We've hosted a Peru trip three times now, and every single time we came home swearing we'd cracked it — right up until someone in the office found the piece we'd missed. Twice we triumphantly tackled the 3-night, 4-day Inca Trail trek. Once we skipped the tent time altogether and hiked in from a Sacred Valley ecolodge in a single, gentler day. Every version taught us something. This one, for 2027, is what happens when you actually put experience to work.
We're basing ourselves at the acclaimed, five-star Explora Lodge, which means you get to build your own Peru: more than 40 guided explorations to choose from each day, Machu Picchu by train or earned on foot, and evenings that involve a spa, an open bar, a restaurant with what the Michelin Guide calls “extraordinary Peruvian and international fare,” and zero sleeping bags.
Here at NextTribe, we believe now — at midlife and beyond — is our moment to shine, which is why we’re making this visit to one of the wonders of the world so accessible and extra rewarding.
This trip is what that belief looks like on the ground: no roughing it required, no corners cut, and no reason you can't have the ruins and the robe. We'll spend five days in and around the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then three more in Cusco — the former capital of the Inca Empire, stacked with treasures, shops, ruins, markets, and restaurants worth crossing a hemisphere for.
Maximum flexibility, maximum comfort, zero compromise. All-inclusive. It's the most complete way we've ever done this country, and we've tried a few.
NextTribe members get $100 off this (and every) trip
On every trip, bonding is quick and deep. You'll see places and meet people you simply couldn't on your own and feel comfortable from day one because the trip is hosted by a worldly, warm woman our age. Not a 26-year-old with a clipboard and attitude. One of us.
We keep groups small on purpose — which means this fills fast. Don't be the one who waited too long.
~ Small groups—women 45+ ~ Solo travelers welcome
~ Led by a woman our age ~ Aging boldly since 2017
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About half our travelers come alone. Which means you’ll land in a group of women in exactly the same boat — and that’s exactly the point.
No awkward third-wheel moments.
Solo travelers aren’t an afterthought here. From the first hello at the airport to the farewell dinner, you’ll never be the odd one out.
We handle everything.
Airport transfers, hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ground transportation for every activity — all sorted, so you can just show up and be present for the Incan music, the Quechuan weavers, and the pisco sours (if that’s your thing).
Rooming options that work for you.
Book a single room, or we’ll help match you with a compatible roommate from the group to keep costs down.
Your guide is one of us.
Trip leader Ellesor Holder has hiked the 3-night, 4-day route to Machu Picchu and she’s as happy as you are that you’re not camping out this time. She knows and loves Peru and the word “hoot” has often been applied to her.
"This is an adventure that everyone should experience at least once in their life! Peru is a magical place. NextTribe provides a great tour with the opportunity for diverse activities."
— Carol R.
"The best way to experience the physical challenges and simply awe-inspiring magic of the Inca Trail and the Andes is with a group of powerful, like-minded women — and that's exactly what NextTribe facilitated."
— Melanie W.
"The trip was magical! NextTribe always chooses great restaurants and activities. It was a life-changing experience."
— Courtney M.
1. Machu Picchu, obviously. (Plus a few Incan sites nobody's put on a coffee mug yet, but should.) Arrive by train, or take a 6.8-mile hike along the Inca Trail — the reveal at the Sun Gate is worth every mile.
2. Andean culture, not just Andean scenery. This valley — Willka Qhichwa in Quechua, meaning "sacred valley" — was the breadbasket and the spiritual center of the entire Inca Empire, and its culture never went into a museum case. Quechua is still spoken in the markets, ancestral weaving techniques are still passed down by hand, and the mountains surrounding all of it aren't just a backdrop — the Incas built their calendar and their gods around them. Come for the views, leave with a real immersion.
3. Cusco charm. Spanish colonial architecture, centuries-old churches, markets that are chaotic in the best way, and a cooking class where you'll make your own ceviche, lomo saltado, and (essential) pisco sours.
4. Total flexibility in the Sacred Valley. Choose from 40-plus guided explorations a day at Explora — a demanding hike among alpaca herds, a mountain-bike ride past ruins most tourists never hear of, or "the spa is calling and I am answering."
