Compare Peru Adventure + Machu Picchu by Women High on Adventure

Day 1: Bienvenida

Meals: Dinner

Cusco, Peru

Arrive at the Cusco Airport (CUZ) where we’ll be there to give you a warm WHOA welcome and take you to the hotel. You're coming into a high altitude, 3,400 meters (10,498 feet), so it’s important to take it easy to let your body adjust throughout the day. Drink lots of water, coca tea (the locals swear by the stuff), and take the afternoon to rest and roam around the beautiful city that is Cusco. (We recommend hitting up the colorful, bustling San Pedro Market for an authentic taste of the Cusqueña culture.) At night we’ll meet for an authentic Peruvian meal (yum!), meet our guides, and get briefed for our trek.

We highly recommend our adventurers to arrive at least one day early if possible! This will give you time to settle in, get rested, acclimatize in Cusco, and have a buffer in case of flight delays or lost luggage. There will be detailed information on how to book extra nights at our partner hotel in the Pre-Adventure HUB that you will receive a few months before your adventure.

Day 2: Vamanos

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Cusco To Soraypampa To Soirococha

Elevation: 3,400 - 3,900 - 4,400 m

Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

Distance: 9 km

We'll leave Cusco first thing in the morning and take a scenic drive through the Andes to Soraypampa - where our 4-day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu begins! The Salkantay Trail is a custom-designed, off the beaten path alternative to the classic Inca Trail that provides more spectacular vistas, privacy and authenticity than the traditional route. Oh and, did we mention that National Geographic Adventure named it as the coolest way to trek to Machu Picchu?! After eating a homemade breakfast, we'll begin trekking to our first camp, Soirococha (4,400 m), where we'll have the evening to enjoy the gigantic glaciers and majestic mountains surrounding us!

Day 3: UP, UP & Away

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Soirococha To Salkantay Pass To Collpapampa

Elevation: 4,400 - 4,600 - 2,850 m

Hiking Time: 9 - 10 hours

Distance: 22 km

This is one of the most humbling and physically challenging days, but it's also one of the most beautiful and rewarding! We'll reach the highest point on our trek, the Salkantay pass (4,600 m), as we hike between the Salkantay (6,264 m) and Humantay (5,990 m) glaciers. It's a long day, but there'll be plenty of time to stop for photo ops (and dance parties) before traversing the valley to camp.

Day 4: It's A Jungle Out There

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Collpapampa To Lucmabamba

Elevation: 2,850 - 2,000 m

Hiking Time: 4 - 5 hours

Distance: 6 - 7 km

The temperature will start to become warmer and our surroundings more tropical as we follow the trail along the Santa Teresa River. The contrast between the lush forests and mountainous peaks is one of the many reasons this trail will take your breath away! We'll be entering the "Ceja de Selva" (eyebrow of the jungle), which is full of colorful orchids, hummingbirds and flocks of parrots. At the end of the trail we’ll be picked up and take a fun, panoramic drive to camp. At camp we’ll have time to relax and tour a local coffee farm, complete with a tasting, before dinner.

Day 5: Sneak A Peek

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Lucmabamba To Hidroelectrica To Aguas Calientes

Elevation: 2,000 - 1,890 - 2,050 m

Hiking Time: 7 - 8 hours

Distance: 14 km

We'll pass through some avocado, banana and coffee plantations on the final leg of our journey to Machu Picchu. We'll start the day hiking up to Llactapata Ruins (2,650 m ), one of the most scenic spots on the trail! Once there, we'll have a break and listen to the history of the area while we enjoy a spectacular view, a sneak peak if you will, of the backside of Machu Picchu! We will then head to the Hidroelectrica train station for lunch followed by a short train ride back to civilization to spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes. You'll have the evening to recuperate, take a hot shower and roam around the charming town.

Day 6: Discover The Lost City

Meals: Breakfast

Aguas Calientes To Machu Picchu To Cusco

Elevation: 2,050 - 2,430 - 3,400 m

We'll start very early, so we can experience Machu Picchu in the magical morning light of sunrise. You'll have time to get lost in the Lost City of the Incas, and our guide will be on hand to tell you more about the fascinating history of this World Heritage archaeological site. We'll also have the exclusive opportunity to take a unique day hike far above the ruins (3-4 hours), for the most breathtaking views of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, we'll take a scenic train ride back to Cusco for the evening.

Day 7: Where the Heart is

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Chinchero, Peru

At Whoa, every adventure is made more special by connecting and sharing adventure experiences with local women. Our last day in Cusco as a group, is all about reflecting, reinforcing and celebrating how special and powerful women coming together is! We'll begin the day with a visit to Mama Sherpa's village, Chinchero. Here you will connect with the local women as they tell you how they have come together to use their skills to improve the lives of those around them. At night, we'll regroup for a celebratory dinner, and toast to the awesome adventure we all shared! **

Day 8: Adios Amigas

Meals: Breakfast

Cusco, Peru

We’ll say our goodbyes before you head to the airport to return home, or continue on adventuring!