Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. 

Lima's breezy location on the Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants. 

Suggested activities include: 

• Explore the historic center of Lima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating Spanish architecture. Start with a scenic tour of the colonial downtown, which emanates from the main square. Stroll over to the 16th-century Cathedral, which took 80 years to construct and was built in the grandiose style of the Spanish Empire. 
  
  
• Visit the Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion granted by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains, in 1535. This is the only house from that era that still belongs to the same family. 
  
  
• Stroll around the Pueblo Libre district to the privately owned Larco Museum of pre-Columbian art, housed in a beautifully restored viceregal mansion built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum boasts a vast pre-Colonial collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of erotic art.
  
  
• In the evening, head to the eclectic "Love Park" in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, where you can admire a huge kissing statue and beautiful mosaic walls.  The park is built on the cliffs of Chorrillos and is a perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Pacific. 
  
  
• Enjoy a nightcap at an open-air cafe or restaurant in the diverse Miraflores neighborhood.

Day 2: Arrival in Cusco, Exploring the City

Head to the Lima airport for your transfer flight to Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement on the same location.    

Remember: you will be 11,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, so take it easy and remember to drink lots of water. Since Cusco was designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. Take a walk through the plaza — if the weather is beautiful, it's a perfect place to sit on a balcony and have a cup of coca tea while adjusting to the elevation. 

Suggested activities include: 

• Visit the Coricancha, also known as "The Temple of the Sun."  The temple was built by the Incan Emperor Pachacutec (1438 - 1572), and after the arrival of the Spaniards became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent.
  
  
• See the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the central Plaza de Armas and a repository for Cusco's colonial art. Its construction lasted for almost 100 years, beginning in 1560 and ending in 1654. 
  
  
• Walk to Sacsayhuamán and next-door Quenqo, both archaeological complexes used mostly for religious and agricultural rituals, located 2.5 miles (4 km) from the city of Cusco. Built by the Killke people, Sacsayhuamán is a marvel of ancient architecture, a monolithic fortress built from giant blocks of stone, the origins and assembly of which remain a mystery. 
  
  
• Discover the elaborate Puca Pucara ruins—an architectural complex of alleged military use with multiple plazas, baths, aqueducts, walls, and towers. It is believed that the entourage of the Incan emperor used it while he stayed at Tambomachay, the elaborate estate and baths nearby. 
  
  
• Explore San Blas, an old bohemian quarter famous for its picturesque white walls, blue doors, and creative artisan community. 
  Experience the legendary Mercado Central de San Pedro, a large and diverse market famous for its mouth-watering fruit juices, home-style meals, medicinal herb stalls, and rows of various meats, breads, vegetables, and other necessities. 
  
  
• Eat lunch at a local Peruvian restaurant and sample local flavors and cooking techniques—crackling pork, pickled vegetables, seasonal flavors, bread baked in earthen ovens, roasted vegetables, and sweet donuts make for a delicious and filling meal. 

Day 3: Cusco to Soraypampa

Your Andean adventure starts in Cusco, the former capital of the Incas. From here you will travel by car to the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo. You will stop off at the mountain village of Mollepata for a short break, before snaking up a winding mountain road to Marcoccasa, from where you will begin your hike.

The route follows the “Camino Real” (Royal Path), a picturesque path to Soraypampa, where you will slowly acclimatize to the high altitude. As you come round the path’s final corner, you will spot Salkantay Lodge, where you will spend your first night. Rising imposingly behind the building is the highest peak in the region, Mt. Salkantay (20,570 ft / 6270 m), considered to be among the most sacred mountains in Inca mythology.

• Level: Moderate to Challenging
• Time: 6 hours

Day 4: Trek up to Lake Humantay

Today you’ll further acclimatize to the altitude with a half-day hike to Lake Humantay. You’ll trek up the slopes that border the plateau behind the lodge and will be rewarded about an hour and a half later as you approach the spectacular turquoise waters of the lake, with Humantay glacier looming behind. You’ll spend some time soaking in the incredible views and enjoying the tranquility of this magical spot. Once you have trekked back down to the lodge, the staff will greet you with a hot lunch. You’ll spend the second half of the day at leisure; you can sit back and relax in the whirlpool tub, enjoy a relaxing massage or have a long nap to allow your legs to recover.

