Join a Women-Only Hike to Machu Picchu
Imagine waking up to the clouds dancing over the Andes Mountains after trekking for four days with other outdoorsy women on a women’s-only hike to Machu Picchu.
This year, Alpaca Expeditions organized the first-ever women-only hiking tour to Machu Picchu. Following the ruggedly beautiful and notoriously strenuous Salkantay Trail, this high-altitude trek includes a stop at Humantay Lake, a cooking class and a coffee tour—all focused on women entrepreneurs and creators in Peru.
Trailblazers set off on the first-ever women-only hike in late June. Jennifer Broome, a freelance travel writer and environmental journalist, was one of five hikers on the maiden voyage. The women in her group were from Canada and the United States, ranging in age from their late 20s to late 50s. “The reality is, we were Guinea pigs,” she told me with a laugh.
Broome detailed her trip with joy and excitement, recounting memories and special experiences from staying in a hobbit house to trying (and failing) to keep up with the porters and cooks on her team.
The hike certainly wasn’t easy—but it was extremely fulfilling.
On the first day, the group hiked 11 miles (17.7 kilometres) up to an elevation of 15,250 feet (4,650 metres). Broome said, “it was so fun to watch [the porters and cooks] have a moment of joy on the top of the pass and build a snowman. These four women also carried rocks up to honour Mother Earth at the top of the pass as part of their tradition. To see the snow, to enjoy it and embrace that childlike experience. Then, of course, they go flying down.”
Walking into camp, their tents were already set up and a meal was being prepared. “I just was completely flabbergasted by the quality of food,” Broome said. “Our cook team was also our porter team.”
The next day was a 13.5-mile (21.7-kilometre) descent, rerouted along a road. The following day, they hiked along a rolling path through cute towns before climbing a steep hill to a coffee farm where they experienced picking coffee beans at a women’s coffee co-op. “Getting to listen to a woman who, this is her life, this is her love—and she makes a phenomenal cup of coffee—seeing that whole process gives you a new appreciation for when you have your cup of coffee at home, how exactly those beans got there, and how much we take for granted.”
On the final morning, the women shared personal stories and slices of a freshly baked cake with Machu Picchu in the background before hiking into Aguas Calientes. The group trekked a total of 37 miles (60 kilometres). The next day, they took the bus to Machu Picchu to explore the ruins.
What makes this experience different than a co-ed trip?
“I think there’s less competition, more encouragement. There are more moments of tears, and laughter. A bit more gritty emotions come out when it’s all women. I think there’s also a little bit more curiosity about village life, what it is like right now for women in those villages and wanting to know more about the people on our trek team,” Broome said.
“I think as women we want to be a part of a community, and this is a chance to do it in a unique way and get those special bonding experiences with other women that you might not likely cross paths with in your regular daily life.”
The outdoor adventure industry has historically publicized a specific image of an outdoor adventurer: typically, an able-bodied cis white man. Alpaca Expeditions is changing the narrative and showcasing the strength, persistence and capability of women in an empowering example for all tour operators offering outdoor experiences in South America.
“In a society that still faces machismo, to be given this opportunity that is all female, every single member of this trek team said, ‘We hope there are more of these in the future.’ This is something that could change trekking in the Andes Mountains, and for girls in some of these villages, they can see that they can be a guide or a chef. The opportunities for them are there.”
Broome described one of the porters as, “tough as nails, but yet has this huge soft, sensitive heart.”
She added, “I’m always blown away by the strength of the porters, and just strength in general of people that live in these very remote places.”
Strength can also be shown through compassion, support and mental fortitude. Broome’s team encouraged each other to keep going through the tough moments and even passed a co-ed group on the last day. “It was such a culminating moment for us. We started as this team of strangers; we’re ending as an all-women’s team, as a family. It was empowering that we still had that strength, to show how strong women are.”
“That we today are still able to walk in the same steps as ancient societies—that, to me, was one of the coolest aspects: how far and tough the terrain was that these people were willing to travel through. Walking on the trail is a connection to the past. This trek is a connection to the future,” Broome said.
“It’s opening up the door for that younger, female generation to see that they can be leaders in an outdoor space, go beyond those traditional ‘women’ roles. We had several moms on the trip—moms are badasses. That society is now also seeing that their moms are badasses, too. It’s important.”
To women considering joining this trek, Broome says, “one hundred percent, do it. If nobody else will go with you, go by yourself. Just go. You won’t regret it.”
Disclaimer: Jennifer Broome was hosted as media by Alpaca Expeditions.
