Luxury Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu

A great trek with fabulous accommodation, this luxury lodge based trek offers a new style of hiking in Peru. Trekthrough the Andes over Salcantay Pass and down through the cloudforest to Machu Picchu, enjoying a wide variety of scenery and climates, staying in comfortable lodges in remote locations. After a days' hike, you can relax in the jacuzzi, enjoy the beautiful landscape and treat yourself to excellent meals.

This is a small group trek, with a maximum group size of 12 people, led by an experienced mountain guide. Your luggage is transported from lodge to lodge by mules, so all you have to carry is a small daypack. All meals are prepared for you by the lodge staff, and all lodges are equipped with good heating and ample hot water.

There are fixed departures most weeks on a Friday or Saturday from March to December.

Trip information

Open Panel

Included

5 nights accommodation in luxury lodges; 1 night in 4* hotel in Aguas Calientes; all meals on the trek; transport to and from your hotel in Cusco; guide; mule and muleteers to transport baggage; train tickets; guided tour of Machu Picchu; all entrance fees.

Not included

Accommodation in Cusco; alcoholic drinks; tips.

Is it for you?

This is a moderately challenging trek, climbing up to an altitude of 4,600m with up to 6 hours hiking per day. You will need to carry a daypack with your requirements for the day, but all other your luggage will be transported between lodges by mule. We strongly recommend you spend at least 2 days at altitude in Cusco before the trek.

Best time

The dry season is April to October.

Getting there

The trek starts and ends in Cusco.

Weather and highlights

Open Panel

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Heavy rain
- Cloudy
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Sunny
- Cloudy
- Rain
- Heavy rain

Min Temp

- 7
- 7
- 7
- 4
- 2
- 1
- -1
- 1
- 4
- 6
- 6
- 7

Max Temp

- 20
- 21
- 21
- 22
- 21
- 21
- 21
- 21
- 22
- 22
- 23
- 22

Beautiful scenery and luxurious accommodation.
The view of Machu Picchu from Lacatapata, a side of Machu Picchu very few vistors have seen.
Great food.
Relaxing in a jacuzzi after a rewarding days trekking and admiring the mountain view.

Itinerary

Open Panel

Duration: 7 days

Day 1: You will be collected from your hotel in Cusco after breakfast and driven to Marcoccasa at an altitude of 3,300m where your trail begins. On the way, pause briefly to explore the attractive Inca ruins of Tarawasi and the mountain village of Mollepata. From Marcoccasa, it is a 3-4 hour trek through beautiful mountain scenery to Salcantay Lodge at an altitude of 3,800m where you spend your first two nights.

Day 2: Today is an acclimatisation day, with a variety of optional activities possible. The most popular option is a half day hike to a glacier lake at an altitude of 4,200m to prepare you for the next days trek. You will also have time to relax and enjoy the facilities of the lodge, including the outdoor jacuzzi.

Day 3: Today is the most challenging days hike, taking about 5-6 hours. Your path follow the Rio Blanco Valley before rising steeply up to Salcantay pass at an altitude of 4,600m. Here you will have time to enjoy the fabulous mountain vista before descending to Wayra Lodge at an altitude of 3,900m.

Day 4: Today is an easier downhill trek leaving the mountains behind as you descend through the cloudforest to Colpa Lode at an altitude of 2,800m, about a 3-4 hour hike. There is the option for a strenuous hike up to a glacier lake in the morning, or more gentle hikes into the cloudforest in the afternoon.

Day 5: Follow the verdant Santa Teresa Valley to the village of Lucabamba from where the Llactapata Inca Trail leads up to Lucma Lodge an altitude of 2,100m. It is about a 5-6 hour hike, with a picnic lunch prepared for you on the way.

Day 6: It is an early start following an Inca trail along the slopes of the Santa Teresa Valley to Llactapata Pass at an altitude of 2,800m and your first views through the cloudforest of Machu Picchu. You will have time for a picnic lunch and to explore the little visited ruins of the newly discovered Inca settlement of Llactapata before descending steeply to the Aobamba River. From here, it is a short train ride to your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Day 7: After an early breakfast, you will be taken to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins. After your tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before catching your train back to Cusco.

Pricing guidelines for Peru

Open Panel

We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £750 to £1000 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Peru combines very well with Ecuador (including the Galapagos Island), but can also be linked with Brazil.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
2 weeks highlights of Peru using good quality accommodationBetween £2200 and £3000
2 week holiday based in top end hotelsFrom around £4000+
9 day trip, such as Cusco & the Inca TrailBetween £1300 and £1600
18 days Peru & Galapagos (this can be very variable due to Galapagos yacht prices)Between £3750 and £6500

Peru