All international flights arrive via Lima (LIM), and you must catch a connecting flight to Cusco (CUZ). There are daily internal flights to and from Cusco via Lima, Arequipa and small jungle airstrips in the Amazon basin.

Arrival into Cusco

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) anytime before the rendezvous time. We recommend flying into Cusco two days before your trip, to allow your body to adjust to the altitude.

The CUZ airport is small and easy to navigate. Once you collect your luggage, head outside to the arrivals area. An airport transfer from CUZ to the first night's hotel is included in the trip price. The airport transfer is provided for you anytime you arrive. Airport transfers will be arranged based on the arrival flight and time you list in your Travel Details Forms.

***Please ensure you include the Airport Code, Carrier, Flight #, Arrival Date and Arrival Time.***

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Lobby of the Casa Andina Premium Cusco Hotel

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

In Lima:

In Cusco:

Your trip begins at Casa Andina Premium Cusco Hotel, so consider staying here if you arrive early. Book directly through their website.

DEPARTURES FROM THE CUSCO

Breakfast is included on your last day with us. The rest of the day is yours!Airport transfers are included on the last day of the trip itinerary and will be provided in conjunction with your departing flights. You will verify your preferred time with your Wild Women Expeditions guide, and head to the airport with the Transfer Agent. Wild Women Expeditions has provided your flight departure dates and times already, but best to double check/confirm.

Accommodations are not included on this night, so be sure you book this before the trip if you’re planning to stay longer.

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 8
Time: In contingency with your departure time
Location: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are planning to stay longer, we recommend Antigua Casona San Blas Hotel, where you are staying the last night of the tour.

In Lima:

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Note: Upon booking, we will need a copy of your passport emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office as soon as possible before the trip starts so we can purchase your permit. If your passport is not submitted we cannot guarantee a permit.

If you’ve received a new passport by the time of your trip start, you will still need to bring both – the original passport you used to book AND your new passport to get on the Inca Trail! (Don’t forget- need it to hike!)

Visa:

Most visitors can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Check via: Peru Visa – Application, Requirements

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

Once permits are purchased (around Jan 1 each year), they cannot be changed/updated/ transferred or refunded. What we ask women to do, if their passport that the Inca Trail is booked on has expired/expiring, is bring the expired passport to match up with the Inca Trail permit so you can get on the trail and then of course, travel on your current passport. So you will need to travel with your old and new passport to get on the Inca Trail.

TIPPING

There is a strong culture around tipping guides, cooks and porters in Peru. Tipping is certainly still a personal decision, but there is an expectation you should be aware of. Generally speaking, if you’re pleased with the service then try to ensure that:

Each porter gets $5 – $10 USD from each woman (2 porters per person, total depends on group size)
Each cook gets $10 – $15 USD from each woman (1-2 cooks depending on group size)
The lead guide $25 – $40 USD from each woman (1 lead guide)
The assistant guide $20 – 30 USD from each woman (1 assistant guide)

*EXAMPLE: An average group of 10 women with 20 porters (20 x $5 USD = $100 USD), 2 cooks (2 x $10 USD = $20 USD), 1 lead guide ($25 USD) and 1 assistant guide ($20 USD) would cost each woman in the group a minimum of $165 USD.*

**Note:** Tips can be given in USD or Soles.

On the **morning of Day 6,** there is a formal tipping ceremony. Someone in the Wild Women group should take the lead on organizing envelopes for the tips as outlined above the night before. Then during the 1/2 hour ceremony, volunteers should step up to thank each group (porters, chefs, guides) and present them with their tip envelope.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two women per room/tent), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Single Room Upgrade

If you’d prefer not to share a bedroom or tent, we have a single upgrade option. If you have already indicated this preference on your registration form, you will be emailed a quote once availability is confirmed. If you are now interested, please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com with your request.

Internet / Wi-Fi / Cell Coverage

Generally speaking, in the hotels, you’ll have access to wifi and Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes all have cell service. With NO WIFI ACCESS on the trail, being off grid means you can leave social media behind and truly immerse yourself in the awesome scenery!

