Explore Lima at your leisure, absorbing the rich history of the city through its architecture, cultural displays and artefacts depicting the lost civilization of the Incas.
Tampu Mach'ay is well worth a visit, an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire. Also known as El Baño del Inca, it consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks.
Spend your time in Cusco acquainting yourself with this beautiful city. Remember to try some famous Peruvian cuisine and Pisco!
7:00 am- Depart early to commence the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
Along the Salkantay trail, you will journey through varied terrain both challenging and awe-inspiring. Up close views of glacier mountain peaks, mysterious fog surrounding fields of boulders, and cattle drives through the most remote of mountain areas are sights that will only enhance the spectacular topography, lush vegetation, and intriguing archaeological areas that you will encounter. Locals, still proudly attached to their Andean heritage, will greet you along the way and give you a glimpse into their rarely seen world. Led by well-respected and extremely knowledgeable MLP guides, you are guaranteed personal attention and a commitment to safety. The staff at our mountain luxury lodges, situated in pristine locations along the trail, will welcome you warmly at the end of each day with the utmost in service and amenities.
After an early breakfast, you'll be picked up starting at your hotel by a MLP guide and vehicle. En route we take a short break to visit the 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 road to a place called Marcoccasa (30 minutes from Mollepata by vehicle).
Here, we begin our trek to Soraypampa, on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This is a good opportunity for everyone to acclimate, while enjoying a beautiful six hour trek. Salkantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley - Mt. Salkantay, the second most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at 6,270 m (20,600 ft), the highest in the region. After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, we are shown to our rooms and have time to freshen up, before tea and cookies. The trip leader will hold a briefing by the fireplace, followed by aperitifs and dinner.
Trekking Time: Approx 6 hours (incl picnic lunch en route)
Hiking Level: Moderate
Salkantay Lodge Elevation – 12,690 ft above sea level
Continue with the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
Today you'll take an acclimatization hike on the slopes above the lodge to Lake Humantay, fed by the hanging glaciers of Mt. Humantay. The hike is optional, but the views are amazing, and those brave enough can even go for a dip. We return to the lodge for lunch with your afternoon at leisure, after which you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor jacuzzi. We spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide briefs us on gear and the itinerary for the following day. All meals are served at the Lodge.
Trekking Time: Approx 4 hours
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging
Salkantay Lodge Elevation – 12,690 ft above sea level
Continue with the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
This is the big day! After an early start, you'll hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay Peak. The highest point on the trek is the Salkantay Pass at 4,638 m (15,213 ft). At the pass we stop to take in views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above us. Keep an eye out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we descend towards Wayra Lodge (“Wayra”: wind; from the name of the location “Wayracmachay”: ‘the cave where the wind lives’) our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is served en route; dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Trekking Time: 6–8 hours (incl lunch)
Hiking Level: Challenging, crossing a 4,640m/15,200 ft mountain pass
Wayra Lodge Elevation – 12,812 ft above sea level
Continue with the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
On this day enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. Then continue your descent along the left bank of the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. We can feel the warm air rising from the jungle, accompanied by colourful butterflies and striking orchids. Upon arrival at Colpa Lodge we are greeted with a Pachamanca, a traditional festive Peruvian meal cooked by layering meat and vegetables with hot stones. Everything is then covered with hot stones, plantain leaves, high Andean grass and local herbs and the contents are baked in this underground oven. Colpa Lodge is located on an open plateau at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor jacuzzi has panoramic views of lush green mountains. We spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the nearby orchid trail. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate
Colpa Lodge Elevation – 9,414 ft above sea level
Continue with the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
Today we hike along the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas. We pass through banana, grenadilla, avocado orchards and coffee plantations. A hot picnic lunch is served by the river. After lunch, we hike another hour before a private vehicle meets us for a short drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” (approx 30 minutes). From the head of the newly restored Inca trail we easily make our way to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. On the way we visit an organic coffee plantation where we do a short tour of the farm and learn how coffee is grown, harvested, dried and processed. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Trekking Time: 5–6 hours (incl lunch)
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging (because of distance, not terrain)
Lucma Lodge Elevation – 7,003 ft above sea level
Continue with the Salkantay Trail Trek to Machu Picchu with Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP).
After a hearty breakfast, you'll tackle the last day of the trek. Head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (2,736 m/8,974ft), where we come upon a spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travellers ever get a chance to admire. We take a short break to explore the Llactapata Ruins, which have recently been restored. Lunch is served at a scenic viewpoint, looking out to Machu Picchu. After which we begin our final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. We then board a train for a scenic ride (approx 1 hour) to Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we check into an award-wining hotel for a celebration dinner with our guide.
Trekking Time: 4–6 hours
Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Elevation – 6,232 ft above sea level
Back in Cusco, you have some time to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the option of doing some zip lining. Vamonos!
Take a leisurely drive from Santiago towards the coast. The Andes mountain slope gradually dips into the Pacific here, providing enjoyable beaches set along this sleepy coastal strip.
Viña is known for its gardens, beaches and high-rise buildings. Visit Quinta Vergara Park, home to the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater, the early-20th-century Vergara Palace, and the Artequin Museum, which displays copies of major artworks. The Museum of Archaeology and History, Francisco Fonck features stone moai sculptures from Easter Island and shrunken heads.
Spend the rest of your time exploring the outlying areas, especially Reñaca beach, frequented by the rich and famous in Chile. A day trip to nearby Valparaíso, fondly called Valpo by locals, is a must. It's one of the oldest ports in Latin America, known for its steep funiculars and colourful, clifftop homes. La Sebastiana, the quirky former residence of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, is now a museum.
Drive back to Santiago for your flight down south to Punta Arenas.
The city is located near the tip of Chile's southernmost Patagonia region, on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It's the ideal base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. Visit the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Museo Nao Victoria features a replica of one of his galleons.
Shopping is a major attraction here, apart from the blues of the ocean, starting to turn icy with the promise of ice floes, bergs and glaciers.
Commence the Hotel Las Torres Patagonia “W-Trek In Comfort” Program. This program is shared with other guests.
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia invites you to enjoy an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful and moving places on the planet... Torres del Paine National Park. Our program “W in Comfort” is designed to visit the three valleys which form the famous “W” circuit, the French Valley, the sector of Las Torres with the Ascencio Valley and the sector of Lago Grey. Live the untamed Patagonia without any concerns just to enjoy the freedom of our pampas and observe the beauty of the mountains. We will transfer you every evening back to the Hotel Las Torres, where you can recharge in comfortable accommodations before hiking another part of the trail.
You will be picked up at your hotel at 9:00 am by Hotel Las Torres Patagonia transport service. Transfer from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine National Park.
On the way, visit the Cerro Negro Ranch, a typical Patagonia ranch where guests get the chance to enjoy an authentic sheepdog and sheep shearing show organized by the ranch workers and the family owners. Lunch at the ranch before arriving to Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park. Estimated arrival time is about 4:00 pm.
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine National Park is the centerpiece of Patagonia in Chile. Still largely undiscovered, this is a faraway place filled with rare and endemic birds, animals and plants and some of the most spectacular scenic beauty on the planet. Torres del Paine National Park owes it's awesome beauty to its 4 ecosystems, it's flora and fauna, and its wide variety of geological elements such as mountains, forests, pampas, glaciers, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Starting with the mountains and peaks, visitors are awed by the Torres del Paine towers, the Cuernos del Paine peaks and the great expanse of the Paine Massif. There are 4 great glaciers to discover, the Grey, Pingo, Frances and Dickson glaciers. The lakes of the national park include Sarmiento, Pehoe, Nordenskjold, Pingo and Dickson, and each one has its unique beauty and vista. The Verde and Azul lagoons also stand out for their tranquility and majesty. The national park attracts people from around the world, such as scientists to study climate change, mountaineers to climb its peaks, and active travelers to experience, enjoy and learn about all its wonderful aspects and sublime beauty. The park has approximately 457,145 acres.
Continue with the Hotel Las Torres Patagonia “W-Trek In Comfort” Program. The itinerary and the scheduled activities described for these days can change due to weather conditions. Coordinate order of excursions with our guides upon arrival at the hotel.
During the next 3 days you will explore the 3 beautiful valleys that form the “W” circuit. Each afternoon, we head back to the hotel to enjoy the comfort of our authentic estancia in the Chilean Patagonia.
Excursion Las Torres, Sendero del Ascencio (6-8 hours): You will explore the Ascencio Valley, walking through a beautiful lenga forest and getting up close to the astounding Towers of Paine. The trail travels through native bushland and crosses streams and moraines. If you like horses you may opt to horseback ride to El Chileno Lodge, which is located halfway up the trail. Then you may continue on toward the base of the Towers on foot.
Excursion to the French Valley (12 hours): We will take you to the Pudeto boat dock by vehicle. Here, you will board the “Hielos Patagónicos” Ferry for a 30 minute crossing of the Pehoé Lake, to reach the trailhead for the trek towards the French Valley. The trail is surrounded by lakes, rivers and streams, and a wonderful view of the Paine massif. Once you reach the foot of Paine Grande Mountain you will be able to rest in front of the French Glacier, where you might witness one of the frequent avalanches from a distance.
Drive back to Punta Arenas to board your return flight to Santiago.
Discover the capital city of Chile, with its mixture of new and ancient architecture serving as a testimony of the cultural and social changes the country has lived through. With it's striking Andes mountain backdrop, Santiago's snow-capped skyline is a memorable highlight in this cosmopolitan Latin American capital. In downtown Santiago, visit the Mercado Central. This well-renowned market supplies many Santiago homes and businesses with fresh fish all year round. Next to the market is Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero, the point from which all distances in the country are measured. Famous architecture in the square include the Metropolitan cathedral and the central post office, originally built as a house for Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. Close by stands the Justice Tribunal, in a neo-classical building housing the Supreme Court, ex-Congress and beautiful gardens. Proceed to the Presidential palace, La Moneda. The palace, a model of 18th century colonial architecture, is one of Santiago’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history. You will also climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. Take a funicular to the top of San Cristobal Hill where there is a great 360 panoramic view of Santiago, and visit the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores and boutique shops.
Depart Santiago with wonderful memories and fabulous stories to tell. Adios!
