Our exclusive women-only trip is a 7-day package that begins in Cusco with a tour of the Sacred Valley. Here, you’ll visit the most remarkable sites to explore and learn about the culture of Cusco and Peru.
From there, we’ll drive directly to the glass cabanas for a two-night stay, during which you’ll visit the Humantay blue lagoon and hike in the area of Salkantay mountain. Next, you’ll trek through the cloud forest and finally reach Machu Picchu.
The adventure includes a night at both a hobbit house and the Llactapata campsite. Throughout this hike, you will be accompanied by Andean women as your guide, porters, and chef, providing a unique opportunity to learn about their lives and share cultural experiences. We require a minimum of 4 people to open a group for this package.
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Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 AM to embark on a captivating journey through the Sacred Valley. This region, once a crucial center for the Inca Empire, offers a rich tapestry of history and stunning landscapes, setting the stage for your upcoming adventures.
The first stop is the ancient ruins of Pisac. Here, you’ll delve into the fascinating Inca culture and explore the local handcraft market. This vibrant market is an excellent opportunity to pick up unique souvenirs and artisanal goods.
Following your visit to Pisac, you’ll enjoy a scenic one-hour drive to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our chef will be ready to serve you a delicious lunch, allowing you to savor local flavors before continuing your exploration.
After lunch, you’ll tour the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins, which were constructed during the height of the Inca Empire. These well-preserved ruins offer a glimpse into the architectural brilliance of the Incas and their sophisticated urban planning.
The day concludes with a scenic drive of approximately 3 hours to Soraypampa, where your accommodation awaits in luxurious glass-roofed cabins. These unique lodgings offer a cozy retreat and the perfect opportunity to stargaze from the comfort of your bed, capping off a day filled with history and exploration.
3,900 m (12,795 ft) – Soraypampa
Glass Cabins
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off on a memorable hike that leads to one of the most stunning natural wonders of the region.
The trek to Humantay Lagoon begins with a steady ascent through the awe-inspiring Andean landscape. As you climb higher, the air becomes crisp and the surroundings more majestic. The path, though challenging, is well worth the effort, offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and serene alpine meadows.
After approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at the pristine Humantay Lagoon, situated at an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Here, you’ll be greeted by the lagoon’s striking turquoise waters, which contrast vividly with the surrounding snow-capped Humantay Mountain. The lagoon’s color is a result of the mineral-rich waters reflecting the sky and the ice, creating an ethereal and tranquil scene.
Take a moment to absorb the serene beauty of this natural wonder. The lagoon, framed by dramatic mountain peaks, offers a perfect spot for reflection and photography. The silence of the high-altitude environment is broken only by the gentle whispers of the wind, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.
Your guide will share insights into the cultural and natural significance of the lagoon, including its revered status in local traditions and its role in the region’s ecology. After exploring and savoring the breathtaking views, you’ll begin your descent back to Glass Cabañas, where you can relax and enjoy a well-deserved lunch.
The journey to Humantay Lagoon is not just a hike but a deeply enriching experience, allowing you to connect with the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Andes. Then you have free afternoon to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Andes.
13 km (7.5 miles)
6–7 hours
+500m (1,640ft)
Glass Cabins
After a good night’s rest, you’ll wake up around 5:30 AM to enjoy a hearty breakfast, grab snacks and water, and have time to organize your day pack and duffle bag for the hike to the highest point of the trek. Then your guide will introduce you to the trekking team, including the chef, assistant, porters, and horseman, helping you get to know your team and feel more like family.
The hike begins with a gradual ascent for about 2 hours to Salkantaypampa, where you’ll enjoy outstanding views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains—these views are a highlight of the journey. The trail then becomes steeper, taking approximately another hour to reach Soyroccocha, where you’ll have lunch.
After a meal prepared by your Alpaca Expeditions chef and a well-deserved rest, you’ll continue the hike. This next portion lasts about 1 hour until you reach Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters above sea level, the highest point of the trek. The group will rest here and enjoy hot drinks while taking in the views.
From Salkantay Pass, you’ll begin the final leg of the day’s hike, a 3-hour descent to the evening’s campsite, Wayracmachay. Upon arrival, your trekking staff will have your tents set up and your duffel bags ready.
The Alpaca Expeditions team will provide warm water for you to freshen up and change into warm clothes for the night. Then, there will be a happy hour with hot chocolate and coffee, followed by dinner. If the weather permits, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the clear night sky and a brief introduction to the visible Inca constellations.
