A trans-Andean trek to Machu Picchu
Selected as one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine's Tours of a Lifetime for 2009!
Also featured in The New York Times in August 12, 2007!
A challenging high-altitude trek without camping! Our fabulous lodge-to-lodge trek follows a lightly-traveled trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, a spectacular mountain range in the heartland of the Andes that cradles the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Hiking from one lodge to the next, you'll encounter ever-changing dramatic landscapes, from luxuriant forests to brilliant blue lakes, from snowcapped peaks to icy glaciers, culminating in the never-to-be-forgotten vista of Machu Picchu, one of the awesome wonders of the Americas. You'll feel like royalty itself as you cap each exhilarating day with a delightful respite at a lovely mountain lodge, where well appointed rooms, Jacuzzi, fireplace, and first class international and Peruvian cuisine await your pleasure. (Talk about comfort and style-and hot showers at night!) We venture to say that this journey to Machu Picchu will be as stunning as Machu Picchu itself!
Want more time to explore Cuzco and acclimatize before your hit the trail? Check out our 10-day Machu Picchu Inn-to-Inn Trek!
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Activities
6 days moderate to strenuous hiking at medium elevation (max. 15,340')
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- A challenging high-altitude trek-but with the welcome creature comforts of mountain lodges at the end of every day
- Journey to Machu Picchu through the Cordillera Vilcabamba, whose glittering icy peaks feed the Amazon
- Views include spectacular Salkantay, the highest mountain in the Cordillera and most sacred in Inca mythology
Duration: 7 days Start Location: Cusco End Location: Cusco
Download Detailed ItineraryBRIEF Itinerary
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Day 1 : Salkantay Lodge, Soraypampa
Plan to arrive one or two days earlier in Cusco. There is an pre-trek briefing the evening before your trek departure.
Morning transfer to Mollepata, visiting the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo on the way. Hike to Salkantay Lodge (12,750') in the Soray Pampa valley
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Day 2 : Salkantay Lodge - hike to glacier lake
Today you have the choice to spend the day at leisure and rest, or to join us for a half day hike that takes us to a high glacial lake. In the afternoon there's time for a relaxing soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi. We’ll meet up again in the evening for a briefing on gear and the itinerary for the next four days of trekking. (3-4 hours optional hiking.)
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Day 3 : Soraypampa to Wayra Lodge
Begin the trek with a hike up the Río Blanco valley, circling Humantay (19,413') and crossing a pass at 15,340 feet. At the pass we stop briefly for views of icy peaks in every direction. Descend to Wayra Lodge (12,000').
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Day 4 : Huayraccmachay Lodge to Collpa Lodge, Collpapampa
Hike down to the Collpapampa Valley, where Collpa Lodge (10,300') is located in a lovely meadow overlooking the confluence of three rivers.
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Day 5 : Collpapampa to Lucma Lodge, Lucmabamba
Head down the Santa Teresa Rivervalley through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations. After lunch along the river, it's a short climb to Lucma Lodge (6,000'), set in a tropical wooded enclave. You'll arrive in time to explore the village and meet members of the local community.
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Day 6 : Lucma to Aguas Calientes
Hike toward Llactapata Pass (8,530' - great views of Machu Picchu from here!), then descend to the Urubamba River through lush bamboo forests and diverse mountain terrain. At the railway line, board the train and transfer to the village of Aguas Calientes, just below Machu Picchu.Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo, a luxury boutique hotel.
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Day 7 : Machu Picchu – Cusco
Morning tour of the magnificent sanctuary of Machu Picchu, with plenty of time to explore the ruins on your own. Afternoon train to Cusco.
