Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
Experience of a lifetime!!
My family just got back from the 5 day 4 night Salkantay trek yesterday and I CANNOT say enough good things about the trek and our guide, Ismael C. We enjoy hiking but hadn’t done many multi-day treks. While the hike was difficult at times, it was absolutely worth it for both the incredible views and the amazing service by our porters, horsemen, chefs, and guide. Ismael went above and beyond to give us a really wonderful experience and help out when we had minor injuries or felt the effects of the altitude. He answered any question we could think of about the plants, animals, history, and daily life in Peru, and included some really fun and interesting lessons and activities about native crafts and Quechua culture. We finished with the Salkantay trek less than 24 hours ago and we’re already planning our next trek with Alpaca Expeditions. Thanks for everything!!
An unforgettable Inca Trail experience with the best team
We completed the 4-day Classic Inca Trail with Alpaca Expeditions, and it was one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had.
From the moment we started, our guides Abel and Elder made us feel safe, supported, and excited for every day of the trek. They were incredibly knowledgeable about Inca history, culture, wildlife, and the trail itself. They struck the perfect balance of being professional, encouraging, and genuinely fun to spend four days with.
Our group consisted of 16 hikers, supported by 2 outstanding guides, 2 incredibly talented chefs, 1 server, and an amazing team of 25 porters. Despite the logistics involved, everything ran seamlessly. Every camp was ready when we arrived, our bags were waiting for us, and we always felt completely taken care of.
The food deserves its own paragraph. We honestly couldn’t believe what our chefs produced at altitude using portable kitchens. Every meal was fresh, creative, and beautifully presented. They even surprised the group with a homemade birthday cake at camp, something none of us thought would be possible on the Inca Trail. It was such a thoughtful moment that perfectly reflected the care this team puts into every guest’s experience.
This trek also became one of the most meaningful moments of our lives because we got engaged at Machu Picchu. The scenery alone is unforgettable, but the warmth, encouragement, and kindness of the Alpaca Expeditions team made an already life-changing experience even more special. It’s a memory we’ll cherish forever.
The porters were the true heroes of the trek. Their strength, work ethic, and positive attitudes were inspiring. Watching everything they accomplished every day while still smiling and cheering us on gave us an even greater appreciation for what they do.
Although the trek is a significant investment, the value is exceptional. The permits, transportation, camping equipment, meals, logistics, expert guiding, and outstanding level of service made every dollar worthwhile. We never questioned whether we had chosen the right company.
Reaching Machu Picchu was incredible, but what we’ll remember most is the people who helped us get there. Abel, Elder, the chefs, the server, and every porter treated us with genuine care and professionalism from beginning to end.
If you’re considering hiking the Inca Trail, I wholeheartedly recommend Alpaca Expeditions. They don’t just take you to Machu Picchu—they create an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Thank you for helping make our engagement, our adventure, and all the memories in between so incredibly special!
Incredible Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an incredible trip.
Juan Carlos Zuloaga (head your guide AKA brown sugar) and Edwin (assistant your guide) were our tour guides. They always made sure we were taken care of. I'm very happy that they were our guides, they are patient, have a great sense of humor and looked out for us.
Pedro was the head chef. The food was delicious. The cooking team made very thoughtful meals. Meals were always nutritious; a good balance of veggies, protein, carbs and often something sweet. "Happy Hour," with popcorn and tea was always a welcome treat after a long day of hiking steep mountain terrains.
Joaquín was the head Porter. It's mindblowing to think that the porters carried 7+ kilos and completed the trek at record speeds in order to arrive at camp first, they set up our tents. All equipment was clean and in great condition.
Physically challenging experience (even if you live an active lifestyle), but the views are phenomenal, and only possible if you complete this trail.
Salkantay Trek
It was an amazing experience that I will cherish forever. The scenery was unreal and breathtaking. My guides Hono and Brando were so caring and helpful making the experience so positive. The food was so good with so many options and the sleeping arrangements were cozy but some nights could get cold so bring layers. Would definitely do again in a heartbeat.
Great experience would highly recommend
I had a great experience trekking with Alpaca Expeditions. Our guide Fernando was good about assessing our group and deciding when we needed rest periods. He was also great about making adjustments to our trek, shortening the miles we hiked one day allowed us time to go to the hot springs. The food was plentiful and fantastic. Our chef and chefs helper were very kind. I am a 60 year old female solo traveler and was a little nervous about the trek. Fernando totally put me at ease with his words of encouragement all throughout the trek. I cannot recommend the Alpaca Expedition team enough. Thanks for a great trip.
Cindy T