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Mountain Lodges of Peru Trek offers
“Adventure at its finest”: the opportunity to experience the
essence of adventure within the realm of creature comforts. But
for Mountain Lodges of Peru, a great adventure does not end
there: for it to be a life-changing experience for our guests,
we believe that the experience has to be an adventure on many
levels. This is
why our proposal goes far beyond comfortable lodges and great
trek. It is a unique opportunity to experience
ancient history in the Land of the Incas, contemporary
manifestations of deep-founded culture, the most interesting and
exotic variety of flora and fauna, gastronomic surprises, the
determination of local people to progress, new friends and
like-minded souls.
We propose an expedition… one that takes
guests on an ancient trail called the “Salkantay Route”, going
from lodge-lodge along four mountain lodges in the Cordillera
Vilcabamba, a spectacular Andean mountain range which cradles
the famed Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Within MLP’s lodge system, the crown
jewel is the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (SLAR),
located in the high Andean valley of Soraypampa at 3,900m above
sea level. In addition to high-quality “Andean Energetic
Cuisine” (as created and named by MLP’s Food & Beverage
Director), featuring 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 enchanting valley of Soraypampa
is also the starting point of the “other” four-day trek to Machu
Picchu – one that is much less traveled but, by many accounts,
more scenic and exclusive than the famous “Inca Trail” itself.
In MLP’s Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge experience, trekkers
spend one night each at three Trekker’s Lodges located at
strategic points along the route: Huayraccmachay, Collpapampa
and Lucmabamba. Although MLP’s Trekker’s Lodge are smaller in
size (only 6 guest rooms per lodge), each one of them offers the
same amenities as the base lodge.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO to SALKANTAY LODGE &
ADVENTURE RESORT at SORAYPAMPA (3,600 m/11,800 ft).
After and early
breakfast, guests will be picked up starting at 7:00 am at their
hotel in Cusco by an MLP guide and vehicle and transferred to
the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (SLAR) (about 3.5 hours’
drive). En route we will take a short 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 coffee break before ascending a winding mountain track to
the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa.
Optional: Guests
have the option of choosing to trek from Mollepata to Soraypampa,
on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This is a
good opportunity for guests to acclimate and enjoy a mild &
beautiful 3-4 hour trek on their first day.
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The Salkantay Lodge &
Adventure Resort takes its name
from the majestic peak at the head of the valley – the “Salkantay”,
the 2nd most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at
20,500 ft (6,240 m), the highest in the region.
After a warm welcome by our
friendly staff, the guests will be shown to their rooms
and have time to wash-up. The first afternoon is spent
at leisure to adjust to the altitude. An evening
briefing by the fire is followed by aperitifs and
dinner. |
Salkantay
Lodge
and Adventure Resort |
| DAY 2: SORAYPAMPA.
This day is spent at leisure
for rest or activities, depending upon guests’ level of
acclimatization. The most popular activity at Soraypampa
is a half-day hike to a glacial lake where the more
adventurous might take a very short swim! This activity
is excellent for acclimatization and a first immersion
into high-mountain trekking! In the afternoon, guests
may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak
in our outdoor jacuzzi. In the evening, the guide will
brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for
the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are
taken at the Lodge.
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Salkantay
Lodge
and Adventure Resort |
| DAY 3: SORAYPAMPA to
WAYRA LODGE at HUAYRACCMACHAY (3,900m/12,000 ft).
This is the big day: the
start of the four-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an
early start we will hike up the Rio Blanco valley,
circling Humantay Peak across from the Salkantay. The
highest point on the trek is a pass at 4,600 m (15,000
ft). At the pass we stop to take in views of snow-capped
peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the
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 continue our descent toward the
Wayra Lodge (“Wayra”: wind; ‘the place where the wind
lives’) our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is
taken en route. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge
(hiking time: 4-6 hours; total excursion time for day
5-7 hours).
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Wayra Lodge |
| DAY 4: HUAYRACCMACHAY to
COLLPA LODGE at COLLPAPAMPA (2,800m/9,000 ft).
Following the long first day
we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Huayraccmachay. We
then begin our trek by hiking downhill above the
Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery.
