Hiker Approaching Salkantay Mountain, PeruOne of the first camps you will sleep when walking the Salkantay trekking in Peru.Two women hikers in the Peruvian AndesSnow mountain with rocks in salkantay trailView of majestic snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range, as seen along the Salktantay Trek in PeruSalkantay Trekking Peru the road to Machu Pichu

Women’s Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Cusco, Peru

Trip Highlights

  • Women Only Adventure
  • Circle Mount Salkantay
  • All-inclusive Extended Package
  • Dramatic, Glaciated Peaks
  • Fantastic Peruvian Cuisine
  • Premier Camping Accommodations

Description

This all-women version of our classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu takes you through unique and varying landscapes, from cloud forests to grassy highlands and the confluence of sub-alpine passes with colossal, snow-capped mountains. This trek is for the adventurous! Since ancient Incan times, Mount Salkantay has been considered sacred and the protector of the Quechua people. The name Salkantay derives from the Quechua language and means “Savage Mountain.” Mount Salkantay (20,574 feet) is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba Mountain Range and in the Cusco area of the Southern Peruvian Andes.

This trip is led and supported by women guides, drivers and assistant chefs. The main chef and horse wranglers are men. This trip also includes pre-trek and post-trek amenities, airport pick-up and drop-off, and wonderful acclimatization activities so you can focus 100% on enjoying Peru.

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From USD
$3540 Per Person
From $195 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT  

From $195 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

The single supplement on this trip applies to all nights in hotel. If traveling solo, you will have a tent to yourself the other nights.

Trip Type: Portered Trek
Difficulty Level:
Solitude Level:
Group Size: 2-12 Guests
Trip Length: 9 Days
Distance: 29+MI / 47+KM

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4

Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult

SUMMARY OF DIFFICULTY
This trip requires significant elevation gains and losses on rocky trails, and tops out at 15,255 feet. The higher elevations make the trekking more difficult and necessitate training for most guests to be well prepared.

Hiking Distances:

Up to 10 mi

Backpack Weight:

10-20 lbs

Terrain:

Moderately Rugged

Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

3,000 ft

Heights Exposure:

Light

Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP

  • Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-20 lb backpack for 7-8 hours
  • Maintaining balance and footing on variable, uneven terrain
  • Hiking at high elevations of 15,000+ feet
* For an official and complete list of physical requirements, please see our Essential Eligibility Criteria.

SOLITUDE LEVEL 3

1 least solitude, 5 most solitude

We rate this Peru hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have hours of solitude at a time while hiking.

Group of hikers in Peru

Make the most of your time in Peru with an add-on day hike around Cusco! Explore a stunning alpine lake with amazing turquoise water (Lake Humantay); or one of the most unique and breathtaking mountains in the world with rainbow-colored soils that make for spectacular photography (Rainbow Mountain).

Private Trips

Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group or family!

In many areas we can run trips with group sizes larger than our normal capacity of 12 guests. There’s no minimum number of guests on a private tour, and in many cases, we have flexibility around minimum age as well.

For all international trips outside the United States, we quote private trip requests on a case by case basis. Please complete the form below to inquiry about a private tour.

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ITINERARY

ITINERARY

Day 1

On this hiking tour to Machu Picchu we will pick you up from the airport in Cusco, Peru and take you to our lovely accommodations near the main square. You’ll have some time to get settled in before we meet for our orientation meeting. During this meeting, we will get acquainted with our group, itinerary, gear for the trek, answer questions, etc. Afterwards, we’ll head to our favorite Peruvian restaurant for dinner. Be sure to drink copious amounts of water throughout the day, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Cusco is over 11,000 feet in elevation and being hydrated is a critical component of dealing with significant elevation changes. Self-care begins immediately.

Day 2

Today is a great day to not only acclimatize and brush off some jet lag, but to start our exploration of Cusco and the incredible history and culture of Peru. We’ll start with a nourishing breakfast at our hotel to fuel us for the day ahead. After, we will meet for our visit to the ruin of Saksaywaman, an ancient cathedral in Cusco, and the Qoricancha (Sun Temple). For lunch we will meet our chef for the week and enjoy the organic and local foods of Cusco. After the tour, we have some free time to relax before dinner.

