SOLD OUT: All-Women Hike to Machu Picchu
At a Glance
Starting At
$3,899
Deposit: $500
Trip Description
About this trip
Experience the gorgeous Andes, the Incan culture, and achieve a bucket-list goal without the hassle of planning a complicated trip and with the whole-hearted support of a group of like-minded women your own age.
Overview
If Machu Picchu is on your bucket list or even a glimmer on your travel horizon, we can take you there. We’re running an all-woman hike of the Inca Trail with a proven tour operator in Peru, and we will end up at mystical, magical Macchu Picchu for a day of exploration.
Watch the recording or our information session here to learn more about this adventurous trip.
NextTribe Co-founder Jeannie Ralston has hiked the Inca Trail twice–read all about it here—and will be on the trip to encourage other hikers, just as she was in October ’22 when all 12 women in the group successfully completed the hike.
We will start our trip in the fascinating colonial city of Cusco (11,000 feet in elevation) so we have three days to adjust to the altitude. We’ll use the time to explore Incan culture, take a dynamic cooking class, and get to know each other.
NextTribe members receive a $150 discount on this trip. Find out more here.
Then we hit the trail with our guides and tour company (our packs, tents, food, and other necessities will be carried by a small army of porters), trekking through the land once traversed by Incans, climbing Dead Woman’s Pass, passing through the Sun Gate, and onto the prize. Besides viewing these ancient ruins set beside a gum-drop peak, our reward will be one night in the super-luxurious Belmont Sanctuary Lodge at the base of Machu Picchu.
About SAS Peru
For our hike we use SAS Peru as our tour operator. Jeannie Ralston has used them twice to complete the trail and was impressed with their commitment to safety, the geniality of the guides, the treatment of the porters, and the food on trek!
The porters will carry our tents, our gear (except what we need during the day), set up camp, feed us, then take down camp the next morning and move us to the next camp site. Our guides will point out natural wonders and discuss the history of the Incas and the trail.
Important Travel Information
Please be aware that you need to be healthy and at least of an average fitness level for this hike. You should put in some time training on hiking trails, stairs, and, if possible, at altitude before departure. NextTribe is offering a Colorado Mountain Adventure in August that could help you prepare.
We will discuss training well in advance of the trip. See more physical and health information here and read Jeannie’s story closely.
For more information about the trip, you can watch this video where Jeannie and some of the hikers from last year discuss the trip.
Travel Insurance Required
Travel insurance and medical evacuation insurance is required for this trip.
Please check with our partners Allianz and Wanderwell.
Photos
Map
Itinerary
Oct. 12th-October 15th
While you acclimate to the altitude, explore the city with us. We'll visit the Inca History Museum, the Traditional Textile Center, go on a walking tour, and take part in a lively Peruvian cooking class.
For dinner we'll eat at top-notch Peruvian restaurants. On the last evening, Oct. 14th, we'll meet our guides for our hike.
TUESDAY, October 15th
Pick-up from your hotel at 05:40 am. Bring your original passport. Our journey from Cusco to Piscacucho takes approx. 3 hours, beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo.
After 1 hour ride, we will stop in Urubamba to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy a small breakfast, then we continue to Km 82 (Piscacucho 2,680 masl) start of the trek. There we will meet our camp crew, porters who will carry our belongings during the entire trek. Passports in hand, we clear the official Inca Trail checkpoint, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb.
We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaka stream and across from the Inca town of Llactapata. Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaka Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing potatoes, maize and cereals crops that needed irrigation in the dry highlands.
After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 2-3 hours will bring us to Hatun Chaka Camp (3,000 m) You will be rewarded with a Macho Tea hot drink and a buffet dinner will be offered. Hot water buckets are offered for washing. Showers available for 10 soles (Peruvian currency). Guides will present our plans for the next day.
Minimum altitude:2,680 m/8,790 ft ; Maximum altitude: 3,000 m/10,824 ft ; Distance: 12 km approx; Duration: 6-7 hours / Ascent up: 620 m
WEDNESDAY, October 16th
After breakfast, around 7:00 am we re-start our walk for 45 minutes to Huayllabamba, then climb to Ayapata it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream. Today is the biggest climb of our hike but with plenty of time to enjoy with breaks to rest. It is strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but it is rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain, partly it is an old Inca Stone steps, surrounding with impressive snow-covered peaks as (Apu Huayanay Mountain in our back at the South).
You will take 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath to reach the lunch place at Llulluchapampa Valley with expectacular views around, along the trail, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds, with luck we will see tinny hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles or perhaps we see the king of the Andean heights the Condor, respected and venerated at Andean towns. We will soon enter into a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland (Qeuñas and Chachacomos small andean bushes) and the treeless grasslands of the Puna región, habitat of tarucas (deers) and pumas.
