Compare Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge Trek by Adventure Unbound vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Cusco To Salkantay Lodge And Adventure Resort At Soraypampa (3,800m/12,500 Ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Salkantay Lodge

After having an early, sumptuous breakfast, guests will be picked up from their hotel  by a local, friendly guide and a vehicle starting 7:00 am to Soraypampa in which Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort also known as SLAR is located. A short refreshing break will be taken on the way to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo. This may take approximately 1.5 hours from Cusco. After leaving Limatambo, we will pass through the mountain village of Mollepata to stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to Marcoccasa which will take 30 minutes by vehicle.

Then, we will start our exciting journey to Soraypampa on an old route known as the "Royal Path", the Camino Real. This is a superb chance for the guests to familiarize and take in the pleasure of a mild and beautiful 4-hour trek on the first day of their adventure. The hiking level is just moderate and this is optional as well. Guests who do not wish to trek will be transported back to the lodge in a vehicle. The SLAR was named after the magnificent peak at the top of the valley - the "Salkantay" with its 20, 600 ft (6,270 m) peak is the highest in the region and is considered the second most revered peak in Inca mythology.

Guests will be welcomed by our gracious staff and will then be shown to their rooms to be given time to wash-up. Afternoon on the first day is spent at leisure for the guests to adapt to the altitude. After dinner, a charming briefing by the fireplace will take place in the evening. As a note,  the hotel the night before the trek is not included and lunch on this day is a box lunch.

Day 2: Soraypampa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Salkantay Lodge

Time is spent for relaxation and any activities depending on the guest's preference for this day. A half-day hike (3-4 hours) with a hiking level of moderate to challenging is the most popular activity. The hike leads to a glacial lake where the more audacious might take a very short swim! This is a great activity for adaptation and captivation into high-mountain trekking! Guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing dip in our outdoor jacuzzi in the afternoon. In the evening, the guide will give a briefing to the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are taken at the Lodge.

Day 3: Soraypampa To Wayra Lodge At Huayraccmachay (3,850m/12,600 Ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Wayra Lodge
Here comes the start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu! We will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay after an early start. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000 ft). At the pass, we will stop to take in scenes of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. We will also be watchful for any Andean Condor birds often visible in this area. We then begin our descent from the pass toward the Wayra Lodge (Wayra means wind; the place where the wind lives) which is our destination for the evening. A sizzling lunch is taken on the way. We'll have dinner and stay overnight at the Lodge. Hiking time is 4-6 hours. Total excursion time for the day is 5-7 hours and the hiking level is challenging with a 15,000 ft mountain pass.

Day 4: Huayraccmachay To Colpa Lodge At Collpapampa (2,800m/9,200 Ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Colpa Lodge

The next day, we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. We then start our journey downhill above the Salkantay River, through astonishing green sceneries and landscapes. We will be welcomed at the next lodge by a "Pachamanca"-style lunch (subject to availability) which is a traditional underground stone cooking. The Colpa Lodge is located overlooking the bay at the convergence of three rivers. In this lodge is an outdoor hot tub which has the striking views of lavishly productive green mountains and a modest, far away, local town. Dinner will be served at the lodge where guests will stay overnight. Hiking time is 3-4 hours and hiking level is from easy to moderate.

Day 5: Collpapampa To Lucma Lodge At Lucmabamba (2,100m/6,900ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Lucma Lodge

After an early breakfast, we will then proceed to Santa Teresa River Valley, through more inhabited rural areas with coffee plantations (said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world!), bananas, 'granadillas', and orchards. We stop along the river for a refreshing picnic lunch. A private vehicle will arrive after another hour of trekking to take us to the start of the "Llactapata Inca Trail", a 30-minute drive. From the head of the trail, there is a short 30-minute climb to the Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We will have time to explore the small village of Lucmabamba and meet with members of the local community. Hiking time is 5-6 hours. Total excursion time for the day is 6-8 hours and the hiking level is from moderate to challenging, basically due to distance and not terrain.

Day 6: Lucmabamba To Aguas Calientes (1,900 M/6,200 Ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: 4 star hotel in Aguas Calientes

After an early, hearty breakfast, we'll tackle the last day of our trek. We climb uphill for 2-3 hours to Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900 ft), where we can stumble upon a distant but unique view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. An added attraction is the recently restored Llactapata Ruins. After this, we begin our final descent (2-3 hour) to the Aobamba River through rich bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short 30-minute, scenic ride away. Total hiking time is 4-9 hours and hiking level is from moderate to challenging. We will then check-in to our hotel in Aguas Calientes for the night.