Day 3

Today will serve as an additional acclimatization day. Our first stop will take us to the village of Chinchero, where we will visit a cooperative weaving center. The Chincherinas (local women) will show us the process of weaving beautiful blankets, fabric dying, and making clothes. Subsequently, we will head to the salt mines of  Salineras that date back over 2,000 years with over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountain side. We’ll then head to our amazing lunch spot with phenomenal mountain views. After lunch we will move on to the fascinating terraces of Moray, once used for agricultural experimentation by the Incas. After, we will return to Cusco and enjoy free time until we meet for dinner at our favorite restaurant. Your guides will deliver the plan for the following day.

Day 4

  • Hiking Mileage: 3.1 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 2,084 feet
  • Highest Elevation: 14,715 feet
  • Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

Today we will wake up early and enjoy a light breakfast before departing Cusco around 6am. We will drive roughly 3.5 hours to our trail head at Soraypampa (12,631 ft.). En route, we’ll stop in the quaint town of Mollepata for a short rest, have a snack, and grab a cup of coffee or tea. Once we arrive to Soraypampa, we will meet our gear porters and have a thorough brief on the pertinent aspects of trekking in the Andes and at higher elevations. We will immediately be overshadowed by the towering, glaciated Mount Salkantay (20,574 ft tall).

After a nice lunch prepared by our chef, we will begin to slowly ascend a mild incline for roughly 3-4 hours to our camp at Soyrococha (14,715 ft.).

Upon arrival at camp, you will find your tents ready and waiting, as well as hot drinks and snacks! We’ll have some time to relax until our dinner is served. This camp is especially beautiful at night, when the milky way is splashed across the sky. Photographers, this is the perfect place to take long exposures of the stars from the Southern Hemisphere!

Day 5

  • Hiking Mileage: 9.9 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 540 feet
  • Elevation Loss: 5,413 feet
  • Highest Elevation: 15,255 feet
  • Trekking Duration: 8-9 hours

We will wake up to a steaming cup of coca tea and gaze upon the stunning, snow-covered Salkantay Mountain. Today we will travel through a diverse range of climatic zones, from golden grasslands to sub-alpine zones to cloud forests. After breakfast we will begin to trek slowly towards Salkantay Pass (15,255 ft.), which takes roughly 1 hour. At the pass we will have a break to drink water, eat snacks and take in the spectacular views of Mount Salkantay. Subsequently, we’ll hike down to Huayracmachay village (12,900 ft.), where we will have a delicious lunch prepared for us by our chef. After lunch we’ll continue hiking down to Collpapampa village (9,842 ft.) where we will camp for the night.

Day 6

  • Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
  • Elevation Loss: 3,126 feet
  • Highest Elevation: 9,842 feet
  • Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

Today we will be trekking through the tranquil cloud forest. We will hike for about five hours following the Lluskamayo River, with the prospect of seeing a variety of orchids, birds, and a magnificent waterfall. Today’s trek ends at La Playa (6,716′) where we will have lunch and camp for the night. After we relax for a while, we will go meet Freddy, the owner of our camp and a local coffee plantation. Here we may have the opportunity to be able to pick our own coffee beans, roast them and make our own coffee. In addition, Freddy will teach us many local traditions of the Quechua people and have the opportunity to purchase souvenir coffee from him.

Day 7

  • Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1,978 feet
  • Elevation Loss: 2,461 feet
  • Highest Elevation: 8,694 feet
  • Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

After an early breakfast, accompanied by Freddie’s local coffee from the farm, we will begin our hike which ascends to the Llaqtapata Inca ruins (8,694 ft.). This section of the trail is part of the Inca Trail, used in the past to connect Machu Picchu with the city of Vilcabamba. Once we arrive at Llaqtapata we will have our first glimpse of the ancient city of the Incas: Machu Picchu! Our local guide and interpreter will introduce us to the history and culture of the Inca and Quechua people. After the lessons we will descend roughly three hours to the hydroelectric power station (6,233 ft.). From the power station, we will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes (6,692 ft.), where we will take showers, change clothes and go out for an amazing dinner in town. Your guides will deliver the plan for the next morning.

