Women only tour to Peru
Peru at a Glance
From the Amazon to Machu Picchu, Peru is a country steeped in mystery, intrigue and stories. Be humbled by remnants from advanced civilisations, and welcomed by warmhearted, friendly Peruvians clad in colourful wool on a well-paced journey to bucket list destinations and experiences you’ll never forget.
We’ll be shown generational wool-weaving methods, visiting top rated restaurants and learning to make classic Peruvian pisco sours on an exhilarating route linking colonial-built towns to the endless green expanse of Amazon rainforest to one of the Seven World Wonders – Machu Picchu – as well other mystical sites you may never have known existed.
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Highlights
Inclusions
- Stay in hand-picked boutique hotels
- Featured stay in a 5* Amazon lodge
- Arrival airport pickup on day 1
- All tips for driver, guide, and included activities
- 2 domestic flights
- 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Max group size of 14 solo female travelers
- Twin share rooms
- Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout, train, shuttle bus and boat
- Expert local guide for the whole tour
Notes
Peru’s climate features a dry season running from April to October, and a rainy season running the rest of the year. Expect hot and humid temperatures in the Amazon and some chilly evenings in high altitudes like Cusco. We will send you a comprehensive packing list to help you come prepared for all weather conditions.
Proof of travel insurance is required before joining day 1 of any Meetup Tour. International flights are not included. All SoFe Travelers are required to prove that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 OR produce a negative test taken at least 72 hours before the start of the Meetup Tour.
Meet your new BFF.
People often leave our Meetup Tours with friends for life and couches to crash on all over the world.
No math on vacay.
From driver to guide to included experiences. You only need take out your wallet for those extra picarones
Get your beauty sleep.
Enjoy our hand-picked, premium accommodation combining the best of design, location and comfort.
Itinerary
Day 1
WELCOME TO LIMA
Airport pickup and welcome meeting at 6pm
Welcome to Lima, the “City of the Kings” (making us the Queens)! Lima is the gastronomic capital of Latin America and represents all corners of Peru. We will pick you up from the airport at any time today, but recommend arriving by 3pm to avoid missing out on afternoon activities. Look for a sign with our logo on it as you exit the airport. We’ll transfer you to our first hotel, where you’ll meet the rest of your group along with your local guide. Tonight you have the option of joining the group at a restaurant of the guide’s choosing and celebrate the start of our journey together with a good meal.
Day 2
LIMA
Visit the Catacombs, have lunch at a top restaurant and become Pisco-pro!
After breakfast, we’ll start the day with a city tour of Peru’s capital, once the seat of Spanish conquistador power. We’ll visit San Francisco Monastery with catacombs containing roughly 70,000 human remains. Then we’re off to the central market for a spot of shopping, nibbling on fresh fruit and street food – here, you can stay with your group or wander solo. For lunch, we are going to one of Lima’s top rated restaurants, La Huaca Pucllana, with views of pre-Incan ruins. In the late afternoon, learn how to make Pisco Sours at one of the coolest bars in Lima. Salud! Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Day 3
LIMA TO THE AMAZON
Internal flight, Amazon rainforest walk & twilight boat ride
After breakfast, we hop on board a flight to the Amazon! Our adventure begins with a 25-minute boat ride along the Madre de Dios River to a stylish, stilted lodge in a private eco-reserve. Tuck into a lunch served under the palm-thatched casa grande, then step out on an immersive walk through the intricate ecosystems of the Amazon basin. At dusk we take to the waters by boat to see the transformation of the rainforest into a nocturnal environment – see if you can spot caimans lurking on the riverbanks! After dinner, fall asleep in your cabaña to the curious croaks and creaks of the rainforest at night. Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
THE AMAZON
Paddle in a dug-out canoe, climb a towering walkway, & see nocturnal animals
Wake up early this morning for an optional visit to the glassy Lake Sandoval, an ox-bow lake located inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, reached via a sun-dappled rainforest trail. Board a dug-out wooden canoe to quietly paddle the river flanked by picture-perfect palms. This lake is home to many species of birds, the endangered giant river otter, red howler monkeys, anacondas, black caimans amongst others. On the other hand, if you wish to rest, book yourself an indulgent therapy at a spa built in the middle of the rainforest. For the afternoon, climb the exhilarating Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, a sophisticated and safe 344-meter (1,135 feet) network of seven hanging suspension bridges strung between eight treetop observation platforms. Tonight we venture out armed with flashlights, keeping an eye out for species that only emerge at nighttime. Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
THE AMAZON TO THE SACRED VALLEY
Forest wakeup, flight to Cusco & weaving demonstration
Day 6
THE SACRED VALLEY
Train to Machu Picchu & explore the Lost City of the Incas
This morning we board the train toward Aguas Calientes. Our route is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, passing the Sacred Valley, descending slowly along the edge of the Urubamba River, until finally reaching the cloud forest. Once we arrive, we will take a steep bus ride to the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The upper terraces offer awesome views of the ruins – and a plethora of photo moments. Gazing down on the city from above, one can’t help but imagine how it would have looked during the height of the Inca empire. After a guided tour through the remnants of houses and temples, we enjoy lunch at a restaurant located just outside the ruins before taking the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo. Meals: breakfast and lunch
DAY 7
THE SACRED VALLEY TO CUSCO
Have lunch with an NGO, San Blas & solo time
