PERU
HIKE THE SALKANTAY TO MACHU PICCHU
Join us on the trail less traveled as we make our way to the mysterious Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, via the Salkantay trek. From high Andean Mountain passes to lush jungles, this legendary hike is made even more special by sharing it with our local female-led team!
HIGHLIGHTS
Rising bright and early to see Machu Picchu at sunrise in the magic morning light
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Reaching the Salkantay Pass at 4600 m and feeling humbled by the towering Andes and Salkantay Glacier
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Being welcomed to Chinchero, the home village of our lead guide Elizabeth, and enjoying a home cooked meal with ingredients grown on their lands
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Camping at a coffee farm and grinding beans for your own morning brew
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Hiking up Huayna Picchu to get a bird’s eye view of the Lost City of the Incas
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Taking part in a Pacha Mama ceremony on the trail with our amazing local team
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Exploring the colors and culture of the former capital of the Inca Empire—Cusco
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Experiencing the special combo of support, safety and sustainability that makes adventuring with WHOA so special
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our Peru + Machu Picchu Adventure will take you off the beaten path and show you some of the most incredible things in this beautiful part of the world (like the people)! This is a great trip for anyone with a big sense of adventure (newer and experienced hikers welcome) who loves combining their hiking with a side of history and mystery! While the days are long and the altitude will hit you, the legendary views, ever-changing landscape and sense of accomplishment will make it all worth it. Please read the Daily Breakdown for the full scoop and what to expect on this once in a lifetime adventure.
CONDITIONS
THE HIGH LIFE
Right out of the gate on this adventure, you’ll be at high altitude (Cusco sits at 3400 m), so be prepared to take things slow and drink lots of water from the get go. We even recommend arriving a day early, if you can, to start getting acclimatized. On Day 2 of our trek we’ll reach our highest altitude of 4600 m and you’ll certainly be feeling the elevation at that point! The good news is, it’s all downhill from there. As we descend towards Machu Picchu, oxygen and energy levels will rise with the temps!
Peru has some of the richest biodiversity in the world, and you’ll see that first hand over the course of this 4 day trek. On the first night of the trek we’ll be sleeping in a mountain valley right at the base of a glacier and temperatures will dip well below freezing (we regularly have snow)! By Day 3, we’ll be in the lush Amazon rainforest and need to be prepared for the rain (and rainbows) that come with it. Bottom line, be ready to embrace what Mother Nature throws our way, put on another layer and dance when the weather throws us a curve ball. Remember, the difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude!
TRAINING
IT DOESN'T GET EASIER, YOU GET STRONGER
We’re not going to sugar coat it, turning dreams into reality is hard work! This trek is four full days of hiking in the Andes mountains with a daypack and all the ups and downs that come along with it! The better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be, so stay active and start breaking in your boots and gear on training hikes ASAP.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1
CUSCO
Arrive at Cusco Airport (CUZ), and meet your amazing team for the briefing and Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or Similar
DAY 2
SALKANTAY TREK
Lace up your boots and hit the trail! Sleep under the stars beneath the Salkantay glacier.
Elev: 11,155 - 14,435 ft
Hike Time: 4+ hours
DAY 3
SALKANTAY TREK
Tackle our most challenging (and rewarding) day up and over the Salkantay Pass at 15,091 ft!
Elev: 14,435 - 9,350 ft
Hike Time: 9+ hours
DAY 4
SALKANTAY TREK
Hike to our favorite coffee farm, Lucmabamba, for an afternoon of Peruvian hospitality and fresh coffee.
Elev: 9,350 - 6,560 ft
Hike Time: 4+ hours
DAY 5
SALKANTAY TREK
Trek up and back down a mountain ridge through the jungle to catch our train to Aguas Calientes.
Elev: 6,560 - 6,725 ft
Hike Time: 7+ hours
Stay: Jaya or similar
DAY 6
MACHU PICCHU
Explore Machu Picchu at sunrise and take a special hike to a bird’s eye view of the ancient ruins.
Elev: 7,975 - 11,150 ft
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
DAY 7
CHINCHERO
Visit the home village of our lead guide Elizabeth for a homegrown lunch and lesson in traditional weaving techniques.
