The Sacred Valley, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

At a Glance

Cusco, Peru
Oct 12 - Oct 19, 2025
7 Nights
Level: 4.5
We rate all trips on a 1 to 5 scale. A designation of 1 would be trips with the least amount of activity, such as our beach trips, where it's up to you if you'd like to be active. Our adventure trips (such as the Inca trail hike) are a 5. Most of our trips are rated 3, for people who don't mind a fair bit of walking.
11-13 Travelers

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$3,999

Deposit: $500

Home >Trip >The Sacred Valley, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

Trip Description

A Better Route on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

For two years, we’ve taken groups of adventurous women on a four-day hike of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It’s been a transformational experience for many hikers and a joy for NextTribe to create this opportunity. For our third visit to the area, we are modifying the hiking section to make it more accessible and, let’s be honest, comfortable.

We retain the best parts of the previous hikes–including the magic of first glimpsing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate–but give you a real bed to sleep in, avoid the highest altitudes and the wear-and-tear on your body.

Overview

If Machu Picchu is on your bucket list or even a glimmer on your travel horizon, we can take you there in style.

We will start our trip in the fascinating colonial city of Cusco (11,000 feet in elevation). After two days of exploring Incan culture, taking a dynamic cooking class, and getting to know each other, we’ll head to the Sacred Valley for three nights at a luxury eco-lodge with beautiful tents for glamping (plus a spa for body treatments). We’ll do some short hikes from the eco-lodge to take advantage of the gorgeous Andean scenery.

Then we’ll head out on 6.8 mile hike on the Inca Trail that takes us to our absolute favorite Incan site (one only accessible to those hiking the Inca Trail)–Winay Wayna–and on to the Sungate and then to glorious Machu Picchu.

After reaching Machu Picchu, we’ll sleep at a lovely hotel in nearby Aguascalientes. Then we take the train back to Cusco and flights home.

NextTribe members receive a $100 discount on this trip. Find out more here. 

Meet Your Guide: Ellesor Holder

Ellesor completed the four-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with NextTribe in 2022 (in the photo above she’s celebrating reaching the highest point on the hike). She’s gone on to lead several NextTribe trips, including our Rocky Mountain Adventure Camp in Colorado. With her guiding and hiking skills, she is the perfect person to lead this excursion to this part of Peru. You’re in good hands with an enthusiastic hiker who will keep things upbeat and fun. 

5 Reasons We Love This Trip

  1. Machu Pichhu, Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu. (Plus some other extraordinary Incan sites that aren’t as popular as the Big Kahuna.)
  2. The Andes Mountains. We’ll be surrounded by breathtaking nature while in the Sacred Valley and on our short hike to Machu Picchu.
  3. Cusco charm. This Spanish Colonial city is filled with gorgeous architecture, lovely shops and friendly locals.
  4. Peruvian food. You might not know it but the cuisine of Peru is rated in the same league as French and Italian. At a hands-on cooking class in Cusco, we learn all about the country’s food heritage, how to make signature dishes and the all-important Pisco Sour cocktail.
  5. The women who join this trip are especially adventurous and make splendid travel partners–curious, active and supportive.

Photos

Map

Sample Itinerary

Oct. 12th-October 14th

Discovering Cusco

While you acclimate to the altitude, explore the former capital of the Incan empire with us. It's one of the oldest cities in Latin America and was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. It attracts a healthy mix of local urban dwellers and farmers, and visitors from all over the world. Along with our walking tour, we'll visit the Inca History Museum, the Traditional Textile Center, and take part in a lively Peruvian cooking class.

Each night we'll have dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in this colorful city. Since this will be our third trip there, we've identified the chefs we think are at the top of their game, and if you've never had Peruvian cuisine you're in for a treat.

Oct. 14th-16th

Exploring the Sacred Valley

We'll transfer to Las Qolqas Eco Lodge near the town of Ollantayambo, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. The tented cabins have delirious views of the Andes and the valley. Your stay includes one day hike (we'll set you up on one that suits your fitness level) and one body treatment in the spa. You can add on another day hike if you'd like. We'll eat dinner every night in the lodge's restaurant, which features organic produce, much of it grown on the property.

FRIDAY Oct. 17th

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We'll start the day early, getting on a train that will take us to the trailhead for our hike. Our 6.8 mile hike will take us by the fabulous Winay Wayna, then on to the Sun Gate, where we'll see Machu PIcchu from above, the way Incan travelers used to arrive to this sacred site. After we reach Machu PIcchu, we will take a bus 20 minutes to the town of Aguascalientes to stay the night in the town's best hotel.

