YANAPANA PERU Supports the Communities!

During the 2011 rainy season (January and February), tourist activity is reduced significantly and many local and rural roads become impassable in the highlands of the Salkantay. During this time, Mountain Lodges of Peru's NGO YANAPANA PERU supports with training courses and workshops on social responsibility and ecology to MLP personnel and local service providers. Since the beginning of the year, YANAPANA PERU has donated clothes and raincoats to highland communities that live in extreme poverty around Soraypampa and Marcahuilla (where our 1st lodge, the Salkantay Lodge, is based). YANAPANA PERU also donated native potato seeds of premium quality to the Huayracmacchay community (where our 2nd lodge is located) in order to improve the productivity of such harvests. YANAPANA PERU continues giving support to new entrepreneurs and ventures in artisanal jam and textile production in the Mollepata community (at the start of our Lodge to Lodge trekking program). Some of the future plans for this year include the construction of an organic farm and irrigation facilities near the Manchayhuayco school to improve the nutrition for the children (the school is located a couple of hours north of Colpa Lodge, our 3rd lodge). In addition, YANAPANA PERU is supporting the construction of THE HOUSE OF COFFEE in a small farm in Lucmabamba, near our 4th lodge. This is a facility where travelers will learn more about the growth and processing of organic coffee, as well as enjoy a tasting and demonstration of the finished product. YANAPANA PERU will continue with these and its more than 40 projects to help improve the communities' economy, health and education. If you want to make a donation and support any of these projects or have more information about our other projects and how you can help, send an email to info@mountainlodgesofperu.com and we will gladly respond how you can help.

2011 Season is on the GO!

Mountain Lodges of Peru announces the start of its 2011 Season! Our first group started its trek on March 1st and today they are well on their way to the Salkantay Pass at an elevation of 15,000ft! They must be definitely having a blast! Have you already booked your trip and are ready to have an experience of a lifetime?

2010 SEASON FINALE SPECIAL RATES!!

With the 2010 season at its end, we are happy to announce our end of the year SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL RATE for our Fixed Departure Program of our Lodge to Lodge to Machu Picchu Trek, an incredible experience to a unique World Marvel!

Let's get to it!:

Receive a 20% discount for new bookings on our regular 2010 rate for trips to be made in our selected dates between November 2nd, 2010 and December 17th, 2010. Also, if you are coming alone, forget about Single Supplements since we are not charging for those!

Enjoy this amazing trip and take advantage of this great promotion! Come experience a trip of a lifetime!!

For more information about the promotion and trip conditions, please email info@mountainlodgesofperu.com and we will get back to you as quickly as possible!

El Señor de los Temblores – An Incredible Cusco Festival

Nearly every country in Latin America has a history that includes the convergence of various cultures and religions over the past centuries. Dating back at least 500 years (and in most cases much, much longer) the continent’s landscape witnessed the often complicated combining of cultures throughout its various regions. Although these situations were often complex to say the least, the modern cultural landscape contains a variety of Latin American cultures that is so diverse, that it would be nearly impossible to study all of them within a single lifetime. Numerous modern-day festivals mark the calendar during various times of year, and Peru’s city of Cusco plays host to one of the most interesting – Lord of the Tremors (or “El Señor de Los Temblores”).

As many people know, Cusco’s celebratory calendar contains a list of great celebrations, including All Saints Day, Corpus Christi and Christmas. However, the festival of Lord of the Tremors starts early in the year (goes from late March – early April), and it represents a unique combination of Andean-Christian beliefs. According to the historical recordings surrounding the event, since 1650, Cusco has celebrated the moment when a canvas painting of Christ on the Cross protected the city of Cusco from a major earthquake. According to the story, the canvas prevented the quake from doing too much harm to the city, and since this event took place, the residents have celebrated this holiday to give thanks to Taitacha Temblores, the Lord of the Earthquakes. The festival’s main procession begins at the Cathedral of Cusco and continues through the city’s streets. While the crowd carries the canvas image that represents the canvas that protected the city, others offer a special crimson-colored flower, which was once used as an ancient offering to Andean deities and now represents the blood of Christ. For these reasons, this Peruvian Festival stands as one of the country’s most unique opportunities to witness the combination of Andean-Christian histories and beliefs.

It is a beautiful celebration, and one not to be missed for all those that visit the city of Cusco. The combination of traditions is richly impressive, and this festival promises to etch itself in the memories of all who participate since it is a truly unique experience in one of Peru’s most impressive cities.

Ceviche; Seafood + lots of Lime Juice = Very Awesome

Almost every country in the world is known for a special type of cuisine, and Peru is among the most famous with its gastronomic contribution of ceviche. This delicate, always-fresh delicacy commonly contains fish or shellfish that is marinated in citrus juices with various local vegetables. From its Peruvian origins, ceviche has exploded in popularity and may now be found in almost every corner of the map. However, it goes without saying that if you want to try world’s the original ceviches, book a flight to Lima (or any other city in Peru) and prepare yourself for a truly amazing experience.

It’s still unclear exactly which language gave rise to the name “ceviche”, and theories include origins in Quechua, Spanish and Arabic. Although creating a tasty ceviche is an art that requires at least some practice, the steps for preparing the dish are relatively straightforward for its modern-day preparation. The process begins with cutting the fish into small pieces and then mixing with fresh, sliced vegetables (onion is a common ingredient). Various seasonings can then be added, and salt is one of the most popular due to its ability to strengthen the taste of the dish. After the seasonings, add lime juice and toss the fish and vegetables until the fish becomes “cooked”. Although this isn’t the most well-known way to “cook” seafood, the citric acids pickle the fish and allow it to safely be consumed (plus, it’s delicious). Although ceviche originally marinated for 3 hours before being served in its original recipe, the modern style of preparation allows it to be served immediately after tossing the fish in the lime juice – this will guarantee absolute freshness for everyone that has the pleasure of eating it.

Like most dishes that spread from country to country, the list of ceviche spin-offs has grown to include an incredible number of options. In fact, almost every country in Latin America has its own variation that includes a bit of the local flavor. These different versions commonly include ceviche with various types of fish, shrimp, and different shellfish. So if you’re looking for fresh seafood in Latin America, ceviche is the top recommendation on the menu, and if you’re looking for what are arguably the original ceviche recipes, make sure your itinerary includes a long stop in Peru.

Machu Picchu reopens April 1st & Train Services Restored Yesterday

Dear Guest,

We are glad to report that we stand less than 48 hours from the reopening of Machu Picchu, on April 1st 2010. Likewise, we can report that Peru Rail has restored train services to Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Town) starting yesterday. Things are coming back to normal and even renowned guests like Susan Sarandon and Anthony Hopkins have jumped on the opportunity to visit us now. In fact, Mrs. Susan Sarandon will be part of the official reopening ceremony, together with high Peruvian Government officials this Thursday.

Here are a few important related things which we would like to bring to your attention, so that you can better prepare for your trip and know what to expect.

All scheduled MLP trips will run as programmed. Only in some cases (which will be detailed below) will there be very slight variations to the itinerary.

During the months of April and May 2010, Peru Rail will run its train service to/from Machu Picchu under partial and limited conditions.

The train tracks have only been repaired between the town of Piscacucho (also known as “Km 82”; one of the entry points to the Inca Trail) and Machu Picchu (or Aguas Calientes). This means that guests will only be able to board the train to Machu Picchu at this provisionary station (Piscacucho) and, correspondingly, disembark at this station when returning from Machu Picchu back to Cusco. There will be a permanent bus service, free of charge, between Piscacucho and the original train station located in Ollantaytambo.

When returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco, MLP guests will be taken by their guide to the train station at Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) 30 minutes prior to departure time. Upon arrival at Piscacucho, there is a 10-minute walk (approximately 200m or 0.1 miles) between where the train stops and the provisionary train station in this town. MLP guests will be accompanied by their guide the whole time. After this short walk (approximately 10 minutes), guests will be led to the buses (all operated by Peru Rail as well) that will take them to the Ollantaytambo train station (approximately 1 hour ride). There, guests will transfer to an MLP private vehicle for their journey back to Cusco (approximately 1hr 20m), as is stated in the original itinerary.

Due to the shorter train track portion available during this time (April/May 2010) Peru Rail is not able to operate all of their wagons, thus limiting their seating capacity in the train service to approximately 30% of its regular capacity. This has caused for a large amount of forced cancellations on previously confirmed seats and necessary departure-time rescheduling. We are glad to inform you that we have secured confirmed seats on all train services for all MLP guests on their original departure date (return date from Machu Picchu back to Cusco). However, we have had to accept time-departure rescheduling for some of our groups; sometimes resulting in mid-morning or late-night departure times from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). Our regular train departure time is in the afternoon around 3pm or 4pm.

In observation of this, we have had to plan as follows (this only applies to groups that have return dates from Machu Picchu in April; May schedule is still in process of confirmation):

1) Groups with mid-morning departures (9:56am or 10:37am): in order to allow a full 3 ½ hour visit to Machu Picchu, as a minimum, we kindly ask that you adhere to an early morning visit. This entails you being ready to depart your hotel at 5:10am in order to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu. After the visit and return journey by train/vehicle, guests will have lunch in the town of Ollantaytambo and also have a chance to visit the Ollantaytambo archeological site in the afternoon, before returning to Cusco at approximately 6pm.
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-213 (26 March), ROAM-201 (06 April), MLP-313 (08 April), MLP-215 (09 April), MLP-288 (10 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 17 April), MLP-321 (13 April), MLP-286 (15 April), MLP-216 (16 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 23 April), MLP-290 (22 April).

2) Groups with regular afternoon or early evening departure (3:20pm or 5:50pm): your guide will coordinate visit times to the site as is regularly done. Lunch will be taken in Aguas Calientes according to the original itinerary and the group will return to Cusco at approximately 6pm. (Groups with departure time at 5:50pm will be back in Cusco at approximately 8:30pm).
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-214 (02 April), MLP-289 (03 April), MLP-216 (16 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 23 April).

3) Groups with late-night departure (9:30pm): you may coordinate with the guide and enjoy a morning half-day visit to Machu Picchu to later enjoy your hotel’s amenities, activities and services in the afternoon; or you may choose to do a full-day visit to Machu Picchu. Lunch and dinner are taken in Aguas Calientes and are included. Your arrival time back in Cusco is approximately 12:30am.
Groups (departure date from Cusco in parenthesis): MLP-304 (05 April), MLP-288 (10 April; only guests with return date to Cusco on 16 April), STEPPES-201 (19 April), MLP-217 (23 April).

Note. - As stated above, the plan presented does not show groups with return date from Machu Picchu in May 2010.

We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences that these changes in the train schedule may suppose. We are committed to continue in our efforts to achieve more convenient schedules.

During this time, Peru Rail will strictly enforce a luggage policy which is detailed within the attached document (English translation is located right after the text in Spanish). In summary, Peru Rail will only allow 1 piece of luggage per guest (bag or backpack), with a maximum weight of 05kg or 11lbs and maximum dimensions (width + height + length) of 62 inches or 157cm.

In consideration of this, MLP asks guests to kindly adhere to this policy by taking the following actions:

Before departing Lucma Lodge (on Day 6 of the itinerary), MLP will offer guests provisional duffel bags(if needed) in order for guests to pack only enough clothing and personal items to sustain their 2-day experience at Machu Picchu. Please consider packing lightly and adhering to the Peru Rail specifications mentioned above and in the document attached. These duffel bags will accompany guests throughout the rest of the experience.

MLP will take custody of our guests’ main luggage and transport it back to Cusco in a private vehicle via an alternative route (known as the “Santa Teresa Route”). This luggage will be waiting in custody at the guests’ hotels upon their return.

Since March 5th, we have already hosted close to 100 guests this season and all groups have reported having had a fantastic time. We truly look forward to your visit and hope to lead you through a trip of a lifetime.

Warm regards and see you soon,

The Mountain Lodges of Peru Family

Mountain Lodges of Peru: Runs first trip of the season on Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu

Cusco, March 8th 2010

Dear guest,

We are glad to report that our first group departed on the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu as originally scheduled, via the Mountain Lodges of Peru program, this past Friday March 5th 2010. Today this group is on their 4th day of travel with Mountain Lodges of Peru and is currently at our Colpa Lodge (3rd lodge in the Salkantay lodge series), in the community of Collpapampa, at approximately 9,200 feet (2,800m) of altitude.

This group of 08 guests has enjoyed rare (for this time of year), but spectacular weather conditions with sunny, blue-sky days. This is a fabulous time of the year for seeing orchids, having seen a fair share of them along the way already. They also spotted a condor yesterday! No kidding!

Our lodges are open and ready to host our guests. Our staff is eager to greet you and contribute towards creating a memorable experience. Our guides have just completed our MLP Annual Training Course and are ready to lead you on your journey.

The access roads to our first lodge in the Salkantay series, as well as the trails between all of our lodges are in good conditions. As it happens every year as a joint effort, we got together with our local neighbors to conduct trail maintenance. This maintenance work has been ongoing for the past 3 weeks and the trails are now back to normal conditions. They are muddy and wet in certain sections – mind you, it is the rainy season – but safe and very fun. Remember to bring good rain gear and waterproof trekking boots; it will make a difference in your experience to have these with you.

Please note that due to maintenance and repair work of a section on the road between Cusco and our first lodge, the work crew needs to close transit on this section during certain hours. Thus, we have had to move departure times forward for all March and April groups. Your departure time from Cusco on Day 1 of the itinerary (from Cusco to the 1st Lodge) is now 6:30am. Though your guide will coordinate specific pick-up times during the pre-trip briefing the night before, please make sure you are set to go at 06:30am.

As you know, Machu Picchu remains closed to the public and the re-opening date continues to officially be April 1st 2010. The train track repairs have progressed well and the train track operator has issued a new conclusion date of March 29th 2010. We assume that if this is the case (train tracks repaired by March 29th 2010), Machu Picchu will reopen by this date as well.

There are a series of rumors regarding possibilities of Machu Picchu opening even sooner. We strongly suggest not taking these into consideration until, or if, they are somehow officialized by one of the following governmental bodies: INC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura), DIRCETUR (Dirección Central de Turismo) or MINCETUR (Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo), and/or PROMPERU (MINCETUR’s promotional division). We promise to continue monitoring the situation closely and keep you apprised of any progress.

On a humanitarian note, here is an extract from a recent bulletin we sent out, regarding a series of local families that have lost their homes due to the recent flooding. We greatly appreciate any support you can provide to these efforts and we send a big THANK YOU to those who have already participated.

During the recent floods that occurred in January 2010 in Cusco, Peru, close to 40 families lost their homes in the small, rural town of Mollepata, located 60 miles (100km) from Cusco. This town, despite being the entry point to the tourism-famed Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, rests under conditions of poverty and the impossibility of providing strong relief efforts to the affected families on its own.

Through the efforts of Yanapana Peru, a non-profit organization dedicated to social responsibility in the area (sponsored by Mountain Lodges of Peru), we have identified the cost of building new homes for these affected families.

Did you know that with only US$1,800 you can provide a family of 4-6 members a new and safe home? We can help you make this a reality.

If you are interested in donating a home, or making a contribution for one or more homes, please contact us for more information. Any other gestures of contribution are also gratefully accepted.

We look forward to your visit with hopes of providing you with a trip of a lifetime.

Warm regards,

The MLP Family