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
Meet in Cusco, Peru. 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: Mar 6 - 12, 2012 Mar 11 - 17, 2012 SOLD OUT Mar 12 - 18, 2012 Mar 17 - 23, 2012 SOLD OUT Mar 18 - 24, 2012 SOLD OUT Mar 19 - 25, 2012 Mar 24 - 30, 2012 Mar 25 - 31, 2012 Mar 31, 2012 - Apr 6, 2012 Apr 1 - 7, 2012 Apr 5 - 11, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 6 - 12, 2012 Apr 7 - 13, 2012 Apr 8 - 14, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 9 - 15, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 10 - 16, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 11 - 17, 2012 Apr 14 - 20, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 15 - 21, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 17 - 23, 2012 Apr 18 - 24, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 20 - 26, 2012 Apr 23 - 29, 2012 SOLD OUT Apr 27, 2012 - May 3, 2012 Apr 28, 2012 - May 4, 2012 SOLD OUT May 1 - 7, 2012 May 3 - 9, 2012 SOLD OUT May 4 - 10, 2012 SOLD OUT May 6 - 12, 2012 May 7 - 13, 2012 May 7 - 13, 2012 May 10 - 16, 2012 SOLD OUT May 12 - 18, 2012 May 13 - 19, 2012 May 14 - 20, 2012 SOLD OUT May 15 - 21, 2012 May 17 - 23, 2012 SOLD OUT May 18 - 24, 2012 SOLD OUT May 20 - 26, 2012 SOLD OUT May 21 - 27, 2012 May 24 - 30, 2012 SOLD OUT May 27, 2012 - Jun 2, 2012 SOLD OUT May 28, 2012 - Jun 3, 2012 SOLD OUT May 29, 2012 - Jun 4, 2012 SOLD OUT May 31, 2012 - Jun 6, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 1 - 7, 2012 Jun 6 - 12, 2012 Jun 7 - 13, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 9 - 15, 2012 Jun 10 - 16, 2012 Jun 11 - 17, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 13 - 19, 2012 Jun 15 - 21, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 17 - 23, 2012 Jun 21 - 27, 2012 Jun 24 - 30, 2012 Jun 24 - 30, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 25, 2012 - Jul 1, 2012 Jun 28, 2012 - Jul 4, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 - Jul 5, 2012 SOLD OUT Jun 30, 2012 - Jul 6, 2012 SOLD OUT Jul 1 - 7, 2012 Jul 2 - 8, 2012 Jul 4 - 10, 2012 Jul 6 - 12, 2012 Jul 10 - 16, 2012 Jul 12 - 18, 2012 Jul 15 - 21, 2012 Jul 16 - 22, 2012 Jul 20 - 26, 2012 Jul 21 - 27, 2012 SOLD OUT Jul 24 - 30, 2012 Jul 29, 2012 - Aug 4, 2012 SOLD OUT Jul 30, 2012 - Aug 5, 2012 SOLD OUT Aug 4 - 10, 2012 Aug 7 - 13, 2012 Aug 9 - 15, 2012 SOLD OUT Aug 17 - 23, 2012 Aug 18 - 24, 2012 Aug 21 - 27, 2012 Aug 22 - 28, 2012 Aug 23 - 29, 2012 Aug 26, 2012 - Sep 1, 2012 Aug 27, 2012 - Sep 2, 2012 Aug 29, 2012 - Sep 4, 2012 Aug 31, 2012 - Sep 6, 2012 Sep 1 - 7, 2012 SOLD OUT Sep 3 - 9, 2012 Sep 4 - 10, 2012 Sep 6 - 12, 2012 SOLD OUT Sep 9 - 15, 2012 SOLD OUT Sep 10 - 16, 2012 Sep 12 - 18, 2012 Sep 14 - 20, 2012 Sep 15 - 21, 2012 SOLD OUT Sep 20 - 26, 2012 Sep 23 - 29, 2012 Sep 24 - 30, 2012 Sep 26, 2012 - Oct 2, 2012 Sep 28, 2012 - Oct 4, 2012 Sep 29, 2012 - Oct 5, 2012 Sep 29, 2012 - Oct 5, 2012 Oct 4 - 10, 2012 SOLD OUT Oct 7 - 13, 2012 Oct 10 - 16, 2012 Oct 11 - 17, 2012 Oct 12 - 18, 2012 Oct 16 - 22, 2012 Oct 21 - 27, 2012 Oct 22 - 28, 2012 Oct 24 - 30, 2012 Oct 26, 2012 - Nov 1, 2012 Oct 27, 2012 - Nov 2, 2012 Oct 31, 2012 - Nov 6, 2012 Nov 2 - 8, 2012 Nov 4 - 10, 2012 SOLD OUT Nov 11 - 17, 2012 Nov 12 - 18, 2012 Nov 17 - 23, 2012 Nov 18 - 24, 2012 Nov 19 - 25, 2012 Nov 21 - 27, 2012 Nov 24 - 30, 2012 Nov 25, 2012 - Dec 1, 2012 Nov 30, 2012 - Dec 6, 2012 Dec 9 - 15, 2012 Dec 14 - 20, 2012 Dec 16 - 22, 2012 Dec 24 - 30, 2012 Dec 25 - 31, 2012 Dec 26, 2012 - Jan 1, 2013 Dec 27, 2012 - Jan 2, 2013 Dec 29, 2012 - Jan 4, 2013 Dec 30, 2012 - Jan 5, 2013 |
PRICING:
2012 PRICES
$2,390 per person (2-12 members) Apr 16 to Oct 31 & Dec 16 to Dec 31 (high season)
$2,990 per person (2-12 members)
Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations. |
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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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