Bathrooms

Generally speaking, in the hotels you’ll have a private bathroom attached to your bedroom. While camping, portable toilets in their own tents are brought along and shared by all group members. You will have to try your best to aim liquids in one bucket and solids in the other. Definitely outhouse style!

Potable Water

On the trek: the cooks treat the cooking water with bleach, and boil water for passenger canteens. You will fill your hydration bladder and bottle(s) at the start of the morning trek from the kettle. The guide has a portable water filter in case you want to refill between breakfast and lunch, but on the Inca Trail, the accessible water supplies are few and far between. Most people typically start out with 2-3 litres of water, and few run out before they reach the lunch spot. The cooks have set up a tent and wait with treated water at the lunch spot. Afternoon routine is the same – depart lunch with your hydration bladder and water bottle filled, it’s sufficient to carry you through to camp and supper time.

Potable water is provided throughout the trip. Camp water (both for drinking and for cleaning) is filtered and boiled. The guide will also have a small hand pump to treat water along the trail. Drinking water is included as large jugs from which you can refill your water bottle.

It is not advised to drink untreated tap water.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Hotel Rooms

All hotels are clean and contemporary. Rooms are decorated with natural fabrics, tapestries, and regional décor details. All rooms have private bathrooms, WiFi and safety boxes. Check out the different hotel’s websites through the links below:

Campsite

For all camping nights, high quality, spacious sleeping tents for two women will be supplied, along with Thermarest sleeping pads and sleeping bags.

Communal camping gear such as tables and camp chairs, dining tent, toilet tents, camp kitchen, and all food round out the comforts of camping in the Andes!

Camping in Sub-Zero Temperatures

Read. Learn. Google the topic “camping in sub-zero temps” and read the many online tips and tricks. Then we recommend renting the sleeping bags with us because they are rated to -18C/ 0F so they are very warm. Bring all the warm layers we list under the required section of the packing list – hat and mitts too!

During the hike, eat lots of food before bed (keep the fire burning) and consider taking warm water to bed with you (in your water bottle) to help preheat your sleeping bag. If you wake up and have to pee – GO! You’ll feel warmer despite having to leave your warm cocoon to pee in the outhouse tent.

Wear dry clothes to bed, then stuff all of your next day’s clothing in the empty spaces around you inside your sleeping bag. This keeps you warmer by creating less air for your body to heat and ensures your clothes are warm when you have to get dressed the next day. Also, make sure your electronics and batteries are in the sleeping bag too! Once batteries get cold, they lose their charge. The reward with sleeping in freezing temps is there’s less chance of rain and the stars are incredible on those crisp, cold nights!

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping Bags/Thermarest pads included in the 7kg weight allowance.

The weight of the sleeping bag and Thermarest pad must be included in the total weight of the duffel. The Thermarest and sleeping bag (plus the duffel itself) consume roughly 4 kg out of your allocated 7 kg. You definitely have to make do with a simplified packing list. Your fallback in case you go over the weight limit is to carry the excess in your own daypack. We have been operating this trek for many years with the 7 kg weight restriction, and most trekkers discover they can live with that.

Additional Sleeping Bag Details

Weight approx.: 1.4KG
Temperature maximum: 10 °C
Temperature comfort: 3°
Temperature Limit: -1° C
Temperature Extreme: -15° C

Other People At Our Accommodations

While on the trek, we will usually have the campsite to just our group. Depending on the site, other people and groups may have to pass by or through to get to lookouts or their campsite. At the hotels, there will be other guests staying there as well.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT PERU

Animals & Bugs

One section of the trail is optimistically marked “Zona de Osos” (“Bear Zone”), but your chances of stumbling across a bear are very slight. Making noise as you walk and staying on the trail will reduce them still further. Predatory wildlife on the Inca Trail consists mainly of the local pigs and dogs around Huayllabamba (who will eat anything that you leave outside, including boots, rucksacks and plastic garbage bags) and biting flies, which will eat you. The insects, particularly around the Pacamayo, are extremely fierce. A good bug hat, insect repellent, and sting relief is a necessity. There have also been reports of chiggers (mites) and other pests near Huayllabamba.

