“Behind every backpack you don’t carry, there is a porter who deserves dignity.”
While you walk with a light backpack enjoying the scenery, there is someone who carries your luggage, your tent, your food. Someone who leaves before you every morning and arrives after preparing your campsite. Someone who makes it possible that your only concern is to put one foot in front of the other.
They are the porters of the Inca Trail. Men and women from Andean communities who, generation after generation, have carried on their backs not only luggage, but the tourism industry of Peru.
At Inca Trail Explorers we believe these people deserve much more than a minimum wage and a worn sleeping bag. They deserve dignity, respect and fair conditions.
That’s why we created The Porter Promise: our public and verifiable commitment to those who make your adventure possible.
Before talking about our commitments, it is important to understand why they are necessary.
Historically, porters have been the least benefited part of an industry that moves millions of dollars every year. At some agencies this has meant loads of 25–30 kg, minimum payment without benefits, inadequate clothing for extreme cold, lower quality food than tourists, no medical insurance and no opportunities for professional growth.
In 2003, the documentary “Porters of the Inca Trail” exposed these working conditions to the world. International pressure led the Peruvian government to create regulations — but implementation remains inconsistent. The law exists. The problem is that not all agencies comply with it. Some, pressured to offer low prices, cut costs where it is least noticed: in the welfare of the porters.
As a responsible traveler, you have the power to choose. When you choose an agency that treats its porters well, you contribute to improving the lives of entire families, you support sustainable and ethical tourism, and you travel with a clear conscience. The lowest price is not always the best price. Sometimes, someone else pays the cost.
These are not aspirational ideals. They are concrete, measurable and verifiable commitments that we fulfill on every trek, without exception.
Peruvian law establishes a maximum of 25 kg. But 25 kg on the back, climbing to 4,200 meters altitude, for 4 consecutive days, is too much. We establish our own stricter limit: no porter carries more than 20 kg.
How do we control it? Mandatory weighing at Km 82 at the start of every trek, internal weighing before leaving Cusco, supervision by our guides, and a culture where porters can report violations without retaliation.
Verifiable: You can witness the weighing at the start of the trek.
We provide each porter with all the necessary equipment to face the extreme conditions of the Inca Trail — at no cost to them. This includes a quality waterproof jacket and pants, hat and gloves for sub-zero nights, proper trekking boots, a sleeping bag rated to -15°C, sleeping pad, tent, ergonomic cargo backpack, headlamp and rain poncho.
On the Inca Trail temperatures can drop to -10°C at night. Without adequate equipment, porters suffer hypothermia, frostbite and respiratory diseases. Many agencies expect porters to bring their own gear, which is often insufficient or deteriorated. Ours arrive prepared.
Verifiable: Observe the equipment of our porters during the trek. You will see the difference.
Our porters eat the same food as passengers. Not leftovers. Not a reduced version. The same menu, the same ingredients, the same generous portions, the same meal schedule, and access to snacks and hot drinks throughout the day.
Porters perform extreme physical effort. They need calories and nutrients to perform and stay healthy. Feeding them poorly is exploitation — and we refuse to do it.
Verifiable: Observe the porters’ meals during the trek. Ask what they ate.
All our porters have medical insurance that covers accidents, illnesses and emergencies — not just during the trek, but year-round. Coverage includes 100% of accidents on the trail including evacuation, complete medical care for illnesses, basic dental care and medications.
A porter without insurance who is injured on the Inca Trail faces medical expenses that can represent months of salary, loss of income while recovering, and debts that affect their entire family. With our insurance, they work calmly knowing they are protected.
Additionally, we carry a complete first aid kit and oxygen on every trek. Our guides are certified in mountain first aid.
We invest in the professional development of our porters, not just in their physical labor. Our training programs include mountain first aid certification, basic English for communication with international travelers, customer service, Inca history and culture, mountain safety, and leadership for those who want to grow into guide roles.
Many of our current guides started as porters. We believe in internal promotion:
Porter → Senior Porter → Guide Assistant → Junior Guide → Main Guide
Porters are not “temporary carriers.” They are tourism professionals who deserve development opportunities.
We pay above the industry standard, with full benefits and year-round employment opportunities. While the industry average for a 4-day trek is $25–30 USD per day, our porters earn $35–40 USD — with medical insurance included, equipment fully provided, food equal to passengers, and real training and growth opportunities on top of that.
Because we believe that those who work harder should earn more. Our porters perform extreme physical effort at high altitudes, away from their families. They deserve fair compensation.
Verifiable: You can ask porters directly about their wages and benefits.
