Lima Arequipa Salkantay Trekking Mountain Lodge to Machu Picchu Lima

Arrival in the morning in Arequipa. The city lies at 2400 m in a fertile river oasis and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Peru. Nestled, the city is like a huge arena, surrounded by snow-crowned volcanoes. The old colonial town is very well preserved, the buildings in white tufa give the city a special touch. City tour with a visit to the historic center, the colorful market and the famous monastery of Santa Catalina give us the first impressions of the colorful world of Peru. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight 
Hotel
Flight
Arrival with plane to Arequipa
Meals
B/L/-

Today we drive to the 165 km distant Colca Valley. The drive goes over the 4800 m high Patapampa Pass into the National Park of Aguada Blanca and down to the Colca Canyon at 4000 m. We drive past imposing volcanic cones, it is also the habitat of alpacas and the shy Vikunjas. Upon arrival we make an easy hike to the Colca Canyon. We move slowly, because we are unusually high altitude. The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in South America. In the evening it is worth to go outside to admire the starry sky of the southern hemisphere. Hardly any light bothers the darkness, hardly a cloud obscures the view. Overnight in a hacienda.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
4 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/-

Today offers a magnificent panorama. The Colca River winds its way up to the sea in a gorge that is up to a thousand meters deep. In between, however, the valley expands several times, similar to an amphitheater, with countless green and yellow terraces. Like contour lines, their retaining walls extend over the slopes. Alone a hundred bird species live here, from the small hummingbird to the mighty condor. The Canyon de Colca is a paradise for trekkers. We are about 3 – 4 hours on the way and get used to the height slowly. Trekking 3 – 4 hours. Overnight in a hacienda. Overnight

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
4 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/-

In the morning we do another little hike, then we take the bus through the Andean landscape to Puno to Lake Titicaca. It lies at 3800 m and is the highest navigable lake in the world. With a size of 8288 km ² (200 km long and up to 65 km wide), it is the second largest lake in South America. The western part of it is located in Peru, the eastern part in Bolivia. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
7 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 5 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/-

Today we take a trip to the floating Uros Islands in Lake Titicaca. The Uros Indians are considered indigenous people, who live as a small community on these reed islands and among whom have received customs that have long disappeared on the mainland. Their floating, anchored in the seabed islands consist of large blocks of peat-like reed roots, which are connected like a raft. The top layers must be freshly poured every fourteen days, otherwise the islands would sink. Huts and chapels, beds and boats – everything here is made of rushes. So also the sunken fish tanks and the enclosure for the guinea pigs, who of course also eat reeds. We visit a village and get to know the impressive way of life of the Uros. Return to Puno. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
4 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 5 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/-

The full-day drive from Puno to Cusco leads us past Indian villages and over the 4312 m high pass La Raya. Here we have a magnificent view of the glacier. Everywhere we see big herds of alpacas. Market women in their traditional, colorful clothing are selling their products. After the plateau was very barren, the vegetation in the direction of Cusco increases again. Past bubbling rivers, we arrive late in the afternoon in the Inca city. In the evening you will be informed about the upcoming trekking. Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
6 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 5 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/-

After an early breakfast we will be picked up at our hotel in Cusco. The ride goes towards Soraypampa. The first break we take after about 1.5 hours drive to visit the ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo. After another 2 hours drive, including an interesting visit to the still very original mountain village of Mollepata, we arrive in Marcoccasa, our starting point for today’s hike. Along an old route called “Royal Path”, we walk 4 – 6 hours towards Soraypampa. For guests who do not wish to trek that day, there is an option to travel directly to the lodge. At the Salkantay Lodge we are warmly received by the local staff, to then move into the rooms for the next 2 days. The Salkantay Lodge has the majestic Salkantay as its patron saint, with 6270 m this is the highest mountain in the region and limits imposingly the end of the valley. Trekking: 4 – 6 hours, including breaks. Overnight in lodge.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
4 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

This day is for acclimatization to the height. Very well suited for this is a morning excursion to the picturesque glacier lake Humantay. Surrounded by glacier giants, we overcome the altitude. After about 4 hours we are back in time for lunch at the lodge. The afternoon is at leisure; Relax with a view of the Salkantay, relax in the outdoor whirlpool or indulge in a massage. As an option, a horseback ride can also be undertaken. Trekking: about 4 hours. Overnight in lodge.

