Itinerary

Day 1 - Cusco, Meet & Greet
After an early breakfast, be picked up from your hotel at 7:00 am and vehicle towards the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort(SLAR) in Soraypampa. En route, 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, pass through the mountain village of Mollepata to stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to the Coronilla.

Here, after a short period of familiarization, begin the ride to Soraypampa. This is a good opportunity for guests to acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 3-4 hour ride on their first day. The SLAR 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, be shown to your room and have time to wash-up. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude, taking advantage of the outdoor jacuzzi or just walking in the beautiful surroundings. An evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner.

Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Soraypampa
Today, ride out for three hours in the surrounding area of Soraypampa to visit the Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers far above on the slopes of Humantay. A short walk of about thirty minutes is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth it and those brave enough can go for a swim. This activity is excellent for acclimatization.

Return to the lodge for lunch, after which the option to ride out again for around three hours in the surrounding area is available, or guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor jacuzzi. Spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide will brief the ride party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days.

Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 - Rio Blanco valley
Today, continue our ride (about five hours) towards Machu Picchu, riding up the Rio Blanco valley and circling Humantay opposite Salkantay. In the process, you will reach the highest part of the ride, a pass at 14,800 ft where you should be sure to keep your eyes open for Andean condors, common to the area. At the pass, stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above. Continue on from the pass to 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

Accommodations: Wayra Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 4 - Collpa Lodge
Continue downhill above the Salkantay River, descending into the cloud forest, through increasingly verdant scenery. Upon arrival at Collpa Lodge, be greeted with a Pachamanca (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking). This traditional meal is famous for its cooking method which consists of layering meat with hot stones and then covering the whole thing up to bake. After observing the uncovering of the Pachamanca, which consists of a variety of meats (chicken, lamb, beef, pork and guinea pig) and vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes and yucca) enjoy the savory meal! Collpa Lodge is located on an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor jacuzzi has almost panoramic views of lush green mountains. Spend the afternoon relaxing or walking in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodations: Collpa Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 5 - Llactapata Inca Trail
Today, head down the Santa Teresa river valley, through banana and passion fruit orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee grown here is said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world. Along the way, stop for a picnic lunch.

Afterwards, continue our ride (a total of around five hours) to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, where you will say goodbye to your magnificent horses. Enjoy a short thirty-minute walk through an avocado orchard which brings us to Lucma Lodge. Have time for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible meeting with members of the local community.

Accommodations: Lucma Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6 - Train to Aguas Calientes
Today, you can choose to take a bus transfer to the train station for the train ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) or those who wish to can hike this distance instead. "The guide will confirm guests’ preferences the night before."

*Optional hike: Leave the lodge around 9am and head uphill for around two hours towards Llactapata pass (8500 feet). After heading downhill for about ten minutes, come upon the recently restored Llactapata Ruins from where we also have a distant but very special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a perspective that few tourists get to enjoy. Walk another ten minutes or so to our lunch spot and enjoy a picnic lunch with the same view of Machu Picchu. Descend to the Vilcanota River through bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations (a descent of between two and three hours). Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu, is a short train ride away and we check into our hotel for dinner and a well-earned rest.

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 7 - Machu Picchu
Today is a very early start in order to make the thirty minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu and arrive before sunrise. Enjoy a private guided tour of the city, followed by several hours in which you are free to explore the ruins. Afterward return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch and then take the afternoon Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo (about an hour and a half), where you are transferred by car (about one hour) to Cusco for departure home or trip extension.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

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