Peru - Luxury Lodge Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Cusco. Private airport transfers are included.
We will be met at Cusco airport by our own private driver and transferred to our comfortable hotel accommodation. After checking in, we can stretch our legs and explore the delightfully charming and historic colonial centre of Cusco. The UNESCO World Heritage city of Cusco was founded as the capital of the Inca empire in the 13th century right up until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The architecture of the centre is fascinating with many of the cobbled streets and footings being of Inca origin. The Spanish soon built in their colonial style and the result was often of structures with a mish-mash of Inca lower-levels and colonial-era upper-levels. With an altitude of 3,399m, the next couple of days will be gentle to aid our acclimatisation. Our hotel is located near the central Plaza del Armas where we will be able to find a wide array of bars, restaurants and artisanal craft shops. In the evening, we can dine in one of the many excellent restaurants with views across the plaza.
(No meals)
Day 2: Acclimatisation day with a trip to the Sacred Valley for a paddle-board tour and yoga lesson or guided Cusco city tour.
Today is set aside to aid our gentle acclimatisation. We set off into the Sacred Valley where we will have a guided stand-up paddle-board lesson and tour on the beautiful, shimmering waters of Laguna Piuray. This small lagoon, with staggered Andean vistas in all directions, was once an important Inca water source. Afterwards, we will have a rejuvenating yoga lesson on the shore. For those who prefer a more gentle day, you can choose a guided city tour of Cusco instead. This includes a visit to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, strategically perched above Cusco. We will have a few hours to stroll across the beautiful colonial plazas and cobbled streets of the old city. In the evening, we will meet with our trek leader for a briefing on the adventure awaiting us.
(Breakfast)
Day 3: Transfer to Challacancha. Trek along the Camino Real to Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa (3869m).
After an early breakfast, we are picked up by our guide and private transport and transferred to the highland village of Mollepata. On the way, we stop off to explore the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site, a temple location where moon-worshipping ceremonies were held. We will have lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful estancia where we can also learn about rural life and farming. After lunch, we continue our journey winding up a mountain road until we reach Challacancha, the true road-head for the Salkantay Trek. We start the trek with an introductory walk to Salkantay Lodge (3869m) along the Camino Real (the Royal Path). The lodge, like the trek, is named after the mountain which dominates the valley with its shapely peak, standing at 6,270m. We settle into our luxurious surroundings before meeting out guide for a pre-dinner briefing and aperitif around the fire.
4-5 hours, distance: 13km, total ascent: 985m total descent: 470m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Acclimatise with a trek to Lago Humantay. Return to Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa. Optional horse-riding activity.
Today has been set aside for acclimatisation and we stretch our legs with a walk up the slopes behind our lodge. Less than two hours walk will bring us to the stunningly turquoise waters of Lago Humantay. Even by Andean standards, this is an incredibly photogenic vista of a lake and the looming glacier that feeds it. We will have time to have something to eat, absorb the atmosphere and even take part in a traditional ceremony to honour Pachamama (Mother Earth). For those feeling brave enough, an icy dip in the water is on the cards. We return to the lodge in time for a delicious lunch and can take advantage of the optional activities on offer, including a relaxing massage or perhaps taking to the hot-tub to watch the sun set.
4 hours, total distance: 6km, total ascent: 530m total descent 530m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Cross the Salkantay Pass (4638m). Descend to Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay (3906m).
After an early start, the ascent toward the Salkantay Pass begins. We will contour around Humantay Peak, gradually making our way along expansive plateaus dotted with vast boulders, remnants of a fast-flowing river that once flowed through this valley. The last and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that lead us up to the pass, the highest point on the trek (4,636m). We will be surrounded by snow-capped Andean peaks and the views are incredible. The trek continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations, often shrouded in fog. We pass through pastures and meadows, arriving into Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay, looking forwards to superb food and a soothing soak in the hot-tub before sinking into our comfortable beds.
7 hours, total distance: 14km, total ascent 900m total descent 870m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Descend down into the cloud forest and arrive at Colpa Lodge (2870m) and a traditional Pachamanca meal.
After a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge, we continue the on the trail, descending into the cloud forest, following the banks of the Rio Salkantay through increasingly verdant scenery. The warm air will begin to rise from the edge of the jungle, accompanied by dazzling butterflies and striking orchids. We will pass through remote Andean communities soon reaching Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The Colpa staff will greet us with a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked below ground with hot stones that create a natural oven. After lunch, we can spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun while we take in the panoramic views of the lush green mountains that surround us.
4 hours, total distance: 9km, total ascent: 155m, total descent: 1200m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Descend along the Santa Teresa River towards Lucmabamba. Transfer to Lucma Lodge (2135m) via a coffee plantation visit.
Today we will hike through 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, our group will continue for another hour or so before we are met by private transport for the short transfer to the foot of the Llactapata Inca Trail, where we will walk to our next accommodation at Lucma Lodge. On the way to the lodge, we will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in the area that produce some of the best organic coffees in the world. We will also begin to notice another shift in the climate; in Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that we are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
5 hours, total distance: 15km, total ascent: 800m, total descent 800m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Cross the Llactapata Pass (2736m) with views of Machu Picchu descending to the Rio Aobamba. Train to Aguas Calientes.
After breakfast, we start with a 2-3 hour climb through the cloud forest on a path of original Inca steps. We will reach the Llactapata Pass (2,736m), where we will be rewarded with our first glimpses of a distant Machu Picchu, a perspective few visitors get the chance to experience. After exploring the Inca fort at Llactapata, we can take a picnic lunch at a mountain lookout point with panoramic views. The final descent follows a trail, zigzagging down to the roaring Rio Aobamba whilst taking us through lush bamboo forests, fruit orchards and more coffee plantations. We cross the river and celebrate the end of the Salkantay Trek as we reach the Hidroelectrica train station. From here it is a scenic one hour train journey to Aguas Calientes, located on the banks of the Rio Urubamba, nestled far below Machu Picchu. We check into our beautifully appointed hotel and enjoy a celebratory meal with our guide.
5 hours, total distance: 13km, total ascent: 980m total descent 1300m
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Early morning guided-tour of Machu Picchu. Climb Huayna Picchu (subject to availability). Transfer to Cusco via rail and road.
Our final journey to the site of Machu Picchu begins with a steep, switch-backing bus ride. Lost to the jungle until 1911 when it was discovered by the Yale academic, Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu was recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. After a two-hour guided tour, we will have free time to explore on our own. Subject to limited ticket availability, we can climb up Huayna Picchu, the iconic peak that looms over the citadel. From here, we will be afforded dramatic views that stretch from the Urubamba Valley all the way to the edge of the Amazon. We will be able sit and take in the sheer majesty of one of the most famous archaeological wonders in the world. Following lunch in Aguas Calientes, we take the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo and then a private transfer to our hotel in Cusco (approximately 3 hours in total). The evening is at our leisure.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Departure day. Private airport transfers are included.
North Star Adventure’s services end after breakfast. Complementary private transfers to the airport are included.