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
DAY 8
DEPART for RAINBOW MTN
Top it all off with an optional 2 day hike to Rainbow Mountain that takes you there away from the crowds.
Elev: 16,486 - 15,748 ft
Hike Time: 8+ hours
DAY 9
RAINBOW MTN
Reach the colorful summit of Vinicunca bright and early before heading back to Cusco.
Elev: 15,215 - 16,470 ft
Hike Time: 4+ hours
DAY 10
DEPART
WHAT'S INCLUDED
We plan our adventures with most of the logistics taken care of, so you can focus on lacing up your hiking boots and being your best adventure self! Below is a complete list of everything that’s included, and what’s not.
INCLUDED:
Pick-up at the airport*
4 day & 3 night hike on the spectacular Salkantay trail
All accommodations (double occupancy) during the hike
Fresh, healthy meals during hike
Experienced and passionate bilingual guides & porters
Passionate WHOA GAL (Group Adventure Leader) to make sure you feel mentally and physically prepared leading up to and during your adventure
Mules and horses to carry cargo and for use in emergencies
Sleeping mattress and pad
All park permits
Entrance to the magnificent Machu Picchu
Special, guided off the beaten path hike in Machu Pichhu park: Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu
Tips for your awesome trail guides and porters
Transportation to and from trail: private van to Mollepata and Peru Rail train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
3 nights at hotel in Cusco (double occupancy)
1 night at hotel in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
Breakfast at hotels
Authentic, delicious Peruvian welcome and celebratory dinner
All the awesomeness listed as included on the daily breakdown of the itinerary...plus tons of WHOA TLC!
1% for the planet, as in 1% of what you pay goes towards grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities
Offsetting of this trip’s negative impact on the environment and carbon footprint, from the transportation to lodging to meals**
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN ADD-ON: transportation to/from hike, guided overnight hike, camping and meals on Rainbow Mountain, tips for our amazing crew and 1 night in Cusco hotel following trek
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights
Gear (other than the above mentioned)
Travel Insurance (mandatory)
Airport drop-off
Souvenirs, drinks, and any meals/food not listed as included on the itinerary
GAL tips (Always appreciated, but never expected)
*Pick-up included if you arrive within 3 days of your adventure’s scheduled arrival date. There’s an additional cost for a WHOA arranged airport pick up if you arrive outside of that time frame. It’s also easy to hire a taxi at the airport on your own.
**For our carbon offsetting, we do our best to crunch the numbers and accurately calculate the carbon footprint the best we can with the information that we have. It’s not a perfect system and carbon offsetting isn’t an exact science, but we believe it’s more important to take action now, in every way that we can. All our offsetting programs are certified by our partners at Sustainable Travel International. At the moment, our traveler’s international airfare to the destination is beyond our scope, and not included. Flights are the largest carbon emitter on most of our adventures, so we encourage all our travelers to consider doing it independently through the airline or with our partners at STI.
FAQ
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Empowering and connecting women through adventure is at the heart of everything we do at WHOA. Our special style of giving back is about sharing experiences with local women and their communities - it’s something that makes our adventures more meaningful for everyone! From our guide teams to the hotels we stay at, we go the distance to find amazing local partners and small businesses that share our values, which in turn creates the most authentic, sustainable and mutually beneficial travel experiences.
In Peru, the extraordinary Elizabeth Quillahuaman Manccassa aka Mama Sherpa is our head mountain guide leading our incredible local Peruvian crew. Having the opportunity to share this adventure with Mamma Sherpa, and see her homeland through her eyes, makes this adventure truly unique and unforgettable. Adventures are made by who you share them with, and we’re sure you'll quickly become one big family with our Peru crew!
While we like to dance and have fun on the trail, safety is the #1 priority at WHOA. We ensure that all of our mountain guides are properly licensed and have received training in first aid and wildlife mountain rescue. While adventures are inherently unpredictable, we make strategic decisions to minimize risk and take precautions to keep our team and adventurers out of harms way and as safe as possible.
We’re dedicated to protecting the places we love to explore. In 2019, we launched our sustainability initiatives that strive to lessen our impact and encourage our community to be more responsible travelers and eco warriors!
