Exhilarating high altitude walking to the jewel of Machu Picchu - in comfort - a rare combination. Great for anyone wanting a holiday packed with adventure and activity, but who would prefer not to camp.
The four Mountain Lodges of Peru are found along the little-known Salcantay Trail in the magnificent Peruvian Andes.
At Salkatay (the first of 4 lodges, with 12 en suite rooms) guests spend 2 nights for acclimatisation. At the 3 consecutive lodges on the trek (Wayra, Colpa and Lucma) the group treks to and takes the lodge exclusively. Each mountain lodge has its own distinct character with surprisingly comfortable rooms: excellent beds, central heating, thick duvets and hot showers are the rule, not the exception.
Food at Mountain Lodges of Peru is a well thought out affair – and aptly named Andean Energetic Cuisine! Designed to give your body precisely what it needs after a day’s hiking in the mountains, meals are not only nutritious but delicious too. Three of the four lodges have outdoor hot tubs and all offer cosy reading rooms, bar/lounge and superb massage services (at an additional cost). Professional, experienced mountain guides accompany guests at all times.
Trekking through some of the world’s most impressive mountains, your journey along the Salcantay Trail passes through numerous eco-systems at heights ranging from 2100 to 4600 metres. Original Inca paths offer views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers, winding their way to waterfalls, rivers and turquoise lakes. Local inhabitants live isolated in simple houses, much as their ancestors have done for centuries. Guests are rewarded for their daily exertions with rarely seen views of Machu Picchu, before visiting Machu Picchu itself on the final day. A train takes guests back to Cusco at the end of the trek.
Exsus recommends you spend at least two nights in Cusco before the start of your expedition. It’s a fascinating city and if you give your body time to acclimatise, you'll be thankful later.