Machu Picchu: 7-Day Lodge Trek

Machu Picchu: 7-Day Lodge Trek Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Bienvenido to Peru. Begin your adventure with an acclimization hike and stunning views of Salkantay.

  After an early breakfast, guests will be picked up starting at 7:00 a.m. at their hotel in Cusco by an MLP (Mountain Lodges of Peru) guide and transferred to the Salkantay Lodge in Soraypampa. En route we will take a break to visit the impressive 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 break before ascending a winding mountain road to Marcoccasa.
  
  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, while enjoying a beautiful 6 hour trek. The Salkantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley – Mt. Salkantay, is 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 MLP's friendly staff, guests will be shown to their rooms and have time to wash-up before tea and cookies. An evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner. Lunch and dinner included.
  
  Transfer by bus: 2hrs and 40 mins; Hiking: 6 hours (including picnic lunch on route). 8.5 miles.

• Day 2 Hike up to a glacier and take in the powerful scenery of Lake Humantay surrounded by mountains.

  Today we take an acclimatization hike on the slopes above the lodge to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay. The hike is optional, but the views are amazing, and those brave enough can even go for a dip. We return to the lodge for lunch, after which you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor Jacuzzi. Afternoon at leisure. We spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide briefs us on gear and the itinerary for the following day. All meals are served at the Lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 4 hours, 4 miles.

• Day 3 The most challenging part of the trek takes place today - Salkantay Pass. Hot showers, a hearty meal and warmth await you at the lodge.

  This is the big day! After an early start, we hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay Peak. The highest point on the trek is the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 m (15,213 ft). At the pass we stop to take in views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the glaciated 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 descend towards Wayra Lodge ("Wayra" means wind; so 'the place where the wind lives') our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is served en route; dinner and overnight at the Lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6 - 8 hours (including lunch), 8 miles.

• Day 4 Mostly downhill hiking today as you make your way through an Andean cloud forest.

  On this day we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. Then we continue our descent along the left bank of the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. We can feel the warm air rising from the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids. Upon arrival at Colpa Lodge we are greeted with a Pachamanca meal, a traditional festive Peruvian meal cooked by layering meat and vegetables with hot stones, and then covering the whole thing up to bake. Colpa Lodge is located on an open plateau at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor Jacuzzi has panoramic views of lush green mountains. We spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the nearby orchid trail. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 3 - 4 hours; 6 miles.

• Day 5 Butterflies and flowers become more prevalent on the way to the next lodge that was built in the midst of coffee and banana trees.

  Today we hike along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. We pass through banana, granadilla, and avocado orchards and coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world). A hot picnic lunch is served by the river. After lunch, we hike another hour before a private vehicle meets us for a short drive to the beginning of the "Llactapata Inca Trail" (45 minutes or so). From the head of the newly restored Inca trail we easily make our way to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 5 - 6 hours (including lunch); 10 miles. Bus transfer: 45 minutes.

• Day 6 From the Llactapata ruins, get your first views of Machu Picchu.

  After a hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974ft), where we come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers ever get a chance to admire. We take a short break to explore the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is served in a scenic viewpoint, looking out to Machu Picchu. We then begin our final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu, is a short, scenic train ride away. Upon arrival, we check into our lovely hotel for celebration dinner with our guide and one last briefing! All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 5 - 6 hours; 7 miles. Train: 1 hour.

• Day 7 Spend the morning exploring and discovering the mysteries of Machu Picchu's history and inhabitants.

  After a very early buffet breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu Sanctuary (30 min). Our trip leader will give the group an introductory two-hour guided tour of the ruins, after which we have the option of climbing the steep staircase of Huayna Picchu. This is a vertically challenging hike that takes about 2 hours and affords great views of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we meet up with our guide again and return by bus to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch and to catch our train. The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes about one and a half hours, and then a private vehicle will drive us back to Cusco (an additional hour and a half). Upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7 or 8 p.m.) we are dropped off at the hotel of your choice. Breakfast and lunch included. Accommodations in Cusco are not included—flights out of Cusco cannot be scheduled until Day 8.

Extend your visit to South America with an incredible excursion to the Peruvian Amazon or cruise to the Galapagos Islands! Please call or e-mail us for additional details and prices.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. You will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is 25% of the trip cost at time of sign-up. Should a roommate be available, the fee will be refunded. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

All services and transportation from pick up at your hotel in Cusco on Day 1 to drop off to your hotel in Cusco on Day 7; lodging; all meals except for breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 7; the services of a bilingual guide; transportation of personal belongings on the trek by packhorse/mules and/or porters; guided visit of Machu Picchu Sanctuary (includes entrance, transportation to and from the site and Huayna Picchu Permits); gratuities for service staff (MLP lodge staff, mule drivers and route chefs), excluding guides and Wi-Fi access at all lodges.

Air transportation to/from Cusco; hotels in Cusco; guide gratuities; Salkantay Park entrance fee ($60); excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as laundry fees, optional activities, immunizations or insurance of any kind (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip and can be purchased through REI Adventures).

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required at time of booking to secure space. Full payment is required 90 days before departure date.

Additional permits are 100% nonrefundable once requested and any additional services carry a 20% cancel penalty from sign-up and are nonrefundable 60 days prior to departure.

This trip is rated as Vigorous [4]. Trip members need to be strong, experienced hikers in good physical condition. Most days are spent at moderately high altitude (9,000-15,000’) and the trek includes a number of steep ascents and descents and exposed terrain. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we strongly encourage participants to begin a conditioning regimen at least three months prior to departure consisting of hiking, walking/running or cycling. If you live in an area conducive to hiking, try to get out on those hills if possible and work some elevation gain and loss into your regimen. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll enjoy all that this unforgettable adventure has to offer.

All four mountain lodges have been designed and built in accordance with traditional building techniques, Inca architectural & mythological concepts, and respect for the surrounding environment. The Salkantay Lodge has 12 private double, twin or triple rooms with private bathroom facilities; while the other lodges (Wayra, Colpa, Lucma) have 6 private double, twin or triple rooms, all with private facilities. Salkantay, Wayra, and Colpa lodges have an outdoor Jacuzzi. Every lodge guarantees an ample supply of hot water for showers; there are no bathtubs in any of the lodges. Saunas are also available at all lodges at no additional cost. Room heating ensures the temperature remains a comfortable 68° F.

The mountain lodges on this trip require that all participants have medical ($50,000) and emergency evacuation ($500,000) insurance valid in Peru. Short-term travel insurance (including evacuation) is available through REI Adventures and other travel insurance providers.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range from 55° - 75° F with Andean evenings cooling down into the 40s and 50s. Much of the itinerary takes place in the mountains where weather can change very quickly.  During the months of May-October, days are typically clear and pleasant, with afternoon clouds occasionally building and leading to small amounts of precipitation. While rainfall is more common during the months of December-April, all-day rain is unlikely.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• The maximum weight of your packed duffel bag should not exceed 22 lbs. to prevent overburdening the pack animals and porters. PeruRail (who operates the train to/from Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu) also imposes a baggage weight limit, allowing each passenger one duffel bag/suitcase weighing up to 22 pounds and one daypack weighing up to 11 pounds. An excess baggage surcharge of roughly $1 per pound will be levied against passengers who exceed the aforementioned weight limits. Since you will be returning to Cusco after the trek, all of your extra gear and clothing not required for trekking can be stored either in your hotel or at our travel partner's office (please plan to pack a smaller bag for this purpose if you anticipate leaving some gear in Cusco).
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.