All in all, we’re committed to being socially responsible and sustainable. We’re dedicated to making sure our adventures have positive impacts on the locations we adventure to and our partners. For that reason, our adventures can and do vary depending on our partners needs, the season, and the abilities and desires of our group. In every case, we do due diligence to seek out local partners that share our values, and we work closely with them to understand their needs and create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!
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The Salkantay Trek is a stunning 74 kilometer trail that runs through the Vilcabamba Mountain Range in the Andes that leads trekkers towards Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The route, a lesser known Incan Trail, was once used as an Incan Coca and Potato trade passage, and has fewer crowds than the Inca Trail. The views and vistas on the Salkantay trek are unparalleled, and this route was named among the 25 best treks in the world, by National Geographic Adventure. Needless to say, we couldn’t agree more!
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We always plan all of our adventures during the dry season. That said, the dry season can be rainy (but rain means rainbows)! We’re firm believers that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear, so be sure to check out our Ultimate Peru + Machu Picchu Packing List before you head out. Whether you’re traveling with us in April, September, or any time in between, Peru is an extraordinary place to adventure!
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Trekking in the Andes is a big physical and mental undertaking and training is essential for your safety and enjoyment! The Salkantay is a high altitude trek, and the terrain is full of ups and downs, so you need aerobic fitness to help your body function more efficiently, and strong and conditioned muscles to handle the stress of trekking all day. There’s no such thing as being too prepared – the fitter and stronger you are, the better your experience will be!
One of the best ways to train is to get out there and hike as much as possible. After all, that’s what you will be doing on the trail! Train at least a few days a week walking and/or jogging on inclines and declines to simulate the ups and downs on the Salkantay. If you don’t have trails accessible, practice uphill on a treadmill or stair climber, and downhill on a long staircase. Over the course of your training, gradually increase the time and distance, while maintaining a moderate pace. While you’re training, always wear and break in the boots and daypack you plan on bringing! This will help prevent blisters and get your shoulders, back and hips used to the points of contact and weight.
In addition to aerobic training, incorporate a day or two per week of strength training for your core, upper body and legs. This will increase your stamina and help you feel more comfortable lifting and carrying your pack. Do some stretching after each workout too – bonus points for weekly (or more!) yoga sessions.
Before you leave, you need to be able to hike comfortably for consecutive full days (approx. 8-10 hours), with elevation changes, while carrying a full daypack. If you have the opportunity to hike at high altitude, take advantage of it! It’s the best and only way to get used to the feeling of being active with less oxygen. As with all training, you should taper off and rest the last 2 weeks leading up to the big event, so your body has time to recover.
Investing the time to prepare yourself will make it that much easier to enjoy your time on the trail. If you currently have a not-so-healthy lifestyle, use the hike as your motivation to change! Eat healthier. Drink less. Don’t smoke. Get more sleep. Don’t worry. Be happy! And remember, physical training is just one part of getting in shape. Having a positive attitude will work wonders for you when you get tired and need that extra boost!
If you’d like a personalized training plan and coaching to support your journey, reach out to our partner personal trainer and adventure coach Becki Rupp of Trailblazer Wellness. She’ll help you build strength and stamina for hiking (and dance parties)! Check out her plans at Trailblazer Wellness and email her at [email protected] for a free initial consultation.
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There is a healthy mix of solo travelers and those who come with a friend, but the greatest thing about a WHOA adventure is that we walk in as strangers and leave as family. If you're traveling solo, we'll pair you up with another solo traveler to room with before the trek and tent buddy with on the trail. You'll be amazed at how quickly bonds are formed between our adventure family!
BOOK NOW
$2,995
PERU + MACHU PICCHU
8D / 7N
8D / 7N
$3,895
ADD 2 DAY RAINBOW MTN
10D / 9N
10D / 9N
PAYMENT TERMS
Putting down a $750 deposit ($850 with Rainbow Mountain) will reserve your spot on this WHOA Adventure! You’ll be invoiced and must pay in full at least 3 months before your adventure starts. All deposits are non-refundable. All prices listed in USD. Please note that there will be a WHOA GAL on this trip with 6 or more participants.
