Challenge yourself and follow the road less traveled to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Adventure goes beyond deluxe lodges and a great trek (or ride). It is also a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Andean culture as you learn about the Inca civilization and the extraordinary legacy that they left for generations to come.
This tour is available in both a trekking option or a horseback option.
INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
- 9 Nights deluxe accommodations
- Airport assistance and transfers
- All meals (except lunch on day 2)
- Rooftop Cooking Class
- Cusco city tour
- Full baggage support and transfer during trek
- Peru Rail to and from Aguas Calientes
- Shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance
- Huayna Picchu hiking permit
- Entrance fees to historic sites and ruins
- Drinking water throughout
- Gratuities
- English speaking guide
- Women’s Travel Club Tour Host
ITINERARY
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Day 1 – Welcome to Peru!
Upon arrival at the airport today you will be met by a local guide and transfer to your hotel.
The adventure begins tonight. We will have a quick welcome meeting before dinner, after introductions, your tour leader will review the details of your tour. Then we will enjoy our first dinner together and get better acquainted.
Accommodations: El Mercado Hotel -
Day 2 – Cusco – Cooking Class
This morning we will set out to learn all about Cusco on a half day city tour. Cuzco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city and the gateway to Machu Picchu. This is a city of contradiction. Ornate cathedrals squat over Inca temples, a rural Andean woman feeds bottled water to her pet llama while the finest boutiques sell pricey alpaca knits.
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Day 3 – On the way to Soraypampa
After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. The first stop is a visit to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site en route to the mountain village of Mollepata. Enjoy lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse in the village, where you will also have the opportunity to learn about local agriculture and livestock.
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Day 4 – Hike to Lake Humantay
After breakfast, you begin an ascent up the slopes that border the plateau behind Salkantay Lodge*. An hour and a half later, your hard work will be rewarded with a first glimpse of the lake’s glistening turquoise waters and the Humantay glacier looming overhead.
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Day 5 – Crossing the Salkantay Pass
After an early start, the ascent toward the Salkantay Pass begins. You will circle Humantay Peak, gradually making your way along expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders, remnants of the Rio Blanco Valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river.
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Day 6 – Descending into the Cloud Forest
After a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge, you will continue the descent toward the cloud forest along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. The warm air will begin to rise from the edge of the jungle, accompanied by colorful butterflies and striking orchids.
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Day 7 – Following the Santa Teresa River Valley
Today you will hike through the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. After a hot picnic lunch by the river and some time to relax, the group will continue for one more hour before you are met by an MLP transport vehicle for the short drive to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps that lead to Lucma Lodge.
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Day 8 – Lucmabamba
After breakfast, depart from Lucma Lodge and embark on a 2-3 hour climb through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. A lush tree line creates green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is nearby.
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Day 9 – The Citadel of Machu Picchu
Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a morning rollicking uphill bus ride. As you enter the ‘sanctuary’ (as locals refer to it), prepare to be awed by the imposing, skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among others.
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Day 10 – Aquas Calientes – Depart
Enjoy your morning at leisure, after lunch enjoy the scenic Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5 hours). It is time to say good-bye to this beautiful area and fabulous new friends as you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
**Prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited and activities and specific hotels are subject to change. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
DETAILS & PRICING
Rates
Double Occupancy – $5669 USD per person (sharing a room)
Single Occupancy – $7739 USD per person (your own room)
If you would like the double occupancy rate but don’t have a roommate we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room. Single occupancy may be limited. USD = United States of America dollars.
Payment of $750 due at time of booking.
Final payment due – July 1, 2024
*All payments are non-refundable Please see full terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change and availability.
Booking Deadline
Book by March 1, 2024. After this date space may be limited and subject to availability.
Activity Level
High Activity
This tour involves trekking everyday for up to 6 hours. The trekking can be challenging as it is at elevation and often climbing uphill or descending. Please contact us for more information if you have concerns about the activity level of this tour – 1-844-749-0725
Riding Information (for those interested in the riding option)
Riding Experience – Moderate
You should be a confident rider who is comfortable at walk, trot and canter. You should be able to be in the saddle for up to 5 hours multiple days in a row. Please contact us for more information if you have concerns about the riding level of this tour – 1-844-749-0725
For extra precautions horses are fitted with boots or bandages to protect their extremities. Our horses are trained Western so they are used to neck reining and going on a loose rein. We mostly use American endurance saddles, but there are English saddles available for those who prefer them. We are very careful in checking that the saddles fit each horse well and we constantly ensure that the tack and shoeing are in excellent condition.
Group Size
Minimum – 10 members
Maximum – 12 members
Exclusions
- International Airfare
- Visa/passport handling fees
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Alcoholic Beverages not at all inclusive resort
- Gratuities on personal purchases
- Optional Activities
- Expenses of a Personal Nature
- Early check-in and late check-out of hotel
Tour Host
Women’s Travel Club tours are hosted tours. Your tour host is in addition to local tour guides. Your Women’s Travel Club tour host is your tour concierge and there to make sure every part of the tour runs smoothly. Our trained hosts are seasoned travelers who are with you every step of your tour so that you only have to worry about enjoying yourself and having fun.