Our arrival at the lodge encounters a “Pachamanca”-style
lunch (subject to availability; traditional underground
stone cooking). The Collpa Lodge is located in an open
promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The
outdoor jacuzzi in this lodge has prominent views of
lush green mountains and a small far-away local town.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
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Collpa Lodge |
| DAY 5: COLLPAPAMPA to
LUCMA LODGE at LUCMABAMBA (2,100m/6,600 ft).
After an early breakfast we
head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more
populated 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 hot picnic lunch. A vehicle arrives to the
lunch spot to pick us up for a short drive to the
beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail”. From the head
of the trail it is a short climb (30 min.) to the Lucma
Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. We arrive in time to
allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba
and possible meeting with members of the local
community. (hiking time: 4-6 hours/total excursion time
for day 5-7 hours).
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Lucma Lodge |
| Day 6: LUCMABAMBA to
AGUAS CALIENTES (2,000 m/6,600 ft).
After an early start and a
hearty breakfast, we tackle the last day of our trek. We
head uphill for two hours towards Llactapata pass (2,600
m/8,500 ft), where we come upon a distant but quite
special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view
few tourists ever glimpse; an added value are the
Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored.
Lunch is provided at the observatory, in view of Machu
Picchu. We then begin our final descent to the Vilcanota
River through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and
coffee plantations (2-3 hours descent). Aguas Calientes
and Machu Picchu are a short, scenic train ride away.
(Total hiking time: 4-6 hours). We then arrive in Aguas
Calientes to check-in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel. |
© Candis
Waugh
Machu Picchu |
Day 7: MACHU PICCHU to CUSCO
We wake up very early to have
breakfast at the hotel and then make our way to the bus station
for the ride up to Machu Picchu (30 min). A complete guided
tour of Machu Picchu will be provided. Guests will have about 4
to 6 hours to tour the ruins (there is a lot to do and see).
Afterward, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch
and to go to the train station for the afternoon departure. The
train will arrive in Cusco and MLP will drop passengers at the
hotel of their choice.
END OF
SERVICES
BRIEF TECHNICAL TRIP DESCRIPTION:
5 days of moderate to strenuous hiking at elevations of
6,600-15,000 feet (2,000-4,600m) on steep and rocky trails and a
section of stone paved Inca paths. Trekking involves traversing
through 9 different eco-zones, which supposes changing weather
conditions. Minimum age permitted: 14.
DESCRIPTION OF LODGES: All 4
lodges have been designed and built in accordance to traditional
building techniques, Inca architectural & mythological concepts
and respect for the environment.
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The Salkantay Lodge & Adventure
Resort has 12 private double, twin or triple rooms with private
bathroom facilities. Each Trekker’s Lodge (Wayra, Collpa, Lucma)
has 6 private double, twin or triple rooms. Rooms can hold up to
3 people maximum. Lodges are fully equipped and serviced.
Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, Wayra Lodge and Collpa Lodge
have an outdoor jacuzzi. 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). |
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Terms &
Conditions
The rate
includes:
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All services from
pick up in Cusco on Day 1 to drop off in Cusco on Day 7.
•
Transportation from
hotel in Cusco to Soraypampa on Day 1 and from Ollantaytambo
back to hotel on Day 7
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6 nights lodging (5
nights in MLP lodges and 1 night in Aguas Calientes in a 4*
hotel or similar)
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All meals except
breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 7
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All non-alcoholic
beverages. Alcoholic beverages are charged extra.
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The services of a
bilingual guide from Day 1 to Day 7
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Transportation of
personal belongings on the trek by packhorse/mules and/or
porters
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Guided visit of Machu
Picchu (includes entrance to the site)
Trains
(Hydroelectric station – Aguas Calientes & Aguas Calientes –
Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes – Cusco).
Pricing is
subject to change up until time of booking.
Please enquire
for special requests or additional services. MLP also offer
private departure dates, VIP/exclusive departures and others
quoted on request.
Guides Pepe and
Carla on Salcantay Pass
Please download
mountainlodges.pdf (2.8 MB) for
more complete information including more detailed terms and
conditions, frequently asked questions, a packing list and
tipping guidelines.
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