Day 8

  • Hiking Mileage: varies
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: minimal
  • Highest Elevation: ~11,200 feet (Cusco)
  • Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

This morning, we’ll have an early wake up call for our sunrise arrival to Machu Picchu! At Machu Picchu (7,972 ft.), our guide will lead us on a thorough and fascinating tour of the ancient Inca city for the next 3-4 hours. We will learn about the amazing cultural history of the Inca and Machu Picchu and delve into some of the mysteries that surround the remote mountain city. After our Machu Picchu tour we will head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. We will then board a train to the historic town of Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, we board our private van to the town of Urubamba. Depending on the time, we may have dinner in Urubamba or continue on to Cusco (11,200 ft.) where we will have a celebratory dinner.

Day 9

This morning we will have our last Peruvian breakfast in Cusco and say our good-byes before heading to the airport. From here it’s of course your option to continue exploring Peru on your own or have a flight booked to return home. For our Machu Picchu Treks you can depart Cusco any time on this final day. Service ends after transportation to the airport.

Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: lodging/campground availability, extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.

Trip Dates & Booking

TRIP DATES & BOOKING

Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.

Available to Book

AVAILABLE TO BOOK

This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!

Going Fast

GOING FAST

This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.

Request a Reservation

REQUEST A RESERVATION

This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.

Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.

800-715-HIKE (4453)

Trip Details

Trip Details

What's Included

  • A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
  • Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
  • Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on Day 9
  • Lodging before and after the trekking portion of the trip
  • All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9
  • Vistadome train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • All camping gear and supplies (including a dining tent and kitchen tent)
  • Porters to transport all gear, food, and most personal items
  • Professional camp chef
  • Drinking water and hot water for washing face, hands, etc.
  • Use of a backpack and trekking poles
  • Gratuity for in-country crew: Porters, Chefs, Waiters, Wranglers and Drivers. *Please Note: Gratuities for Guide(s) are not included in trip rate.
  • Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device

What's Not Included

  • Transportation to Cusco, Peru
  • Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
  • Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills, Wi-Fi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
  • All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
  • Clothing, rain gear, and footwear (see recommendations)
  • Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
  • Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight (disposable plastic water bottles are prohibited; please have refillable water bottles or hydration bladders)
  • Guide gratuities are optional and at the discretion of each customer. A suggested guideline is to reward outstanding service with a tip of 10-15% of the total trip cost.  Local currency is preferred, or USD is also appreciated.  *Please Note: Gratuities for Porters, Chefs, Waiters, and Drivers are included in the trip rate.

Meals: What to Expect

This Peru hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals at carefully selected, wonderful restaurants in Cusco, and meals prepared by our professional chef. Some staples you may find are potatoes (papas), quinoa, rice, beans, meat, fish, various grains and vegetables.

In addition, we provide you with an assortment of trail snacks* (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, & cookies) to eat at your own discretion.

We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.

*Common trail snack brands and items found easily in the US are not readily available in this destination. (i.e. protein bars, trail bars, beef jerky, etc.) We recommend guests that prefer these types of trail snacks to bring a few of their own choice items from home.

Gear We Provide

We provide all group gear which includes the following:

  • Backpacks
  • Trekking poles
  • Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
  • Company-issued first-aid kit
  • Emergency communication device(s)

Guest Packing List

When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.

Trip Logistics

Trip Logistics

How Do I Register?

Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.

Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!

Where Do We Meet?

We will meet you at the airport on Day 1 and transport you to the first night’s hotel (included), where we’ll conduct an orientation meeting at 5:30 PM the first evening (your flight should arrive before 3 PM). Our Peru communications team will be in contact approximately 45 days before your trip to coordinate your rendezvous and answer any last-minute questions you have.

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.

Travel to Cusco, Peru

BOOKING FLIGHTS

For our Peru treks you will need to arrive in Cusco, Peru on the day the trip begins earlier than 3 P.M. Your guide will rendezvous with you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. An orientation meeting, dinner and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled for the final day of the tour leaving at any time.

Flights to and from Cusco are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Cusco, and nearly all connect through Lima. You can reach Lima from many U.S. and European international airports. Some of the primary U.S. departure cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Chicago, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. The duration of nonstop flights to Lima is 5-9 hours. The duration of flights from Lima to Cusco is 80 minutes.

Pre- and Post-trip On Request Lodging

We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Cusco, Peru as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.

Safety Precautions

Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.

In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.

Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.

The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.

