If you’re doing the Salkantay Trek, your first night sets the tone for the adventure. Cabañas Andinas Eco Lodge Mamá Andrea is an accommodation option right at the trek’s starting point, designed to help you rest and acclimatize before the hike. Here, we’ll tell you what they are, where they are located, and why they are such a great fit for the start of the route.
What the cabins are
Mamá Andrea Cabins are an eco lodge with wooden cabins and thatched roofs, offering simple and cozy accommodation in the heart of the mountains. Instead of sleeping in a tent set up on the ground, you sleep in an enclosed cabin with beds and warm blankets for the high-altitude night.
It is a rustic place that embraces harmony with its surroundings. It is not about luxury, but rather providing a warm, clean shelter where you can spend the night before you start hiking, with views of the Salkantay snow-capped peak and the surrounding mountains.
Where they are on the route
The cabins are located in Soraypampa, at around 3,850 m above sea level, right where the Salkantay Trek begins. They are about a 25-minute walk from Humantay Lake, one of the attractions most tours visit on the first day.
Their location is their greatest advantage. Being at the start of the route allows you to arrive the afternoon before, acclimatize to the altitude, and set off hiking the next day well rested, without the rush of arriving and leaving on the same day.
Why they are ideal at the start of the trek
The first day of the Salkantay Trek is demanding because of the altitude. Sleeping in Soraypampa before you begin helps your body adapt to nearly 3,850 m above sea level, reducing the risk of experiencing altitude sickness during the hike.
The cabins welcome you at this key point: a warm shelter in the heart of the mountains, with Humantay Lake just steps away and the Salkantay snow-capped peak in front of you. It is the natural beginning of the route to Machu Picchu.
What to expect from the surroundings
The lodge has a garden and outdoor relaxation areas in an open mountain setting. The atmosphere is peaceful and quiet, surrounded by hills, with the Salkantay snow-capped peak dominating the landscape.
It is a place to disconnect, breathe in the high-altitude air, and mentally prepare for the hiking days ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What altitude are Mamá Andrea Cabins at?
They are located in Soraypampa, at around 3,850 m above sea level, at the starting point of the Salkantay Trek.
How close is Humantay Lake?
Humantay Lake is about a 25-minute walk from the cabins.
Are the cabins the starting point of the trek?
Yes. They are located in Soraypampa, right where the Salkantay hike to Machu Picchu begins.
Can you see the Salkantay snow-capped peak from the cabins?
Yes. The surroundings offer views of the Salkantay snow-capped peak and the mountains surrounding Soraypampa.