Itinerary

DAY 1 :  LIMA

Arrive in Lima. Overnight in the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel or transfer to overnight at Hotel Casa Andina in Miraflores.

DAY 2 :  CUSCO
Morning transfer for one hour flight to Cusco and transfer to in to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [B]

    Note: Optional upgrade at extra cost to El Monasterio, a restored 400 year old former monastery.

DAY 3 :  SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Full day exploration with an expert guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit pottery or weaving workshops, markets, and Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Return to Cusco and overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [BL]

DAY 4 :  SORAY PAMPA, SALCANTAY LODGE
Pick up at 8 am in Cusco and drive 3.5 hours to the Salcantay Lodge our base for two nights (11,800). En route we visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi, a center for Inca rituals representing the finest masonry built with highly polished granite. We pass through the mountain village of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacular valley of Soray Pampa. The Salcantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley, the most sacred peak in Inca mythology and at 20,574, the highest in the region. After lunch enjoy this first afternoon at leisure to adjust to the altitude. You may choose to participate in any of the optional activities offered at the lodge. An evening briefing around the fire is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Overnight Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort at 3,600m/11,800 ft. [BLD]

Note: The Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort has 12 private double or twin rooms with private facilities. Each of the other trekkers' lodges along the route (Wayra, Collpa, and Lucma) have 6 private double rooms with private bath. See complete description of all the Machu Picchu Mountain Lodge Trek accommodations.

DAY 5 :  SORAY PAMPA
The high Andean valley of Soray Pampa is a spectacular place for a free day to rest or participate in a variety of activities. Walk around the meadow, photograph the unimpeded view of Mt. Salkantay and visit with local people, or head out with a local guide to fish a high glacial lake for rainbow trout, scramble up moraine to a spectacular viewpoint, or ask about horseback riding and mountain biking. A packed lunch is available for those choosing to venture out for the day. Prepare for the start of our trek at an evening briefing about the next four days. Overnight Salkantay Lodge and Resort. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  HUAYRAC MACHAY, HUAYRA LODGE
5-6 hours hiking, 5 miles,
11,800-12,000 feet with a 14,700 ft pass
Today we begin the four-day trek to Machu Picchu hiking up the Rio Blanco Valley approaching Humantay Peak across from Mt. Salcantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,470m (14,700ft) where we rest on the shores of Lake Salcantaycocha surrounded by views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabama Range in every direction. Descend toward Huayrac Lodge to soak in the Jacuzzi under the southern constellation. Overnight at Huayra Lodge at 3,650m/12,000 ft. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  COLPA PAMPA, COLPA LODGE
3-4 hours hiking, 12,000-9200 feet
After a leisurely breakfast we continue downhill into the Colpapampa Valley descending into lush Andean cloud forest teeming with orchids, giant hummingbirds and beautiful views of endless valleys and waterfalls before us. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the way. Colpa Lodge is located in a lovely pasture amidst lush vegetation. We arrive in time for an optional excursion to a nearby hot spring or visit the local Quechua Indian village who supply the lodge with fresh foods. Dinner and overnight at Colpa Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  LUCMA BAMBA LODGE
5-7 hours hiking, 7 miles, 9200-6900 feet
Trekking down the Santa Teresa river valley we begin passing through populated rural areas with orchards and coffee plantations as the terrain becomes subtropical and lush. We stop along the river for lunch from which point it is a short climb to Lucma Lodge, set in a tropical wooded enclave. We take some time in the afternoon to visit with native Quechua members of the local community. The glory of Lucma is its view of Machu Picchus legendary Watchmans Tower, seen today just as native Incas first saw it. Overnight Lucma Bamba Lodge at 2,000m/6,600 ft. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  INCA TRAIL AND LLACTAPATA RUINS COMPLEX
5-6 hours hiking/5 miles, 6900 8000 feet
Well fit and acclimated we arise early to tackle the last day of our trek heading uphill for 3-4 hours through lush cloud forest over the Pallayata Pass (2,600m/8,500ft). This is one of the most beautiful protected remnants of an Inca Trail trek that leads to the recently discovered and incredibly extensive Inca ruins complex of Llactapata. Thought to have been the primary residential complex for workers who built Machu Picchu, it is located just 4 km across a deep chasm with spectacular views of the citadel. We explore the site, including a sun temple, residential areas, and remnants still unexcavated just as Hiram Bingham stumbled upon them in 1912. We descend a winding trail to the Urubamba River through lush bamboo forests, crossing a long, hanging bridge under the gushing waterfall of the hydroelectric station where the trail opens up at the railway line. We hop the rail for a short ride up the tracks to the village of Aguas Calientes to check into our hotel. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel at 8,000'. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  MACHU PICCHU
Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Our guide will accompany us on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the morning to explore and photograph the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. You can hike up the precipitous stone stairs of towering Huayna Picchu peak to get a breathtaking view of the setting. Leisurely return on the afternoon train to Cusco, where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [BL]

DAY 11 :  RETURN TO LIMA
Transfer to Cusco airport for a morning flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in for day use at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Miraflores until your evening departure. [B]

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