Machu Picchu Lodge-to-Lodge Trek Oct. 09 - 20, 2012

Machu Picchu Lodge-To-Lodge Trekking Package

Group Hike Departure:  Oct. 09 - 20, 2012
11-Days/10-Nights

 

Come join us on this exclusive group departure.  Peru TravelPOINTS has blocked and reserved Oct 09 - 20, 2012 Lodge-to-Lodge departure date.   This is an amazing journey we are planning to host, provided we get 8 other individuals who would like to join us.  This is a small group with a maximum of 12 people in the group.  My husband and I did this journey last year and decided we would host a group departure and invite our friends and previous clients to join us on this trip.  It's one of the "Best" luxury trekking / hiking adventure that combines superb comfortable cozy accommodations to Machu Picchu, spectacular scenery, majestic mountains of the Andes in charming lodges. The Only Trek to Machu Picchu in style and comfort.

(Read our blog article on this package)


Day 01:  Oct 09, 2012 – Lima
Arrival into Lima Peru.  After clearning customs a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores, the Casa Andina Private. 

Day 02:  Oct 10, 2012 – Lima to Cusco (B)
After breakfast, a representative will greet you at your hotel and transfer you back to the Lima International airport for your flight to Cusco.   A representative will meet you and transfer to you your hotel for the next 2-nights, the Inkaterra La Casona. 

This afternoon  you will take a guided walk through the city, once the capital of the vast Inca Empire. The city is predominantly Indian, and Quechua is the language of choice for most of the inhabitants here. Cusco is a charming city, with red-roofed houses, ornate cathedrals, carved balconies, and hidden
courtyards. You can choose from one of the many fine restaurants in town and then afterwards stroll around the central square where artisans display many fine Quechuan handicrafts.
Hotel Inkaterra La Casona - Cusco

Day 03 – Oct 11, 2012 – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Cusco (B, L)
Breakfast at your hotel. Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. After lunch the tour continues to the village of Ollantaytambo for a visit to its impressive Inca fortress. (B,L)
Hotel Inkaterra La Casona - Cusco


Day 4  Oct. 12,  2012 - Salkantay Lodge
You will be picked up at your hotel this morning (7:00 a.m.) for the 3½- hour drive to the Salkantay Lodge (12,750'), where we’ll be spending this evening. Along the way we’ll stop in Limatambo to visit the ruins of
Tarawasi, built from impeccably polished granite and believed to have been one of the critically important sites of the Inca culture and religion. After leaving Limatambo we’ll pass through the mountain
village of Mollepata for a short coffee break, before ascending a winding track to Marcoccasa.  Here we will begin our trek toSoraypampa on an old route called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path). This
is a good opportunity for us to acclimate and enjoy a mild and beautifulfour hour trek on the first day. (Those who do not wish to trek may be transported to the lodge by vehicle).
The views from the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa are panoramic, and from the Salkantay Lodge we’ll have an unimpeded view of Salkantay, at 20,574 feet the highest peak in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and
considered by climbers to be one of the most difficult. After a warm welcome by the staff of the Salkantay Lodge and a quick wash-up in the room. The afternoon is at leisure to adjust to the altitude; you may choose to participate in any of the optional hikes offered at the lodge. An evening briefing is followed by aperitifs and a hearty dinner. (4 hours optional hiking.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Salkantay Lodge

Day 5   Oct. 13,  2012 - Salkantay Lodge
Today you have the choice to spend the day at leisure and rest, or to join us for a half day hike—one of the most popular activities at Soraypampa—depending on your level of interest and
acclimatization. The morning hike will take us to a high glacial lake  and all can enjoy a panoramic view of the high Vilcabamba Range. Not only is this hike excellent for acclimatization, it is a first immersion into high-mountaintrekking!

In the afternoon after lunch, trade in your glacial swim for arelaxing soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi. We’ll meet up again in theevening for a briefing on gear and the itinerary for the next four
days of trekking. (3-4 hours optional hiking.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Salkantay Lodge

Day 6  Oct 14,  2012 - Soraypampa to Wayra Lodge
Today begins our four-day trek to the famed city of Machu Picchu. After an early morning start, we’ll hike up the Río Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay. We’ll reach the
highest point of our trip today (15,340') where we’ll pause amoment in the thin air along the shores of Lake Salkantaycocha and take in the views of the glacial moraines and the surrounding
Vilcabamba Range. From there we’ll descend to Wayra Lodge(12,000') where we can wash away the trail dirt and relax and take a hot shower.
(5-7 hours hiking.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Wayra Lodge

Day 7  Oct. 15, 2012 - Huayraccmachay Lodge to Collpa Lodge, Collpapampa
Following our long first day of trekking, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge. We then begin hiking,heading downhill above the Salkantay River through an increasingly verdant landscape to the Collpapampa Valley. The change inscenery is dramatic, from the harsh alpine territory above to pastureland and lush
vegetation below.