SATURDAY Oct. 18th

Breathe, Relax, Enjoy

In the morning we'll get a guided tour of Machu Picchu, and spend time exploring Aguascalientes.

We’ll take a late afternoon train back to Cusco, and return to the hotel where we began our adventure.

SUNDAY, Oct. 19th

Leaving Cusco

Reluctantly we'll say goodbye to Peru, and to each other. Those with late flights have another chance to explore Cusco. PLEASE NOTE: ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. When an itinerary meets the real world, we often have to pivot slightly. If we have to make a change, the replacement will be of equal or greater value.

Logistics

Fly into and out of Cusco (CUZ) Peru. Flights from the U.S. will connect through Lima (LIM). Airlines that fly to Lima from the U.S.: American, Delta, United, Latam (Chilean airline). For your flight between Lima and Cusco, your options are Latam and Sky airlines.

Airport or train station transfers: Grab a taxi at the airport for the short ride to our hotel in Central Cusco. We will spend 3 days acclimating to the altitude. Cusco is more than 11,000 feet in elevation, so expect to feel the effects. Drink plenty of water and do not exert yourself too much, especially on the first day.

Our hotel info is:
Wyndham Costa del Sol
Sta. Teresa St 344
Cusco 08002 · +51 84 221269

Check In: Oct 12, 2025
Check Out: Oct 14 2025

Check in again: Oct 18, 2025
Check out: Oct 19, 2025

Las Qolqas Eco Lodge
Km 2 Carretera a Willoq
Valle del Rio Patacancha
Ollantaytambo, Urubamba
+51 947 299 499

Check in: Oct. 14, 2025
Check out: Oct. 17, 2025

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
+51 1 6100400

Check In: Oct 17, 2025
Check Out: Oct 18, 2025

Please check to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the trip.

Before the trip, we will gather twice for Zoom sessions. We like to talk about 3 months in advance to discuss fitness training. Then we'll gather again a few weeks before departure for all last minute details and questions. You will also get a schedule of everyone's flights. That way you can see if another traveler is on your flight so you can share a taxi from the airport.

We ask everyone going on the trip to download WhatsApp (LINK: https://www.whatsapp.com/download/). We use it for communication before and during our trip so we can keep track of flight delays, meetup times, etc. We also ask that everyone have an international data roaming plan so that you can get messages and use GPS while out exploring.

We believe in being as eco-friendly as possible, so we don't hand out printed itineraries. We use this app to give you important updates during the trip, so it is essential. You can always delete it later if you want to.

What's Included

  • 7 nights Accommodation

3 nights in Cusco
3 nights in the Sacred Valley
1 night in Aguascalientes

  • Guided hikes

Including our day on the Inca Trail

  • All dinners

  • All breakfasts
  • 2 lunches

  • 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

  • Entrance and guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • One body treatment at Sacred Valley lodgings

  • Walking Tour in Cusco

Get the lay of the land and the history of this fascinating Spanish colonial city.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Airport transfers
  • Alcohol
  • 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

Hotels

Wyndham Costa Del Sol Cusco

Cusco

Las Qolqas Eco Lodge

Ollantaytambo

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Machu Picchu

Our travelers love us (yay!)

Colleen M., California

What I love about the NextTribe trips is that there is so much camaraderie of other women that are like you, and then the fabulous things that the organizers puts together to give you that viewpoint, it’s awesome.

Courtney M., Texas

What I love about NextTribe trips is that you get the experience from an insider’s perspective—someone that has ties to the community and focused on building relationships from the start. I’ve been on a trip with another women’s travel group that dropped a guide in, not personally knowing anything about the locale, traditions, or culture. She was there to make sure you showed up on time, got on the bus, etc. With NextTribe, you feel like you’re having a personalized experience with your best girlfriends.

Donna B., Washington

I didn't know anyone going on the trip but that didn't stop me from signing up. I have learned that some of my life's greatest adventures have come from taking a risk and jumping in feet first. So glad I did with NextTribe! I may not have known anybody at the start, but now I feel like I know everybody.

Connie B., Pennsylvania

I love to meet and interact with strong, mature women from across the country as we learn together.

Leslie M., Georgia

I always come by myself on NextTribe trips because I like to meet super fun and interesting women. We're always doing fun and interesting things in great cities that you couldn't do on your own because you wouldn't know the people or places or the insiders.

