Peru with Machu Picchu a Women-Only Tour
Peru with Machu Picchu a Women-Only Tour
Peru with Machu Picchu a Women-Only Tour
10 Days Starting in Lima and ending in Cuzco
Visiting: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XZPERM20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
On this 10-day tour, created by women, for women, feast on Peruvian delicacies in Lima, tour the ancient Qorikancha temple in Cusco and adventure through the Ollantaytambo ruins and Machu Picchu. In Cusco, embark on a private planetarium tour uncovering the influence of astronomy on Andean culture and visit Mantay store which supports mothers and their children. In Lima, visit Casa Aliaga, an impressive mansion the Aliaga family has called home for 17 generations, and tour and dine in Museo Larco guided by an archaeologist who shares her insights. Join a Local Expert in Machu Picchu for a guided tour through the ancient ruins. Visit the salt pans of Maras in the Sacred Valley where the Incas harvested minerals, and visit a local Quechua Weaver for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to learn about their ancient weaving techniques in a private presentation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Lima
Location: Lima
Accommodation Name: MGallery Manto, Lima
Arrive in Lima for the first day of your journey. Dubbed “City of the Kings,” the historic centre of Lima was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in January 1535 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After you’re met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, unwind before celebrating your first night with your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening over dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Explore Lima Relaxed Start
Location: Lima
Accommodation Name: MGallery Manto, Lima
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Explore the coastal, colourful capital of Peru with your Local Expert and fellow female travellers. Delve into its colonial past and see key attractions, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Visit Casa Aliaga, an impressive mansion that has been home to the Aliaga family for generations, for a tour with Wilma Ehni de Aliaga. Art lovers will enjoy experience at the Museo Larco where an archaeologist will share her knowledge of the museum as you indulge in lunch against a backdrop of an 18th-century garden. After lunch, meet a Local Expert who will show you Museo Larco, highlighting women’s impact and the museum’s private collection. End your day by delving into Peruvian culture and ancient history.
Day 3: Lima To Sacred Valley
Location: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley
Accommodation Name: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, Urubamba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. Indulge your curiosity learning how its lower elevation and fertile land for growing crops, including corn, potatoes and quinoa, made it a revered location for the Incas. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, perched above a valley surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest to adjust to the altitude comfortably.
Day 4: Explore Sacred Valley Relaxed Start
Location: Sacred Valley
Accommodation Name: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, Urubamba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
With curiosity and confidence, visit the Maras salt pans where the Incas harvested their salt. Learn how today the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Then move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco, to find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visiting a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley to learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari to discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Conclude the day by sitting down to a Farm-to-Table Peruvian dinner.
Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu
Location: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Sumaq Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on a grand adventure beginning with an IncaRail train ride. Sit back and relax as you enjoy the scenic journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins – a town and archaeological site that was both a fortress and a temple – followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and a visit with a local family. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups with like-minded travellers. Explore the iconic ruins as you learn about their historical and archaeological significance as well as the importance of their location. Set high in the Andes Mountains, the ruins offer spectacular scenery and history dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.
Day 6: Machu Picchu At Leisure
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Sumaq Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your in-depth journey of Peru continues as you take in the breathtaking landscapes discovering Machu Picchu on your own. Spend the morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on-hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes. Named for the hot springs north of the town, Aguas Calientes is also home to a handicraft market and the Allcamayo waterfall surrounded by exotic trees, butterflies and orchids. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 7: On To Cusco
Location: Machu Picchu, Cusco
Accommodation Name: JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
More sights and insights await returning by train to Ollantaytambo where you will transfer to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains and a lively cosmopolitan scene. Join a walking tour with a Local Expert to see its cathedral and the Qorikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. Enhance your day by visiting the hand-picked Mantay store, one of four stores in Cusco that support the Mantay project of underaged, often abused, mothers and their young children by providing a home and education. With an evening free to explore, consider asking your Travel Director for recommendations to discover more about this ancient city.
Day 8: Exploring Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Peru’s Incan history and archaeology will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Start your day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built during the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Deepen your discoveries with Insight Choice. Opt to join a Local Expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara. Alternatively, explore the artisan bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries. After lunch at Pachapapa, visit San Blas Church and the surrounding streets before making your way to San Pedro Market to delight your senses with an array of local produce. At the city’s planetarium, discover the insights of astronomy, cosmology and its influence on Andean culture on a private, after-hours tour. Conclude a memorable day delighting your taste buds as you try local delicacies paired with hot wine.
Day 9: Leisure Time In Cusco Relaxed Start
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
No visit to Peru is complete without sampling local chocolate. Join an optional visit to the ChocoMuseo where you’ll learn more about the chocolate-making process and the cacao bean, the seed of the cacao tree used to make chocolate. Or, perhaps relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Set in a beautiful 16th-century building, make the most of this boutique hotel’s signature spa and Andean-inspired healing treatments, massages, facials and custom spa packages. In the evening, join your fellow female travellers for a memorable dinner at the Inka Grill restaurant where you will toast to your adventures and lifelong friendships formed.