5. Luxury with a conscience. Explora takes conservation as seriously as comfort: five-star rooms, Michelin-acclaimed food that could hold its own in Manhattan’s best kitchens, and a spa that might be worth the plane ticket on its own.
Will I know anyone?
At the start, probably not. By day 2, for sure.
How fit do I need to be for this trip?
Basically, as fit as you want to be. Most of the trip is choose-your-own-adventure — the Sacred Valley's 40+ explorations range from an easy village visit by van to a demanding full-day hike, so you set your own pace day to day. The one exception is the optional Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu (see below): it's 6.8 miles at high altitude, and you should be a regular, comfortable walker/hiker before you sign up. This is not the day to discover you don't love hiking.
What about the altitude?
It's real, and it's worth planning for. Explora sits at about 9,500 feet; Cusco, where we finish the trip, is higher still, at roughly 11,200 feet. Starting in the Sacred Valley (as we do) gives your body a gentler introduction before Cusco's thinner air. Expect a day or two of mild fatigue or a headache while you adjust — hydration and an easy first day both help, and coca tea is everywhere for a reason. Talk to your doctor before the trip about altitude medication if you're concerned.
Is the Machu Picchu hike included?
A guided trip by train to Machu Picchu is included. The 6.8-mile, one-day Inca Trail hike to reach it on foot is a $800 add-on, and because permits are limited, we need to know if you want it well before departure — we'll follow up on timing once you book.
Do I need to book Machu Picchu tickets myself?
No — that's exactly what we're here for. Machu Picchu entry runs on a government permit system with daily caps and timed windows that sell out fast in peak season. We handle all of it, whether you're going by train or on foot, so you arrive with confirmed access, not a contingency plan and a prayer.
What's the food like?
Extraordinary, and included for nearly the entire trip. At Explora, all meals, snacks, and beverages — including an open bar — are part of your stay, built around Andean ingredients you've likely never encountered and will want to smuggle home. In Cusco, we've scouted the city's best kitchens over three previous trips and will be dining at the ones we actually trust, not just the ones with the best Instagram lighting.
I'm traveling solo — will I have to pay a single supplement?
Let us know when you book and we'll do our best to match you with a roommate. If a match isn't available, the single supplement will apply.
What should I pack?
Layers, layers, layers. Mornings and evenings in the Sacred Valley and Cusco are cool, days can be warm and sun-strong, and afternoon rain is possible even outside the wet season. Broken-in walking shoes are a must, hiking boots if you're doing the Inca Trail day. We'll send a full packing list once you're registered.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations?
U.S. passport holders don't need a visa for tourist stays in Peru. No vaccinations are required for entry, though your doctor may recommend routine and travel-specific vaccines based on your health history — worth a pre-trip conversation with your physician, not with the group chat.
What's the cancellation policy?
You'll receive a full refund up to 90 days before departure, except for your deposit, which can be applied to a future NextTribe trip. We strongly recommend travel protection insurance, and we're happy to point you to options.
Is there wifi?
Yes, throughout Explora Lodge and in Cusco's hotels. Signal gets spotty on full-day explorations out in the valley — consider that your permission slip to unplug for an afternoon.
Still have questions? Click here to schedule a discovery phone call with Jeannie Edmunds, our NextTribe COO.
Explora Valle Sagrado sits on a historic 32-hectare estate near the village of Urquillos, at roughly 9,500 feet, with the Andes rising on every side — the kind of view that makes you forget to check your phone, which was presumably the point. It's a five-time Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award winner, and in 2025 alone picked up honors as Peru's Leading Lodge and one of Travelers' Choice's Best of the Best luxury hotels in South America. In other words: we didn't just pick a pretty building.
The architecture is soaring and spare, built from stone and native wood so it settles into the landscape rather than competing with it — every room looks straight out onto the valley, no exceptions, no upcharge. The kitchen turns out Peruvian gastronomy built around Andean ingredients you've likely never heard of and won't stop thinking about. And after a day of exploring, the Pumacahua Bath House, Spa & Pool — set inside a restored 17th-century colonial manor — offers saunas, a steam bath, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a deck view that makes leaving feel like a personal failure.