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DATES: Best time to go: March - December Departures: May 24 - 30, 2013 SOLD OUT May 27, 2013 - Jun 2, 2013 SOLD OUT May 28, 2013 - Jun 3, 2013 SOLD OUT Jun 4 - 10, 2013 Jun 9 - 15, 2013 SOLD OUT Jun 11 - 17, 2013 Jun 15 - 21, 2013 Jun 18 - 24, 2013 Jun 19 - 25, 2013 Jun 20 - 26, 2013 Jun 27, 2013 - Jul 3, 2013 Jun 28, 2013 - Jul 4, 2013 Jul 1 - 7, 2013 SOLD OUT Jul 4 - 10, 2013 Jul 6 - 12, 2013 SOLD OUT Jul 9 - 15, 2013 Jul 11 - 17, 2013 Jul 19 - 25, 2013 Jul 22 - 28, 2013 SOLD OUT Jul 23 - 29, 2013 Jul 24 - 30, 2013 SOLD OUT Jul 25 - 31, 2013 Jul 26, 2013 - Aug 1, 2013 Jul 30, 2013 - Aug 5, 2013 Aug 1 - 7, 2013 Aug 2 - 8, 2013 Aug 4 - 10, 2013 Aug 14 - 20, 2013 Aug 20 - 26, 2013 Aug 21 - 27, 2013 Aug 22 - 28, 2013 Aug 23 - 29, 2013 Aug 24 - 30, 2013 SOLD OUT Aug 28, 2013 - Sep 3, 2013 Aug 30, 2013 - Sep 5, 2013 SOLD OUT Aug 31, 2013 - Sep 6, 2013 Sep 4 - 10, 2013 Sep 17 - 23, 2013 Sep 30, 2013 - Oct 6, 2013 Oct 18 - 24, 2013 Oct 22 - 28, 2013 Oct 23 - 29, 2013 Oct 24 - 30, 2013 Oct 25 - 31, 2013 Oct 27, 2013 - Nov 2, 2013 Oct 28, 2013 - Nov 3, 2013 Nov 22 - 28, 2013 Nov 25, 2013 - Dec 1, 2013 Nov 26, 2013 - Dec 2, 2013 Nov 27, 2013 - Dec 3, 2013 Nov 30, 2013 - Dec 6, 2013 Dec 1 - 7, 2013 Dec 8 - 14, 2013 Dec 9 - 15, 2013 Dec 14 - 20, 2013 Dec 15 - 21, 2013 Dec 16 - 22, 2013 Dec 20 - 26, 2013 Dec 22 - 28, 2013 Dec 23 - 29, 2013 Dec 24 - 30, 2013 Dec 26, 2013 - Jan 1, 2014 Dec 27, 2013 - Jan 2, 2014 Mar 8 - 14, 2014 Mar 9 - 15, 2014 Mar 10 - 16, 2014 Mar 15 - 21, 2014 Mar 16 - 22, 2014 Mar 17 - 23, 2014 Mar 21 - 27, 2014 Mar 22 - 28, 2014 Mar 23 - 29, 2014 Mar 27, 2014 - Apr 2, 2014 Mar 29, 2014 - Apr 4, 2014 Mar 30, 2014 - Apr 5, 2014 Mar 31, 2014 - Apr 6, 2014 Apr 1 - 7, 2014 Apr 2 - 8, 2014 Apr 5 - 11, 2014 Apr 6 - 12, 2014 Apr 7 - 13, 2014 Apr 8 - 14, 2014 Apr 10 - 16, 2014 Apr 11 - 17, 2014 Apr 12 - 18, 2014 Apr 13 - 19, 2014 Apr 15 - 21, 2014 Apr 16 - 22, 2014 Apr 18 - 24, 2014 Apr 19 - 25, 2014 Apr 20 - 26, 2014 Apr 22 - 28, 2014 Apr 24 - 30, 2014 Apr 26, 2014 - May 2, 2014 Apr 27, 2014 - May 3, 2014 May 2 - 8, 2014 May 3 - 9, 2014 May 6 - 12, 2014 May 9 - 15, 2014 May 11 - 17, 2014 May 12 - 18, 2014 May 16 - 22, 2014 May 17 - 23, 2014 May 18 - 24, 2014 May 20 - 26, 2014 May 21 - 27, 2014 May 24 - 30, 2014 May 25 - 31, 2014 May 29, 2014 - Jun 4, 2014 May 30, 2014 - Jun 5, 2014 May 31, 2014 - Jun 6, 2014 Jun 1 - 7, 2014 Jun 3 - 9, 2014 Jun 7 - 13, 2014 Jun 8 - 14, 2014 Jun 9 - 15, 2014 Jun 10 - 16, 2014 Jun 12 - 18, 2014 Jun 13 - 19, 2014 Jun 15 - 21, 2014 Jun 20 - 26, 2014 Jun 21 - 27, 2014 Jun 22 - 28, 2014 Jun 23 - 29, 2014 Jun 24 - 30, 2014 Jun 25, 2014 - Jul 1, 2014 Jun 26, 2014 - Jul 2, 2014 Jun 28, 2014 - Jul 4, 2014 Jun 29, 2014 - Jul 5, 2014 Jul 1 - 7, 2014 Jul 3 - 9, 2014 Jul 5 - 11, 2014 Jul 6 - 12, 2014 Jul 8 - 14, 2014 Jul 11 - 17, 2014 Jul 12 - 18, 2014 Jul 15 - 21, 2014 Jul 18 - 24, 2014 Jul 19 - 25, 2014 Jul 20 - 26, 2014 Jul 21 - 27, 2014 Jul 23 - 29, 2014 Jul 26, 2014 - Aug 1, 2014 Jul 27, 2014 - Aug 2, 2014 