Day 7: Machu Picchu (2,450m/8,000 ft)

Meals Included : Breakfast and Lunch

We start the day by waking up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then head to the bus station for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 minutes). We will be provided by a complete guided tour of Machu Picchu (2 hours). Guests will be given additional 4 hours for exploration of the site on their own (a lot of things to do and see). After this, we return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch and then to the train station for the afternoon departure. The train is headed to Ollantaytambo (1½ hours) where a private vehicle awaits us for a trip to Cusco (1½ hours). We will then take the guests to the hotel of their choice upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7-8 pm).

Please note last night hotel is not included in the trip price.

Day 1: Where Architectural Legacies Remain

Originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), Lima has developed an important tourism industry. What stands out are the historic center, archaeological remains, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivities, and popular traditions. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. A large number of architectural legacies remain. Highlights include the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palacio de Torre Tagle.

Note that we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour only if you arrive before 4:00 pm.

Start point
Transportation will be arranged for you from the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru

Day 2: Vineyards, Exotic Drinks & a Buggy Ride on Huge Hills

We relocated from Lima to the city of Ica. There we are taken to two wineries. Peruvian wine dates back to the Spanish colonization of the region in the 16th century. After sampling some of the best wines and spirits Peru has to offer, we are taken to Huacachina. This village is built around a small oasis and is surrounded by sand dunes. We go dune bashing as well as sandboarding.

Day 3: Large-Scale Geoglyphs Seen From the Sky & Peru's Version of the Galapagos Islands

Before returning to Lima, we take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands and then check out the Nazca Lines. The Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the blue-footed booby. On the way to the islands, we see El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners. The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. There are several theories as to why people of those times made these lines. Hear all about these different theories as we take a flightseeing tour over this group of geoglyphs.

Day 4: Exploring the Once Capital of the Inca Empire

We relocated from Lima to the colonial city of Cusco. Peru’s urban showcase destination Cusco is known for its rich heritage with the Inca and Spaniards as well as the charming architecture both empires left behind. Even though Cusco is also known for its proximity to the Machu Picchu archeological site, the city is popular in its own right. We are provided with a guided tour.

Day 5: Stunning Archaeological Sites Spread Across a valley

We make a day trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived here from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then lived here from 900 until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish. Today remains of citadels and markets are found across this long valley.

Day 6: Multicolored Mountains Found Due to Melting Glaciers

We make a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (a.k.a. Vinicunca). Mass tourism came after 2015, attracted by the mountain’s series of stripes of various colors due to its mineralogical composition on the slopes and summits. The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted due to global warming. We go horseback riding at Rainbow Mountain.

Day 7: Salt Evaporation Ponds in Use Since Inca Times & the Train Ride You Have Been Awaiting

Before relocating to the village of Aguas Calientes, we visited salt mines called Maras as well as an archeological site called Moray. Maras is well known for its salt evaporation ponds. There are over 5,000 of them, which have been in use since Inca times. Moray consists of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) deep. As with many other Inca sites, Moray also has an irrigation system.

Day 8: Experiencing One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Before returning to Cusco, we are provided with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This 15th-century citadel is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Day 9: Two Architecturally Enticing Cities From Morning to Night

Before relocating to the colonial city of Arequipa, we have free time to explore Cusco further: whitewashed and narrow streets, a gorgeous main square, grandeur sites, and red-tiled roofs. Cusco is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s prettiest historic cities.

Day 10: One of the Nation's Top Three Destinations, Home to the Andean Condor

Today we make a day trip from Arequipa to the very scenic Colca Canyon. It is home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds, Andean geese, Chilean flamingos, mountain caracaras, rabbits, deer, foxes, and alpacas. The Colca Canyon is Peru’s third most popular tourist destination, and for good reason.

Day 11: A Provincial Capital Made of Volcanic Stone

Before returning to Lima, we are provided with a guided tour of Arequipa. This destination definitely does not feel so large, even though it is the second-largest city in the country. Arequipa is characterized by colonial-era churches and mansions. The historic center is small but charming nonetheless.

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima.

Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Lake Titicaca is worth 2 days, as is the Peruvian Amazon.

Endpoint
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru