Mountain Lodges of Peru

Story

Mountain Lodges of Peru pioneers South America's first luxury lodge-to-lodge trekking experience, founded in 2005 by Enrique Umbert Sr. and his family. You explore the Andes through alternative routes to Machu Picchu, including the Salkantay Trail and the Lares Valley, while enjoying upscale eco-lodges that combine comfort with authentic cultural experiences. Built on a vision of creating a high-comfort trekking alternative to traditional routes, the company overcomes challenging terrain and infrastructure to establish unique lodges in remote Andean landscapes. Every journey reflects a commitment to excellence, professionalism, personalized service, expert guides, exceptional accommodations, and guest safety. Strong relationships with Andean communities remain at the heart of every experience, honoring local heritage through reciprocity, inclusion, and meaningful partnerships. Sustainability guides every aspect of the operation, with lodges carefully designed to blend into the natural environment and environmental initiatives carried out alongside the nonprofit organization Yanapana Peru. Local community members receive training and employment opportunities while social initiatives support education, healthcare, family well-being, and the empowerment of Andean women. Through innovative partnerships such as the Huacahuasi Lodge, local communities actively participate as investors and hospitality professionals, creating lasting economic opportunities. Every adventure invites you to experience Peru's remarkable landscapes while contributing to the preservation of its culture, communities, and natural heritage.

Mission

Mountain Lodges of Peru creates unique adventure travel experiences for the discerning active traveler, with a core competency in hospitality, lodging, and local personalized service along with a high degree of commitment to social and environmental sustainability.

Vision

Mountain Lodges of Peru would like to inspire transcendental change through adventure travel.

A Commitment to Excellence and Professionalism

Experience thoughtfully designed journeys with Mountain Lodges of Peru, where expert guides, exceptional accommodations, personalized service, and a strong focus on safety create unforgettable adventures. Every journey reflects a commitment to excellence while celebrating family values, tradition, and Peru's rich natural and cultural heritage.

A Personal Connection with Andean Communities

Travel through the Andes with respect for the people who have called these landscapes home for generations. From the beginning, Mountain Lodges of Peru has built meaningful relationships with local communities along the Salkantay Trail by working closely with community leaders and fostering a spirit of reciprocity that honors their cultural heritage.

Environmental Sustainability

Explore Peru while helping protect its extraordinary landscapes. Mountain Lodges of Peru carefully designs each lodge to blend naturally with its surroundings, using responsibly sourced building materials transported only by people or mules to minimize environmental impact. Ongoing sustainability efforts continue through environmental and agricultural initiatives carried out in partnership with the NGO Yanapana Peru.

A Project of Inclusion

Support tourism that creates lasting opportunities for local communities. Mountain Lodges of Peru trains and employs local residents as valued members of the lodge team, promoting economic inclusion and long-term partnerships with Andean communities. Additional social initiatives focus on childhood education, access to healthcare, family counseling, and the empowerment of Andean women, helping strengthen the social and economic future of the Cusco region.

Giving Back

Travel with a company committed to meaningful community development. In 2006, Mountain Lodges of Peru helped establish Yanapana Peru, a non-profit organization dedicated to social and environmental responsibility. Through the Kuska Purispa ("Walking Together") initiative, local residents of Huacahuasi became active partners in the Huacahuasi Lodge by investing in the property and receiving hospitality training that created sustainable employment opportunities. This collaborative model continues to inspire similar partnerships with other communities throughout Peru.

Yanapana Peru

Support sustainable community development through Yanapana Peru, whose purpose is to reduce extreme poverty in the Andean Highlands by improving quality of life through long-term, community-based initiatives. Its mission creates opportunities for humanitarian, cultural, social, and economic exchange while empowering all stakeholders to build a more prosperous future. Its vision promotes participatory and sustainable development by identifying and addressing the needs of families and individuals living in areas of extreme poverty.