From here, you can see the highest mountain ahead called Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s pass 4,200 m.) At Llulluchapampa our camp crew will be have a delicious Peruvian gourmet lunch. After lunch there is a time to rest maybe a short nap. Then we continue our hike for another 2-3 hours, 600 meter ascent up to the top of the mountain, Warmiwañusca. The path still climbs along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catching your breath.
Once the entire group reaches this pass, time for a great group picture then we take a short rest, before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley, where we will camp for the night.
Minimum altitude:3,000 m/9,840 ft ; Maximum altitude:4,200 m/13,776 ft ; Distance: 18 km approx ; Duration: 7-8 hours / Ascent up: 900 m
THURSDAY, October 17th
After breakfast, around 7:00 am, we start again, taking a path climbs very steeply till we reach Runcuracay Mt (at 3,950 m), another hour up. Just before the real pass, the path winds between two tarns where Andean gulls sometimes gather.
This pass is another broad saddle, boasting exceptional views, in clear weather, you can look back to Warmiwañuska pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo Mt (Puma’s Claw).
From here, most of the trail is downhill until camp.we will hike along a trail of well-kept stone., still in great condition after many centuries. In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels.
We will camp at Phuyupatamarca, with great views in all directions.
Minimum altitude: 2,700 m/8,856 ft ; Maximum altitude: 3,750 m/ 12,300 ft ; Distance: 10 Km approx. ; Duration: 7-8 hours / Descent : 700 m
FRIDAY, October 18th
We will get on the trail again at 8 am. We will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Wiñaywayna, using trekking poles to relieve some of the stress on your joints.
At Wiñaywayna (2,700 m), we will have a spectacular view of this impressive Inca citadel, the most preserved and biggest Inca site on the Inca Trail.
After visiting this ruins, we will walk on to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half.
From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), a final easy 50-minutes walk downhill steps will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machu Picchu. The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city, after enjoying a panoramic view we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Because we'll be tired, we'll head straight to the gorgeous Belmond Sanctuary Hotel. where we'll relax and have our body treatments that we've scheduled earlier. Lunch and dinner are included in our stay, so enjoy, relax, be happy.
Minimum altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft ( Machu Picchu ) ; Maximum altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft ; Distance: 6 Km approx. plus exploration of Machu Picchu ; Duration: 6-7 hours / Descent : 300 m.
SATURDAY, October 19th
In the morning we'll get a guided tour of Machu Picchu, and spend time relaxing on the grounds of the Belmond Sanctuary Hotel.
We’ll take a late afternoon train back to Cusco, and return to the hotel where we began our adventure.
SUNDAY, October 20th
Reluctantly we kiss Peru and each other goodbye. Those with late flights have another chance to explore Cusco.
Logistics
What's Included
- 4 nights in Cusco
3 nights before our hike, one night following the hike, before flying back home.
- Guided Inca Trail Hike
Guided Inca Trail HikeOne of the top tour operators will provide all that we need to make the 4-day hike to Machu Picchu
- 1 Night at the Belmond
1 Night at the BelmondWe treat ourselves by celebrating our success with good food, soft beds and nice linens (and body treatments, if desired)
- All dinners
- All breakfasts
- Lunches
Except for a couple days in Cusco when you'll be out roaming on your own.
- Cooking Class in Cusco
One of the favorite activities in Cusco last year.
- Walking Tour in Cusco
Get the lay of the land and the history of this fascinating Spanish colonial city.
- Inca History Museum
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Alcohol (unless specifically mentioned in an itinerary activity or purchased as an add-on)
- Tips
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.
Additional Add-Ons
Rent a sleeping bag
SAS Peru will provide a down sleeping bag so you don't have to pack one. Many on the 1st Inca Trail hike chose this option and were happy.
Rent hiking poles
If you don't want to pack your poles (and poles are highly recommended), let SAS Peru provide them.
Mattress Pad
You'll get a mattress pad with your booking but if you want a thicker, Thermal-Rest one, SAS Peru will provide.
Huaynapicchu Hike
The steep hike up Huaynapicchu, the gumdrop peak behind Machu Picchu, must be advance. Good for you if you still have the legs.
Tips for Porters
On the last night on the Inca Trail we'll tip the guides, the chef and porters who carry our loads. Pay now to not worry about it later.
Extra Weight for Your Porter to Carry
With your base price, you are allowed 6 kilos, which includes your sleeping bag and mattress. Most on the 1st trek opted to add 4 kilos.
Wine at dinner (4 dinners in Cusco)
We'll cover your wine at dinner so you don't have to think about it.
Hotels
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Join Our Cuban Adventure
Due to U.S. restrictions on travel to Cuba, online payments cannot be accepted for this trip. To secure your booking, please complete the sign up form. We will then send you payment instructions, including the address to mail your check. Please note the check must be received within one week to confirm your booking.