Mountain Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu

On arrival in Lima and after clearing customs, you’ll just walk across the road to the airport hotel for a transit night before continuing on to Cusco in the morning. If you want time to explore Lima, it is possible to add additional time before or after the trip.

Your day begins with an early morning flight to Cusco, high in the Andes (11,200’/3,400m), where you will be met and transferred to your local hotel. Over the next couple of days, you will have time to explore Cusco and acclimatize to the high altitude. The first afternoon is at your leisure to explore Cusco on your own. Your hotel is located in the heart of Cusco, just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, a great place to wander around and begin your cultural immersion. From here you can see many of the city’s historical sites. We recommend for acclimatization purposes that you don’t push yourself on your first day at this altitude. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water!

On your second day in Cusco, embark on a full-day city tour beginning with the Temple of the Sun at the famous Inca site of Korikancha, followed by the Plaza de Armas and its dramatic cathedral.

Next, depart by vehicle to visit the Inca sites of four extraordinary nearby ruins: Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. Cusco was the center of the Incan Empire and was built in the shape of a puma. The city itself is the puma’s body, and the enormous Sacsayhuaman ruins represent the head and teeth. The largest and most impressive of Sacsayhuaman’s original rocks are still in place, though only about 20% of the entire site remains today. Qenko, meaning zig-zag, consists of a large limestone rock covered with carvings with mysterious caves and alters below, and its zig-zag walls and channels are thought to have been used for ritual sacrifices. Puca Pucara, or red fort, is so named because it appears red when viewed in the right light. Tambo Machay, known locally as “El Bano del Inca” or the Incan bath, is a small site with beautiful ceremonial stone fountains and bathing pools.

Your trekking guide will meet with you in the evening to discuss plans for the beginning of the trek.

Depart by vehicle with your guide in the direction of the Salkantay Lodge in Soraypampa. After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. The first stop will be a visit to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site en route to the mountain village of Mollepata. Enjoy lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse in the village where you will also have the opportunity to learn about local agriculture and livestock. After lunch, a scenic ride on a winding mountain road takes you to Challacancha from where you will begin your hike to Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path).

Duration: 3 hours; Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate

Take an optional four-hour hike on the slopes above Salkantay Lodge to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay. An hour and a half later, your hard work will be rewarded with a first glimpse of the lake’s glistening turquoise waters and the Humantay Glacier looming overhead. Upon arrival, you will have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot, and participate in a traditional ceremony to honor “Pachamama” (Mother Earth). After your descent back to the lodge, the Salkantay staff will be waiting with a hot lunch. The afternoon will be spent at your leisure to relax, enjoy a massage, or soak in the outdoor hot tub for a spectacular view of the Salkantay Peak at sunset.

Duration: 4 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate

Head out early to begin your hike up the Rio Blanco valley and circle Humantay Peak, gradually making your way along expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders, remnants of the Rio Blanco Valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river. The last and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that lead you to the pass, the highest point on the trek (15,213’/ 4,636 m). The journey continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations often shrouded in fog, followed by a very welcoming hot picnic lunch. After lunch, you will have some time to rest before the final hike through the area’s bucolic countryside – its rolling hills will eventually lead you through marsh-like plateaus to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay.

Duration: 6 hours; Hiking Level: Challenging

Hike down the bank of the Salkantay River and observe the increasingly vibrant vegetation. Notice the colorful insects and blossoming flowers, characteristic of a subtropical climate. The warm air will begin to rise from the edge of the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids. Today you will see more local Andean people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences. Arrive at the Colpa Lodge and enjoy a Pachamanca meal, a traditional Peruvian meal consisting of layered meat and vegetables baked with hot stones in an oven. Following lunch, explore the surrounding open plateau, put your feet in the three nearby rivers, or soak up the panoramic mountain views from the outdoor jacuzzi. Walking the nearby orchid trail is also a great way to spend the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Duration: 3-4 hours; Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate

Hike along the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. After a hot picnic lunch by the river and some time to relax, the group will continue for one more hour before you are met by the transport vehicle for the short drive to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps that lead to Lucma Lodge. On the way to the lodge, you will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in the area that produces some of the best organic coffees in the world. You will also begin to notice another shift in the climate – in Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.

Duration: 5 1/2 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

On the last day of your trek, make the 2-3 hour hike through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. A lush tree line creates green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is nearby. Upon arrival at the Llactapata Pass, you will delight in an outstanding view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a rare angle seen by travelers. Then, wander through the recently restored Llactapata ruins, and have lunch at a spectacular viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Afterward, descend to the Aobamba River, leading you through bountiful orchards, dense bamboo forests, and breathtaking coffee plantations. Take pleasure in a short train ride to the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, where you will check into the hotel for a celebratory dinner with your group and guide.

Duration: 4-6 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

It’s a short bus ride from Machu Picchu town to the Machu Picchu sanctuary. As you enter the ‘sanctuary’ (as locals refer to it), prepare to be awed by the imposing, skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among others. After a two-hour guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own, including a hike up Huayna Picchu*, the iconic mountain that looms over the citadel, for dramatic views that stretch from the Urubamba River Valley to the edge of the Amazon Jungle. At some point, be sure to take a moment and sit quietly – listen to the wind, meditate, and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you. After the visit, you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before a scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours). As night falls and you arrive amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, you will be touched by a feeling of peace and rejuvenation that will linger long after your journey home.

*Option: Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu at the sanctuary site. Permits (which, are quite limited) must be purchased in advance, so please contact us as early as possible for information.

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, spend time exploring the city tour before catching your flight home. In the historic city center, you’ll find the dazzling 16th century Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), surrounded by beautiful architectural buildings including the Government Palace, the 17th-century Cathedral of Lima, and Archbishop’s Palace.

Depart Lima on a flight back to the U.S., or add on more time to extend your exploration of Peru.