Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

As Featured in Vogue USA's March 2011 Edition.

This exciting expedition takes guests on an ancient trail called the "Salcantay Route", going from lodge-to-lodge between four mountain lodges in the spectacular Cordillera Vilcabamba range. The route traverses through the magnificent Salcantay Valley passing many glorious peaks and through lush tropical vegetation en route to the legendary ruins at Machu Picchu.

Aracari completed the trek in May 2011 (days 3 to 8 of this itinerary), read the report and see the photos:
Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek - May 2011.

The Lodges

As well as being luxurious and well-appointed, these 4 premier mountain lodges are located excellently with panoramic views of the Andes mountains. They intertwine luxury and adventure very tastefully to create a comfortable trekking experience and a welcome rest after each day of hiking.

All 4 lodges have been designed and built incorporating traditional building techniques, Inca architectural concepts (and their interaction with the landscape), and respect for the environment.

The Base Lodge

The base lodge is called the Salcantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, located in the high Andean valley of Soraypampa at 3,800m above sea level. This is named after the peak of Salcantay, which at 20,600 ft (6,270 m) is the highest in the region.

In addition to high-quality "Andean Energetic Cuisine", which features guest-friendly regional organic cuisine, the Lodge offers an outdoor hot Jacuzzi, cozy reading rooms, a bar/lounge (with Pisco Sour classes and all!) and 12 well-appointed private double (or twin) rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers.

The Three Trekker's Lodges

Trekkers spend one night each at three Trekker's Lodges located at strategic points along the route: Huayraccmachay, Collpapampa and Lucmabamba. The lodges are named after these points respectively:

Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay (3,850m/12,600 ft)

Colpa Lodge at Collpapampa (2,800m/9,200 ft)

Lucma Lodge at Lucmabamba (2,100m/6,900 ft)

Although these 3 Trekker's Lodges are smaller in size (only 6 guest rooms per lodge), they offer largely the same amenities as the base lodge. Every lodge guarantees an ample supply of hot water for showers; there are no bathtubs in any of the lodges. Room heating ensures the temperature remains a comfortable 68° F (23° C). Wayra Lodge and Colpa Lodge also have an outdoor jacuzzi. Satellite telephones are located at each lodge and these work with phone cards that can be purchased onsite. Internet is also available at all lodges.

The itinerary

This itinerary features 5 to 6 days of moderate to rigorous hiking at altitudes anywhere between 6,600 and 15,000 feet (2,000 and 4,600m) on steep and rugged trails as well as a stretch of stone-paved Inca paths. The route passes through 12 different eco-zones, resulting in variable weather conditions.

Our programme factors in 2 days in Cusco and the Urubamba Valley prior to trekking. Not only are the sites in these two destinations “must-sees”, it is important to spend a few days to acclimatise to the high altitude before embarking on any trekking adventure, especially of this magnitude.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Day 1

Arrival Cusco

Half Day Tour of City and Nearby Ruins.

Overnight Second Home Cusco

Day 2

Cusco - Urubamba Valley

Full Day Visit to the Urubamba Valley including Pisac Town and Ollantaytambo, return to Cusco.

Evening trekking briefing in Cusco

At this friendly introduction, guests will meet and greet fellow trekkers and guides and will be issued with a detailed itinerary as well as an overview of the gear & equipment.

Overnight Second Home Cusco

Day 3

Cusco to Salcantay Lodge & Adventure Resort at Soraypampa (3,800 m/12,500 ft)

Guests will be picked up at around 7:00 am by their guide and make the approx. 3-hour drive from Cusco to begin the trek to the Salcantay Lodge & Adventure Resort in Soraypampa. En route guests will take a short trip to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. midway through the journey). After leaving Limatambo, guests will stop for a short coffee break at the mountain village of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain road for 30 minutes to Marcoccasa.

Here, the trek to Soraypampa begins on an old route called the "Camino Real" (Royal Path). This 4 hour trek is a good opportunity for guests to further acclimatise and enjoy a moderate & beautiful trek on the first day, although guests who do not wish to trek this stage may be transported to the lodge in a vehicle.

After a warm welcome by the lodge’s friendly staff, guests will be shown to their rooms and have time to freshen-up. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to continue adjustment to the altitude, and a box-lunch is provided. In the evening, a fireside briefing is followed by aperitifs and dinner.

Overnight at Salcantay Lodge & Adventure Resort

Day 4

Soraypampa

Guests start off by spending a day in the valley at the base of the mythological Salcantay peak (6271m 20,574 ft). Also visible is the peak of Humantay (5,917m/19,413ft). Depending on their level of acclimatisation, guests can choose simply to rest at the lodge or to make an excursion; a moderate to challenging half-day hike to a glacial lake (around 4 hrs) for instance - more adventurous trekkers might even take this opportunity for a very short swim! Another trip is to a native Queñuales forest, a species that grows at very high altitude. These treks are a good opportunity to accustomise oneself’ to walking at altitude.

In the evening, the party will be briefed on gear as well as the itinerary for the next four days.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided at the Lodge.

Overnight at Salcantay Lodge & Adventure Resort

Day 5

Soraypampa to Wayra Lodge at Huayraccmachay (3,850m/12,600 ft)

Hiking time: 4-6 hours.

Hiking level: Rigorous

Total excursion time: 5-7 hours.

