Ride Overview
“This trip changed my life!” – that’s what most clients say. You will ride on an ancient Inca trail, only accessible on foot or by horseback. Seeing the plains and high mountains offers you not only a firsthand experience with the lovely Quechua people and the ancient Incan traditions, but an intimate portrait of life and travel on the Inca Trail as well as a tour of the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
During the ride you will pass through lush valleys, cross gurgling streams and pass between the peaks of Humantay and Salkantay mountains, the highest elevation on the ride rounding out at 15,000 feet. You’ll see Quechua villages, llamas, alpacas and if you look up, the mighty condor.
The horses are Peruvian Quarter Horses and you will find them to be the only suitable mount for this rugged terrain. Each night your accommodations on the ride are in private, well appointed luxury eco lodges.
Dates and Rates: (7 day / 6 night program) We have dates running every month listed.
2023 Dates: Dec. 7-13, Dec. 17-23, Dec. 24-30
2024 Dates: March 6-12, March 9-15, March 15-21, March 18-24, March 21-27, March 27-April 2, March 31-April 6, April 1-7, April 2-8, April 3-9, April 10-16, April 22-28, April 26-May 2, April 30-May 6, May 11-17, May 13-19, May 22-28, June 6-12, June 12-18, June 24-30, July 7-13, July 12-18, July 26-Aug. 1, Aug. 9-15, Aug. 12-18, Aug. 14-20, Aug. 21-27, Sept. 16-22, Sept. 19-25, Nov. 4-10, Nov. 6-12, Nov. 11-17, Nov. 12-18, Nov. 15-21, Nov. 19-25, Nov. 24-30, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Dec. 4-10, Dec. 6-12, Dec. 11-17, Dec. 13-19, Dec. 15-21, Dec. 18-24, Dec. 24-30
Rates: March 1-31 and November 1-Dec. 14: $3,900.00 USD per person sharing
April 1-Oct. 31 and Dec. 15-31: $4, 990.00 USD per person sharing
***Other dates available on request for a minimum of 2 riders.
(Single Supplement: 50% of total trip price listed above. If you are willing to share a room and we cannot find a same sex roommate for you, the fee is reduced to 25%)
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 days riding/touring
- All meals
- House selection of beer, wine and spirits
- Horse and all tack
- Luggage transfers
- Entrance to and tour of Machu Picchu
- Train ticket to Cusco at end of the ride
- All local taxes
- Gratuities for staff at the lodges
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for the guides (Suggested per guest at $10-$20/day for the lead guide and $5-$15/day for the assistant)
- Massages
- Laundry services
- Permits for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains
Day 1
After an early breakfast, you will be picked up at 7:00AM at their hotel in Cusco by the guide. and will be driven by vehicle to the start of the trail – on your way to the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort (SLAR) in Soraypampa.
En route you 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, you will pass through the mountain village of Mollepata where you will stop for a short coffee break before ascending a winding mountain road to the Coronilla Ranch.
Here, after a short period of familiarization with your horse, you will begin your ride to Soraypampa. This is a good opportunity to acclimate and enjoy a mild & beautiful 3-4 hour trek with fun long trots and canters in the mountains.. The SLAR 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 the friendly staff, you will be shown to your room 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.
Day 2
Today you will 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 on foot 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.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, you will have the option to ride out again for around three hours in the surrounding area, or you may choose to trade the glacial swim for a relaxing soak in the outdoor jacuzzi. You will spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge and Adventure Resort with gourmet food and warm, comfortable beds.
In the evening, the guide will brief the group on gear and the itinerary for the next four days.
Day 3
Today you continue your ride (about five hours) towards Machu Picchu, riding up the Rio Blanco valley and circling Humantay, which stands grandly opposite of Salkantay. In the process of today’s ride, you will reach the highest part of the ride, a pass at 4500 metres (14,800 ft) where you will keep your eyes open for Andean condors, common to the area.
At the pass you stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above you. From the pass you continue your descent toward the Wayra Lodge (“Wayra” means 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.
Day 4
After breakfast, your ride continues downhill above the Salkantay River, descending into the cloud forest, through increasingly verdant scenery. You will be amazed at how the landscape changes from the high mountain terrain with its rocky outcroppings and low lying shrubs to tall and full trees resplendent with all types of orchids and other flowering species.
The trail follows the winding river and you will pass through several small areas that contain villages made up of two to three homes. Laughing and energetic school children walking the 7-10 miles to school may greet you along your route.
Upon arrival at Collpa Lodge you are greeted with a Pachamanca (subject to availability), a traditional underground stone cooked meal. 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) you have a chance to relax and enjoy your meal with the wonderful views over the valley.
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. It is the perfect place to spend the afternoon relaxing or walking in the surrounding area. In addition, behind the lodge, on the hillside, is a wonderful orchid garden with several good sized paths for exploring – be careful to look up, down and all around as the orchids may grow in surprising places!
Day 5
The ride today heads down the Santa Teresa river valley, through banana and passion fruit orchards and coffee plantations. The coffee grown here is said to one of the best organic coffees in the world.
Along the way you will stop for a picnic lunch. Afterwards, the ride continues (a total of around five hours) to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, which is where you will be a very fond goodbye to your horse.
A short thirty-minute walk through an avocado orchard brings you to Lucma Lodge, your home for the night. You will arrive in time to allow for exploration of the small village of Lucmabamba and the possibility to meet with members of the local community.
Day 6
After breakfast, you 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 can hike this distance instead. (The guide confirms guests’ preferences the night before.)
Description of OPTIONAL hike
Leaving the lodge around 9:00AM, you will head uphill for around two hours towards Llactapata pass (2600 metres/8500 feet). After catching your breath, you then have the welcome chance to head downhill for about ten minutes before coming upon the recently restored Llactapata Ruins from where you have a distant but very special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a perspective that few tourists get to enjoy.
After taking some time to explore the ruins and then to snap some photos of Machu Picchu, you will walk another ten minutes or so to your lunch spot where you will enjoy a picnic lunch with the same view of Machu Picchu. Afterward, you 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.
Day 7
This morning has a very early start in order to make the thirty-minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu and arrive before sunrise. Being at this “lost city” and experiencing the sun as it must have looked the the ancient Incans as it ascended over the mountains is truly majestic and well worth the early rising.
You will then enjoy a private guided tour of the city, followed by several hours in which you are free to explore the ruins by yourself. Afterwards you will return to Aguas Calientes by bus for lunch and then take the afternoon Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo (about an hour and a half), where you are transferred by car to Cusco (about one hour) to a hotel of your choice (this nights’ lodging is at your discretion).
***SPECIAL NOTE: For those that want to do so, you may have your passport stamped at the entrance to Machu Picchu with a special Machu Picchu entry stamp.
Fran & Tricia Y.
Everything that has been said in these reviews about the Machu Picchu Inn to Inn Ride adventure on the Salkantay Trail is absolutely true! We spent three days in Cusco in advance of the ride to acclimate and absorb the history of this incredible city and culture. The 5-day ride through the gorgeous Andes Mountains was amazing. The guides, horses, lodges, and support staff were all outstanding.
Macchu Picchu is so powerful – a truly sacred and spiritual site. We are so glad that we added an extra day to return to the sacred city a second time – highly recommended! Thank you so much Stacey (!) for all your help in making this life-changing adventure a reality!
Penny F.
Everything was exceptional; the horses, lodges, cooks, food and all of those who helped us on the trail. I particularly appreciate their knowledge, gaiety, horsemanship, concern for our safety and mostly their generosity of spirit. It is clear that they love the mountains and the Inca heritage and they passed it on to us in an easy and authentic way. I felt close to the mountain gods and to our wonderful group. It was fun, inspiring and a little crazy in the best way. You and they have a gift for making people comfortable and for that and much more, I thank you.
Pam & Francois
We had the most fantastic trip. It was amazing and we are changed in the best ways…slower, clearer and calmer.
You should know that this was perhaps the safest trek we have been on. Our guide Antonio is a terrific horseman as well as guide and marvelous human being. The horses are the fittest, safest and happiest horses we have ever come across. Our group became family as did Antonio and his talented colleagues.
The rarified air and Salkantay Mountain are now part of our DNA.
Thank you for all your help. Kudos!
Julie R.
I had the time of my life on this trip! You were absolutely right. There were only 5 of us and we had the best guide you could have imagined. The extra night in Machu Picchu was so smart and I was there for Winter Solstice which was very special. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed the ride, the people, the food, the scenery and so much more. Very well worth the wait to find the right trip and the weather was amazing.
Amber H.
There is so much to say about an Active Travel Riding trip to Peru… the most difficult part is summarizing the highlights in a few paragraphs.
There are the small details: warm tea waiting for you at the lodges when you come in from the trail, friendly staff available to welcome you and tell you about the culture, the land, the lodge, or describe the delicious local food that’s been laid out for you, the hot tubs overlooking the mountains, where you can soak your tired legs after a day on the breathtaking trails… the list is endless.
Of course, that doesn’t even take in consideration the bigger details: the views are simply breathtaking, from mountains to blue glass lakes, to the sun beaming down on Macchu Picchu. Galloping through a field on horseback with the Andes Mountains towering above you is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Simply put, every detail has been thought of, and every aspect of this trip is truly ideal. It’s as if Mother Nature and Mountain Lodges of Peru conspired to create the perfect experience, whether on horseback or on foot – and Active Travel is there to bestow this gift upon us, as travelers – and it’s an opportunity that simply shouldn’t be missed!
Diane L.
I don’t even know where to begin – that was the most incredible trip of my life. Machu Picchu was fantastic, but every detail of the journey getting there is what’s etched in my memory forever. You were so right about Guido and Ricardo – they are the best! They both watched out for me when I had a bit of trouble hiking at 15,000 feet and cantering at an uncomfortable speed. With only four of us riding, Ricardo could ride faster with the rest of my family and Guido went a little slower with me. The trail to the Andean Cross wasn’t that steep and I know I could have done it easily at home (5,430 feet); however, at 15,200 feet it would have been very difficult for me and would have taken too long. Ricardo let me sit on my horse and he walked us up to the very last turn – I walked all the way down with no trouble. At the top was Santos who included us in an offering to Apu – what a wonderful experience. I’m convinced it was Santos’ offering who brought the condor to see us and also provided excellent weather every day of our trip!
Thank you again for providing us with the experience of a lifetime!
Valerie C.
My trip to the Andes went way beyond my expectations. Mountain Lodges is the best run, most organized outfit I have ever dealt with. Everything ran like clock-work. The lodges are amazing, and I still can’t believe the meals. Guido was a wonderful guide, and every member of the staff at the equestrian center and the lodges went above and beyond to make sure everyone was safe and had a good time.
The horses were so fit and well taken care of. Thanks for all your help, and keep me on your mailing list. I still have some vacation hours left!
Janette S.
Guido, our guide, was just fantastic, and deals with any problem as if it is no problem. He is superb.
The lodges were quite a surprise, as I was expecting remote accommodations to be pretty primitive. Just the opposite. They could be a destination in themselves. Simply gorgeous. And I also had no idea that we would have the chef traveling with us and all meals would be exquisite, beautiful, gourmet and over the top service. The whole staff of Mountain Lodges was five star.
The horses were good, fit, and well taken care of, thanks to Ricardo and Oscar, who I now call Puma, because of the way he bounds up mountains on foot, short-cutting the trails.
I had a great time! And I’m glad I did it on a horse, instead of trekking!
Carolyn O.
Nine of us rode the five-day Salkantay Trail ride, sponsored by Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP), starting at the Coronilla Horse Ranch northwest of Cusco, Peru, to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail. We booked with Stacey Adams, Active Travel, Inc. 800-973-3221. We rode about 70 km through the Andes mountains over the 15,213 foot Salkantay Pass and then down into the high jungle on the Santa Teresa river valley. On route we stayed overnight at four amazing eco-lodges built by MLP – Soray, Wayra, Colpa and Lucma Lodge.
