tour the ruins.

Afterward, we will return by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train will arrive in Cusco and passengers will be dropped at their hotel.

Distance: At Machu Picchu (hiking around site)

Altitude: Machu Picchu is at 7,872ft/2,400mt.

You return to Cusco via train, and transfer to your hotel. Cusco is at 11,021ft/3,360mt.

Meals included: Breakfast