Machu Picchu Lodge Trek – 11 day

Machu Picchu Lodge Trek – 11 day Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Lima, Peru. Your exact air itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department. A group transfer from the Lima airport to our hotel will be arranged for trip participants arriving this evening.  All meals on your own.

• Day 2

  An early wake-up call in preparation for the transfer back to the airport for our flight to Cusco (11,150’). Upon arrival in Cusco, we’ll be met by our local guide and taken to our centrally located hotel where a brief orientation meeting will be held. We have most of the morning at leisure to relax and acclimatize before setting out on a guided tour of this lovely city, the historic heart of the Incan civilization. Our afternoon exploration takes us to many of the city’s most notable sights including the bustling Plaza de Armas (main square) and neighboring cathedral; the Santo Domingo Church, built atop the stone ruins of the once magnificent Inca temple Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), and the imposing remains of the monolithic Sacsayhuaman fortress, offering bird’s-eye views of the entire red-roofed city far below.  Breakfast included.

• Day 3

  After breakfast, we begin our 3½-hour drive to the Salkantay Lodge, the picturesque starting point of our Andean trek. En route we stop to visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo and have lunch in the small village of Mollepata. The final leg of our drive ascends a winding mountain road to the spectacular valley of Soraypampa, crowned by majestic Salkantay (20,500’), a sacred peak in Inca mythology and the highest in this region of the Andes. After checking into the lodge in mid-afternoon, we’ll have the remainder of the day to take a short warm-up hike or just kick back and enjoy the fabulous views. A welcome briefing will take place this evening followed by dinner. Lodge elevation is 11,800’. All meals included.

• Day 4

  We’ll spend today in the vicinity of the Salkantay Lodge taking advantage of various optional activities as desired and continuing to acclimatize before our trekking adventure begins in earnest. We can pack a lunch and hike along local trails gaining a greater appreciation for this valley’s rugged beauty, fish for rainbow trout in a high glacial lake or scramble to a nearby viewpoint for panoramic views of Soraypampa. This evening, our guide will conduct a pre-trek briefing and review the itinerary for the next four days. Overnight again at the Salkantay Lodge.  All meals included.

• Day 5

  Having spent the last three days at altitude, we’re at last acclimatized and ready to begin our trek to Machu Picchu! We’ll set out early in the cool mountain air carrying only our daypacks and hike through the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay. We’ll reach the highest point of our trip today (15,000 ft) as we hike up a series of switchbacks over a pass that offers outstanding views of the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction. With the south face of Salkantay towering above us, we’ll keep our eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we continue our descent toward the Wayra Lodge (Wayra translates to “The place where the wind lives”), our destination for the evening. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Hiking: 4-6 hours. Lodge elevation is 12,000’.  All meals included.

• Day 6

  Following our big day yesterday, we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge and have the morning free for exploration. Early this afternoon we’ll begin hiking downhill above the Salkantay River and notice the scenery becoming increasingly more verdant as we lose altitude. Our next lodge is located at 10,300’ on a 1,000-foot promontory above the confluence of three fast-flowing rivers. Trip members interested in extending today’s hike can opt to continue on to a secluded natural hot springs for a refreshing late-afternoon soak. Dinner and overnight at the Colpa Lodge. Hiking: 3-4 hours (not including hike to hot springs). Lodge elevation is 10,300’.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  Today’s trek through the rural Santa Teresa River Valley takes us downhill past vast coffee plantations and orchards. After a riverside lunch, it’s a short climb to the Lucma Lodge, set in a lovely avocado orchard. We’ll have an opportunity this afternoon to spend time in the village of Lucmabamba and meet with members of the local community, gaining insight into the lifestyle of these modern day Andean inhabitants. Hiking: 4-6 hours. Lodge elevation is 6,600’.  All meals included.

• Day 8

  A hearty breakfast fuels us up for the last day of our trek and the initial two-hour climb towards Llactapata pass (8,500’). Shortly after cresting the pass and beginning our descent, we’ll be treated to our first distant glimpse of Machu Picchu. As few tourists approach the ruins from this direction, our particular view is a unique treat. The final descent along the trail leading to the Urubamba River passes through more orchards and lush bamboo forests. Our hike today is timed to reach the river with ample time to spare before the train arrives that will transport us to the village of Aguas Calientes, located a short distance from the ruins. We’ll spend the next two nights at the delightful Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, a perfect base from which to explore the wonders of this magnificent site!  Hiking: 4-6 hours. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 9

  A full day at Machu Picchu affords us the luxury of exploring at a leisurely pace while learning more about the Inca culture and the latest theories behind the construction of this marvelous complex. We have an early breakfast and head up to the ruins by shuttle bus before the morning tourist train arrives in order to fully enjoy the peace and solitude of this mystical place. Our knowledgeable guide leads us on a fascinating tour, recapping Machu Picchu’s rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and explaining the significance of the various structures that cover the grounds. We have the afternoon to indulge ourselves with a hike to the dramatic viewpoint of Intipunku (the Sun’s Gateway), or a variety of other intriguing possibilities including an easy walk to an ancient Inca drawbridge or more vigorous hike to the Temple of the Moon (inside a cavern on the north face of iconic Huayna Picchu, the peak that looms above the ruins) or an ascent up Huayna Picchu itself. Of course, we can also choose to independently continue our exploration of the main site and daydream about what life must have been like here centuries ago. We return to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes again tonight.  Breakfast and dinner included.

• Day 10

  We have another opportunity today to return to Machu Picchu during the early hours, taking advantage of the soft morning light for dramatic photography, or using the additional time to complete another scenic hike. After lunch, we make our way down to Aguas Calientes and board the train back to Cusco, arriving in early evening. Overnight in Cusco.  Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 11

  After breakfast, we head to the airport for our morning flight to Lima.  Depending on connecting flight schedules, trip members may transfer downtown independently by taxi for some additional exploration or choose to remain at the Lima airport for the departure of their homeward-bound flights. Breakfast included.

• 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 listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

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. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Accommodations in hotels and mountain lodges as noted on itinerary; meals as noted on the daily itinerary; bilingual local guides; full baggage support/transfer while trekking (you carry only your daypack); all ground transportation within Peru as noted including transfer from Cusco to the Salkantay Lodge, airport transfers for those individuals traveling on group flights and rail tickets to/from Machu Picchu; all sightseeing excursions as noted.

Air transportation to/from Lima and Cusco; meals not noted on itinerary; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; airport taxes and items of a personal nature such as laundry fees, immunizations or insurance of any kind.

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 (7,000-15,000’) and the trek includes a number of steep ascents and descents. 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 and/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 training regimen. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll enjoy all that this unforgettable adventure has to offer.

Average daytime temperatures in and around Cusco generally range from 55° - 75° F with evenings cooling down into the 40s and 50s. Much of this itinerary takes place in the mountains where weather can change very quickly and evening temperatures regularly drop into the 30s and 40s. As our treks are planned during the “dry season”, days are typically clear and pleasant, with afternoon clouds occasionally building and leading to small amounts of precipitation.  All-day rainfall, while possible, is unusual at this time of year.

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 within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, 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.

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