Inca Trail Porters Machu Picchu

Inca Trail Porters Machu Picchu – Andean Rockstars

Thousands of people hike the Inca Trail every year. The 43 km route is usually covered in 4 days. For many of them, traveling is the experience of a lifetime and the fulfillment of personal desires. The satisfaction of completing the trek and visiting the spectacular Inca city of Machu Picchu is hard to beat.

But that feeling is even better when you know that every porter helping you on the trail has been treated well and with the respect he or she deserves. Today, most treks are organized by a local tour operator. No draughts are allowed on the Inca Trail, only porters.

For this reason, all camping equipment (i.e. personal tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, tables, chairs, stoves, bottled gas and food) is carried on the backs of human porters. Prices for this 4-day trek vary significantly depending on the wages and conditions of the porters and other employees provided by each company.

However, it can be quite difficult to find out if a company takes good care of its porters, as porters may be instructed to tell you that they are paid more than they actually receive. They are also afraid of losing their jobs.

In November 2021, a new law was introduced that drastically improves the working conditions of porters.

The new minimum wage for all shippers was set at S/75 (US$22) per day.

In 2022, the wage increased to 163.30 soles ($45) per day. All tour operators are required to apply them.

The new maximum weight that a carrier can carry is 20 kg (15 kg of baggage + 5 kg of personal effects in the luggage compartment). All carriers carry a weight controlled by government officials at checkpoints.

Make sure your luggage carrier is fully loaded when weighing at the checkpoints.

For the hike you should only carry essential clothing, as if you exceed the 20Kg in the carrier, you may be fined.

Kondor Path Tours does not allow this exploitation!!! We guarantee that our porters carry only the amount required by Peruvian law!!! There is still a long way to go before we have enough supplies, backpacks and warm, dry places to sleep.

Kondor Path Tours, works according to the laws of the porters, Kondor Path Tors provides the porter with all the equipment to do the Inca Trail, as you will see when you travel with us.

New law for Inca Trail porters in 2023

The new law requires the new porters’ wages to be $168 for a full four-day trip, more than double what they will earn in 2022. Tour operators are also required to contract health, AFP (pension fund) and accident insurance with the carriers.

What is the rate that porters receive at Kondor Path Tours?

According to the new Peruvian Law No. 27607-2022, porters must receive the following payment:

Total: $703.30 per camp cook

Total $547.14 per carrier

How does the law regulate the work of porters on the Inca Trail?

The regulations take into account, among others, the following points:

The weight to be carried by the porters is fixed at 20 kg, which is controlled during the journey.

It is noted that the suppliers are organized in a union and their salaries are dealt with at this level, which should be in accordance with the law.

They must be equipped with appropriate equipment for the movement of goods, such as jackets, backpacks, head protection, appropriate shoes and other implements.

As for shoes, many porters wear “ojotas” and have worn them since childhood; although we recommend the use of shoes, and help them to buy good walking shoes, many reject specialized shoes.

The porter must be registered in the Inca Trail porters’ registry and must present a certificate of good conduct and a health card.

Porteadotres must be prepared for their own safety, as well as for travel agents.

The tour operator is obliged to take out health and life insurance for the carrier.

Our company complies with all the requirements of the regulations.

How can you help the porters?

If you hire a porter it will make your trip more comfortable and give you time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You will give a job to the person who really wants and needs a job.

The Inca Trail porters. You can chat with your porters and learn more about their traditions and customs of their villages. Sharing coca leaves. Even ask them to sing some of their local songs. Most porters suffer from low self-esteem, so you can start the conversation yourself.

The best way to thank your porter and your porter that you value their work. Thank them verbally and also with a tip.

Porters’ Nutrition

The biggest difference between a responsible company and an irresponsible company is how they take care of their porters during the trip. Many porters receive very little food on the way. In other companies the porters have to wait and see how many tourists have eaten to hand out the leftovers.

Many porters finish the trek tired and hungry. The porters usually sleep together in dining and kitchen tents.

The culture of the Porters

The Quechua people (native people of the Andes) have a history of oppression, first by the Incas, then by the Spanish, then by the landowners. Due to recent reforms, some Quechua have their own country, but few.

Because of their long history of being dominated by others, they tend to have low self-esteem. It is important to try to include them in your group. So take coca leaves and share with them.

You can also try to learn some basic Quechua words (your guide will be happy to help you). Many porters have amazing stories to tell about their traditions and village life. At the end of the trek, don’t forget to show them your appreciation for their work and thank them both verbally and also with a tip.

How much should I tip them?

Tipping your waiter or chef should depend on the quality of the service. If their tip is low they will understand that they need to improve if you think the job was good don’t forget to tip them.

The amount of tip you give is up to you. It is generally recommended that you tip each porter 30 to 35 soles (that’s a combined tip from everyone in your group). Try to bring plenty of change so that you can tip the porters directly. This is much better than giving money to your cook or tour guide only to split it later because it is divided unfairly. Also, be careful not to tip too much. When a porter receives a large tip, that money will go to their families.

How long is the Inca Trail?

Travel time varies depending on the tour you take. There are different tours that:

• Classic Inca Trail Tours 4 Days
• 2-day Inca Trail Tour – The last 2 days
• 2-day Inca Trail with camping – 2 days
• Inca Trail 3 Days – Last 3 Days
• Trekking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days 

Alternative treks to the Inca Trail tours

Many routes will take you to Machu Picchu, but none like the Inca Trail, the most famous trekking route in the Americas. After flying from Peru’s capital, Lima, you arrive in Cusco to spend four days trekking through forests and dense fog, climbing ancient stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient Inca castles and cities, all while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

• Salkantay to Machu Picchu 5 days trip
• Inca Trail Quarry 4 Days
• Short Inca Trail by Choquequirao Trek 7 Day
• Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
• Ausangate Trek 7 days

If you wish to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend that you book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance so that you can enjoy your Machu Picchu vacation without any problems.

When is the best time to do the Inca Trail?

The best season is the dry season, which lasts from April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you will find Machu Picchu shrouded in clouds.

If you are traveling in June, we recommend booking the Inti Raymi 2023 tour on June 24, as well as the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, the incredible rainbow mountain of the Andes.