On arrival at the next lodge we are met with a Pachamanca-style dinner (traditional underground stone cooking, subject to availability). Our rest spot for the evening,Collpa Lodge, is located on an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. Itsits in this relatively lower region (10,300') in the cloud forest, with orchids andbutterflies all around. The outdoor hot tub in this lodge has prominent views of lush
green mountains and a small, far-away, local town. (3-4 hours hiking.)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Collpa Lodge

  

Day 8 Oct. 16, 2012 Collpapampa to Lucma Lodge, Lucmabamba
After an early breakfast we’ll continue downhill through the Santa Teresa River Valley. This is a more populated area, and also quite a bit lusher than anything we have seen. Here we’ll encounter coffee plantations and tropical fruit orchards as well as dazzling wildflowers of all sorts. We’ll rest alongside the river for lunch, andfrom there it is a short climb upwards to Lucma Lodge (6,600'), hidden away in a
wooded tropical enclave. We’ll arrive in time to explore the village and meet someof the locals. (6-8 hours hiking.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Lucma Lodge

Day 9 Oct 17, 2012 - Lucma to Aguas Calientes
After another early start—and a hearty breakfast—we’ll begin the final day of our trek. We’ll head out uphill towards Llactapata Pass (8,900'), where we come upon adistant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. As an added bonus, we’ll also see the Llactapata Ruins,
which have recently been restored. Lunch is provided at an observatory, with views of Machu Picchu. We then begin our final descent to the Urubamba River through lush bambooforests, more orchards and coffee plantations, and diverse mountain terrain. At the end of the trek, we’ll board the train for the village of Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu, a short (30 minutes), scenic train ride away. After checking in to
our hotel, you can explore the orchid gardens, check out the hummingbird feeders, enjoy the hotel's spa, or shop for the alpaca-wool hats, sweaters, and blankets forwhich the region is well known. (4-6 hours total hiking.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Machu Picchu Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel

Day 10 Oct. 18, 2012 - Machu Picchu (B,L)
We’ll have the privilege of spending the entire day inside Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Built in the mid-15th century, Machu Picchu was a sanctuary or retreat for Inca royalty. The
landscape here is stunning, with orchids on the grounds and a massive cliff face known as Huayna Picchu towering overhead. The city is divided into three sections—the Sacred District, the
Popular District, and the District of the Priests and Nobility—and our knowledgeable guides will help us understand the significance of the many temples, sanctuaries, and parks found here.

Lunch is included this afternoon.  After lunch we’ll take the afternoon train back to Cusco, and you’ll be on your own to relax or do some last minute shopping.  Dinner is on your own tonight. 
Breakfast, Lunch / Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection - Cusco
 

Day 11 Oct. 19, 2012 -  Cusco - Lima, departure
Transfer to the airport and fly to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection, where dayrooms will be available. The remainder of the day is free to
relax before the flight home (most U.S.-bound flights depart in the evening) or to shop and explore on your own. You may want to visit the exceptional Gold Museum with its numerous gold
artifacts, from earplugs to dazzling jewelry. Evening transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flight. (Dayroom at Casa Andina Private Collection)

You can extend this trip with optional packages in Peru.
Breakfast

What’s Included - Lodge to Lodge Package Includes
•    Roundtrip Transfer to/from Lima Airport to Miraflores
•    1-Nights lodging in Lima at the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel
•    Roundtrip Transfers from Cusco Airport to Cusco hotel, Inkaterra La Casona.
•    2-Nights lodging at the Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco.
•    Afternoon guided walking tour of Cusco
•    Full Day sightseeing Tour of Sacred Valley
•    Pick up in Cusco on Day 5 to drop off in Cusco on Oct.12, 2012.
•    Transportation from hotel in Cusco to Soraypampa on Oct 12 and from Ollantaytambo back to hotel on Oct.         18, 2012.
•    6 nights lodging (5 nights in Mountain Lodges and 1 night in Aguas Calientes at the Inkaterra Publo         Hotel)
•    All meals as noted in the itinerary.
•    Service of a bilingual guide as noted in the itinerary.
•    Transportation of personal belongings on the trek by packhorse/mules and/or porters
•    Guided visit of Machu Picchu (includes entrance and transportation to the site)
•    Trains (Hydroelectric station – Aguas Calientes & Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo)
•    All beverages except alcoholic drinks
•    Tips for Route & Hospitality Staff (Lead & Assistant Guide tips are not included; please tip Lead &         Assistant Guide at the
•    end of the trek)


Land Package Price:
Rate:    $3759.00 per person

*Note:  This price does not include the domestic airfare from Lima to Cusco which runs between $200 and $350 per person roundtrip.
**Note:  International Airfare:  This price does not include the international airfare from Denver to Lima Peru)

Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double accommodations.
Single Supplement—$2,000