Day 10: Depart Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
It is time to say goodbye as your trip through Peru with like-minded women comes to an end. Conclude your journey taking a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
Includes 9 Breakfasts (B), 4 Lunches (L), 1 Highlight Lunch, 5 Dinners (D), and 5 Dinners with Wine (DW).
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Accommodations
Stay in luxury accommodations throughout your journey, including MGallery Manto Lima, Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, Sumaq Machu Picchu, and JW Marriott El Convento Cusco.
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Transportation
Includes economy air and air-related charges for flights between Lima - Cusco and transfers as per itinerary. Enjoy a scenic IncaRail train ride to Machu Picchu with panoramic views.
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Guided Tours
Expertly guided tours including Machu Picchu with Local Experts, Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley exploration, and more. Personal radio headsets provided for tours.
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Cultural Experiences
Engage in unique cultural experiences such as a traditional Peruvian feast in Sacred Valley, visit to a local traditional Quechua weaver, and a private textile presentation.
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Additional Inclusions
Hotel and restaurant tips, all taxes and porterage charges at hotels, baggage handling, and enhanced hygiene protocols for your well-being.
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered.
Some lunches and dinners will be at the travelers' own expense. -
Optional Activities
Any optional activities mentioned are not included in the tour price and will incur an additional cost.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, room service, and other personal items are not included.
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Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the itinerary, including those for travelers arriving or departing on different dates, are not included.
Mode of Transport
Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride. Enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and visit with the family living there. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu, where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups.
Accommodation
Stay in luxury accommodations throughout your journey. Unwind at the MGallery Manto Lima, relax at the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, and enjoy the hospitality of the Sumaq Machu Picchu and JW Marriott El Convento Cusco.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Prices include economy air and air-related charges for the flights between Lima - Cusco. This trip experiences high elevations, we recommend guests with preexisting medical conditions talk with a doctor prior to travel.
Insight Experiences
- Machu Picchu: Enjoy a guided visit with a Local Expert.
- Cusco: Visit Cusco's planetarium to learn more on how the Incas interpreted the stars. After a reception with hot wine (or tea) and appetizers, local experts will explain and share stories about the influence the stars had on Andean culture. You'll then be led to a room specially accommodated to view the ancient night skies, weather permitting.
Well-being
- Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Women-Only
- Lima: Unwind at your luxury abode in Lima before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers in the evening for a dinner that elegantly captures typical flavours of the Peruvian capital.
- : Join archaeologist Samantha Encalada Rafael from Museo Larco to indulge in lunch in its 18th-century garden setting. You’ll love this opportunity to learn insights into the museum’s history and the archaeologist's experience working there.
- : Visit Museo Larco in Lima’s Pueblo Libre District, the highest-rated museum in South America housing the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art. Meet a local specialized guide who will lead you through the museum and share its private collection with you. You’ll also delve into Peruvian culture, its ancient history and religious beliefs and learn about the role of women in ancient Peru.
- Lima: Visit Casa Aliaga that the Aliaga family has called home for 17 generations. Meet Wilma Ehni de Aliaga, who’ll show you around her family's impressive mansion and share personal stories. Learn how the colonial home dates to the founding of Lima in 1535 and is the oldest dwelling in the Americas that has been in the same family for generations. Discover how the home was rebuilt and reshaped after earthquakes and architectural trends and represents both the Colonial and Republican history of Lima.
- : Founded more than 20 years ago with the aim of sheltering and helping teenage mothers and their children, Mantay store not only offers a safe place, but also provides women with health services, education and job training. The women at Mantay apprentice at a leather workshop as part of their vocational training, learning how to make beautiful hand-sewn leather goods. Once the women reach the age of 18, they transition out of the home with their children but can continue to work full-time in the workshop, providing them with the opportunity for long-term stabilised income. To commemorate your visit, you’ll receive a small present supporting the Mantay project.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the name of the tour?
Peru with Machu Picchu a Women-Only Tour
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Which country does this tour visit?
Peru
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How many breakfasts are included?
9 Breakfast (B)
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Is there a visit to a planetarium included in the tour?
Yes, there is a visit to Cusco's planetarium included in the tour.
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What type of accommodations are provided?
Stay in luxury accommodations throughout your journey. Unwind at the MGallery Manto Lima, relax at the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness, and enjoy the hospitality of the Sumaq Machu Picchu and JW Marriott El Convento Cusco.
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Are there any activities in the Sacred Valley?
Yes, activities in the Sacred Valley include visiting a local traditional Quechua weaver for a private textile presentation, enjoying a Highlight Lunch of Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast at Laguna Piuray, and exploring the Maras Salt Mine and the Moray Incan laboratory.
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Is transportation to Machu Picchu included?
Yes, transportation includes a transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride to Machu Picchu pueblo.
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Are there any meals included?
Yes, the tour includes 9 Breakfast (B), 4 Lunch (L), and 5 Dinner with Wine (DW).
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The tour starts in Lima.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The tour ends in Cuzco.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions