Machu Picchu Lodge Ride

Introduction
Cusco Peru

Accomodation

The accommodation is either in our lodges or in 4 and 5 star hotels. Phone calls can be made from the lodge up to 11pm – you need to purchase a phone card from reception and can then use the telephone as usual.

While on the trip we include all meals except dinners in Cusco. Meals at the lodges are designed to be light, because of the effect high altitude has on the digestion, and to contain the necessary nutrition for guests riding at high altitude. Please inform us at the time of booking of any dietary requirements. If any requirements should arise between the time of booking and the trip beginning, for instance, due to a change in health circumstances, ie, diagnosis of diabetes, please inform us as soon as possible and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Day 2 and 9:  Casa Andina Private Collection


Day 3 and 4: Salkantay Lodge


Day 5: Wayra Lodge


Day 6: Colpa Lodge


Day 7: Lucma Lodge


Day 8: Machu Picchu Pueblo by Inkaterra at Aguas Calientes

...  lodging are subject to changes

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Horses:  All horses are picked from a pre-selected pool especially for each trip,according to their level of fitness at the time. Our horses are especially trained for high altitudes and rugged terrains. We take “replacement” or “back-up” horses on every trip.

Safety: we strongly recommend the use of safety equipment such as helmets and back protectors on this ride. Helmets, chaps and back protectors can be rented at the beginning of the ride, subject to availability. Please notify us in advance if you wish to rent any such equipment. If you decide to use the equipment at short notice or on the day of the ride, the cost can be added to your spending at the lodges and added to your final bill, payable at the last lodge.

Itinerary

2009 Itinerary -  Please Note: 2010 itinerary starts on Day 2 with hotel overnight

Day 1: Pick up from Cusco airport upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. We spend the night here, taking time to relax and acclimatize to the altitude.

Day 2: Pick up at 8 am to visit Ollantaytambo and its Inca fortress, before being transferred back to Cusco for lunch followed by a guided City Tour. We visit the Temple of the Sun, the main Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and the bohemian district of San Blas, among other sights. After lunch we transfer to the hotel where we have the afternoon to ourselves. In the evening the guide gives us a briefing on the trip to come. Overnight.

Day 3: After an early breakfast, guests will be picked up starting at 7:00 am at the hotel in Cusco by the guide and transfer by vehicle in direction to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort in Soraypampa. En route we will take a short break to visit the Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approx. 1.5 hrs from Cusco). After leaving Limatambo, we pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where we stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to the Coronilla Ranch.

Here, after a short period of familiarization, we will begin our ride to Soraypampa. This is a good opportunity to acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 3- 4 hour trek on their first day. The Salkantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley – the “Salkantay”, the 2nd most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at 20,600 ft (6,270 m), the highest in the region.

After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, guests will be shown to their rooms and have time to wash-up. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude, taking advantage of the outdoor Jacuzzi or just walking in the beautiful surroundings. An evening briefing by the fireplace is followed by aperitifs and dinner. 

 Technical Description
 Riding Hours: Approx. four hours
 Type of Terrain: Open roads, some steep ascending trails
 Type of Riding: Walk, trot, canter, gallop
 Note: Lunch is a picnic lunch en route. Non-riders will be transferred directly to the Lodge.

Day 4: Today we ride out for three hours in the surrounding area of  Soraypampa to visit the Humantay Lake, fed by glaciers far above on the slopes of Humantay. A short walk of about thirty minutes is necessary in order to reach the lake, but the view is well worth it and those brave enough can go for a swim. This activity is excellent for acclimatization. We return to the lodge for lunch, after which we have the option to ride out again for around three hours in the surrounding area, or guests may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in our outdoor Jacuzzi. We spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds. In the evening, the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken at the Lodge. 

 Technical Description:
 Riding Hours: Approx. three hours
 Type of Terrain: Open roads, some steep ascending trails and open fields
 Type of Riding: Walk, trot, canter
 Non-rider activity: Hike to Humantay Lake

Day 5:  We continue our ride (about five hours) towards Machu Picchu, riding up the Rio Blanco valley and circling Humantay opposite Salkantay. In the process we reach the highest part of the ride, a pass at 4500 metres (14,800 ft) where we keep our eyes open for Andean condors, common to the area. At the pass we stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of  the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of  Salkantay towering above us. We will keep our eyes out for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass we continue our descent toward the Wayra Lodge (“Wayra”: wind; ‘the place where the wind lives’) our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is taken en route. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge 

 Technical Description:
 Riding Hours: Approx. four hours
 Type of Terrain: 80% steep trails and 20% open land
 Type of Riding: Walk, trot
 Non-rider activity: transfer to Ollantaytambo

Day 6: We continue downhill above the Salkantay River, descending into the cloud forest, through increasingly verdant scenery. Upon arrival at Collpa Lodge we are greeted with a Pachamanca (subject to availability; traditional underground stone cooking). This traditional meal is famous for its cooking method which consists of layering meat with hot stones and then covering the whole thing up to bake. After observing the uncovering of the Pachamanca, which consists of a variety of meats (chicken, lamb, beef, pork and guinea pig) and vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes and yucca) we enjoy our meal. Collpa Lodge is located on an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The outdoor Jacuzzi has almost panoramic views of lush green mountains. We spend the afternoon relaxing or walking in the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. 

