Peru Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking Tour
Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Couples, Friends & Solos
9 days 8 nights
Activity Level: 3-5
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,899 - $7,349 pp dbl occ
($1,500 for sgl occ)
It's easy to grasp the ancient Inca mindset—once your lungs adjust to the rarefied Andean air. From your 15,200-foot vantage point atop Salkantay Pass, it's clear why these majestic pinnacles inspired awe among the native inhabitants. And at the apex of this trek, Machu Picchu. You're breathless. Is it the altitude or the views? Experience a little of both on our Peru Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking Tour.
Peru
Start/End Cusco
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Hike unencumbered from lodge to lodge, with porters and mules handling your luggage and leaving you free to soak up the scenery
- Trek the famed Incan Salkantay Pass route to 15,200 feet for breathtaking views of the dramatic snow-covered Andes
- Observe a stunning bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu and join our local guide for a visit to Machu Picchu, where we gain insight into Inca culture
- Relax in style after a great day of hiking at comfortable high-altitude lodges—many complete with hot tubs!
This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.
Itinerary
9 Days Premiere Hotels
Savor stunning vistas of the Cusco Valley as you trek to the Inca sites of Q'enko, Temple of the Moon and fortress-temple Sacsayhuamán with a local expert | Visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art to view unique artifacts from ancient Peruvian civilizations.
Located between the San Blas arts district and Cusco's vibrant main square, this serene oasis mixes contemporary fixtures with traditional design. A Relais & Châteaux member.
Trek along a route used by the Inca in the 15th century | Ascend to the high-altitude grasslands of Soraypampa with breathtaking mountain and valley vistas, including your first look at Humantay Mountain | Walk up to a glacial lake and take in views of towering glacier-covered Salkantay Peak, Inca mythology's most sacred mountain | Taste pisco sours, the country's national drink.
This stylish mountain lodge, set at 11,800 feet, welcomes you with a hot tub and incomparable views of Salkantay, the region's highest peak.
Watch for condors soaring overhead as you travel up the Río Blanco Valley | Summit Salkantay Pass, standing eye-level with the glacier-capped slopes of the mighty Salkantay mountain | Soak in the views from the outdoor hot tub at our remote mountain lodge.
Overnight at "the place where the wind lives" and enjoy a hot tub soak at 12,000 feet.
Make your way into the cloud forest—one of the world's most fascinating and threatened ecosystems | Amid the Ceja de la Selva (or "eyebrow of the jungle"), look for frogs, hummingbirds, parrots and beautiful flowers, including orchids, asters and begonias | Feeling adventurous? Try cuy (guinea pig) at a traditional Andean Pachamanca feast.
This lodge features a hot tub and rests in a cloud forest at 10,300 feet in the Collpapampa Valley.
Trek through an incredible portion of the Santa Teresa River Valley | Follow an undulating route through wild highland landscapes to the river, up a picturesque mountainside | Try specialties like giant avocados and exotic granadilla fruit in the town of Playa | Hike on a restored ancient Inca trail to our serene lodge, nestled amid coffee plants and banana, avocado and eucalyptus trees.
Savor spectacular views from this lodge, built right into the mountainside and flanked by an avocado orchard.
Gaze upon Machu Picchu from the seldom-traveled Llactapata Trail | Head through bamboo forests to the Vilcanota River | Take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes and explore its markets and shops | Rise early for a full day in Machu Picchu | Spend the morning exploring the ruins | Hike up Machu Picchu Mountain for an impressive overview, then get up close as our local guide reveals secrets of Machu Picchu's discovery | On your final morning of this Peru Trekking Tour, learn about native orchids, birds and tea plantations with our hotel's naturalist.
This eco-friendly hotel's Andean-style casitas blend seamlessly into the surrounding cloud forest. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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Activity Level:
3-5
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes a mix of village and archaeological site walks, Inca stone jungle and mountain trails. Overnight trekking lodges are located at elevations between 6,600 and 12,700 feet, and trekking routes reach up to 15,200 feet. The altitude and rugged terrain can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Some routes involve substantial elevation loss.
Daily Route Options
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes a mix of village and archaeological site walks, Inca stone jungle and mountain trails. Overnight trekking lodges are located at elevations between 6,600 and 12,700 feet, and trekking routes reach up to 15,200 feet. The altitude and rugged terrain can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest. Some routes involve substantial elevation loss.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Hiking the Inca Trail
One of our hikes requires the Machu Picchu Mountain Inca Trail permit that Backroads will obtain on your behalf (included in your trip price). Therefore, we recommend booking your trip at least 3–4 months prior to departure to have the best chance of securing your permit. Without it, you will miss this portion of the Trail but will still do the full Machu Picchu Citadel tour within the ruins.
Terrain & Trail Support
Our hikes through Peru's captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Hiking on Your Own
This trip has been designed to offer as many hiking options as possible. Since many of the trails are unmarked, we recommend that you hike with the company of a Backroads leader or one of our local support staff. On the few days when we're in national parks, regulations require you to hike in the company of one of our certified park guides.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
One of our hikes requires the Machu Picchu Mountain Inca Trail permit that Backroads will obtain on your behalf (included in your trip price). Therefore, we recommend booking your trip at least 3–4 months prior to departure to have the best chance of securing your permit. Without it, you will miss this portion of the Trail but will still do the full Machu Picchu Citadel tour within the ruins.
Our hikes through Peru's captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won't see our vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
This trip has been designed to offer as many hiking options as possible. Since many of the trails are unmarked, we recommend that you hike with the company of a Backroads leader or one of our local support staff. On the few days when we're in national parks, regulations require you to hike in the company of one of our certified park guides.
