Upon arrival in Cusco you will be met by your guide for the Sacred Valley and Cusco and then transferred to the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”, a succession of picturesque Andean towns, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites, as well as the world’s most famous white corn cultivated for export. This night is important for acclimatisation.
The mild climate, the varied and dramatic scenery of snow-capped mountains, flowering meadows, lush green hills and spectacular flora and fauna, make the Valley a prime adventure destination in South America. At a lower elevation than Cusco, the Valley is a warmer and less physically taxing environment for visiting the many attractions of the region, including Machu Picchu.
On your way to the Sacred Valley you will visit Sacsayhuaman which is the largest and most impressive of four archaeological ruins on the outskirts of Cusco. Built by the Incas, it served an important military function and was the site of a major battle with the Spanish in 1536. The complex was constructed out of massive stones, some weighing as much as 300 tons, cut to fit together without the use of mortar.
You will arrive to your hotel in the Sacred Valley in the afternoon. The rest of the day at leisure to slowly acclimatise to the altitude.
Overnight - Belmond Rio Sagrado - Garden Junior Suite - Bed and breakfast basis (lunch is for your own account)
This morning you visit the circular terraces of Moray, an agricultural “research laboratory” for the Incas, who studied temperature variation from one terrace to another in order to develop different crop varieties. Later the hardier varieties of seeds were distributed throughout the Inca Empire. On the other side of the Urubamba Valley you’ll see dramatic snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba and Urubamba cordilleras (mountain ranges).
You leave this interesting archaeological site to follow to the town of Maras, which grew in importance in the 17th century because of the exploitation and commercialization of the “salineras” or saltpans. You will cross the extensive Maras Pampas, where people farm the land and rear cattle and sheep. The Urubamba mountain range and its snow-capped peaks provide a spectacular background for your visit, which you may choose to do by van or through a gentle hike. In the town of Maras you will learn about the facades of the ancient houses, made from finely worked stone, indicative of the economic heights achieved by the town’s population at that time.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and be part of a very special ceremony of sound and traditional offerings to Mother Earth. This ceremony evokes the spirit of healing; taking part of this ritual are many sacred medicines like Palo Santo, Tayta Sayri, Mama Coca, Agua Florida, Condor’s Feathers, Grandfather Puma, Essences and Incenses.
You arrive at the hotel in Cusco and this evening you will meet your guide for the Salkantay trek and undergo a trek breifing.
Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - City View Studio Suite - Bed and breakfast basis
After an early breakfast, your guide will collect you from the hotel to begin the Salkantay Trek.
Your first stop will be a visit to the Inca ruins of Tarawasi. Next, you will stop in the mountain village of Mollepata and visit El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse where you can learn about local agriculture and livestock.
Then, the transfer will take you through a winding mountain road to a site called Challacancha. Here you begin your hike to Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path), which is also a good opportunity to acclimate to the higher altitude.
As you round the final turn of the Camino Real, the Salkantay Lodge will come into view.
Overnight - Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m/12,690 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks
Trekking Time: Approximately 3 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Hiking Level: Moderate
Hike to Lake Humantay
Today presents another opportunity to gauge your altitude-acclimatisation with a half-day hike to Lake Humantay.
After breakfast, you begin an ascent up the slopes that border the plateau behind the Salkantay Lodge. An hour and a half later, you will be stunned to see the turquoise water of the lake.
Here you have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot and be part of a traditional offering to “Pachamama” (Mother Earth). After your descent back to the lodge, the staff will be waiting with a hot lunch.
The second half of the day is spent at leisure. You may opt to soak in the outdoor jacuzzi, indulge in a relaxing massage or even take a nap.
Overnight - Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m/12,690 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks
Trekking Time: Approximately 4 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Hiking Level: Easy to Moderat
Crossing the Salkantay Pass
After an early start, you hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak. As you gradually make your way up these mountain trails, you encounter expansive plateaus dotted with boulders of varying sizes, the remnants of a valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river. The final and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that take you to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trek (4,640 m/15,213 ft).
What follows is a dramatic descent through fields of giant boulders, often shrouded in fog. After a very welcome hot picnic lunch, you will continue down through rolling hills and marsh-like plateaus as you take the final steps to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay.