Earthquakes

Peru is located in an active seismic zone and is prone to earthquakes. The Cusco region is luckily not prone to strong earthquakes. If you are indoors when an earthquake strikes, make your way to a safe zone. These are usually marked in public buildings with an “S”, which indicate where the structural pillars are located. If you are outside, keep away from buildings and other areas where objects could fall.

Electricity

There are two types of electrical outlets in Peru. One accepts two-pronged plugs with flat, parallel blades, while the other take plugs with two or three round prongs. Many Peruvian electrical outlets are designed to accept both types. Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz (cycles per second).

Please note: Electrical outlets are available in all accommodations, though in some of the more remote village stays, there will be a limited number of outlets to be shared.

Time

Peru is on Eastern Standard Time, 5 hours behind GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Peru does not observe daylight savings time.

Climate & Weather:

Pack in layers! Some days you may experience all four seasons. Check the links below to see what the forecast is for your trip date. On the trail and at some lodges, it will be cold, so pack accordingly.

- Cuzco, Peru Weather
- Weather forecast for Machu Picchu | Local | Peru

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Peru’s official currency is the Nuevo Sol (SOL), divided into 100 cents. There are 5,10,20 and 50 cents coins and S/. 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 banknotes. We suggest you make sure to keep lots of soles coins on-hand for bathrooms, shopping, etc. Many vendors are not bale to make change for the larger bills.

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Banking

US dollars are welcome at most shops, restaurants and service stations at the current exchange rate. There are only a few bureau de change in Lima and Cusco that will exchange currencies other than US dollars. Outside Lima, it is virtually impossible. US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected).

In Cusco, you can change your US dollars in the money exchange offices or banks located in the first two blocks of Sun Avenue and generally they offer a favorable exchange rate. They previously agreed about the rate among them so you do not need to negotiate. Avoid money changers on the street, as they will carry counterfeit currency or work with pickpockets.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 6:00 p.m. hours, and Saturdays until midday. There are street moneychangers in the corners of the Sun Avenue as well as many ATMs.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted in Lima, and in some shops in Cusco, but less so outside major cities. In small towns, automated banking machines (ABMs) may not be readily available or may be out of money. It is better to plan ahead and carry Peruvian soles with you in small denominations. ABMs accept international credit and debit cards. Some tourist establishments accept the main credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, Diners and American Express. The use of traveller’s checks may be restricted. Ask the individual establishment if they are accepted. When using a credit card, make sure you are charged the right amount for your purchase. Visa is the most widely accepted card in Peru.

Please note that there might be a difference between the official currency exchange rate in Peru and the exchange rate that the credit card companies charge.

Goods and Services Taxes

A general sales tax (IGV) is added automatically to most consumer bills (19%). Restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee.

Budgeting

Here is a general guide of what you can expect to pay in Peru for a few common items in Nuevos Soles (S/.)

- Set lunches: less than $5 USD; supermarkets have takeout.
- Multi-course lunch at mid-range restaurant: $ 13 USD.
- Fine restaurant dinner: from $22 USD.
- Entry fee to historic sights: average $3.50 USD.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Useful Websites:

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition but to fully enjoy the Inca Trail, you do have to be reasonably fit and take some time to train and prepare.

It is a common misconception that because many people do the Inca Trail then it must be easy … it isn’t. The full trail is 35 km / 27 miles long and involves great physical exertion to complete. On the second day, you climb nearly 1200 m (about 4000 ft) during the morning. Combine this with the high altitude (less oxygen in your lungs and blood) and extreme weather (you can easily get a sunburn during the day and temperatures can drop to below 0°C at night), and the trek can turn into a hard experience. However, all these difficulties can make the final arrival at Machu Picchu all the more enjoyable!

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Hill training

The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Practice ‘backpacking’.

Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking every day, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.

Break in your hiking boots.

Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Meditation.

Try walking meditation, a yoga class, or download a meditation app. This will improve your mindset when it gets tough on the trail.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].