Adventure in Peru
Trek to Macchu Pichu
Theme: Embracing New Heights
Intention: Reflect on overcoming personal mountains and embracing the unknown, celebrating your inner strength.
Recommended Book: The Mountain is You by Brianna West
Heads up! The Inca Trail is subject to availability, so this itinerary is just a sample of what each epic day could look like. If Inca Trail permits are a no-go, we’ll switch things up and tackle the spectacular Salkantay Trek instead! Here’s the twist: the Salkantay Trek actually goes higher than the Inca Trail, winding through snow-dusted peaks, lush valleys, and misty cloud forests. It’s like the Inca Trail’s quieter, wild-hearted cousin—perfect for a bit more solitude on our way to Machu Picchu!
Not included in the retreat price:
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Airline flights
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Tips for trekking guides
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Additional meals, snacks, or beverages
Day 1 (June 5)
Arrive in Cusco
Included:
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Airport transfer to AirBnb
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Welcome dinner
Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival, you'll be whisked away to our stunning retreat house, nestled right in the heart of the city. Settle in, relax, and get ready to meet your adventure crew for the week—women ready to embark on this epic journey alongside you. That evening, we’ll gather for a delicious welcome dinner, sharing stories and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 2 (June 6)
Elevation Acclimation
Included:
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Group dinner
Day 2 is all about settling into the heights of Cusco in style! Today, we’ll take it easy, exploring this vibrant city as we adjust to the elevation. Wander through ancient streets, soak up the local culture, and, of course, dive into some serious shopping.
Day 3 (June 7)
Begin Inca Trail
Included:
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Transportation to trailhead
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Sleeping bag, tent, and all backpacking essentials
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Duffle bag for personal items while backpacking
Our guide will pick us up bright and early from our accommodations and drive to our starting point for the Inca Trail. After a delicious breakfast prepared by our cook, we’ll go
through the first Inca Trail checkpoint to begin our trek. The first 2 hours of the trek are relatively easy as we make our way to our first Inca site, Patallacta. From Patallacta it’s another 2 hour hike to our lunch stop.
After lunch, we will hike for another 2.5 hours until we reach the first night’s campsite at Ayapata. On this last stretch we pass through 2 small communities. If you want to buy any energy drinks or snacks you can do so here. We’ll arrive at our campsite by 5:00PM and after settling in for a bit you can relax and have a hot drink and snack with your team of porters, chef and guide. By 7:30PM your dinner will be ready, and afterwards you can get some well-deserved rest.
• Walking distance: 8.7 miles (6-7 hours)
• Campsite altitude: 3300 meters above sea level
• Considered: Moderate day (getting used to the Inca Trail)
• Weather: Warm and windy
Day 4 (June 8)
Dead Woman ́s Pass – Runcuraccay Pass – Chaquiccocha
Included:
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Our porters will wake us up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get us ready for the day. Today is our longest day and we will start early. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (13829 feet). On reaching the pass we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot.
After lunch we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours to the pass and along the way we’ll stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village). We’ll stop here for a rest and have a quick tour of the site and then watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range.
It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!
• Walking distance: 9.94 miles (7-8 hours)
• Campsite altitude: 3600 meters above sea level (chilly weather)
• Considered: Top day (you will have survived the two highest passes)
• Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
• Weather: Cold and rainy
Day 5 (June 9)
Chaquiccocha – Wiñaywayna
Included:
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
We begin early again, to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk we will have the opportunity to see the majesty of Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley we get our first views of Machu Picchu Mountain but the site itself is still hidden from view. From Phuyupatamarka it ís a 3 hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent we will visit two Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun).
We will arrive at our campsite around 1:00PM to have lunch and then relax for the entire afternoon so that you’re relaxed and ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30PM our guide will give us a short orientation and we will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna, spending about an hour and a half there. Our guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek so you’re fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time in order to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn.
Walking distance: 6.2 miles (5 hours)
• Campsite altitude: 2.600 meters (high) above sea level (chilly weather)
• Considered: Easy day – all downhill!
• Area: High Cloud Forest
• Weather: Warm and very humid
Day 6 (June 10)
Sun Gate - Machu Picchu – Cusco
Included:
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Entry fee to Machu Picchu
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Train back to Cusco
Wake up time is at 3:30AM. We’ll eat breakfast at 4:00AM and wait at the checkpoint to be one of the first to start trekking when they open the gates at 5:30AM. We’ll wave goodbye to our team of porters and chef and then it’s “Forward On” to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here we have spectacular views of the mountains and Machu Picchu in all its glory. We reach the Sun Gate by 6:30am and then it’s just an hour trek downstairs to reach the Lost City of the Incas. As we approach Machu Picchu the views of the city just get better and better!
At about 7:40AM we’ll reach the final checkpoint and enter Machu Picchu to begin our 2 hour private guided tour. After the tour you’ll be given your bus tickets to make your way down to Aguas Calientes and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore on your own. Our guide will meet us down in the village of Aguas Calientes to enjoy our last lunch in a local restaurant.
We will then return to our accommodations in Cusco.
• Considered: The most exciting and magical day (early wake up 3.30AM)
• Area: High Cloud and Subtropical Forest
• Weather: Hot and very humid
Day 7 (June 11)
Return Home
Included:
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Transportation to the airport