LIMA — Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail. The Sacred Valley.
A trip to Peru ticks many bucket list boxes for travellers. For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime pursuit. It can also be a personal challenge, both physical and spiritual and, for many, it’s both.
Tales of altitude exhaustion, upward climbs, day-long treks, guinea pig and alpaca on restaurant menus, all echo in my mind – after asking many of my friends in the travel media who have visited Peru – as I board my flight. It’s an overnight, nonstop trip from Toronto (YYZ) to Lima (LIM), and puts me into the capital just as the sun is rising. The traffic is already humming, and as we drive along the city’s Pacific coastline, I can spot a few surfers taking the early morning waves.
Machu Picchu
With more than 10 million people living here, Lima is full of energy, yet the proximity to this massive body of water gives it a low-key coastal vibe. Sandwiched between the Pacific and the Andean mountains, it feels breezy like Vancouver, but with the hazy fog atmosphere of San Francisco.
I’m here to join Intrepid Travel’s Premium Walking and Hiking in Peru, one of the tour company’s small group tours, with a focus on Cusco, the Inca Trail and the lost city of Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.
But we’ve been given a bonus: to spend a day in Lima and shake off the red-eye flight (Intrepid offers pre- and post-stays). If you’re flying from eastern parts of Canada, there’s very little jet lag, as the time difference is only one hour behind Montreal or Toronto.
WOMEN-CENTRED EXPERIENCES
I’m fortunate too, as the group I’m travelling with are women, as is our guide, Ale Vega, and we’re of all ages. It’s not intentional; just luck. Although the company has yet to introduce women-only trips, Intrepid endeavours to uplift women in the regions in which the company travels.
“While we don’t currently offer Women’s Expeditions in Peru, our existing trips continue to feature meaningful, women-centred experiences that celebrate the role of women as leaders, artisans, and changemakers,” Intrepid North America’s Nour Shell says. “These activities are designed to empower local women through tourism from guided cultural experiences to supporting women-owned and operated businesses across our supply chain.”
Indeed, one of the highlights of our trip is a stop in Urubamba for a delicious locally sourced lunch at AMA Restaurant. The food is fresh and flavourful, lovingly prepared by single mothers; the restaurant also features a boutique space for local female artisans to sell their handcrafted knits, from sweaters to scarfs to beanies, many made from the softest baby alpaca wool. “I was inspired by my own mother, a single parent, who worked hard to give us a good life,” says owner Julio Hernandez. “I wanted to build something in her honour.”
One of the highlights of Intrepid’s Premium Walking and Hiking in Peru itinerary is a stop in Urubamba for a delicious locally sourced lunch at AMA Restaurant
Peru is welcoming the upward trend of DMCs offering solo / women traveller options. The country’s tourism body, PROMPERÚ, also has a Peru Agent program (peruagent.com) and platform, where travel advisors can access training resources and benefits. Also, by attending PROMPERÚ webinars, participants are entered into a draw for a US$150 gift card.
We are given a warm welcome at the village of Willoq, where we’re introduced to this Indigenous community’s gifted women weavers. It’s here we are mesmerized by those iconic Peruvian textiles – a kaleidoscope of colours woven into meaningful patterns that are so often associated with the country. The women are dressed from head to toe (hats included), the vibrant fabrics wrapped and shaped into jackets, skirts and ponchos in their traditional dress.
They want to know everything about us, and speak to us through our guide Ale’s interpretations. Family is the key driver here, and the most often asked question of each of us is whether we are married and have children. We take the opportunity to peruse the ad hoc market of their goods that suddenly appears, each of us purchase a memento that also helps support their work.
It’s through offering culturally immersive experiences like this that can make a trip truly special.
“ADVISORS ARE TRUSTED VOICES FOR TRAVELLERS”
“Our relationships with the travel trade are at the heart of Intrepid’s success,” says Leigh Barnes, President of the Americas at Intrepid Travel. “Advisors are trusted voices for travellers, and we’re always looking for ways to strengthen those partnerships through better training, resources and support.”
Intrepid offers commission to all agents who have signed up to work with Intrepid. Its partnerships with advisors are an essential part of its business, adds Shell, and the company is committed to ensuring advisors are rewarded for the role they play in connecting travellers with Intrepid trips.
Intrepid has a robust range of resources to support travel agents and advisors. The company hosts regular webinars and in-person training sessions and provides self-paced training modules through its Agent Hub.
Advisors also have access to downloadable supporting materials such as PDFs and flyers to help them promote and sell Intrepid trips to their clients.
“As the industry continues to evolve,” says Barnes, “collaboration with the trade ensures we can deliver more meaningful, sustainable travel experiences to more people.”
Jaime Cardenas, Director, Promperú Canada, says the Canadian market is key for Peru. “PROMPERÚ has a strong relationship with our industry partners, tour operators, and travel agents, and we value their continued support in promoting the destination and showcasing the wonders of Peru, particularly as our latest survey indicates that close to 50% of travellers to Peru do so through our trade partners. Canada is a priority market for Peru, and we’re continuing to nurture these important relationships with local suppliers and agents to increase travel to the destination. We’re particularly glad to see Air Canada relaunch its direct flights to Lima this winter from Toronto and Montréal, making Peru even more accessible to Canadian travellers.”
Cusco, Peru
“JUST BREATHE”
The ultimate sustainable moment, for me, is to make sure I can sustain myself on the day-long hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We board a charming, old-school train for a scenic ride from Ollantaytambo to our starting check point along the trail. The tracks follow the banks of the Urubamba River, through verdant fields and river views. There’s a live band on board, and we’re also treated to a reenactment of the tragic story of star-crossed lovers connected to the lore of the region.
“Just breathe.” Ale is repeating this like a mantra, reminding us as we climb to keep our lungs full of energy-giving oxygen. Intrepid has supplied us with walking poles, which are extremely helpful on this mostly uphill hike. Although I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to ‘train’ for the hike, I would recommend being confident in your fitness abilities – and taking altitude sickness precautions before you embark on the journey.
After more than seven hours, 15 kilometres and 23,000 steps, I arrive at the top, the trail’s end, catch my breath and stride through the Sun Gate. The sun is slowly setting, and the wonder of Machu Picchu is sprawling just below.
NEW IN PERU WITH INTREPID
What’s new in Peru across Intrepid’s itineraries includes …
- On the Peru Family Holiday, a new experience takes families to the Andean community of Ocotuan, where travellers learn about traditional weaving practices directly from local women. Kids can help feed llamas, alpacas, and guinea pigs while the community prepares a traditional lunch, creating an unforgettable opportunity to connect with the people and their way of life.
- New active adventures, including Peru: Hike, Bike, Raft & SUP, and a four-day Inca Trail Trek, designed for travellers seeking a more physically immersive way to experience Peru’s landscapes and culture.
- Coming in 2026: A brand-new range, Premium Walking & Trekking, featuring enhanced comfort and unique experiences. Included in this range is the newly announced Premium Walking and Hiking in Peru (seven days), where travellers will hike a day section of the iconic Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu’s famed Sun Gate, while enjoying boutique hotels and some of the region’s best cuisine. The Premium range offers handpicked accommodations, elevated service, and exceptional inclusions for a more comfortable and immersive journey. Bookings now open for 2026 departures.
More information is at IntrepidTravel.com/ca. To find out more about Peru see Peru.travel/en.
A friendly face on the Inca Trail in Peru