Women's Only Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Arrive in Cusco, Peru, and Transfer to Your Hotel

Arrive in Cusco, the historic heart of the Inca Empire, and enjoy complimentary transportation to your hotel located in the city center. Begin acclimating to the altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 meters) with a warm-up hike through the San Cristobal neighborhood, offering stunning views of the city.

Experience the enchanting ambiance of Cusco's renowned cathedrals and the Plaza de Armas at night, transporting you back in time. During our welcome meeting, you'll meet your certified Inca Trail guide and a small group of fellow adventurers, as you prepare for your Cusco City Tour for the next day.

City Tour Cusco is certainly an important part of your visit to Peru and is without exception a principal stop along with the Citadel of Machupicchu.

If you have plans to do other Day hiking tours around Cusco region, or maybe you want to experience the flora and fauna of the Amazon Jungle such as Puerto Maldonado or Manu National Park, this CUSCO CITY is your first destination.
Acclimatization
City Tour Cusco Half Day is for Acclimatization and the main introduction to the city. This city tour will also show the impressive valleys of Cusco and the mountains that surround this magical destination. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the warm and friendly people of Cusco City.

Sacred Valley Cultural Day Tour - Optional Overnight Stay at Sky Dome Lodge

Depart from Cusco and journey to the Sacred Valley, where you'll visit a small local quechua inca village near Chinchero. Here, you'll engage in a unique community outreach project exclusive to Tour Leaders Peru travelers.

This local sustainability initiative brings tourism to a rural area that tourists typically overlook during trips to Peru, supporting a modest community of indigenous people. Immerse yourself in the lives of the native Quechua people, discovering their way of living in the Andes and their profound spiritual connection to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. Experience an enriching cultural exchange with textile weavers and subsistence farmers who proudly maintain their traditional language and attire.

In the evening, savor traditional Peruvian delicacies such as alpaca, guinea pig, or other authentic food in the Andes.

NOTE: For a truly unique experience, consider staying at the Local Village Property Sky Lodge. As a new project, availability is limited, so bookings need to be made at least a 3 month in advance. During your stay, you’ll enjoy our authentic llama and alpaca walking tours, offering an unforgettable connection to the local culture and surroundings.

Highlight: Nature Walk With Llamas and Alpacas tour

This spectacular trek with llamas and alpacas begins in Chinchero, a town where Yoel’s team awaits you with llamas and alpacas. The walk will be 3 to 4  hours which is unique.

Visitors can immerse themselves in Peruvian culture and history. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley, country houses, agricultural terraces, mountains, glaciers, and a beautiful crystal-clear lagoon. Eventually, you’ll reach a community of native Inca descendants where we will begin our walk.

Inca Textiles Weaving Demonstration

We invite you to participate in a Weaving Demonstration to learn firsthand how weavers turn alpaca and sheep wool into fine textiles.

Beginning with spinning and moving through each step of the weaving process, watch as the women of Away Weaving Association show you how they work their magic.
Discover the rainbow of colors that natural dyes produce and gain a greater appreciation for the long hours that go into each textile as the weavers show you how to warp, weave, and finally finish with the unique ñawi aware border technique.

Tonight is your pre-departure briefing for the awaited Inca Trail. You will receive duffel bags from your tour guide and further instructions.

All your questions can be answered here before tomorrow's first hiking day of the Inca Trail.

Day 5 Cusco – Piskacucho Km 82 – Llactapata- Ayapata

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas. For those staying in Cusco Hotels, pickup is scheduled for 4:30 a.m., but this time may vary depending on your location and will be confirmed during your pre-departure briefing.

Our journey begins on a True Mountain Traveler bus, heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We'll pause in Ollantaytambo for breakfast, which is included, before continuing to Km 82, arriving around 7:30 a.m. Once you're prepared, we'll pass through the first checkpoint of the Inca Trail to embark on our trek.

NOTE: Please ensure you have your original passport with you to access the Inca Trail.

The first two hours of our trek are relatively easy as we journey to Patallacta, our initial Inca site, which once served as an ancient checkpoint on the way to Machu Picchu. From Patallacta, we will hike for another two hours to reach our first lunch stop.

After lunch, we will continue trekking for 2½ hours until we arrive at our first campsite at Ayapata (3300m) for the night. During this stretch, we will pass through two small communities. Here, you can purchase energy drinks, snacks, or any essential items you may have forgotten, like batteries. We aim to reach our campsite by 5:00 p.m., where you can settle in and enjoy a hot drink and snack with the team of porters, chefs, and guides. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m., after which you can get some well-deserved rest.

• Walking distance: Wayllabamaba 12 km/6.835 miles. - We may get Ayapata campsite which is 3300 meters
• Campsite altitude: 3300 meters (high) above sea level
• Challenge: Moderate day (getting used to the Inca Trail)
• Weather: Warm and windy
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Highlights: Inca Ruins, Villages, and Veronica Glacier, Local People
• Weather: Warm and Windy.

Leave your alarm clocks at home, as you'll be gently awakened by a hot cup of coca tea in bed! Today marks our longest day, so we'll start early. We’ll embark on a four-hour hike to the trek's summit, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 m/13829 ft). Upon reaching the pass, we’ll pause briefly to take in the stunning views before continuing our descent into the Pacaymayu Valley, meaning Hidden River.

This descent takes about an hour and a half, leading us to our lunch spot where you can refill your water bottles. After lunch, we’ll begin the ascent to the trek's second pass. It's a 2-hour journey, during which we'll stop at the small Inca site, Runku Raccay, and admire two massive waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley.

