trip specifics

price

2013

Experience the very first trans-Andean lodge-to-lodge trek to one of the ancient world's most extraordinary sanctuaries: Machu Picchu. Book the Peru Mountain Lodge trek as a trek only or as a complete Peru travel package.

From Cusco, former capital of the Inca empire, follow a little-known route through the Vilcabamba range, a spellbinding region of misty foothills blanketed in lush greenery and high Andes peaks cloaked in white. Cross a mountain pass at nearly 15,000 feet, marvel at hidden ruins and visit isolated communities where traditions of pre-Columbian cultures still thrive. Experience the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, and four new trekking lodges, each offering a full bar, hot tub and views of snow-clad peaks or subtropical hillsides. Spend evenings unwinding by the fireplace, stargazing and enjoying a wealth of creature comforts.

Day 1 - Arrive Lima

Upon arrival at the Lima international airport, our local representative will transfer you to our quaint hotel in a Miraflores suburb.

Accommodations: Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Cusco

Transfer to the airport then fly from Lima to Cusco, 10,856 feet, center of the Inca Empire. Enjoy an afternoon guided orientation of Cusco's Spanish churches and ancient Inca sites, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic stone terraces. Meet at a centrally located Organic Restaurant "Greens" for a briefing. Stay overnight in Cusco Hotel.

Optional Additional Day - SACRED VALLEY 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 it's open air market. Return to Cusco, overnight. (B,L)

Accommodations: Casa Andina
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Cusco to Salkantay Lodge (11,800 ft)

After breakfast, the guests will be picked up at 8 am at their hotel in Cusco by an MLP guide and vehicle and transferred to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (SLAR) (about 3.5 hours' drive). En route, 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, pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where guests will have lunch before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa (11,800 feet).

The SLAR 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 20,500 ft, 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.

Optional trek: Guests have the option of choosing to trek from Mollepata 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 on their first day.

Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Hike to the Humantay Lake

Today take an acclimatization hike on the slopes above the lodge to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay. The hike is optional, but the views are amazing, and those brave enough can even go for a dip. We return to the lodge for lunch, after which you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor jacuzzi. Afternoon at leisure. Spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide briefs us on gear and the itinerary for the following day. All meals are served at the Lodge.

Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Crossing the Salkantay Pass

This is the big day! After an early start, hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay Peak. The highest point on the trek is the Salkantay Pass at 15,213 ft. At the pass, stop to take in views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above us. Keep your eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass, descend towards Wayra Lodge (“Wayra” means wind; so ‘the place where the wind lives’) our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is served en route; dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Accommodations: Wayra Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Descending into the Cloud Forest

On this day enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. Then continue the descent along the left bank of the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Feel the warm air rising from the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids. Upon arrival at Colpa Lodge we are greeted with a Pachamanca meal, a traditional festive Peruvian meal cooked by layering meat and vegetables with hot stones, and then covering the whole thing up to bake. Colpa Lodge is located on an open plateau at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor jacuzzi has panoramic views of lush green mountains. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the nearby orchid trail. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodations: Collpa Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Following the Santa Teresa River Valley

Today, hike along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. Pass through banana, granadilla, and avocado orchards and coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world). A hot picnic lunch is served by the river. After lunch, hike another hour before a private vehicle meets us for a short drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” (30 minutes or so). From the head of the newly restored Inca trail we easily make our way to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodations: Lucma Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - First Views of Machu Picchu from Llactapata Pass

After a hearty breakfast, tackle the last day of our trek. Head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass 8,974ft, to come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers ever get a chance to admire. Take a short break to explore the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is served in a scenic viewpoint, looking out to Machu Picchu. Then begin our final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu, is a short, scenic train ride away. Upon arrival, we check into our lovely hotel for celebration dinner with our guide and one last briefing!

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 9 - Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary

After a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary (30 min). Our trip leader will give the group an introductory two-hour guided tour of the ruins, after which the rest of the morning is yours to explore the site, there is a lot to do and see! Afterwards, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch and to meet our train. The ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes about one and a half hours, and then a private vehicle will drive us back to Cusco (an additional hour and a half ). Upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7 or 8 p.m.), we are dropped off at our hotel.

Optional Additional Day at Machu Picchu (call for pricing) Arise early and be among the first to experience this spectacular spiritual monument before the tourist train arrives. Take a hike to the Temple of the Moon, the Inca Drawbridge or Huaya Picchu, the steep sided mountain behind the ruins. Return by train to Cusco.

Accommodations: Casa Andina
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 10 - Cusco to Lima

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima catch your departing flight.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Itinerary Notes: Flights from Lima to Cusco not included. Call or click flights for a free quote.

Included: Accommodations & meals as outlined in itinerary, all services and transfers between pick up and drop off in Cusco, bilingual guide (Spanish/English), entrance fee into Machu Picchu and guided visit, wireless internet access, US $50 gratuities for service staff, excluding guides.

Exclusions: Airfare from US to Lima; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Peru; Salkantay entrance fee - $50 per person (may apply); domestic flights estimated at $500-$800 per person; optional activities; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature like alcoholic beverages, bottled water, massage/spa services, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

The INC (Instito Nacional de Cultura) of Peru charges US$50 per person entrance fee for all travelers hiking on the Salkantay Trail from Mollepata to Santa Teresa. This is a mandatory fee that will have to be paid by all travelers in the town of Mollepata in cash. There are no ATM’s in Mollepata where the fee must be paid, so guests must make sure to take money for the entrance fee with them from Cusco. Guides will remind guests of the Salkantay entrance fee then night before departure at the pre-trek meeting.

Room Configurations: Requested single accommodations are available for 1.5 times the double rate. Willing to share accommodations are available, however unmatched shares are subject to a supplement of 1.25 times the double rate.

Arrival & Departure: The Peru Mountain Lodge Trek begins and ends in Lima, Peru. Arrive any time on day one and be transferred to your hotel where you will be picked up at 7:00am the following morning to begin the trek. The trip ends in the morning on day 10 at the time of check out. Please schedule flights around these time frames.

If you're doing the trek-only portion, the trip begins on day 3 of the itinerary at 7:00am. A prior nights' stay at a hotel is required. The trip ends in the late afternoon on day 9 in Cusco. If not staying another night, plan flights for no earlier than 5:00pm. We can assist with hotel arrangements.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of 50% of your trip cost is required to confirm a reservation. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: Medical evacuation insurance is required on the Peru Mountain Lodge Trek. Also we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: The Peru Mountain Lodge Trek requires good physical conditioning. Travelers hike up to 6 miles each day with elevation gains over 15,000 feet. Note that Cusco is at an elevation of 11,000 feet.

Seasonal Pricing: High Season rates apply Apr 1-Oct 31 and Dec 15-31. Low Season rates apply Mar 1-31 and Nov 1-Dec 14.


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