The horses, the guide, the doctor, the grooms, the lodges, the food and the staff were all amazing. There were Jacuzzi hot tubs and spas/massage therapists at each lodge which was wonderful after four or five hours in the saddle. The endurance saddles were very comfortable.
All of our meals at the lodges were gourmet and presented beautifully. Three of our grooms walked the trail with us and were instantly available for assistance.
There were extra activities at each lodge – Quechan dancing, an orchid garden, a pisco sour drink demo, a causa cooking lesson from Rosa (a seasoned mashed potato terrine, stuffed with tuna, egg, chicken and avocado and served cold as a starter), and a family, organic coffee plantation. We were able to purchase gorgeous alpaca textile items from local Quechan artisans. We visited a guinea pig farm and had roasted cuy (guinea pig) at the Colpa Lodge. We also had a traditional Pachamanca meal – meat and potatoes layered with plantain, Andean grass and herbs and cooked in the ground with hot stones.
Despite the forecast when we left home the weather was very nice; we had some light rain at lunch on day four and it rained for a couple of hours on day five but we had our ponchos and it was warm. I had an amazing Arabian mare, Alkira, who had a great walk and canter. She was very keen so the hardest thing was keeping a horse length between her and the horse in front. All of the horses were wonderful – extremely fit, surefooted, and happy to do their job and look after their riders.
I have so much praise and appreciation for Antonio, our guide, Olintho, the doctor, and the grooms – Oscar, Eddie, Florentino and Trujillo. They looked after us and ensured that we were safe and happy at all times. It was an amazing journey – physically, spiritually and culturally.
This was the journey of a lifetime.
Annie H.
We had the most AMAZING time!!!!
Life altering……
Dreams come true TRIP!!
We are still here in Peru and enjoying Huacachina today. Paracas tomorrow…Then back to Lima.
Thank you for everything!
I’d like to send a special shout out to our guide. He was AMAZING. He took good care of me when I was sick with altitude and was an overall very competent guide.
Jennifer G.
I wanted to write to thank you for a fantastic trip. My daughter and I had a wonderful, very memorable week. Both our guide, Antonio, and our wranglers, Ricardo and (unfortunately I’m blanking on the name of our wonderful first wrangler who has a new baby) were very professional but also very good company. We were lucky to be trekking in parallel with the hiking group led by Fernando and Betto.
The lodge staff were all terrific. We cannot stop marvelling at the logistical challenges of running those remote lodges- it is still difficult to comprehend that something that is so challenging to supply could be so smoothly and professionally run.
The horses were wonderful. The food was great. Of course the place, and scenery, were incredible. Everything ran smoothly. The additional programs – evening talks, special meals- were fun and worthwhile.
Mountain Lodges doesn’t make a big deal about the origin story of this trek and its founder, but it’s impossible to miss the pride people have in their work, and the impact these folks have on the community. I may have had particular sensitivity to this because I speak Spanish and know Latin America well, but I think this is an important part of the trip, underlying the whole experience. You see it in the way local residents greet each other on the trail, the mule transport wranglers greeting our guides, etc. It was very moving to hear the stories and see the impact the founder and this company have had on the individuals that shepherded us daily.
And thank you for putting us in the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco- that was an extra special treat..
We hope to return to Peru and travel with you again. Thank you for everything!
Anne and Jim L.
First, the XO Hotel was great, host and all was terrific in every way.
MLP lodges are great too. The horses, grooms and guide, Antonio, are first rate. The trail was very skinny in places but we’ve been in spots like that before so no big deal. The land was fantastic and we’d recommend this trip to adventurous riders anytime.
The hike, 4 miles up , 4 miles down, we’d rate as difficult due to the fast switch backs on the way down. Everyone on the hike had very sore legs the next day causing some discomfort at Machu Picchu. Loved the 2nd day at Machu Picchu and the climb of Wayna Picchu and think everyone should do this.
Loved all of it but feel bad for the stray dogs… if we adopt a stray it will be named Cusco in honor of them all. Horses were good and well cared for!
Thanks again.