All-Women Machu Picchu Hike via Salkantay Trek

Included:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 7-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu adventure (4 days of hiking)
  • Accommodation during the tour as in the itinerary (double occupancy):
    • 3 nights at a hotel in Cusco
    • 1 night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes
    • 2 nights camping in tents (double tents, tables, chair, and kitchen equipment included)
  • Transportation during the tour as in the itinerary:
    • Pick-up from the airport to the hotel on Day 1
    • Drop-off from the hotel to the airport on Day 7
    • Pick-up from the hotel and to the trailhead at the start of the trek
    • Round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
    • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition or Voyager service)
    • Return transportation from Ollantaytambo to the hotel in Cusco
  • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, snacks (vegetarian and vegan options available)
  • Boiled water at every campsite
  • Chef, muleteers, horses (to carry belongings, food, and gear)
  • Pre-departure briefing at the hotel before the trek
  • Exclusive cultural exchange activity in Chinchero
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, Salkantay, and Humantay Lake
  • Oxygen and first-aid kit
  • Duffel bag

Add-ons:

• • Single supplement (applies to hotel stays) — $200
  • Sleeping bag rental — $20
  • Inflatable mattress rental — $20
  • Trekking poles — $5 per each
  • Vistadome train upgrade — $75
  • Rainbow Mountain extension — $100 or $120

Not included:

• • Flights to Peru
  • Accommodation on Day 6
  • Accommodation after the tour if you choose the Rainbow Mountain add-on
  • Meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Fee for carrying more than 11 lbs/5 kg ($120) — if applicable
  • Tips for the crew — customary
  • Travel and medical insurance

This all-women Machu Picchu adventure via the Salkantay Trail requires excellent 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 (74 km), participants can expect several days of challenging trekking and long days.

The most you’ll hike within a day is 27 km (16.8 mi) for 8-9 hours. Day-by-day distances and hiking times can be found in the itinerary.

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.

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 poles (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.

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.

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
  • Accommodation prior to or after the tour
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Horses — available to hire one if you need them at the beginning of your trek

This tour is generally held on the last day of your adventure. Although accommodation is not included in the price of the tour, your guides can help you arrange accommodation for the night—just ask!

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.
  • Single supplement is only available for the hotel stays and can be added at checkout.

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.

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.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!