Following the second pass, an hour of downhill hiking leads us to the impressive Inca site of Sayacmarca, an otherwise unreachable village. Here, we'll pause for a rest, enjoy a brief tour, and watch the sunset over the magnificent Vilcabamba mountain range. From there, it's just a twenty-minute walk to our second campsite, Chakicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters), where we will settle for the night.

After dinner, if you're not too tired, we'll engage in some stargazing and highlight the intriguing Inca constellations. The southern hemisphere sky, free from artificial light, offers a truly breathtaking view that's not to be missed!

• Walking distance: 9.94 miles/16 km (7-8 hours)
• Campsite altitude: 3600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
• Challenge: Hardest day (you will have survived the two highest passes)
• Zone: Andes and Cloud Forest
• Weather: Cold and rainy
• Highlights: Inca Arqueologycal sites, Glaciers, Flora and Fauna

Completing Day 2 and embarking on Day 3 truly warrants a pat on the back! Once again, we're up early for what is often considered the most breathtaking day of the entire Inca Trail trek. Our journey begins with a two-hour hike over what we affectionately term "Inca flats" (gentle inclines), leading us into the lush Cloud Forest.

Along the way, we will be treated to spectacular views, including the majestic Salkantay—the second-highest snow-capped peak in the Sacred Valley—and the stunning panoramic vistas of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
As we near the end of the 'Inka flats', we begin our ascent to the final peak at Phuyupatamarka, standing at 3600 meters. Here, we are treated to splendid views overlooking the Urubamba River and its valley. Though we catch our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain from the valley, the site itself remains hidden.

From the Phuyupatamarka pass, we embark on a three-hour descent, primarily down steps, to our lunch spot at 2600 meters. Along the way, we explore remarkable Inca ruins, including Phuyupatamarka, the Town in the Clouds, Intipata Ruins, the Terraces of the Sun, and Wiñay Wayna inca Site, meaning Forever Young. We will reach the lunch area near Wiñay Wayna, around 12:30 p.m.

After our last meal with the porters and chefs, it’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony to present the team to the tourists once again and to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them, you can do so at this time).
Sunset at Machu Picchu.

For a comprehensive guide on tipping Inca Trail porters, read our complete guide here.

Afterward, we will walk for 1 hour to the Sun Gate, from where we will be rewarded with the picturesque landscape of Machu Picchu before us. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we will begin our descent to Machu Picchu itself.

Why Does Our Inca Trail Itinerary Seem Different?

One of the great benefits of this hike is that by the time we arrive at Machu Picchu at sunset, most day visitors will have left, allowing you to enjoy a more serene experience. After capturing some photos, we'll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you'll check into your hotel. Following dinner, we suggest an early night to fully enjoy the experiences that await the next day.

• Walking distance: 8 miles/14km (6-7 hours)
• Considered: Easy day – mostly downhill!
• Zone: High Cloud Forest
• Weather: Warm and very humid
• Highlights: Inca Ruins, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu
• Visit Machu Picchu Twice Day 7

We will wake up early in the morning to catch the bus to Machu Picchu, where you'll enjoy a two-hour guided tour with your private English-speaking guide. Afterward, you'll have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace.

Those holding tickets for Huayna Picchu can embark on a climb that takes approximately an hour and a half round-trip. Once your exploration is complete, you can either take the bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Later, you'll board the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, followed by a bus ride to Cusco, where you will be returned to your hotel.

Additional Activities in Machu Picchu

• Hike Huayna Pichcu Mountain
• Hike Machu Picchu Mountain
• Another Option Is to hike Huchuy Picchu Mtn.

Day 9: Relax and Depart from Cusco

Enjoy your final breakfast and say goodbye to your new hiking buddies. As your trip comes to a close, we hope you keep in touch with our online and in-person community at home.

Camping not your thing?

See our other Machu Picchu trip and arrive by train. You can also visit Machu Picchu and the Amazon with Tour Leaders Peru Adventure.

Saying Goodbye to Peru

The final day of our adventure is here, and it’s time for heartfelt goodbyes. Start your morning with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before heading to Cusco airport via private transfer. If you’re not joining us for the Rainbow Mountain Trek extension, feel free to schedule your flight from Cusco at any time today.
Meals: Breakfast

Please note: Tour Leaders Peru reserves the right to adjust itineraries as needed based on weather, conditions, health, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you embark on a trek to the stunning Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain. This hidden gem, often referred to as the "painted hills," offers a breathtaking journey through snow-capped peaks, dramatic desert landscapes, vibrant mineral hues, and herds of alpacas.

Your day begins with an early 6:00 AM departure, followed by a scenic three-hour drive through traditional villages and panoramic views of the Andes, arriving at the trailhead at 15,000 feet in the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. From here, you'll begin a gradual ascent through a colorful valley and a unique stone forest on your way to the summit.

At the peak of the mountain, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding Andean landscape, including the majestic Ausangate Glacier, towering at 21,000 feet. This glacier, one of the most sacred peaks (Apus) in Incan culture, adds a sense of wonder to an already extraordinary experience. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as this is one of the few places in Peru where you can spot wild vicuñas and Andean camels alongside llamas and alpacas. You'll have ample time to soak in the stunning scenery, take photos of the vibrant mineral-streaked hills, and embrace the serene beauty of the region.

The descent will be unhurried, with opportunities to pause and appreciate the landscape before returning to Cusco. Back at your boutique-style hotel, you'll have the evening free to unwind and reflect on the day's adventure.

Hiking Details

Duration: 3.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Maximum Altitude: 16,000 feet
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Cusco (Shared Rooms)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 – Farewell, Peru

As your adventure comes to an end, it’s time for heartfelt goodbyes. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the airport via private transfer. Flights can be scheduled from Cusco at any time that suits your travel plans.
Meals Included: Breakfast