 Technical Description:
 Riding Hours: Approx. three hours
 Type of Terrain: Steep trails
 Type of Riding: Walk, trot
 Non-rider activity: Day free in Ollantaytambo

Day 7: Today we head down the Santa Teresa river valley, through banana and passion fruit orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee grown here is said to be one of the best organic coffees in the world. Along the way we stop for a picnic lunch. Afterwards, we continue our ride (a total of around five hours) to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, which is where we say goodbye to our horses. A short thirty-minute walk through an avocado orchard brings us to Lucma Lodge. We arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and possible meeting with members of the local community. 

 Technical Description:
 Riding Hours: Approx. four hours
 Type of Terrain: Steep trails and some open roads
 Type of Riding: Walk, trot, canter
 Non-rider activity: Transfer by train and vehicle to Lucma Lodge

Day 8: We are transferred to the train station by van in order to catch the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town. Those who wish to can hike this distance instead. (The guide confirms guests’ preferences the night before.) 

Description of OPTIONAL hike:
We leave the lodge around 9am and head uphill for around two hours towards Llactapata pass (2600 metres/8500 feet). After heading downhill for about ten minutes we come upon the recently restored Llactapata Ruins from where we also have a distant but very special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a perspective that few tourists get to enjoy. We walk another ten minutes or so to our lunch spot where we enjoy a picnic lunch with the same view of Machu Picchu. We then descend to the Vilcanota River through bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations, a descent of between two and three hours. Aguas Calientes, the town of Machu Picchu, is a short train ride away and we check into our hotel for dinner and a well-earned rest. The whole group spends the night in Aguas Calientes.

Day 9: We have a very early start in order to make the thirty-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu and arrive before sunrise. We then enjoy a private guided tour of the city, followed by several hours in which we are free to explore the ruins by ourselves. Afterwards we return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch and then take the afternoon Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo (about an hour and a half), where we are transferred by car to Cusco (about one hour) and our hotel. We spend the night here. If you prefer we can easily arrange for another night in Aguas Calientes to have more tiome to explore Machu Picchu - let us know at time of booking.

*** the 2010 itinerary ends today in the afternoon - hotel arrangements can be made ....

Day 10:  After breakfast we are transferred to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima.

Rates and Dates for Machu Picchu Lodge Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Cusco
Airport: Cusco
Transfer: Cusco

Climate:

In the dry season it is warm in the day but cold at night. When it rains the temperature drops, but it warms up immediately afterwards, and rain is very infrequent in the dry season. During the rainy season is almost exactly the same except that it is significantly warmer at night and rains rather more often. 

You should bring a variety of light, natural fibre clothing (short and long-sleeved tops, thin jumpers, raincoats, that can be layered to cope with the different environments you will experience on the trip.

You should bring whatever riding equipment you feel comfortable riding in, particularly your own riding hat or helmet and footwear, breeches, half/full chaps, etc.

Also, light, natural fiber clothing that can be layered. Very strong sunblock (factor 50 or above – we have burnt right through factor 30 up here and ended up with second-degree burns) and mosquito repellent.

We also recommend a torch, as the power is provided by generators which are turned off between 11pm and 6am, and a bathing suit in order to take advantage of the Jacuzzi at the lodge and the swimming pool at the Huacachina Oasis. Binoculars, a camera and sunglasses are also recommended, as are any medications currently being taken by the guest.

Most personal hygiene products can be bought in Lima, but if you are going to be arriving late or have particular preferences you should bring your own, just in case. Basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel) are provided at the lodge for guests and you should feel free to take these away with you when you leave. 

Layers are definitely best. Most of our guests dress “mountain smart/dressy” for nights, but casual is totally fine (some of our guests dine in hiking pants, fleece and flip-flops/crocs or sneakers.)
There are opportunities to shop in the local markets or high-end/luxury stores for alpaca sweaters which are very popular.

If you have a cell phone that has international roaming, it should work fine in Peru. If not, when you arrive to the Lima or Cusco airport you will be able to rent cell phones for a short period. Usually this service is found around the baggage claim area.