All-Women Machu Picchu Hike via Salkantay Trek

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 4 days of hiking along the Salkantay trek
    • Cusco historical walking tour
    • Exclusive cultural exchange activity in Chinchero
    • Transfer from the airport to the hotel and vice versa
    • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, & 4 dinners (vegetarian and vegan options available)
    • 3 nights in hotel in Cusco, 1 night in hotel in Aguas Calientes, 2 nights in camping tents (all based on double occupancy)
    • Salkantay and Machu Picchu permits
    • One-way transportation from Cusco City to the trailhead
    • Train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
    • Tents and camping equipment
    • Porters, horsemen, and cooks’ services along the trek
    • Oxygen and first-aid kit
    • Duffel bag and foam mattress

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Cusco
    • Accommodation in Cusco before Day 1 after Day 7 — if applicable
    • Breakfast on Day 1, lunches on Day 1 and Day 6, and dinner on Day 6
    • Sleeping bag (possible to rent for $20)
    • Inflatable mattress (possible to rent for $15)
    • Walking poles (possible to rent for $5)
    • Ticket for Huayna Picchu ($85 per person) — optional (and based on availability)
    • Fee for carrying more than 11 lbs/5 kg ($120) — if applicable
    • Tips for the crew — customary
    • Travel insurance
• How fit do I need to be?

  Participation in the guided Machu Picchu hiking tour via the Salkantay Trek requires a moderate to high level of fitness. The Salkantay Trail is renowned for its challenging terrain, featuring steep inclines and declines, varying altitudes, and unpredictable weather conditions. With an approximate distance of 46 miles, participants can expect several days of challenging trekking.

  Generally, you should be a person that hikes regularly, especially in hilly terrain, since you’ll be walking for extended periods at very high altitudes. If you’re not an avid hiker already, we recommend that you start hiking regularly in months leading to the trip. Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and endurance activities is advisable to adequately prepare for the physical demands of the trek.

  Acclimatization to the high altitude is crucial, so the tour includes two days of acclimatization in Cusco advance—enhancing the overall experience. We also advise taking medication that can help you with altitude sickness. In summary, a moderate to high level of fitness is essential for a successful and enjoyable completion of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day Pack (25-40L)
    • Sleeping bag (can be rented)
    • Inflatable mattress (can be rented)
    • Hiking boots with good ankle support
    • Raincoat
    • Thick jumper
    • Hiking down jacket
    • Hiking T-shirts
    • Hiking pants
    • Casual clothes for when you’re not hiking
    • Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
    • Other toiletries (hand sanitizer, hand cream, wet wipes etc.)
    • Cap and warm hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Wool stockings or Sport Socks
    • Water bottle (2L capacity)
    • Flashlight/headlamp
    • Camera
    • Personal medications

  Bring comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing that can be worn in layers. You’ll be able to discuss your packing list prior to the adventure—changes can be made depending on the season and expected weather conditions.

• Are the guides and porters on this tour also women?

  This all-women’s Salkantay Trek guided adventure was designed to empower women through the strength of other women, which means that your guides make every effort to outfit the trip with women guides and porters.

  In most cases, guides for these all-women’s trips are women, while porters will often be a mix of men and women. Why? It is exceptionally hard for women in many developing countries to break away from traditional roles; therefore, fewer women guides and porters are available to outfit these trips. Collectively, we have more work to do to continue to elevate the presence of women in the outdoor industry.

• Can I also visit the Rainbow Mountain on this trip?

  Indeed you can! It would be a sin to go hiking in Peru without paying a visit to the spectacular Rainbow Mountain. If you haven’t heard of it yet, the name tells you all about it—it’s this incredible multi-colored mountain that leaves everyone speechless with its rainbow-like appearance. These colors are created by the sediment of minerals, giving the mountain turquoise, lavender, gold, and other hues. Up until several years ago, it was a hidden gem completely covered in snow! Today you’ll find it in National Geographic’s “Top 100 Places To Visit Before You Die”.

  

  So, your guides have prepared a choice between two one-day treks to the Rainbow Mountain as an extension to your trip. You can add it to your booking upon checkout, but here’s what you can expect.

  You can choose between the Vinicunca and the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain tour.

  • • Vinicunca is the more difficult, steeper, more strenuous, and longer hike to the most famous viewpoint. Depending on the weather, you might even see the highest mountain in the Cusco region in the distance, Ausangate Mountain. Total distance is 2.6 miles (4.2 km) round-trip.
    • Palcoyo tour offers a more gentle climb at a slightly lower altitude, and it’s also a shorter hike, making it significantly more suitable for beginners. With this tour, you’ll get to see three different colorful mountains along the way! It’s also worth noting that it’s less crowded, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into the Andean culture and their way of life. Total distance is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip.
    • The price for Vinicunca is $100, while for Palcoyo it’s $120.

  What’s included in these tours?

  • • Professional bilingual English-speaking tour guide
    • Pre-departure briefing
    • Pick-up from your hotel and transportation to the trailhead
    • Return transportation
    • Breakfast and lunch at a local restaurant
    • Emergency oxygen bottle & medical kit
    • One trekking pole
    • Entrance fees to Rainbow Mountain

  What’s not included?

  • • Personal snacks
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Horses — available to hire one if you need them at the beginning of your trek
• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum group size is 16 women.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for a tour to operate.
    • Cost is per person and doesn’t change as the group grows.

  Hiking to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Trek can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Cusco, which is the beginning point of your trip, most people fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Upon your arrival, you’ll meet your guide at the airport and get transferred to your hotel.

  Please keep in mind that you’re expected to arrive before noon on Day 1. If arriving the day before or later on Day 1, you’ll likely have to arrange a transfer to the hotel on your own.

• Safety measures in Peru

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  For set dates, a 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If you cancel your trip 60 days or more before the start of your trip, you are entitled to an 80% refund
    • If you cancel your trip 30 days or more before the start of your trip, you are entitled to a 50% refund
    • If the cancellation has been made 15 days before the start of your trip, you are not entitled to any refund.

  CrossoverPeru will need to be notified of any change or cancellation of your trip as soon as possible.