Overnight - Wayra Lodge (3,906 m/12,812 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks
Trekking Time: Approximately 7 hours
Hiking Level: Challenging
Descending into the Cloud Forest
After a leisurely breakfast at the Wayra Lodge, you continue the descent along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. Today you will see more of the local people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences.
At lunch time you will arrive at Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. You will be greeted by the staff with a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional Peruvian meal cooked in the earth by hot stones that create a natural underground oven.
After lunch, spend the afternoon lounging in the sun or relaxing in the outdoor jacuzzi while taking in the panoramic views of the lush green mountains that surround you.
Optional Activity - at additional cost:
Afternoon bike from Manchayhuaycco to Collpapampa. You will descend through a beautiful valley in which you will admire the diverse cloud forest vegetation through the slopes of the valley. Duration: 3hrs approximately / Level: Easy.
Overnight - Colpa Lodge (2,870 m/9,414 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks
Trekking Time: Approximately 4 hours
Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate
Following the Santa Teresa River Valley
Today you will hike in the Santa Teresa River valley where you will hop over small streams fed by waterfalls descending from the glaciers and cross through fruit orchards. After breaking for a hot picnic lunch by the river, you will walk for one hour before you meet your vehicle for a short drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” that leads us to Lucma Lodge.
On the way you will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in that area that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. In Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
Optional Activities - at additional cost:
- Zip Line in Santa Teresa: This is a full day activity which replaces the trek. Operated by Cola de Mono.
- Biking: Option a) Yanama pass – Hornopampa – Lluskamayo. Duration: 5 hrs. approximately. Level: Easy to moderate.
- Biking Option b) Descent from Hornopampa to Lluskamayo. Duration: 3.5 hrs. approximately. Level: Easy.
Overnight - Lucma Lodge (2,135 m/7,003 ft) - All meals, filtered and sparkling water, tea and coffee, juice and soft drinks
Trekking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging
Exploring Llactapata Pass
During a 2-3 hour climb up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps, you will get a sense of what hiking through the rainforest is like. The first milestone today will be the top of the peak, the last one before you reach the Aobamaba River valley that connects to Machu Picchu.
When you arrive at the ruins of Llactapata at the Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974 ft), you will be delighted to see a southeast view of the “back” of the Machu Picchu ruins.
You enjoy lunch a bit farther down the trail in a meadow with panoramic views. The final descent takes you through lush bamboo forests, until you end the day’s hike at the Hydroelectrica train station. A one-hour scenic train ride delivers you to your final stop, the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
Overnight - Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel - Suite - Dinner and breakfast included (excluding beverages)
Trekking Time: Approximately 5 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challengin
Your guide will remain with you here and will advise the exact timings for today. He will meet you and you begin with a hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain, the iconic towering mountain often seen in photographs. This takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Afterwards you spend some time walking around the Citadel exploring the ruins. You will be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. The history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins is fascinating.
You enjoy lunch back at the hotel (included) and may like to explore the town of Aguas Calientes and visit the markets.
In the late afternoon your make your way to the train station for the trip back to Cusco.
Depart on the Belmond's Hiram Bingham luxury train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy and then by vehicle back to Cusco arriving around 9.30 pm .
Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - City View Studio Suite - Bed and breakfast basis
Today you set off on a full day tour.
For an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture you visit to the charming Amaru community and its wonderful and amazing people. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you learn about textiles and the weaving process. The vivid colors of the Amaru villagers’ clothing are derived from natural dyes made from plants and other organic elements with which they decorate wool. Today you learn about the “cochineal” red and the secret properties of some other medicinal plants in the area, as well as about other activities the community runs. Enjoy the time to share with the people of Amaru and learn a little more about their customs and traditions.
Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Cusco.
This afternoon visit the legendary Koricancha, the most important temple with walls once plated with sheets of gold and devoted to worshiping the Sun deity. Continue to the Plaza de Armas or main square to visit the Cathedral.
Your tour of Cusco will end with a stop at the Choco Museum, where you have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the amazing cacao fruit and make your own chocolate out of raw chocolate beans, providing an enriching and fascinating activity for both children and adults alike. Peru may be the land of the Incas but is also home to the some of the best cacao and chocolate in the world.
Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas - City View Studio Suite - Bed and breakfast basis
Today you are transferred to Cusco airport where you check-in for your onward flight and depart Peru.
End of Arrangements