Explora trains its own guides at its in-house School of Guides; each one is bilingual in Spanish and English and deeply versed in both the region's archaeology and its ongoing conservation — which is exactly the kind of authority you want leading you into the Andes, and not, say, a guy with a laminated map.
One of the original members of the NextTribe crew, Ellesor Holder is the energetic, extra-friendly leader of our Charleston, Savannah, Peru, and Colorado trips. When she’s not guiding the women of NextTribe around the world, you’ll find Ellesor hiking, biking, working out, and mastering the latest and greatest apps. (Her current favorites are CapCut, Canva, and Storyluxe.)
Since she was born and raised in South Carolina, it was a no-brainer for her to take the reins of the Charleston trip. Being a lover of nature and adventure, the Colorado trip also called to her. “I had never been to that part of Colorado before leading the trip, and now it’s among my favorite spots,” says Ellesor.
Her hunger to explore new places runs strong: Nowhere is too far-flung. “The world is a big place that can also feel very small once you’ve traveled around enough,” she says.
You'll be picked up at the airport and whisked straight to the Sacred Valley. At Explora Lodge, you'll meet with a consultant who'll help you map out your explorations for the days ahead. Every activity is included, except the optional Inca Trail hike.
We'll gather that evening for a welcome dinner at the lodge's acclaimed restaurant, where the chefs have built a menu around Andean culinary traditions and local Sacred Valley ingredients.
Throughout your stay at Explora, all meals and beverages are included — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an open bar — plus meals and snacks during every full-day exploration.
How you spend today is entirely up to you. You'll work with your adviser to choose from more than 40 half-day and full-day explorations — the hardest part of the day may be narrowing it down, which is a good problem to have.
Every exploration is led by the region's best guides, trained at Explora's own School of Guides. Each one is fluent in Spanish and English, and each shares our commitment to protecting the places we're lucky enough to visit.
A sample of what you might choose for the day (all included):
A half-day hike through a hummingbird preserve
A half-day visit to open-air salt pools — one of the few places on Earth where pink salt is harvested
A half-day bike ride to a grand archaeological site
A half-day visit to a renowned weaving village, learning ancient Quechua textile techniques
A full-day hike along mountain paths still used by local shepherds
Today is devoted entirely to the fortress in front of the gumdrop-shaped mountain that's graced a thousand magazine covers and just as many Instagram feeds. If you're going by train (included in your trip price), we'll set out early and let our Explora guide bring this Incan stronghold to life.
If you want to challenge yourself and walk the famous Inca Trail — in the footsteps of Incan royalty — we'll start even earlier. We'll catch a train to the trailhead, then hike 6.8 miles past the remarkable Wiñay Wayna (accessible only on foot) and on to the Sun Gate, where Machu Picchu comes into view exactly as it did for the Incan travelers who once arrived this way.
The hike is an additional $800 and makes for a long day — but it's an unforgettable, immersive one.
Today looks a lot like Day 2 — more options than hours to fit them in. You're also free to skip activities entirely, declare yourself off-duty, and simply enjoy the 32-acre property. The Pumacahua Bath House, Spa & Pool, housed in an exquisitely restored 17th-century colonial manor, offers saunas, a steam bath, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a deck wrapped in views. Massages and other spa treatments are available at an additional cost.
Another option: take part in “ayni,” the Andean tradition of reciprocal help. You'll visit a nearby town and join whatever project the community is focused on that day — anything from planting potatoes to herding alpacas.
It'll be hard to leave the Sacred Valley, but Cusco — the former capital of the Inca Empire — has plenty waiting for us. Your stay at Explora (elevation roughly 9,500 feet) helps you acclimate ahead of Cusco's higher altitude, above 11,000 feet.
Each night in Cusco, we'll have dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants. This is our third trip here, and we've identified the chefs we think are at the top of their game — if you've never had Peruvian cuisine, you're in for a treat.
Cusco is one of the oldest cities in Latin America, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It draws a lively mix of local urban dwellers, farmers, and travelers from around the world. We'll take a walking tour through the city to see the remnants of the Incan era and the Spanish Colonial takeover. Then, we go up to the city’s highest point, where we’ll get sweeping views over the sprawling city and the Andean peaks beyond.