It’s a leisurely start to the day, traveling through to Cusco at 10 am. On arrival, we’ll have lunch at Mama Seledonia, a restaurant that supports young, single mothers and teenagers in rural areas who have a passion for cooking. In the afternoon we’ll do an orientation walk of Cusco, taking in the vivid mix of Spanish and Inca cultures. We see the Stone of Twelve Angels and the facade of the important Qoricancha temple before venturing into the heart of the city, the “Plaza de Armas”. If you like, we can explore the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas. Cusco is a fantastic town to wander around, whether solo or with your new Meetup friends. Meals included: breakfast and lunch
DAY 8
CUSCO
Visit Incan ruins & embark on a foodie experience
In the morning, we will visit the four nearby Inca ruins, starting with the huge Inca Ceremonial Center of Sacsayhuaman. This enormous structure overlooks the city of Cusco. The constructions are incredible, with huge rocks perfectly fitted together – it’s said it took over 10,000 workers 50 years to build! We continue to Qenqo, with subterranean passages and carved stone zigzag channels, before we return to Cusco for a foodie experience. We learn more about Peruvians (and Peruvian food!) with a cooking class that will teach you to prepare traditional recipes handed down over generations. This Cusco food tour takes us to the fresh market and to the beautiful restaurant of Nuna Raymi. We will learn to prepare healthy dishes, guided by our Peruvian professional chef and friend. To end the day, we eat what we have prepared in a feast of fresh food. Meals included: breakfast and dinner
DAY 9
FAREWELL FOR NOW
As your tour comes to a close, ask your guide to help arrange transportation to the airport. Check out by 9am. Enjoy breakfast, and if you’re like us, start dreaming about your next adventure! Meals included: breakfast
Hand-picked Accommodation
Our accommodation is carefully chosen to give you the best combination of comfort, location, and style. These are photos from our collection of favorite hotels to give you a sense of the accommodation you can expect with us.
Antigua Miraflores, Lima
Time-trapped colonial charm make this stay a living art piece enjoyed both day and night. This hotel is within walking distance of some of Lima’s best restaurants and bars.
Hacienda Concepcion, Amazon
Located deep within the heart of the Amazon jungle and reached only by boat or canoe, this remote lodge will wow you with its proximity to the lush forest and all the creatures that live within.
Sonesta Yucay, Cusco
Built on an old monastery from the 18th century, this hotel features cozy and elegant common surrounded by green mountains. The hotel is strategically located in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
Details
*Please note arrival and departure airports are different.
Arrival: Jorge Chávez International Airport (code LIM)
- We will will have an airport transfer waiting for you when arrive on day 1. The transfer will take you from the airport to our group hotel in Delhi.
- If you arrive a day or two early, the airport transfer is not included. Please email us directly if you book flights outside this window so we can assist with arranging a transfer and an early night in the hotel .
- Our tour starts at 6pm, so we recommend that you arrive no later than 3pm on day 1. However, we will pick you up from the airport anytime.
Departure:
Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ). Check out is at 10am; you can leave anytime today.
- Airfares
- Visa fees if applicable
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Airport drop off
- A non-refundable $500 deposit is required to hold your spot.
- Final payment is due 60 days before departure.
- Pay as much as often as you like until the due date.
- If you cancel your spot earlier than 60 days before departure, you can apply your payment to any trip within the next year.
- No refunds on deposits.
On rare occasions, any domestic flight that we include in this trip may be changed or canceled with little notice. Remember, we cannot control the decisions that airlines make, so sometimes amendments will need to be made to our mode of transportation. Rest assured that if this happens, we will still get you to your destination. Part of the unique experience of traveling in any form is having the flexibility and grace to embrace detours
Peru is an easy country to enter, and most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need a tourist visa. Note that you need a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport, and the maximum length of stay is 183 days.
The itinerary is subject to change due for any reason – weather, unexpected cancellations, impromptu local opportunities, or surprise additions.
All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory or you may be refused to join the tour. See our guide for help choosing a plan.
Regular airline restrictions apply on luggage. We recommend packing light and keeping your luggage under 15kgs or 33lbs for the domestic transfer.
Do it!
Such a great experience!
Awesome itinerary.
“It’s very refreshing just having women in your group as well as knowing that you are empowering other female tour guides and business owners with your support” Caroline | Peru Sep 2022
“First off, the itinerary was great and highlighted many of the aspects of the people, culture, customs, history, and geography. I especially enjoyed the focus on and dedication of choosing to highlight women owned businesses, women guides, and female entrepreneurs. Of course I loved Machu Picchu but I also really enjoyed the shaman, the Amaru women, and the Uros visit. The absolute best part of the trip however, was Tina our guide. She was knowledgeable, funny, dedicated to my comfort, and easy to communicate with! I will miss her! ” Maseray B. | Peru July 2022
“Machu Picchu was definitely the highlight! Also going deep into the Incan culture such as visiting a shaman and going into the Uros village to meet the community and seeing their life in the real ! Awesome itinerary. If I were to be traveling solo (without a group) I would not have gone that far and that deep into Peru” Olivia L | Peru July 2022
Photos from the road
We love to collect photos from as many of our Meetup Tours as possible. If you want to see more, check out the stories on our Instagram! @solofemaletravel. When you travel with us, tag @sofetravel and you may even get featured!