The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an intimate opportunity to feel the heartbeat of ancient history in the land of the Incas. To walk above cloud forests up into the high mountains is an unforgettable experience. Colourful orchids and llamas bring easy smiles along the way. It’s a bittersweet beginning–we’ll learn how to make Peruvian chocolate utilizing beans foraged from the nearby jungle. This itinerary is a balance of adventure and self-care (and chocolate!). Uplift your weary spirit with a challenging hike to Humantay Peak and then recharge with a soak in the jacuzzi under a billion neon stars. In Sacred Valley (or “Vilcamayo” as the Incas refer to it), we’ll take in the spectacle of the Pisac ruins. We’ll also visit a women’s weaving cooperative where vibrant vegetable-dyed materials reflect the unique culture, talent and energy of the Peruvian people. Each day on our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu journey seems to outdo the previous one–from the scenery-rush of the dramatic Rio Blanco valley to making an offering to Pachamama, to experiencing a comforting traditional meal cooked from the hot stones of the earth. Peru’s diversity of bamboo forests, coffee plantations, fruit orchards and lush verdant hills that roll and unroll into the distance, create a magnetic pull along the hiking trail. What next? When a train chugs you to the bottom of storied Machu Picchu and the sun filters over the iconic Sun Gate overlooking the ancient ruins, you will know the secret. Standing on the eastern slopes of the Andes at 2,430m (7,972ft) above sea-level, in the mighty midst of the mysterious religious, ceremonial, agricultural, astronomical powerhouse crisscrossed by stone terraces, you’ll feel the transformation.

The Amazon to Machu Picchu escape is an immersive journey that plants you deep in the pounding heart of Peru! The rainforest seemingly vibrates with life, as does the ground below, with mystical history. The treasures are found in an offering to the Earth Mother (Pachamama), dark chocolate, buzzy markets, brilliant macaws and the woven secrets of the Sacred Valley. In the canopies above, watch for the blur of toucans and macaws streaking through the trees in a rainbow smudge. Let’s not forget about the swinging antics of spider monkeys and curious capuchins. At night, an orchestra of croaking frogs swallows up the darkness. By the river’s edge, the red gleam of a caiman’s eyes will meet your own in equal surprise! Prepare for a serious sensory experience. The tart tang of your first pisco sour at an interactive cooking class will be permanently locked into your taste bud memory. The spicy soups, fried plantains, empanadas and curious fruits (custard apple! Lúcuma) of the colourful market will definitely shake up your grocery store aisle routine. And let’s not forget about the bean-to-bar chocolate making workshop! Whether you are lost in the grandeur of The Temple of Qoricancha or transfixed by the otherworldly beauty of Machu Picchu itself, this experience will stay in your mind’s hard drive forever.

Sacred Earth Journeyes has tapped Andean Medicine Man and Wisdom Keeper, Puma Quispe Singona, to guide women thorugh the spiritual heart of Peru: hear traditional teachings, participate in ceremonies, and undertake powerful healing and energy work, with a visit to the spectacular Incan archaeological site of Quillarumiyoc - Temple of the Moon.

Intrepid Travel invites you to learn more about the lives and legacy of Peru's women on an illuminating 8-day adventure. Meet a woman running a food stall in downtown Lima, get to know the women of the Umasbamba community and find out what weaving means to them. With your local female leader at the helm, take on the iconic Inca Trail, athen explore the spectacular site of Machu Picchu. Additional dates available.

Join AdventureWomen for this breathtaking lodge-to-lodge trek to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. Take the quieter, challenging Salkantay route and hike in the footsteps of Incan farmers, master stone cutters, chieftains, and the Incan emperor himself. If you’ve ever wanted to trek to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Route is the way to do it! Far less crowded than the Inca Trail, the Salkantay boasts spectacularly varied scenery, peaceful trails, and comfortable lodges where you can rest your weary feet in outdoor hot tubs at the end of long trekking days. The Andes evoke a sense of wonder and spiritual connection; one can easily imagine how this location once attracted the empire’s king. Hike four to nine hours a day alongside your fascinating AdventureWomen companions, catching exhilarating views by day and sharing your high-altitude triumphs at night in the comfort of your lodges. Your expert trekking guide will lead the way and help you reach your goal at the end of your trek: Machu Picchu! You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!