In the afternoon, we'll take a cooking class that's a bit raucous — and a favorite on every NextTribe trip to Peru. You'll make your own ceviche, lomo saltado, and pisco sours. Salud!
On our last full day in Peru, we'll visit the Inca History Museum, including the music room where fascinating traditional instruments are played, and the Traditional Textile Center, where you can buy skillfully made ponchos, tablecloths, and more. Every piece carries a tag with the name and photo of the woman who made it.
We'll close out our stay with a farewell dinner at one of Cusco's top restaurants.
Sadly, we're off to the airport today, headed home with new memories and new friendships. Those with later flights have extra time to explore Cusco.
Activity Level 3: We're setting this at 3 because travelers can be as active or non-active as they wish. Staying at Explora Lodge, there are opportunities for great hiking in the Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu, but there are also activities that don't require a lot of exertion. In Cusco, you can expect to walk 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day. Everyone on the trip is expected to handle their own luggage.
After booking you will receive a travel guide with more details about your trip.
Arrival Saturday, Oct. 16th Cusco
You'll be met at the airport by an Explora representative, who will whisk you to the lodge, which is an hour plus away.
Departure Saturday, October 23rd from Cusco You can depart at any time today.
Return airport transfers are not included. We will give you guidance and options for getting from the hotel to the airport
Passport & Visa: Please make sure your passport is valid for 3 months after the last day of the trip.
U.S. passport holders don't need a visa for tourist stays in Peru.
Vaccines: No vaccinations are required for entry, though your doctor may recommend routine and travel-specific vaccines based on your health history — worth a pre-trip conversation with your physician, not with the group chat.
Cancellation: The last day to cancel this trip and receive a refund is July 16th, 2027. Your deposit is non-refundable but can be applied to another NextTribe trip booked within one year.
Insurance: NextTribe requires travel insurance for all international trips. We strongly encourage you to add trip protection as well, just in case! Scroll down for more details about insurance.
Legal Stuff: For complete terms of service, see below
Inclusions:
7 Nights Lodging
7 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts
All Ground Transportation
Open bar at Explora
Transfer from Cusco to the Sacred Valley
All Activities Noted on the Itinerary (Except Macchu Picchu hike)
A NextTribe host with you throughout the tour
A specially curated Enrichment Guide to help you prepare for the trip
Exclusions:
International airfare
Return airport transfers
Alcoholic beverages outside of Explora or not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as laundry etc.
Travel insurance
Tips to our trip guide, drivers, maids and hotel staff - NextTribe covers most other tips and we will provide more details closer to the trip.
Final note
We reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.
Next Tribe requires all international travelers to purchase travel insurance.
Travel insurance can be a helpful and valuable resource to pack! It can protect the investment of your trip and you while traveling.
We partner with Wanderwell, a Certified B Corporation travel insurance provider that makes it as simple as possible by not overwhelming you with options.
They offer just a few modern, benefit-packed trip protection plans that can cover the most common travel perils related to trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, travel Medical Expenses, baggage & personal effects, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and more.
Click Here to create quotes and purchase a plan through Wanderwell from our partner page.
If you prefer to talk to someone, please email support@gowanderwell.com. They will set up a phone call with you and can answer your questions.
For most of history, women past child-bearing years were basically put out to pasture. This was happening even in our mothers’ time. We call bullshit on that. We believe we are at a peak in so many ways and are devoted to helping women our age live the richest, most kick-ass lives possible.
We do that by informing, promoting and connecting women–through our magazine, through our member community and through the transformative experiences of travel.
So many travel choices…so little time. You could spend days and days trying to put together just the right combination of destination, activities, and price.
Or you could stop shopping and start traveling with us for something that feels like the greatest girlfriend trip ever–even if you come solo. We specialize in experiences that deeply connect you to other women–travelers and locals–and create life-lasting memories. Experiences you can’t get on your own. And do it all with flexible payment options.
This video will tell you if you’re a good fit for a NextTribe trip. We are proud that we’ve become known for how quickly and deeply our groups of women bond on our trips. One of our rules: No divas, please.
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