Women's Wellness Trek to Machu Picchu with Indigenous Guides

The trek starts with a full day in the Sacred Valley, visiting the circular terraces of Moray and the salt pools of Maras before an overnight in Ollantaytambo. From there you drive to the remote community of Chupani and begin walking on ancestral trails that see almost no other tourists. The route climbs through farmland and native forest to a campsite at 3,800 meters, then pushes on to the indigenous community of Cuncani, where local women welcome you into their homes and show you their weaving. Day four is gentler—a short hike past a village school to the Lares hot springs for a long soak, then back to Ollantaytambo for a sisterhood dinner. The final day starts before dawn with a train to Aguas Calientes and a bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the citadel.

Alfredo Huari founded Wari Tours after years guiding for other agencies in Cusco. He was born in Chillipawa, a tiny indigenous community, and his father Ignacio was a mule driver. That background shapes everything about this trip—the emphasis on women's roles in preserving Quechua culture, the school visit in Cuncani, and the way the team makes sure money from tourism reaches the villages directly. The trekking team is deliberately majority female, a program Alfredo calls 'Warmi Warriors' (warmi means woman in Quechua).

Altitude is a real factor here. The highest point on the trek is around 4,200 meters, and the itinerary is paced for proper acclimatization—the Sacred Valley day tops out at 3,762 meters, giving your body a first test before the harder walking. The guides are trained in first aid and mountain rescue, and carry oxygen as standard. Most travelers handle the trek fine with a couple of days in Cusco beforehand, but it's worth taking the altitude seriously.

The group size is small, which keeps the experience intimate. You're trekking as a roving community of women (plus the all-female crew), sharing stories in the evening circles and celebrating the final night with a sisterhood dinner in Ollantaytambo. The sense of accomplishment at Machu Picchu is the emotional peak of the whole week—you've walked there, rather than arriving by bus like most visitors, and that changes how it feels.

What's included

- Pre-trek briefing - 4 nights accommodation (3 nights camping, 1 night hotel in Ollantaytambo) - 3 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner - Snacks and hot drinks (coca tea, infusions) throughout the hike - Water provided daily during the trek - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Transportation during the retreat - Luggage storage - Official professional tour guide - Official Machu Picchu ticket - Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines - Entrance to Moray - High-quality camping equipment - Women's circles and cultural activities - Visit to a local school in Cuncani - Andean ritual offering

What's not included

- Flights to and from Peru - Travel insurance (mandatory) - Visa fees - Airport pickup (€13 per person) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permits - Hotels in Cusco before/after the trek - Lunches on Day 5 in Aguas Calientes - Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities - Drinks with meals beyond water, tea, and coffee