Explora has introduced a new small-group journey: the “Sacred Mountains Expedition: The Unknown Trail to Machu Picchu” in Peru. Following a lesser-known and traveled Inca Trail through the Vilcabamba Mountain range and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the small-group journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World has three departure dates scheduled in 2025: May 10, June 14 and September 6—the last exclusively for women.
The fixed-date, nine-day round-trip itinerary is designed to dive deep, with carefully planned yet flexible activities for a maximum of eight travelers. Travelers can push their limits on this adventure, fully supported by Explora’s expert guides and mountain team.
The first two days of this expedition set out from Explora Valle Sagrado, the expedition company’s modern lodge surrounded by an ancient corn plantation in the Sacred Valley. From there, travelers follow ancient pre-Incan paths, passing archeological sites and Andean communities, and crossing forests, rivers, grasslands and mountains to reach the ancient Inca citadel.
The Sacred Mountains nomadic journey is part of a new line of Explora Expeditions offering guided small-group journeys to uncharted destinations in South America and beyond. The series debuted in late 2023 with “Expeditions to Tierra del Fuego” and was followed by this year’s launch of “Expeditions to Iceland,” Explora’s first adventure in the Northern Hemisphere.
Designed by an Explora team of experts, the new expedition heads into the heart of the Vilcabamba range and the Sacred Valley, with travelers hiking through cloud forests of the Misquiyaco Natural Reserve. Among the destinations waiting to be explored is Wata, a mountain-top ceremonial center that predates the Incan era, with spectacular views of the Quebrada Huarocondo, Salkantay and Humantay Mountains.
Travelers will also explore the hidden Ancascocha Lagoon and access the Inca ruin Wiñay Wayna, built into a hillside above the Urubamba River, with two-level housing connected by stairs and fountains, the Inti Punku fortress near the end of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. The itinerary includes:
- All overnight accommodations, including luxury tented camps, Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo, and Explora’s Valle Sagrado Lodge, and meals
- High-quality mountain tents, technical sleeping bags, toilets, access to a hot shower and two days of leg massages at camp
- Dedicated team of staff that manages dining, campsites and logistics; mules transport travelers’ bags between camps
- All transfers, including train tickets and transportation to and from Cusco
This journey requires medium level of physical fitness and is recommended for active travelers. The total distance is 50 miles, and the hikers will reach elevations up to 15,350 feet above sea level. Assorted hikes will fill each day of the “Sacred Mountains Expedition” as travelers reach valleys, paths, archeological sites and high-altitude locations to have a glimpse of majestic views. This expedition is also available as a private experience at a custom date for a small group upon request.
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