Night two: Tent camping, Wayracmachay campsite– This campsite will be a night camped out in tents. The alpaca team will have these ready for you upon your arrival at the campsite along with your duffel bags. Our team will provide warm water for travelers to wash with and change into warm clothes for the night. Afterwards happy hour of hot chocolate or coffee is provided along with a warm cooked meal. At night be prepared to see visible Inca constellations in the sky.
12 km (7.5 miles)
4,650 m (15,255 ft) – Salkantay Pass
Camping – Wayracmachay Campsite
Your Alpaca Expeditions trekking team will wake you up early, around 5:00 AM, with a hot drink to start your day. As you open your tent, you’ll hopefully be greeted by the sunrise over majestic glacier peaks and clouds lifting from the green cloud forest. You’ll have time to pack up and enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared by your local Salkantay trekking chef. This will be the second longest day of the trek, similar to the first, with a mix of long uphill and downhill hiking.
Around 6.30 AM, you’ll begin a 4-hour descent to the lunch spot at Ccollpapampa (2,700 meters above sea level). During this portion of the Salkantay hike, you’ll notice a change in micro-climate as well as shifts in flora and fauna. You’ll transition from cold glacier views to warm, lush jungle surroundings. Expect to see various species of orchids, ferns, begonia flowers, and even hummingbirds.
After lunch and a well-deserved rest, you’ll continue your trek to our unique Hobbit Houses, situated on the hillside along the Salkantay River (2,400 meters above sea level). This hike will take approximately 4 hours on gradually downhill terrain.
Along the way, you’ll explore beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and diverse flora and fauna. You’ll experience another tropical forest micro-climate where local people cultivate coffee, passion fruit, papayas, oranges, and avocados. Upon arrival at the evening’s glamping accommodations, your Salkantay trekking staff will be there to welcome you.
At the Hobbit Houses, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower and relax in a wonderful outdoor hot jacuzzi. The Hobbit Houses manager often has cold beer and soda available for purchase, so be sure to bring extra soles with you! There will also be a time to explore our ecological garden, where you can see local coffee, avocados, chilies, tomatoes, and pineapples. Dinner will be served at our building with views of the Salkantay River. As you retire for the night, you might hear the distant sound of the Salkantay River.
Night three: Hobbit House– On your way to the Hobbit Houses travelers will see beautiful flora and fauna, waterfalls, and rivers along the way. Upon arrival the accommodations of the Hobbit Houses can be likened to private rooms with sleeping bags. These unique and special rooms also include running hot showers, a hot jacuzzi area and drinks for purchase. Expect novelty hospitality from the workers to the room setups. Dinner is provided with views of the salkantay river and visible constellations for stargazing.
3,800 m (12,470 ft) – Wayracmachay
2,400 m (7,870 ft) – Hobbit Houses
Hobbit House
After a delicious breakfast, get started on the shortest, but most interesting, day of the trek. Today you will experience the most beautiful sights along your trekking route to Machu Picchu, including a tropical forest and a visit to a local, organic coffee farm.
At the farm, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the orange and avocado plantations and taste some of the freshly-brewed coffee. Also at the farm, you will have a brief introduction regarding the coffee in this region and its importance as the main farming product to all locals. As you will learn, the coffee in this region was introduced to the region after the Spanish conquest and most of the harvested coffee is exported to countries including the United States, Asia and Europe.
After the coffee farm visit, you will continue with your trek to Llactapata by hiking along a section of the Inca trail for approximately 2.5 hours. On your way to the Llactapata Inca site, you will see amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley. At Llactapata, you will get the first glance of Machu Picchu – including the main archaeological site, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Llactapata Inca site along with your guide and take photographs for the books!
From here it will be an additional 15 minutes downhill to your lunch and campsite area. This campsite is owned by a local family, and only Alpaca Expeditions has permission to stay there. You will find the campsite to be a great place to enjoy the sunset and sunrise over Machu Picchu. After lunch, you will have some free time to enjoy the views and relax from the hiking.
Again, we will serve a lovely happy hour, with tea and coffee, and your chef will prepare a delicious meal for dinner. Once the stars come out, you can enjoy the Milky Way and the Inca constellations – just like the Incan astronomers did to predict the weather.
Your Alpaca Expeditions trekking team will wake you up early again (5:30-6am) with a hot drink to help you start the day. You’ll get ready for the day’s activities and then enjoy your last breakfast prepared by your local trekking chef.
The day’s hike will begin with a 2 hour downhill path with unbeatable views of Machu Picchu until the Hydroelectrical Station that was built to harness the natural 300-meter high waterfall, which generates electricity for the region of Cusco. This waterfall is one of the most impressive features of this area. here you will have the final lunch prepared by your Alpaca Expeditions’ local trekking chef and you’ll have a chance to say goodbye.