Overnight 
Hotel
Tours/Hiking
 6 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

Today is the big day: The day hike takes us over the highest point of this trekking tour between the two glaciers Salkantay and Humantay, the Salkantay Pass (4638 m, 4 hours). On the way to the pass, we may, with some luck, observe condors and at the pass we take a break to admire the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba group. We continue our way down to Wayra Lodge (Wayra means wind, the place where the wind lives), our destination for this evening. There will be a warm lunch along the way and dinner will be taken at the very homely Wayra Lodge. Trekking: 6 – 8 hours including breaks.Overnight in lodge.

Overnight 
Hotel
Tours/Hiking
 6 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

Today, it’s downriver through a rapidly changing landscape: from the spectacular Andes highlands down to the cloud forest, also known as the “ceja de selva” (jungle cloud strip) where, thanks to the warmer climate, there are a variety of orchids, colorful butterflies, hummingbirds and parrots can be found. After about 4 hours we reach the Colpa Lodge (2800 m); we will be having lunch with the traditional Peruvian food “Pachamanca”. In the afternoon, relax in the outdoor whirlpool with a wonderful view of the valley, the green hills and the nearby, small Andendorf or a walk in the orchid garden. Trekking: 3 – 4 hours. Overnight in lodge.
Overnight 
Hotel
Tours/Hiking
6 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

Along the Santa Teresa River today through the cloud forest, past coffee, banana and passion fruit plantations down to Lucma Lodge (2100 m, about 5 – 6 hours). We stop along the river for a hot lunch. After another hour of trekking we are picked up by a minibus, which brings us directly to the entrance to the “Llactapata Inca Trail” (30 minutes’ drive). It is a 30-minute climb from the beginning of this newly restored Inca Trail to Lucma Lodge, which is surrounded by avocado trees. We arrive in time to allow enough time for a trip to the small village of Lucmabamba. Trekking time: 5 – 6 hours. Overnight in lodge.

Overnight 
Hotel
Tours/Hiking
 5 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

After an early breakfast we start our last trekking day. For about 2 – 3 hours up to Llactapata Pass (2736 m), where we will soon be facing the spectacular view of Machu Picchu; a look that only very few tourists get to see. In addition, you can visit the Llactapata ruins, which have recently been restored. The descent to the Aobamba River leads through bamboo forests, past coffee plantations and with a bit of luck we also discover orchids (2 – 3 hours’ descent). Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are now not far away. We cover the last kilometers with a 30-minute train ride. Dinner and overnight in a hotel. Trekking time: 4 – 6 hours.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
1 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

After a very early breakfast, head to the bus for the drive up to Machu Picchu. We explore the ruins of this small mountain bastion – there is so much to discover! Return to Aguas Calientens for lunch before taking the train through the picturesque Urubamba Valley to Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs). There will be a minibus waiting for us and drive us to the hotel in the beautiful Urubamba Valley. Overnight at the hotel in the Urubamba Valley.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
6 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

Today we visit the salt pans of Maras, the highest salt farm in the world. The labyrinth of salt basins, with a variety of shades of clear white to light brown, forms a fantastic contrast to the barren mountains around. During a 2 – 3-hour hike, we have enough time to marvel at the patchwork of salt terraces and learn more about the hard work of salt extraction. During the afternoon, we continue to the historic Cusco, where you can explore the city on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Cusco

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
4 Hours approx.
Tours/Hiking
3 Hours approx tours
Meals
B/L/D

All roads lead to Cusco. For the Inca, it formed the center of their empire. The whole city was considered sacred to them. If two men met, the one who came from Cusco automatically deserved the higher rank. The splendor and wealth of the capital, located at an altitude of 3300 m, were legendary. We dive into this world today and visit the sights and the well-preserved old town and the impressive Inca Sacsahuayman. Huge carved stones testify to the impressive architecture of the Inca. At a cozy dinner we review the trip. Overnight at the hotel in Cusco.

Overnight 
Hotel
Tours/Hiking
3 Hours approx tours
Driving
2 Hours approx.
Meals
B/L/D

We spend the morning according to our own preferences. In the afternoon transfer to the airport and return flight to Switzerland from Cusco via Lima and Cusco city – flight back to Lima and go back USA, Canada, Europa, etc.

Overnight 
Hotel
Driving
1 Hours approx
Tours/Hiking
 1 Hours approx tours
Flight
1 Hour approx by plane
Meals
B/L/D

Go back home – end tour in Peru / South America.

Overnight 
On plane
Meals
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