The Women’s Travel Club Tour Host for this tour is Deanna Lumax.
Roommate Matching Policy
Roommate matching is done as a courtesy and while most matches result in wonderful friendships, success is not guaranteed. If during the tour you decide you would no longer like to share a room with your roommate you will need to request (and pay for) a single room at all accommodations. This can be shared between the two people in the room if it is a mutual decision. If you are a very light sleeper or snore you may want to consider getting your own single room.
Flight Information
The Women’s Travel Club recommends booking flexible/refundable air tickets when possible.
Arrive to Cusco – All international flights into Peru route through Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima, where you must go through immigration and customs before continuing on to Cusco. There are two airline carriers that fly round-trip between Lima and Cusco: LATAM Airlines and Avianca Airlines.
Depart from Cusco – your itinerary ends in Cusco after drop-off at your hotel at approximately 7pm. The last flight out of town leaves in the early evening; please be sure to schedule any outbound flights for the following morning at the earliest.
If you would like assistance booking international flights for your tour please use the form below. The Women’s Travel Club Flight Desk will work with you to arrange the best options.
Our Flight management fee is CAD 100.00 + HST, per tour.
Flight Quote
Travel Insurance:
Out of country medical insurance is required. We strongly recommend that you obtain cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your investment.
Use this link to request an insurance quote.
ACCOMMODATIONS
El Mercado
El Mercado is a 4-star property located three and a half blocks from the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), the heart of picturesque Cusco. Formerly part of the city’s old farmers market, El Mercado’s 32 rooms and quaint atmosphere guarantee personal and friendly service, and will inmediately immerse our guests in the cultural and historical traits of Cusco and Peru.
Salkantay Lodge
Salkantay Lodge was built on the flatlands of the Rio Blanco river valley, with a stunning, unobstructed view of the majestic Salkantay mountain peak. Its contemporary, eco-conscious design was the inspiration for all other MLP lodges.
Wayra Lodge
Wayra Lodge, a cozy mountain refuge with dramatic views of Mt. Humantay, is the most remote of our MLP lodges – and a welcome sight after a long day of trekking over the Salkantay Pass.
Colpa Lodge
Surrounded by lush green mountains in a cloud forest, our Colpa Lodge is situated on a promontory at the confluence of three rivers (9,333’/2,845m). Sun-drenched in the afternoons, it is the perfect spot to relax or soak in the outdoor hot tub.
Lucma Lodge
Situated in a lush avocado orchard at the edge of the Amazon jungle, our charming Lucma Lodge resembles a contemporary treehouse. The view through the multi-pane windows that stretch almost to the ceiling will give you the sensation of living amidst the beautiful foliage that surrounds you.
Inkaterra Pueblo
Popular with those heading to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. Member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, the property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – and the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered.
** Occasionally, due to situations beyond our control, specific hotels may change. Any accommodation changes will be to a similar hotel.
FAQ's
Through our own clients and networking clubs we have realized a general desire for women to travel but they don’t always have a companion. We developed the Women’s Travel Club for these women to have a fun and safe group to travel with. We offer a wide range of destinations, so that there is something for everyone.
We have women of all ages, with the average being 45 to 65 years. However, we do have regular travelers anywhere from 30 years to over 80 years of age.
We do not include international flights in the price of our tours. Not including the cost of international flights in the cost of the tour allows members the flexibility to get the flight schedule, price and class of service that best suits them. The Women's Travel Club flight desk will be happy to help arrange your international flights.
Yes, we always negotiate the best possible single supplement rate for our trips. Single spots fill quickly and may be limited so we suggest you book early for a single spot.
Yes, each of our booking forms has an area for you to request to be matched with a roommate. We get some general information that will help us match you with a great new friend.
Canadian and US citizens do not need a visa for travel to Peru. However, travel requirements may change at any time. Please visit your governments travel recommendations page. Canada - Canada Travel Recommendations & Information USA - USA Travel Recommendations & Information
It will stay sunny and dry for the most part in September in the Sacred Valley, and although there will be marginally more chance of rain than in high season it will also be slightly warmer overall: you'll experience highs around 68° F (20° C) and lows around 41° F (5° C).
The trekking can be challenging as it is at elevation and often climbing uphill or descending. Please contact us for more information if you have concerns about the activity level of this tour - 1-844-749-0725
You should be a confident rider who is comfortable at walk, trot and canter. You should be able to be in the saddle for up to 5 hours multiple days in a row. Please contact us for more information if you have concerns about the riding level of this tour - 1-844-749-0725
No, as the horses will be with us for the day to day ride you must decide in advance if you would like to do the ride or trek.
The horses are trained Western so they are used to neck reining and going on a loose rein. They mostly use American endurance saddles, but there are English saddles available for those who prefer them. They are very careful in checking that the saddles fit each horse well and we constantly ensure that the tack and shoeing are in excellent condition.
We require that you wear a protective riding helmet for the ride and suggest that you bring your own. We also suggest that you bring riding boots, chaps (or half chaps) and gloves.
We do suggest being on altitude medication for this trip. You should visit a travel clinic or doctor prior to this tour to have recommendations specific to your needs.
Sep 18 - Sep 27, 2024 
