On arrival in Lima and after clearing customs, you’ll just walk across the road to the airport hotel for a transit night before continuing on to Cusco in the morning. If you want time to explore Lima, it is possible to add additional time before or after the trip.

Your day begins with an early morning flight to Cusco, high in the Andes (11,200’/3,400m), where you will be met and transferred to your local hotel. Over the next couple of days, you will have time to explore Cusco and acclimatize to the high altitude. The first afternoon is at your leisure to explore Cusco on your own.  You can explore the Plaza de Armas, a great place to wander around and begin your cultural immersion. From here, you can see many of the city’s historical sites. We recommend, for acclimatization purposes, that you don’t push yourself on your first day at this altitude. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water!

On your second day in Cusco, embark on a full-day city tour beginning with the Temple of the Sun at the famous Inca site of Korikancha, followed by the Plaza de Armas and its dramatic cathedral.

Next, depart by vehicle to visit the Inca sites of four extraordinary nearby ruins: Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. Cusco was the center of the Incan Empire and was built in the shape of a puma. The city itself is the puma’s body, and the enormous Sacsayhuaman ruins represent the head and teeth. The largest and most impressive of Sacsayhuaman’s original rocks are still in place, though only about 20% of the entire site remains today. Qenko, meaning zig-zag, consists of a large limestone rock covered with carvings with mysterious caves and alters below, and its zig-zag walls and channels are thought to have been used for ritual sacrifices. Puca Pucara, or red fort, is so named because it appears red when viewed in the right light. Tambo Machay, known locally as “El Bano del Inca” or the Incan bath, is a small site with beautiful ceremonial stone fountains and bathing pools.

Your trekking guide will meet with you in the evening to discuss plans for the beginning of the trek.

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu goes beyond deluxe lodges and a great trek. It is also a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Andean culture as you learn about the Inca civilization and the extraordinary legacy that they left for generations to come.

Depart by vehicle with your guide in the direction of the Salkantay Lodge in Soraypampa. After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. The first stop will be a visit to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site en route to the mountain village of Mollepata. Enjoy lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse in the village where you will also have the opportunity to learn about local agriculture and livestock. After lunch, a scenic ride on a winding mountain road takes you to Challacancha from where you will begin your hike to Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path).

Duration: 3 hours; Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate

After breakfast, you begin an ascent up the slopes that border the plateau behind Salkantay Lodge. An hour and a half later, your hard work will be rewarded with a first glimpse of the lake’s glistening turquoise waters and the Humantay glacier looming overhead. Upon arrival, you will have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot, and participate in a traditional ceremony to honor “la Pachamama” (Mother Earth). After your descent back to the lodge, the Salkantay staff will be waiting with a hot lunch. Afternoon at leisure to relax, enjoy a massage, or soak in the outdoor hot tub for a spectacular view of the Salkantay Peak at sunset.

Duration: 4 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate

*Note: While the morning hike to Lake Humantay is optional, we strongly recommend your participation in preparation for the strenuous hike on Day 3.

Optional Activity: Chakana excursion (subject to additional cost): Horseback/hiking combo up the steep hills adjacent the lodge. The destination—a dramatic lookout point over the Salkantay River Valley marked by an oversized Inca Chakana (cross). This excursion will replace the hike to the glacier lake. Duration: Approximately 5 hours (1.5 — 2 hours on horseback) Horseback riding (subject to additional cost): After lunch, spend a leisurely afternoon exploring Soraypampa on horseback. Duration: Approximately 2 hours.

After an early start, the ascent toward the Salkantay Pass begins. You will circle Humantay Peak, gradually making your way along expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders, remnants of the Rio Blanco Valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river. The last and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that lead you to the pass, the highest point on the trek (15,213’ / 4,636m). The journey continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations often shrouded in fog. After lunch, you will have some time to rest before the final hike through the area’s bucolic countryside; its rolling hills will eventually lead you through marsh-like plateaus to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay.

Duration: 6 hours; Hiking Level: Challenging

After a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge, you will continue the descent toward the cloud forest along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. The warm air will begin to rise from the edge of the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids. Today you will see more local Andean people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences. At approximately midday, you will arrive at Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The Colpa staff will greet you with a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked below ground with hot stones that create a natural oven. After lunch, spend the afternoon lounging in the sun or relaxing in the outdoor hot tub while you take in the panoramic views of the lush green mountains that surround you.

Duration: 3-4 hours; Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate

Today you will hike through the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. Rest alongside the river for a trail mix, then continue hiking for one more hour before you are met by an MLP transport vehicle for the short drive to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps that lead to Lucma Lodge. Enjoy a great lunch at the lodge and afterwards, visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in the area that produce some of the best organic coffees in the world. You will also begin to notice another shift in the climate; in Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.

Duration: 5 1/2 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

After breakfast, depart from Lucma Lodge and embark on a 2-3 hour climb through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. A lush tree line creates green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is nearby. Your first milestone today will be the top of the peak, the last one before you descend to the Aobamba River Valley that connects you to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the Llactapata Pass (8,974’ / 2,736m), you will delight in a southeast view of Machu Picchu, a sight few travelers get the chance to admire. After exploring Llactapata, the Inca tambo (fort) that marks the pass, enjoy a picnic lunch at a mountain lookout point with panoramic views. The final descent along a trail that zigzags down to the roaring Aobamba River will take you through lush bamboo forests, varied fruit orchards, and more coffee plantations. Celebrate as you cross the bridge over the river and take your final steps of the trek en route to the Hidroelectrica train station for a scenic one-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, on the banks of the Urubamba River at the base of Machu Picchu.

Duration: 4-6 hours; Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning rollicking uphill bus ride. As you enter the ‘sanctuary’ (as locals refer to it), prepare to be awed by the imposing, skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among others. After a two-hour guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own, including a hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain* for dramatic views that stretch from the Urubamba River Valley to the edge of the Amazon Jungle. At some point, be sure to take a moment and sit quietly–listen to the wind, meditate, and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you.

After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before a scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours) and vehicle transfer to your hotel in Cusco (approximately 1.5 hours). As night falls and you arrive amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, you will be touched by a feeling of peace and rejuvenation that will linger long after your journey home

*Note: Tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain (8,924’ / 2,720m) may be available subject to additional cost. In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, you may opt for a hike up Machu Picchu Mountain (10,112 / 3,082m), located next to the Machu Picchu Citadel on the southern side.

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may spend time exploring a city tour before catching your flight home. In the historic city center, you’ll find the dazzling 16th century Plaza Mayor (Plaza de Armas), surrounded by beautiful architectural buildings including the Government Palace, the 17th-century Cathedral of Lima, and Archbishop’s Palace.

Depart Lima on a flight back to the U.S., or add on more time to extend your exploration of Peru.