GET IN TOUCH
Or leave us a message below. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you plan your adventure of a lifetime!
REVIEWS
MAKE IT PRIVATE
Dates not quite right for you? Want to bring along your entire family? We can design a Peru trip on your timeline, with your rules. Our private trips have all the TLC that come standard on our group adventures, but are specially organized, personalized and maximized for you!
THE ULTIMATE PERU + MACHU PICCHU
PACKING LIST
From the best hiking boots to our favorite daypacks, here’s all the gear you need to alpaca for hiking in Peru!
THE PERU
LIKE WHOA ADVENTURE GUIDE
Route Map + Trekking Tips + Fun Facts + More!
PERU + MACHU PICCHU
DAILY BREAKDOWN
DAILY BREAKDOWN
NOTE: All distances are approximate!
DAY 1
WELCOME TO CUSCO
Arrive at the Cusco Airport (CUZ) where we’ll be there to give you a warm WHOA welcome and take you to the hotel. You're coming into a high altitude, 10,498 ft (3,400 m), so it’s important to take it easy to let your body adjust throughout the day. Drink lots of water, coca tea (the locals swear by the stuff), and take the afternoon to rest and roam around the beautiful city that is Cusco. (We recommend hitting up the colorful, bustling San Pedro Market for an authentic taste of the Cusqueña culture.) At night we’ll meet for an authentic Peruvian meal (yum!), meet our guides, and get briefed for our trek.
Included Meals: Bienvenida Dinner
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
We highly recommend our adventurers to arrive at least one day early if possible! This will give you time to settle in, get rested, acclimatize in Cusco, and have a buffer in case of flight delays or lost luggage. There will be detailed information on how to book extra nights at our partner hotel in the Adventure HUB that you’ll receive before your adventure.
DAY 2
SALKANTAY TREK
SOIROCOCHA
We'll leave Cusco first thing in the morning and take a scenic drive through the Andes to Soraypampa - where our 4 day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu begins! The Salkantay Trail is a custom-designed, off the beaten path alternative to the classic Inca Trail that provides more spectacular vistas, privacy and authenticity than the traditional route. Oh and, did we mention that National Geographic Adventure named it as the coolest way to trek to Machu Picchu?! After eating a homemade breakfast, we'll begin trekking to our first camp, Soirococha (14,400 ft), where we'll have the evening to enjoy the gigantic glaciers and majestic mountains surrounding us!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Van Time: 4 hours
Elevation: 11,155 - 12,800 - 14,435 ft / 3,400 - 3,900 - 4,400 m
Hike Time: 4+ hours
Hike Distance: ~5.5 mi / 9 km
Stay: Soirococha Camp
DAY 3
SALKANTAY TREK
SALKANTAY PASS
This is one of the most humbling and physically challenging days, but it's also one of the most beautiful and rewarding! We'll reach the highest point on our trek, the Salkantay Pass (15,100 ft), as we hike between the Salkantay (20,550 ft) and Humantay (19,650 ft) glaciers. It's a long day, but there'll be plenty of time to stop for photo ops (and dance parties) before traversing the valley to camp.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 14,435 - 15,100 - 9,350 ft / 4,400 - 4,600 - 2,850 m
Hike Time: 9+ hours
Hike Distance: ~13.5 mi / 22 km
Stay: Collpapampa Camp
DAY 4
SALKANTAY TREK
LUCMABAMBA COFFEE FARM
The temperature will start to become warmer and our surroundings more tropical as we follow the trail along the Santa Teresa River. The contrast between the lush forests and mountainous peaks is one of the many reasons this trail will take your breath away! We'll be entering the "Ceja de Selva" (eyebrow of the jungle), which is full of colorful orchids, hummingbirds and flocks of parrots. At the end of the trail we’ll be picked up and take a fun, panoramic drive to camp. At camp we’ll have time to relax and tour a local coffee farm, complete with a tasting, before dinner.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 9,350 - 6,560 ft / 2,850 - 2,000 m
Hike Time: 4+ hours
Hike Distance: ~4 mi / 7 km
Stay: Camp at Lucmabamba Coffee Farm
DAY 5
SALKANTAY TREK
Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