Jul 29, 2014 - Aug 4, 2014 Jul 30, 2014 - Aug 5, 2014 Jul 31, 2014 - Aug 6, 2014 Aug 2 - 8, 2014 Aug 3 - 9, 2014 Aug 5 - 11, 2014 Aug 6 - 12, 2014 Aug 12 - 18, 2014 Aug 16 - 22, 2014 Aug 18 - 24, 2014 Aug 19 - 25, 2014 Aug 20 - 26, 2014 Aug 22 - 28, 2014 Aug 23 - 29, 2014 Aug 24 - 30, 2014 Aug 27, 2014 - Sep 2, 2014 Aug 30, 2014 - Sep 5, 2014 Aug 31, 2014 - Sep 6, 2014 Sep 2 - 8, 2014 Sep 4 - 10, 2014 Sep 5 - 11, 2014 Sep 7 - 13, 2014 Sep 13 - 19, 2014 Sep 14 - 20, 2014 Sep 19 - 25, 2014 Sep 21 - 27, 2014 Sep 24 - 30, 2014 Sep 27, 2014 - Oct 3, 2014 Sep 28, 2014 - Oct 4, 2014 Sep 29, 2014 - Oct 5, 2014 Oct 2 - 8, 2014 Oct 4 - 10, 2014 Oct 10 - 16, 2014 Oct 11 - 17, 2014 Oct 12 - 18, 2014 Oct 13 - 19, 2014 Oct 18 - 24, 2014 Oct 19 - 25, 2014 Oct 21 - 27, 2014 Oct 22 - 28, 2014 Oct 25 - 31, 2014 Oct 26, 2014 - Nov 1, 2014 Oct 28, 2014 - Nov 3, 2014 Oct 31, 2014 - Nov 6, 2014 Nov 1 - 7, 2014 Nov 2 - 8, 2014 Nov 5 - 11, 2014 Nov 8 - 14, 2014 Nov 15 - 21, 2014 Nov 16 - 22, 2014 Nov 17 - 23, 2014 Nov 21 - 27, 2014 |
PRICING:
2013 PRICES
Apr 1 to Oct 31 & Dec 15 to Dec 31 (high season)
2014 PRICES
Apr 1 to Oct 31 & Dec 15 to Dec 31 (high season) |
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Salkantay Lodge
Nestled in the Andean valley of Soraypampa, at 12,500 feet, Salkantay Lodge is designed as a harmonious blend of nature and comfort. Enjoy excellent organic Peruvian cuisine, an outdoor Jacuzzi, and well-appointed rooms.
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Wayra Lodge
This charming lodge hovers on a secluded windy stretch of valley beneath Humantay mountain. The stone and thatch structure, in characteristic Andean style, houses comfortable, elegant quarters managed with care by the owners, a local family.
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Collpa Lodge
In an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers, Collpa Lodge sits in a cloud forest, with orchids and butterflies all around. The outdoor hot tub in this lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small, far-away, local town.
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Lucma Lodge
Built at the head of the Inca trail, this elegant lodge sits amid avocado and coffee orchards within the archeological reserve. The walls of windows in the sitting area and dining room open the space to the grandeur of the rainforest's natural surroundings.
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Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
A luxury boutique hotel just steps from the train, but a secluded natural paradise. Located in the small town of Aguas Calientes on the banks of the Urubamba River, the Pueblo Hotel was rated by Travel + Leisure readers as a top 500 hotel of the world in 2006. Rustic elegance distinguishes the private bungalows, each with its own fireplace, and the lush gardens are home to orchids, exotic birds and other flora and fauna.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
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