Guides

Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.

Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.

Guide Working Parameters

Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.

Porter Team

Where are our Porters from?

Wildland works with a team of 15-25 porters, mainly from two different villages: Willoq and Cuyo Grande, both located in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The ages of our porter team ranges from 20 to 55 years old. Our porter team is made up of farmers, meaning their main job is farming and the porter work is to supplement income. They grow crops such as potatoes, lima beans, peas, corn and also raise livestock such as cows, sheep, llamas, and alpacas.

Why do they choose to be Porters?

Being a farmer in the mountains is difficult work, especially in the Cusco region. Each of the members of our porter team own a small plot of land that they use for farming. This work is physical, hard and in the end is often not enough to support their families, especially if they want their children to go to school.

Porters try to work 2-3 treks per month. Each trip lasts for 4 days, so they are away from their families and farm duties between 8 and 12 days each month. They prefer to visit with their families, rest, and catch up on farm duties between treks, usually for 4-5 days. They choose when they want to be available for any given trek or set of dates.

What do we provide Porter staff?

We believe that the main ingredient for any successful trip is keeping not only our guests safe and happy, but also our staff. Without one it is impossible for us to have the other. With that said, we have created a set of standards to ensure the safety and happiness of our porter team.

  • All porters are provided health insurance. It is purchased through a private company to ensure they are covered for any health-related issues while working for us. During a trek our lead guides are in close contact with all our staff to ensure safety and wellness of the entire team. Any illness or injury to our staff is treated equal to and as importantly as any illness or injury to our guests. All lead guides are trained in wilderness first aid and can properly assist any staff or guest in emergencies or in the case of illness or injury. First aid kits are carried and readily available for staff, the same as they are for guests.
  • We provide staff all the gear needed to keep them warm and safe during treks. This includes sleeping bags, sleeping pads, shelter/tent, warm fleece jackets, hiking pants, hiking shoes, hats, backpacks and a brace used for extra back support.
  • We understand that the quality work and effort provided by our porters during treks deserves to be matched by the quality of food we provide to them during treks. Porters are provided 3 warm meals a day on treks and the food is planned for them specifically. They are not fed guest leftovers; their food is planned, purchased, and cooked by our chef during a trek. Meals are always planned with physical and nutritional needs in mind.
  • Tipping rates are included in our rates to guests and the amounts given to porters are set, fair, and predictable each trip. Of course, our guests can give more if they wish, but tips are already included in their rates and we ensure our team is tipped fairly, in addition to their normal salary.
  • Also, we follow strict weight limits to not overburden our Porters. The maximum weight they can carry is 20 kilos/44 lbs.

School Project

Five years ago, Jose Condor, our partner and Peru Program Manager, started a small project called “Improving Education in the Mountains.”

This project was set up to support the schools and children in the villages around the region where our porters come from.  These small communities and villages have schools, but they are basic, and often do not have sufficient supplies.  Every year, we provide supplies for the schools to use for the school year.  We also supply some hygiene items and other gifts.  A portion of each reservation in Peru goes towards this project. The supplies are utilized by hundreds of children between the ages of 3 and 11.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:

  • 12 and older to join scheduled or private trips

Trip Insurance

For your protection, we strongly recommend the purchase of field evacuation, repatriation, and medical trip insurance. International travel is expensive, and the modest cost of trip insurance is a sound investment in an uncertain world.

If you wish to purchase trip insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.

For information on recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.

For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:

Email: [email protected]
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664

If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.

Weather in Peru

Peru is home to part of the Amazon Rainforest as well as the towering Andes Mountains. Machu Picchu is at an elevation of 7,972 feet (2,430 meters), but most of our treks in the region reach elevations well above 10,000 feet, some reaching nearly 17,000 feet. Because of the significant elevation changes and alpine hiking, the temperatures and weather can also vary widely. At elevations above 10,000 feet you can expect cold temperatures.

The average temperatures and precipitation in the Machu Picchu region are:

Month Hi Low Precip
March 70° F 45° F 11 days
April 72° F 40° F 8 days
May 70° F 36° F 3 days
June 70° F 34° F 2 days
July 70° F 30° F 2 days
August 70° F 34° F 2 days
September 72° F 40° F 7 days
October 72° F 43° F 8 days

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