We'll pass through some avocado, banana and coffee plantations on the final leg of our journey to Machu Picchu. We'll start the day hiking up to Llactapata Ruins (8,695 ft), one of the most scenic spots on the trail! Once there, we'll have a break and listen to the history of the area while we enjoy a spectacular view, a sneak peak if you will, of the backside of Machu Picchu! We’ll then head to the Hidroelectrica train station for lunch, followed by a short train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes. You'll have the evening to recuperate, take a hot shower and roam around the charming town.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Elevation: 6,560 - 6,200 - 6,725 ft / 2,000 - 1,890 - 2,050 m
Hike Time: 7+ hours
Hike Distance: ~9 mi / 14 km
Train Time: 1 hour
Accommodation: Jaya or similar
DAY 6
Machu Picchu
We'll start early, so we can experience Machu Picchu in the magical morning light. You'll have time to get lost in the Lost City of the Incas, and our guide will be on hand to tell you more about the fascinating history of this World Heritage archaeological site. In the afternoon, we'll take a scenic train ride back to Cusco for the evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Elevation: 6,725 - 7,975 - 11,150 ft / 2,050 - 2,430 - 3,400 m
Train Time: 2+ hours
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
DAY 7
Chinchero
At WHOA, every adventure is made more special by connecting and sharing adventure experiences with local women. Our last day in Cusco as a group, is all about reflecting, reinforcing and celebrating how special and powerful women coming together is! We'll begin the day with a visit to Mama Sherpa's village, Chinchero. Here you will connect with the local women as they tell you how they have come together to use their skills to improve the lives of those around them. At night, we'll regroup for a celebratory dinner, and toast to the awesome adventure we all shared!**
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Celebration Dinner
Van Time: 2.5 hours
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
DAY 8
Rainbow Mountain or Departure
You can depart any time this day if you’re not staying for Rainbow Mountain. If you’re staying on to up the adventure ante with Rainbow Mountain, we’ll set out early in the morning for our 2 day trek. After a three hour drive to the trailhead, a hot breakfast will be waiting for us! Our hike to Surine Cocha will take us past herds of alpacas and llamas, and we’ll enjoy stunning views of Ausangate Mountain the whole time. We'll stop trailside for a delicious lunch to fuel up before heading to the highest point of our trek so far, Warmisaya pass (16,485 ft), and from there we’ll be able to see our first views of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in the distance! By early evening we'll reach our camp at Surine Cocha where we will enjoy a beautiful evening under an unforgettable night sky full of constellations and shooting stars.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner*
Van Time: 4 hours
Elevation: 14,370 - 16,485 - 15,750 ft / 4,380 - 5,025 - 4,800 m
Hike time: 8+ hours
Hike Distance: ~8.5 mi / 14 km
Stay: Surine Cocha Camp
*Lunch and dinner included for those staying on for Rainbow Mountain hike
DAY 9
Rainbow Mountain
We'll wake up bright and early with the rising sun over the Andes. Our chef will prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel us up for our final climb to Vinicunca (aka Rainbow Mountain). After breakfast we'll make our final push towards the beautifully colored Rainbow Mountain. After soaking in the vibrant views, and of course grabbing some unforgettable photos, we'll head down towards the bottom of Llaqto where we’ll enjoy a final delicious lunch together before our journey back to Cusco for one more night together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Van Time: 4 hours
Elevation: 15,215 - 16,470 ft / 4,638 - 5,020 m
Hike Time: 4+ hours
Hike Distance: ~4 mi / 7 km
Stay: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro or similar
DAY 10
Departure
It's time to say adios…for now anyway! You can depart anytime this day.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions, but that's part of the adventure! Even when things change, trust you'll be well taken care of with WHOA quality, professionalism, and TLC!
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It’s of the utmost importance to us that any giving back we do is sustainable and fills a need that is of value to our partners. For that reason, our visits and partnerships can and do vary depending on the season, the organization's needs, and the abilities and desires of our group. Bottom line, in each case, we do our best to seek out local partners that are doing great, sustainable work, and we work closely with them to understand their needs to create an experience that will truly be of value to them and you!