• Level: Moderate
• Time: 4 hours

Side Activities:

• Keen riders may want to opt for the Chakana Excursion that combines horseback riding and trekking to a nearby viewpoint with a large Inca cross (chakana). With a duration of about 5-6 hours, it replaces the hike to Lake Humantay.
• After your hike to the lake, you can embark on a two-hour horse ride around Soraypampa.

Day 5: Cross Salkantay Pass

This is the longest and toughest day of trekking, and arguably the most scenic. Hiking up the Rio Blanco Valley you’ll come across vast and impressive plateaus. You’ll be put to the test as you trek up to Salkantay Pass, the highest point you will pass today  (15,213 ft / 4636 m). You’ll be rewarded for your efforts as you descend through impressive scenery, with large boulders often seen enveloped in mist. After refueling with a hot picnic lunch, you will continue your descent through plateaus and verdant hills before reaching Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay. It’s located in a wonderfully remote spot, on a promontory looking out towards Mt. Humantay. 

• Level: Challenging, crossing a 15,213 ft (4638m) mountain pass
• Time: 6–8 hours

Side Activities:

• You may choose to horseback ride up to Salkantay pass for all or part of the journey.

Day 6: Descend into the Cloud Forest

The trek continues through lush verdant scenery along the banks of the Salkantay River. As you descend into the cloud forest, you will notice a substantial change in climate. Warm air rises from the fringes of the jungle, with colorful butterflies fluttering around native orchids. You’ll pass a number of simple houses where you’ll catch a glimpse into the lives of the local Andean people.

After an active morning of trekking, you will arrive at Colpa Lodge, where a Pachamanca lunch awaits: a traditional Peruvian dish of meat and vegetables cooked under hot stones. You’ll enjoy a leisurely afternoon; you can spend time basking in the sun or unwinding in the open-air whirlpool tub while you soak in the gorgeous panoramic views.

• Level: Easy to moderate.
• Time: 3–4 hours.

Side Activities:

• In the afternoon you can hop on a mountain bike and descend from Manchayhuaycco to Collpapampa, zooming through a beautiful valley where you will be able to observe the cloud forest’s diverse vegetation.

Day 7: Trek Through the Santa Teresa River Valley

A fun day of hiking awaits through the Santa Teresa Valley. You’ll cross a series of pretty fruit orchards and leap over small streams fed by glaciers. You’ll enjoy a hot picnic lunch on the banks of the river, and, following a one-hour post-prandial walk, you’ll take a short drive to the Llactapata Inca Trail to reach Lucma Lodge. As you trek up to the lodge, you will have the chance to stop off at an organic coffee plantation. You will notice another slight change in climate, as the hot air and humidity increase, signaling that you are approaching the Amazon Jungle.

• Level: Moderate to Challenging (because of distance, not terrain)
• Time: 5–6 hours

Side Activities:

• You can opt to replace the trek with a full day of ziplining in Santa Teresa.
• Keen bikers can opt to: a) Cycle from the Yanama pass to Hornopampa, and on to Lluskamayo. It involves an 8000 ft descent on a dirt track through breathtaking scenery. Duration: 5 hours. or b) Descend from Hornopampa to Lluskamayo. Duration: 3.5 hours.

Day 8: Explore the ruins of Llactapata

The trek takes you along a path with original Inca steps surrounded by lush vegetation. You will spend a little time exploring the ruins of Llactapata at the Llactapata Pass (8974 ft / 2736 m), from where you will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a southeast view of the “back” of the Machu Picchu ruins. As you descend towards the gushing Aobamba River you’ll pass through bamboo forests, coffee plantations, and fruit orchards, before reaching the Hidroelectrica train station. From here you’ll hop on the train for one hour to the town of Aguas Calientes, the jumping off point for the famed ruins of Machu Picchu. 

• Level: Moderate to Challenging
• Time: 4–6 hours

Day 9: Visit the famed ruins of Machu Picchu

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins at dawn with a short uphill bus ride along winding roads. You’ll reach the ruins in time to watch the sun rise over the iconic Sun Gate, bathing the site in gentle hues. As you wander around the Sanctuary you’ll learn about its intriguing history and imposing architecture. You’ll have the chance to hike up Huayna Picchu, a towering mountain offering dramatic views of the ruins and surrounding cloud forest.

In the afternoon you’ll head back to Cusco by train, traveling through the Sacred Valley, once the heart of the Inca Empire.

Day 10: Depart Peru

Today is your last day in Peru! You will be met at your hotel for a transfer to the airport, where you will connect to your departure flight. ¡Buen viaje!