Everything we promise is verifiable during your trek. There is nothing to hide.
You can ask any porter directly about their wages, observe their equipment, see what they eat, and ask if they have medical coverage. You can report any irregularity you observe. We answer any questions before, during and after the trek. Our open-door policy means no porter is off-limits for a conversation.
We are also in the process of certification with international responsible tourism organizations. Our practices are fully auditable.
Our commitment does not end when the trek ends. We actively work to improve life in the communities where our porters come from.
Education — “Path to the Future” Scholarship Program 15 active school scholarships for children of porters, 3 university scholarships for higher education, and language workshops for community youth.
Health — Community Health Campaigns 2 free medical campaigns per year, basic dental care, vaccination and preventive health talks.
Environment — “Clean Trail” Program Trash collection on the route beyond our own, traveler training on “leave no trace” principles, use of biodegradable products and minimization of single-use plastics.
Local Economic Development Food purchased from Sacred Valley producers, handicrafts from local cooperatives, and local suppliers chosen whenever possible.
| Indicator | Result |
|---|---|
| Porters regularly employed | 45+ |
| Families directly benefited | 180+ |
| Communities impacted | 8 |
| Educational scholarships granted | 15 |
| Health campaigns conducted | 4 |
| Investment in communities | $12,000+ USD |
As a traveler, you have more power than you think.
1. Choose Consciously By choosing Inca Trail Explorers, you are already contributing. Each reservation directly finances fair wages, quality equipment, training programs and community projects.
2. Fair Tips (optional but greatly appreciated)
| Team Member | 4-Day Trek | 2-Day Trek |
|---|---|---|
| Main guide | $40–60 USD | $20–30 USD |
| Cook | $25–35 USD | $15–20 USD |
| Porters (group total) | $50–80 USD | $30–40 USD |
Tips are personal, not mandatory. Deliver directly to each person or to the guide for fair distribution. We never take commission from tips.
3. Interact with Respect Learn their names and use them. Greet them in Quechua: “Allillanchu” (How are you?). Ask permission before taking their photos. Show genuine interest in their stories and communities.
4. Share Your Experience Mention the treatment of porters in your reviews. Recommend ethical agencies to other travelers. Report bad practices if you observe them elsewhere.
5. Optional Donations If you wish to contribute beyond the trek, contact info@inca-trail.pe for information about our Educational Scholarship Fund and Equipment Fund.
How do I know you really fulfill these commitments? Everything is verifiable during your trek. Ask the porters directly, observe their equipment, see what they eat. We have nothing to hide. You can also read reviews from other travelers who specifically mention the treatment of porters.
Why are your prices not the cheapest on the market? Because paying fair wages, providing good equipment and offering medical insurance has a cost. Agencies that offer very low prices generally cut costs in the welfare of porters. We believe an ethical trip is worth a few dollars more.
Do tips go directly to the porters? Yes. If you give tips to the guide for distribution, they are distributed entirely among the team. If you prefer, you can deliver directly to each person. We never take commission from tips.
Can I talk to the porters during the trek? Absolutely — we encourage it. Many speak Spanish and some basic English. They are friendly people who enjoy sharing about their lives and communities. Just respect if they are busy or resting.
What happens if a porter gets sick during the trek? Our insurance covers immediate medical care. If necessary, we organize evacuation. The porter receives complete care and payment for lost days. We always have backup porters so as not to affect your experience.
Do you hire women as porters? Yes. Although the industry has been traditionally male, we have female porters who receive exactly the same treatment, salary and opportunities as men.
Do porters work all year round? The Inca Trail closes in February for maintenance. During that month, our porters receive a base payment and many participate in training or work on other projects we organize.
How do you select porters? We work mainly with people from specific Sacred Valley communities with whom we have built long-term relationships. We prioritize those who already have experience with us, but we also give opportunities to new candidates recommended by our current team.
Legal Compliance Registered with the Ministry of Culture of Peru, compliance with Law No. 27607 (Porter Law), compliance with weight regulations (we exceed the standard), updated SUNAFIL records.
Voluntary Commitments Members of the Cusco Tourism Agencies Association, commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals, in the process of Travelife certification, adherence to responsible tourism principles.
Recognitions TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (multiple years), recognition from travelers for ethical treatment of porters, case study in responsible tourism at a local university.
Choosing Inca Trail Explorers means choosing an Inca Trail where everyone wins: you live an unforgettable adventure, and those who make it possible receive the treatment they deserve.
“We don’t sell tours. We share our heritage.” — Inca Trail Explorers Team
