The perfect Peru Itinerary: 8 Day Women's Expedition to Machu Picchu
When I was 12 years old and sat in front of the internet for the first time, I googled: ‘Travel’ and I was shown a photo of Machu Picchu. To this day, visiting Peru and hiking the Inca trail has always been top of my bucket list, and when Wanderful reached out to me and asked if I wanted to go on an all women’s expedition to Machu Picchu, I probably said yes before the thought had fully formed in my head! So here is the perfect 8 day Peru itinerary with Wanderful, Intrepid Travel and some of the most inspiring female travellers I have ever met:
The Cathedral of Lima (Basilica Cathedral)
Day 1-3: Lima
Bienvenidos! After flying 16 hours+ from London I landed in Lima. A city I had been dreaming to visit for far too long. I was greeted by Lauren from Wanderful and met my fellow traveller Tonia from @Toniahope at the airport and the 3 of us immediately bonded! The jet lag was real but so was the excitement and we stayed up until midnight, drinking Pisco sours and chatting about what was to come.
The next day it was time to kick start this epic tour:
The journey began with a 2 pm welcome meeting at the hotel, where we met up with our local female leader Tina and where I met the rest of the girls and heard their inspiring stories, followed by one of the most breathtaking dinners of the entire trip. We took the minibus to Huaca Pucllana - a famous restaurant in Lima overlooking ancient Incan ruins in the middle of this buzzing city! I couldn’t believe my eyes. We indulged in what was number one of many Ceviche dishes to come, learnt a little about Quinoa and it’s importance to Peru, had more Pisco sours of course and went to bed ready for an action packed day ahead.
The jet lag was gone by this point so it was time to get active. Activity of the day: Cycling! We had an absolute blast exploring the vibrant and colorful neighborhoods of Lima on two wheels, and later, we indulged in a street food tour, savoring Peruvian churros and some of the best food in the city - although I have to say that Anticuchos (pictured below) were maybe not at the top if my personal ‘best street food in Lima’ list. However, we couldn't resist trying Picarones and they tasted like heaven - don’t forget to add them to your list! For me they were an absolute must have and they are essentially Peruvian doughnuts made from squash and sweet potato:
Fun fact about Lima:
Did you know Lima is always grey, yet it never rains here? Our cycling guide told us that he last remembered it raining heavily 11 years ago…
Where to stay in Lima? The beautiful Antigua Miraflores Hotel in Lima welcomed u, and the charming, wooden decor made it the perfect place to unwind after our exciting day and also helped me to adjust to the time difference from London! 😃
Day 4: Cusco
View from Mama Seledonia’s restautant in Cusco
The next day, we said goodbye to Lima and took a flight to Cusco, the former center of the Incan Empire. As we arrived, altitude sickness started to kick in! I’d never experienced anything like it before, but luckily we were warned and prepared by our guide: Water, water, water and don’t panik - It worked. We settled in and went walking tour with our cheerful leader Tina. For lunch, we ate at Mama Seledonia’s, a heartwarming restaurant supporting single mothers by providing employment and teaching culinary skills. The delicious traditional Cusco dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients were unforgettable - try the chicken dish coated in crispy quinoa!
Later, we explored the charming cobbled streets of Cusco, trying not to let the altitude sickness dampen our spirits.
Where to stay in Cusco? Hoteles Hacienda Cusco offered us a comfortable retreat in the heart of the city. With its rustic charm and modern amenities, I felt right at home during our stay.
Day 5: Ollantaytambo
Overlooking Cusco from the beautiful Inca Site: Sacsayhuaman
On this day, we left Cusco and ventured to the ancient Inca site, Sacsaywaman, before stopping at a local llama wool shop to support the community and grab some outfits for Machu Picchu. We had a delicious lunch at Tunupa Restaurant and even tasted chicha, a traditional Peruvian drink which is usually made mainly from maize. It undergoes fermentation with water and occasionally includes fruits or herbs for flavor. With cultural significance, it symbolizes social gatherings and festivities, varying in potency and appearance from region to region. By evening, we arrived in Ollantaytambo, enjoying the breathtaking views along the way. We had finally arrived in the valley of the Incas!
Where to stay in Ollantaytambo? Pakaritampu Hotel provided us with a peaceful home amidst the Andean scenery. The cozy rooms and tranquil atmosphere made it the perfect place to rest before our big adventure.
Special Info: The next day, as we started the Inca Trail, most of our luggage remained at the hotel. We carried only small duffle bags for the trek (max 5kg/11lb). The porters, who were incredible, shouldered our bags along with the food and equipment, always staying ahead of the group.
The view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
Day 6: Inca Trail, Sun Gate - Aguas Calientes
This day was truly epic! We followed the footsteps of the Inca on the famous Inca Trail, trekking towards Machu Picchu. To reach the starting point, we hopped on the famous Vista Dome train. The 8-hour hike was challenging but incredibly rewarding. We stopped for water breaks and enjoyed a delicious lunch carried by our trusty porter Valentina. Finally, reaching the Sun Gate and catching our first glimpse of Machu Picchu was a surreal and emotional moment. Trust me, finally seeing Machu Picchu after a literally breathtaking 8 hour hike and about 20 years of dreaming about it, is indescribeable. We later descended to Aguas Calientes to rest for the night - not without celebrating our success with a beer in town beforehand though!
Where to stay in Aguas Calientes? Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu. To me it was the perfect resting place, though to be honest ANY hotel would have done after the day we had 😂 🛌 😴
Day 7: Machu Picchu - Cusco
We revisited Machu Picchu for THE photo opportunity, taking the bus back up and finding the perfect spot to soak in the breathtaking views. Our guided tour of the ruins was simply spectacular, and we learned so much about this awe-inspiring place - maybe I cried a little 😢 😜 . After exploring one of the world’s wonders (yay!), we returned to Ollantaytambo by train and then continued on to Cusco in a private vehicle. We partied the night away in some of Cuscos best bars before falling asleep one last time in incredible Peru.
The ancient Inca site Machu Picchu
Where to stay in Cusco? We stayed at the same comfy hotel in Cusco, Hoteles Hacienda Cusco, which welcomed us back with open arms and made us feel right at home.
Day 8: Cusco
The time had come to say our farewells. It had been an adventure filled with unforgettable memories, laughter, and new friendships. I couldn't wait to plan our next escapade together! Adios, Cusco!
If you want to book this tour check it out via Intrepid Travel below. Please note that we were offered a slightly shorter expedition due to us filming and taking all our photography equipment etc: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/peru/peru-womens-expedition-141187