On this day, the 4 day lodge-to-lodge trek begins with the most strenuous section. Trekkers will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak and passing APACHETA PASS (4,600m/15,906ft). Here there is a spectacular close up view of the snowy south face of the Salcantay Peak as well as the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction. The pass is named after the stone markers that are in place for trekkers to give an offering to “Pachamama” in hope of receiving good luck and good health on their trek. These Apachetas are common on high passes such as this one. As well as the imposing views of snow covered Salcantay, if guests are lucky they will even spot an Andean Condor, often visible in this area.

After descent from this pass, guests will enjoy a delightful hot gourmet picnic before heading to Wayra Lodge. This lodge is atop a cliff on the north face of Humantay peak (5,917m / 19,413ft) with views over the the Rio Salcantay which meanders back disappearing into the high rainforest. More adventurous travellers may want to take extra time to hike up to the high glacier nestled in the moraine of Humantay.

Dinner and overnight at Wayra Lodge.

Day 6

Huayraccmachay to Colpa Lodge at Collpapampa (2,800m/9,200 ft)

Hiking time (total excursion time): 3-4 hours.

Hiking level: easy to moderate.

This section of the trek is spectacular, with beautiful jungle-type vegetation and such wildlife as the rare spectacled bear. The convergence between the Salcantay, Chalan and Totora Rivers is a particularly spectacular visual point, these all flow into the Santa Teresa River. Collpapampa being the meeting point of the Choquequirao and Salcantay routes also means that there is a notable local population living here.

The nearby Colpa Lodge is well-situated in an open promontory at the confluence of the three rivers and with a commanding view of lush green mountains and a small local town located a distance away. On arrival, guests will be tempted with a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs, perfect for soothing any aching muscles and with excellent views.

Lunch at the lodge is “Pachamanca” (subject to availability). This is a special meat and potato dish which is buried in the earth amidst red-hot stones and slowly roasted, a tradition in the Andes since pre-Inca times.

Dinner and overnight at Colpa Lodge.

Day 7

Collpapampa to Lucma Lodge at Lucmabamba (2,100m/6,900 ft)

Hiking time: 5-6 hours.

Hiking level: moderate to rigorous (due to distance, not terrain).

Total excursion time: 6-8 hours.

The main highlight of trekking today is the chance to try some local produce at the town of “La Playa” (2,000m/6,562ft), which is surrounded by coffee plantations and orchards. This more densely populated rural region produces such delights as coffee beans, plump avocados and tropical fruits like the “granadilla”, a sweeter relative of the passion fruit. Sipping on a fresh cup of coffee (reputedly one of the best organic coffees in the world!), enjoying a soft and ripe avocado at the gourmet picnic lunch is a delicious experience.

After the picnic lunch beside the river, a little-used trekking route followed by a 30 minute vehicle transfer takes guests to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”. From here it is a 30 minute climb to Lucma Lodge, which is situated in an avocado orchard with a restored stretch of Inca Trail nearby, ripe for exploration. This lush tropical area is again teeming with produce; coffee, bananas, avocados and tropical fruits are all within the vicinity, while colourful parrots and parakeets can also be seen.

Guests arrive in good time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and perhaps even an encounter with members of the local community.

Dinner and overnight at Lucma Lodge.

Day 8

Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes (1,900 m/6,200 ft)

Hiking time (total excursion time): 4-6 hours.

Hiking level: moderate to rigorous.

The last day of the trek sees guests finally approach Machu Picchu. After 2-3 hours uphill trekking they can catch a privileged and spectacular first glimpse of the Inca ruin from Llactapata pass (2,700 m/8,900ft). This distant view, which is angled from the southwest towards the sun gate, is rarely ever seen by tourists. Lunch is at the observatory of the recently-restored ruins of Llactapata – some even suggest that this site was especially designed for Inca nobility to admire upon Machu Picchu from afar.

Trekkers will then begin the final 2-3 hour descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations. They will then take the train that runs from a local Hydroelectric power plant to Aguas Calientes.

Overnight at Inkaterra Machu Picchu

Day 9

Machu Picchu (2,450m/8,000 ft) to Cusco

An early breakfast is followed by the 30 minute uphill bus journey to Machu Picchu. After a guided tour of the world-famous archeological site, and some time to explore the ruins alone, guests will have lunch before returning to Ollantaytambo by train. From here, a private vehicle will complete the remaining 1½ hrs journey to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco (approximately 7-8pm) guests will be dropped off at their hotel.

Overnight at Second Home Cusco

Day 10

Depart Cusco

At the designated time, guests will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport, in order to catch their flight or ongoing connection. This is the perfect opportunity to explore more of Peru with Aracari.

This Andean adventure goes far beyond simply being great trekking with a daily retreat to comfortable lodges. It is a unique opportunity to experience ancient history; the majesty of Machu Picchu; contemporary manifestations of deep-founded Andean culture; an interesting and exotic variety of flora and fauna in twelve different biozones; varied high-rainforest and mountain terrain; innovative gastronomic surprises; the determination of local people to progress with environmental and social initiatives. As a group trek, travellers will also be able to make new friends with like-minded souls.

Trekking in Cusco Area:Tipon - Chawaytiri - Huchuy - Patakancha (1d) - Patakancha/Lares - Inca Trail (4d/3) - Inca Trail (1d) - Urubamba - Around Nevado Huallanay - Choquequirao - Salcantay - Ausangate - The lost city of Vilcabamba

Trekking in Huaraz Area:Olleros - Santa Cruz/Llanganuco - Huayhuash