March is National Women’s History Month so it is most appropriate to highlight Alpaca Expeditions’ for a women-only expedition to Machu Picchu in Peru. The tour, Women-Only Salkantay & Sacred Valley 7 Day Tour to Machu Picchu, was created through the company’s commitment to empowering women through exploration and cultural immersion.
Alpaca Expeditions’ offering a women-only trip to Machu Picchu has only female guides and porters (Alpaca Expeditions was a leader in advocating for female porters, as well as sustainable, responsible tourism) who will lead female guests through Peru’s mesmerizing landscapes, captivating history and awe-inspiriting ruins.
The Salkantay Trail is a spectacular multi-day hiking experience with a mix of scenery, terrain, glamping and community options that are not available on the classic Inca Trail expedition. This trek is very much off-the-beaten path, alternative trek that also goes to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Trekkers will not see many other hikers or groups on the trail, adding to the intimacy of the experience in the vastness of the Andes mountains. Highlights also include Peruvian wine tasting, cooking class, the weaving women’s collective and a coffee tour.
The trip is a mix of glamping and tent camping. Guests will enjoy two nights in glass cabañas with panoramic views of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain range and one night in Lord of the Rings-inspired Hobbit Houses exclusive to Alpaca Expeditions. Hot tubs, showers, and a nearby glacial fed river complement the mystical Hobbit House experience. Two nights are tent camping, one within the Salkantay Mountains, and the second at an exclusive campsite overlooking the ruins of Machu Picchu at Llactapata. The final night is at a hotel in the mountain village of Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Sacred Vally and Salkantay Ultimate Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu – 7 days is $995 per person. Group size is 8-12. Custom tours with groups of 6 or more are available. Dates are available May – October 2025.
For the past six years, tourists visiting Huaraz had to get there by bus or car during an 8-hour long journey from Lima.
Beginning July 1, LATAM airlines is launching direct flights connecting the country’s capital Lima with the city of Huaraz in the Ancash region. The flight will take approximately an hour and will operate Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sundays on an Airbus A319 aircraft (with capacity for 12 passengers in Premium Economy cabin and 126 in Economy). Tickets can be purchased at LATAM.com with an average economy ticket price around $50.
Huaraz, often called the adventure capital of Peru, is the gateway to Ancash, a region of the country best known for its wide range of outdoor adventure experiences including climbing, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping.
Easily accessible from Huaraz, the peaks of Huascaran, Huandoy and Alpamayo are within the highest tropical mountain range in the world, the Cordillera Blanca. The area is a dream for those serious about mountaineering, but there’s plenty for those looking for less of a challenge. You can find more information on climbing in Huaraz here and trekking in Ancash here.
Huarascan National Park offers glacier-topped peaks surrounding turquoise blue lakes, astonishing flora and fauna biodiversity, as well as 33 archeological sites that connect travelers with Peru’s history. In addition to its natural wonders, Huaraz offers a rich local culture, with vibrant markets and traditional festivals that reflect the region’s native heritage.
Commercial flights to Huaraz were halted six years ago, but renovations to the airport in August 2023 allowed the reintroduction of the route to being in July.
Here’s what else is new in Peru:
HOTELS
Motto by Hilton, Cusco has announced its South American debut with the opening of Motto by Hilton Cusco. A more than $5 million investment in the center of the city, the 58-key property pays homage to Cusco’s past.
The Legend Paracas Resort: Destination by Hyatt will make its South American debut this year with the acquisition of The Legend Paracas Resort. Located about three hours south of Lima, the ocean-front property offers panoramic views of Paracas Bay and rugged desert hills. The 124-suite resort is currently undergoing a phased enhancement project to elevate guestrooms, create new dining options and redesign public areas. The revamped resort is expected to reopen in June 2024.
Casa Andina, a Peruvian hotel chain, will open a new hotel in Madre de Dios in 2024. The location is in Peru’s Amazon rainforest near Manu National Park in the remote Madre De Dios region. This is the chain’s 44th property of reasonably priced boutique properties throughout Peru. Casa Andina was named one of the “sexiest new hotels for 2024” by CNN Travel.
Novotel Punta Sal Beach Resort to open its first location in Peru in Q4 2024. The $25.5 million dollar resort will be located south of Punta Sal on one of the longest beaches on the Peruvian coast. The property will have 182 suites, a gym, two swimming pools, jacuzzi and spa, and will offer activities such as surfing, mountain biking, diving, swimming with turtles and whale watching. The development will have a special focus on the environment to promote sustainability.
