Epic Peru - Salkantay/Machu Picchu/Cusco - 14 nights

On arrival at Lima International Airport you are met and assisted to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Wyndham Lima Airport Hotel

Today you are assisted back to Lima airport to check in for your flight to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco you are met and driven 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.  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.

You arrive at the hotel in the Sacred Valley in the late afternoon.

Overnight - Sol y Luna

This morning you are driven to the nearby town of Pisac and its market, originally place where people from remote communities used to barter their products. Pisac has evolved to one of South America’s most famous souvenir markets. Make sure to sample some ‘empanadas’ baked in traditional clay ovens. Try your bargaining skills here always keeping in mind handmade artwork is worth it!

For an immersion into the heart of the Andean culture you will visit 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 “cochineal” red and the secret properties of some other medicinal plants in the area, as well as from other activities the community runs. Enjoy lunch at the community.

In the afternoon you return to your hotel for dinner at your leisure.

Overnight - Sol y Luna

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 we’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 commercialisation of the “salineras” or saltpans.  You 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 take 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.

After this, you will be transferred to Cusco city.  This afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral.

This evening you will be briefed by your Salkantay guide about the trek.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel.  

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)

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)

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 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)

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)

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 the 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) 

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 

The Sanctuary

Early this morning, you begin the journey to Machu Picchu with a short and rollicking uphill bus ride. Prepare to be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. Your imagination will soar as you contemplate the history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins.

You are staying an additional night at Machu Picchu.  This will allow you to:

• Make the best of your time visiting a World Heritage Site situated on a spectacular mountain ridge.

• Explore areas of the site that are less visited by most travelers, such as climbing Machu Picchu Mountain (special permit to be purchased in advance) or hiking to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate.

• Visit the town of Aguas Calientes and shop the local craft markets.

Overnight - Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel 

This morning you will have a second opportunity to visit Machu Picchu and climb the Huayna Picchu OR Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability) where you can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it. 

You could also visit the Inca Bridge, an incredible stone structure that served as the entrance or exit to the city and that has a gap in the middle several meters long over which two large wooden planks were placed; thus the Incas could cut off the city for their own protection by just removing the planks.

In the afternoon board your train back to Ollantaytambo Station.  At this point, you will be met and driven back to Cusco.

Ovenright - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas 

This morning your Cusco visit starts with the San Pedro market, it is a vibrant spot in a very busy area in town that can keep you entertained for hours. Here you can have a first-hand look at how locals live day-to-day, outside the confines of Cusco’s tourist zones. By observing the scene you can hear the language as it is spoken and properly pronounced, view the gestures and habits that are common to the Andean culture, smell the scents of local produce and flora, absorb the styles and textures of the local fashion, see the fruits, vegetables and meats that make up the main staples of traditional meals.

Afterwards head to the MAP Café, which is located inside the courtyard of the Museo de Arte Precolombino and offers one of the finest examples of Peruvian fusion cuisine in the country. Here, you will enjoy a cooking demonstration - and be prepared to be awed! You’ll be eating inside a glass cube, surrounded by pure colonial architecture and enjoy the delight of gourmet Peruvian fusion food served by elegant black-suited waiters. Discover the interesting reinvention of traditional Peruvian dishes and take a sophisticated break from touring the city, to enjoy a culinary one-on-one experience in an intimate setting.

In the afternoon, visit Santo Domingo Monastery, the legendary Korikancha (Temple of Gold), the most important Inca temple devoted to worshipping the Sun, whose walls used to be plated with sheets of gold. Continue to the Plaza de Armas or Main Square to visit the Cathedral. 

You follow to the San Blas Church and quarter with a walk by this quaint district and one of the finest views of the city. This quarter is home to the workshops and stores of the most renowned craftsmen in Cusco, including Mendivil, Merida, Rojas and Palomino. 

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Hotel

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the city at your leisure.

Overnight - Belmond Palacio Nazarenas Hotel

This morning you are transferred to the airport and fly to Lima where you connect with your homebound flight.

End of Arrangements