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NextTribe fills the need I have to travel with older interesting women who are curious about the world and want to share the journey.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s different about your trips?

We curate trips specifically for curious, engaged women over 45. You’re pretty well assured that your fellow travelers will be a lot like you–since you’ve all responded to the idea of “aging boldly.”. That means built-in compatibility in your small group, including the woman who is leading the adventure.. In addition to specializing in group travel for people who don’t normally like group travel, we also pride ourselves on creating experiences that allow you to interact with local women or get deeper into the culture than you would if you planned the trip yourself.

Where do you go?

We have a wide range of weekend jaunts here in the U.S. for those who want a quick getaway. We also love taking women to Mexico, where founder Jeannie Ralston used to live. We’re always talking about pushing boundaries, and we’re doing that in the geographic sense too. For those with more time, we offer trips all over Europe, to India, Vietnam, Peru (for a hike on the inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Soon, our travelers will be getting passport stamps in even more countries on six continents. Be saving those frequent flier miles!

What do you mean by transformational travel?

NextTribe is affiliated with the Transformational Travel Council, an international group of travel professionals dedicated to making the world a better place, one trip and one traveler at a time. We recognize that travelers, especially post-pandemic, are looking for more than just a date and a destination. They can shop for that anywhere online. Our community honors the intention behind a traveler’s investment in a trip. Our travelers want to have fun (we do too!) and to travel with a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide ways for women to self-select by reading the articles in our magazine and the content of our website. If you like what you see, you’re likely to be a NextTribe traveler, and we look forward to seeing you on a trip soon!

What if I travel solo?

If you really prefer to book your travel yourself and go it alone, we applaud you. That’s brave and bold and we would never try to talk you out of it. But our trips are designed so that even a woman who’s used to traveling alone, or someone shy about meeting new people, will feel comfortable in our group. Our trip leaders are there to “read the room” and make sure everyone feels included and respected.

What if I don’t like group travel?

We don’t either! Not the way most groups do it. If you feel like doing what the group is doing, great! Join us for dinner or just some of the activities. All the benefits of solo travel and the comfort of being with a group. Our groups are small (normally around 12 to 14 women) and in most situations, you are free to opt out of an activity. We figure you’re grown-ass women who know what’s best for you.

What’s the price range of your trips?

We are committed to providing what we call “affordable-luxury” travel. Don’t expect
the Four Seasons, but who wants to stay in a gilded bubble anyhow? We always look for good value and offer wonderful hotels and memorable experiences that won’t break the bank and will get you closer to how locals live. Our prices depend on the length of the
trip and the destination. We offer domestic trips for under $2,000 for a shared room, which we encourage. If you don’t have a roommate we will match you with someone. Sometimes this has resulted in lasting friendships with new travel buddies., Some of
our longer trips–two weeks in India or Vietnam, for example–will cost between
$4,800 and $6,000.

What’s included in the price?

Our trips cover most everything you’ll need to dive into a destination. Hotels and most meals, plus special experiences such as hands-on classes and sessions with local artists, writers or entrepreneurs are almost always included, but each trip is different so please be sure to read The Experience and the itinerary. We occasionally have an add-on for an extra price, but those are clearly designated. What’s not covered as a rule are airfare, alcohol and tips.

Do you have payment plans?

We sure do. It’s easy to pay for our trips by setting up automatic credit card charges at regular intervals, interest free. Think of it as the layaway plan to feed your soul.

How do I get trip discounts?

Our NextTribe members get a discount on every trip. Plus, members are the first to hear about new trips and receive upgrades on rooms if they’re available. Check out our three different membership levels here.

What’s the average age of women on the trips?

We welcome all women over 45, but most of our travelers are in the 50 to 65 age range. More important than age is the spirit of the traveler–her curiosity about the world, and her eagerness to embrace new opportunities. We’ve found women of any age with those qualities fit in well with our groups.

What’s the activity level of the trips?

Most of our trips are geared for active travelers who like to walk–a rating of 3 on our 1-5 rating scale. Here are some examples of how we rate. A designation of 1 would be our beach trips, where it’s up to you if you’d like to stroll down the beach, or play in the waves or walk around the small town. Trips where we have dedicated transportation for much of the time (such as India) are a 2; Paris is a 3 because we believe the best way to appreciate a city is to view it on foot. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 4, because you’ll be walking up some hills (at 6,000 feet altitude) and occasionally on cobblestone sidewalks. Our Inca trail trip is a 5, as are our more adventurous outdoor trips.

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