From the Hydroelectrical Station you’ll continue to the famous Intiwatana (sundial rock). According to history, this Inca stone once worked with the legendary sundial rock in Machu Picchu to signal the winter solstice, which meant the beginning of a new farming season for the Incas.
Once you’ve seen the famous Intiwatana, you’ll continue on the path that runs alongside the train tracks for approximately 3 hours. This leads to the town of Aguas Calientes located at the foot of the valley of Machu Picchu. This part of the hike will be interesting as it was the trail used by the American professor Hiram Bingham when rediscovering Machu Picchu.
On his way to discovering Machu Picchu Hiram Bingham met with local farmer Melchor Arteag who eventually guided him to Machu Picchu. On your trek, you’ll hike past Melchor Artaeg’s farm. Here you’ll see many species of flora and fauna and amazing local birds such as Peru’s national bird (called cock of the rock), Toucans, Oropendolas and Parrots. Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes you’ll go to your hotel to enjoy a hot shower and then take the opportunity to visit the famous hot springs (10 soles, not included) of Aguas Calientes. dinner will be at restaurant by 7pm.
2,800 m (9,185 ft) – Llactapata
2,040 m (6,690 ft) – Aguas Calientes
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
(MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE TO SECURE BETTER CIRCUITS FOR MACHU PICCHU CITADEL VISIT)
Today is the most important day of your visit to Peru and your trek, as you will explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the citadel of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is strictly regulated by the Peruvian government and UNESCO. After the pandemic, authorities implemented changes to preserve and manage visitor traffic, introducing up to 10 different circuits. Of these, the most significant and distinct are circuits 1, 2, 3, and 4. The most recommended circuits are 2 and 3, with Circuit 2 being the best for those who haven’t completed the Inca Trail, as it includes the famous viewpoint. Circuit 3 is nearly identical to 2 but skips the main viewpoint. It is crucial to book your visit well in advance to secure Circuit 2 for the most comprehensive experience of Machu Picchu.
You will wake up early at your hotel, often taking a packed breakfast, as it’s essential to arrive early at Machu Picchu. Although an early rise can be tiring, this unique experience is absolutely worth it. After breakfast, you’ll leave larger items like suitcases and duffle bags at the hotel, bringing only a small backpack with essentials such as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hat, camera, original passport (and student ID if applicable), and water. You’ll walk approximately five minutes to the bus station. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM, but arriving earlier is necessary as there will be a queue. Seating is not guaranteed and depends on arrival order. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes to Machu Picchu’s entrance. Before entering, it’s recommended to use the public bathrooms (cost: 2 soles).
Once inside, those with Circuit 2 will head to the Machu Picchu viewpoint near the Watchtower, while Circuit 3 begins at the agricultural terraces. Here, you’ll have time for iconic photos and receive an introductory talk (15-30 minutes) about Machu Picchu’s history. Your guided tour through temples, palaces, terraces, fountains, and residences will last around 2.5 to 3 hours, with ample opportunities for photos and videos. Afterward, you’ll have approximately 30 minutes of restricted free time. For additional exploration, you may consider purchasing a separate ticket for Circuit 1 to revisit the viewpoint, though this must also be booked in advance.
Visitors who reserved Huayna Picchu mountain will return to the Huayna Picchu entrance to begin their ascent. This climb takes about 45 minutes up, with 30 minutes at the summit and 45 minutes to descend back to Machu Picchu. This ticket is limited to 400 people daily and requires advance booking.
Those without Huayna Picchu or an extra Circuit 1 ticket will exit Machu Picchu after the guided tour and return to Aguas Calientes by bus. Everyone will eventually exit Machu Picchu from the same location, whether returning from mountain hikes or viewpoints. Aim to be back in Aguas Calientes around 1 PM for a final lunch together (not included but highly recommended). The Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo departs approximately at 2:55 PM. This comfortable train, featuring large windows, offers beautiful views ideal for photography. An upgrade to the Vistadome train is possible, though it departs later and features dance performances and alpaca clothing sales at higher prices.
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, Alpaca Expeditions transportation will bring you back to Cusco, where smaller vehicles will take you directly to your hotel or Airbnb, typically arriving by 8 PM at the latest. Airport transfers can also be arranged.
Although the day is long and busy, it is incredibly rewarding and memorable. We take pride and care in ensuring the best experience for all our travelers.
Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% peruvian, indigenous owned company. Started by Raul Ccolque, a former porter and tour guide, Alpaca Expeditions separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