RESTAURANTS
Señor Honey opened in April 2024 in the Miraflores district. Its offerings include burgers, cocktails and snacks made with spicy honey, inspired by authentic New York flavors.
EXPERIENCES / EXPEDITIONS
Veuve Clicquot and Belmond team up to launch Solaire Journey (October 2024): Leading luxury hospitality brand, Belmond, has partnered with the prestigious champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, to launch the Solaire Journey for discerning travelers. This premium train voyage is set to debut in Peru October 21 to 26, 2024, offering a remarkable adventure from Cusco to Arequipa aboard the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer trains. Along the way, guests will discover iconic landmarks, including Machupicchu, the La Raya mountain range, Lake Titicaca and the floating Uros Islands made entirely of cattail reeds. The Solaire Journey promises a one-of-a-kind experience in Peru with guided tours and exclusive Solaire activities enhanced by Veuve Clicquot champagne pairings and unforgettable fine dining experiences.
Abercrombie & Kent to launch Peruvian Amazon river cruise in 2025: Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent has announced the launch of a new Peruvian riverboat set to make its maiden voyage in April 2025. Travelers will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful biodiversity of the Peruvian Amazon aboard the exclusive 22-passenger luxury vessel. Three, four and seven-day itineraries will combine river and land excursions, including Machu Picchu. The river cruise is a joint venture between A&K and expedition yacht company Ecoventura.
Amazon Canoe Challenge expedition to take place June 2-10. Navigate the Amazon by canoe or SUP through a series of overnight checkpoints. Paddle independently during the day, and camp out on the river overnight.
The new Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima will open in December 2024. This $2 billion dollar airport will replace the old Jorge Chavez airport with plans to serve 30 million passengers a year. The airport will feature a four-level terminal with large commercial spaces, parking lots, an extensive area with hotels and restaurants and cutting-edge technology for passenger transit and baggage management.
Seeing a heightened demand for Peru from families with young children Austin Adventures created a new family-friendly itinerary that explores Machu Picchu from a kid’s perspective.
Peru is popping up everywhere on the latest “best places to travel to in 2015” lists. According to Business Insider, Peru is one of 23 places one should visit this year, while National Geographic Traveler lists the country in its list of Top 20 destinations to visit in 2015 and the Los Angeles Times includes it on its list of 15 destinations for travelers to set their sights on in 2015. But months before these lists were created, the award-winning adventure travel company, Austin Adventures, decided to kick off the new year by focusing on “the Land of the Incas.”
“We send guests all over the world, but in the past few months we’ve seen a substantial uptick in interest in our Peru packages,” said Dan Austin, President and founder of Austin Adventures (www.austinadventures.com). “And it’s not just from adult adventurers with Machu Picchu on their bucket lists. We noticed such a strong increase in demand from families with young children that we were inspired to create a new family-friendly itinerary that explores Machu Picchu from a kid’s perspective.”
Austin Adventures currently offers five Peru adventure tour packages including Inca Trail Glamping—a 10-day luxury trek to “The Lost City,” Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge—a 7-day journey that explores the “back way” of getting to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu—a 9-day vacation package for adults that involves hiking and rafting, and an all-new Machu Picchu Family package that allows families with kids as young as seven to experience the Andes mountains, Incan mummies and chocolate-making in Cusco. Finally, the company offers a 5-day Amazon River Luxury Cruise that takes travelers deep into the jungle to float the Ucayali River, fish for red-bellied piranha and even savor a 5-star Peruvian dinner.
Starting in 2016, the company will also offer the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” tour which was designed by Mountain Lodges of Peru and will allow travelers to experience the Lares Trail, an alternative to the Inca Trail. Guests will stay at brand new lodges and a deluxe base camp scheduled to open in early 2015.
The 2015 scheduled departures range in price from $3,000 to $4,800 or $444/day to $844/day, per person, double. Austin Adventures’ adventure travel consultants can also create custom trips for a variety of budgets that accommodate all ages and depart at any time.
As of 2015, Austin Adventures takes guests to all seven continents and offers several small ship cruises in addition to its extensive lineup of traditional multisport adventures. All of the 2015 scheduled trips can be found in the Austin Adventures award-winning adventure vacation catalogs. Custom vacations can be arranged by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing [email protected].
