Salkantay Lodge-to-lodge trek with Cuzco & Machu Picchu

Cuzco, Machu Picchu & 6-night Salkantay Trek
11 days / 10 nights
$3551 per person, double occupancy for 2011; $3708 per person, double occupancy for 2011
Includes domestic airfare in Peru, accommodations, tours, transportation, taxes and service charges where applicable, and meals as specified. Salkantay trek operates as a small group trek with set departure dates - call for dates.

Recently lauded by National Geographic Traveller Magazine as one of the Top 50 Active Tours of a Lifetime. All Lost World Adventures itineraries are privately guided, and may be modified to suit personal travel dates, interests and budgets.

Day 1: U.S. - Lima
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight accommodations at the new (opened June 2007) Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada Lima, with daily buffet breakfast included. Conveniently close to the airport, this four star hotel features 130 rooms, restaurant, bar, business center, wireless internet, spa, and beauty salon.

Day 2: Lima – Cuzco
Proceed on own to the Lima Airport (located across the street). Check in for your flight to Cuzco.

Airport reception in Cuzco and transfer to your hotel, the Posada del Inca Hotel or similar. Cuzco this morning (10,750 ft), the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America and capital of the Inca Empire. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Overnight accommodations at the centrally located Posada del Inca Hotel.

After settling in set off on a tour of Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins. Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, was the capital of the Inca Empire and is considered by many Quechua peoples to be the spiritual center of the world. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Visit the main square, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church, as well as a first introduction to Inca stonework at the ruins of Puka-Pukara, Qenqo, Tambo Machay, and the renowned fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco and the surrounding valley. (B)

Day 3: Pisac & Ollantaytambo
This morning, depart with your guide for a full-day excursion to the village and ruins of Pisac located 20 miles from Cuzco. After exploring the ruins you will visit a colorful Indian market where you'll be able to trade with locals for a variety of handicrafts, including woolen sweaters and ponchos. Lunch will be served in Urubamba, followed by a tour of the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B,L)

Day 4: Cuzco – Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa
You will be picked up at your Cuzco hotel by your trekking guide and transferred to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (about 3.5 hours' drive). On route short 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 and stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa.

Optional: You 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 to acclimate and enjoy a mild and beautiful 3-4 hour trek on your first day.

The Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort 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 (6,240 m), the highest in the region.

A gourmet box lunch will be included today.

After a warm welcome, 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. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Soraypampa
This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon your 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! In the afternoon, you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi. In the evening, your guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Soraypampa - Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay
This is the big day and the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early breakfast, hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass, stop to take in views of the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction. Andean condors are often visible in this area. From the pass, continue towards the Wayra Lodge (Wayra - 'the place where the wind lives'). A hot lunch is served en route. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (Hiking time - 4-6 hours). (B,L,D)

Day 7: Huayraccmachay - Collpa Lodge at Collpapampa
Following the long first day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Huayraccmachay. The trek starts with a downhill hike above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. Upon arrival at the lodge, a Pachamanca-style lunch (traditional underground stone cooking - subject to availability). The Collpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor Jacuzzi at the lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and a small far-away local town. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Collpapampa - Lucma Lodge at Lucmabamba
After an early breakfast, 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. Stop along the river for a hot picnic lunch. A vehicle arrives at the lunch spot for a short drive to the beginning of the "Llactapata Inca Trail". From the head of the trail there is a short climb (30 min.) to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. Arrival in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible meeting with members of the local community. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (Total hiking time - 4-6 hours) (B,L,D)

Day 9: Lucmabamba - Aguas Calientes
After an early breakfast, the last day of the trek begins heading uphill for two hours towards Llactapata pass (2,600 m/8,500 ft), to come upon a distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. You will make a special visit at the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. Then, begin the final descent to the Vilcanota River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hours descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short, scenic train ride away. Arrival in Aguas Calientes and check-in at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Total hiking time - 4-6 hours) (B,L,D)

Day 10: Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Overnight accommodations at the centrally-located Sonesta Posada del Inca Cuzco, breakfast buffet included. (B,L)

Day 11: Cuzco – Lima- INT'L DEPARTURE
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Cuzco Airport for your flight to Lima.

Upon arrival, proceed on your own to the international terminal. Pay departure tax and check in for flight. (B)

Contact us to book this tour or customize an itinerary of travel in Peru..