DAY 0: EVENING BRIEFING IN
CUSCO (PM): Important information for a great
trekking experience!
DAY 1: CUSCO to SALKANTAY
LODGE & ADVENTURE RESORT at SORAYPAMPA (3,800 m/12,500 ft).
After an early breakfast, guests will be picked up starting at 7:00 am at their
hotel in Cusco by an MLP guide and vehicle in direction to the Salkantay Lodge &
Adventure Resort in Soraypampa. En route we will take a short break to visit the
Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. 1.5 hrs from Cusco). After
leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a
short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to a place called Marcoccasa
(30 minutes from Mollepata by vehicle).
Here, we will begin our trek to Soraypampa, on an old route
called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for guests to
acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 3-4 hour trek on their first day. (Optional:
guests who do not wish to trek may be transported to the lodge in the vehicle).
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 20,600 ft (6,270 m), the highest in the region.
After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, the 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 fireplace is followed by
aperitifs and dinner.
Note.- Lunch on DAY 1 is a gourmet box lunch.
DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA.
This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon guests’
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, guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor
jacuzzi. In the evening, the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary
for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken at the Lodge.
DAY 3: SORAYPAMPA to WAYRA
LODGE at HUAYRACCMACHAY (3,850m/12,600 ft).
This is the big day: the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early
start we will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from the
Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,500 m (14,800 ft). At the
pass we stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every
direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will keep our eyes out for
Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we continue our descent
toward the Wayra Lodge (“Wayra”: wind; ‘the place where the wind
lives’) our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is taken en route. Dinner and
overnight at the Lodge (hiking time: 4-6 hours; total excursion time for today 5 to 7
hours).
DAY 4: HUAYRACCMACHAY to
COLPA LODGE at COLLPAPAMPA (2,800m/9,200 ft).
Following the long first day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at
Huayraccmachay. We then begin our trek by hiking downhill above the Salkantay River,
through increasingly verdant scenery. Our arrival at the lodge encounters a
“Pachamanca”-style lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground stone
cooking). The Collpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three
rivers. The outdoor jacuzzi in this lodge has prominent views of lush green mountains and
a small far-away local town. Dinner and overnight at the lodge (hiking time: 3-4 hours).
DAY 5: COLLPAPAMPA to LUCMA
LODGE at LUCMABAMBA (2,100m/6,900 ft).
After an early breakfast we 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. We stop along the river
for a hot picnic lunch. A vehicle arrives to the lunch spot to pick us up for a short
drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”. From the head of the
trail it is a short climb (30 min.) to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We
arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible
meeting with members of the local community. (hiking time: 4-6 hours/total excursion time
for today: 5-7 hours).
Day 6: LUCMABAMBA to AGUAS
CALIENTES (1,900 m/6,200 ft).
After an early start and a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We
head uphill for two hours towards Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900 ft), where we come upon a
distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists
ever glimpse; an added value are the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored.
Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu Picchu. We then begin our final
descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee
plantations (2-3 hours descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short (30
minutes), scenic train ride away. (Total hiking time: 4-6 hours). We then arrive in
Aguas Calientes to check-in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Machu Picchu
(2,450m/8,000 ft) to Cusco
We wake up very early to have breakfast at the hotel
and then make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 min). A
complete guided tour of Machu Picchu will be provided. Guests will have about 4 to 6
hours to tour the ruins (there is a lot to do and see). Afterward, we will return by
bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and to go to the train station for the afternoon
departure. The train will arrive in Cusco and MLP will drop passengers at the hotel of
their choice.
