Porters’ rights on the Inca Trail
In 2017, Olly was making a short film about Jarlath McHale, the first non-Peruvian to complete the Inca Trail as a porter. Towards the end of filming, he was shocked to find out that despite their years of work lugging tents and equipment up and down this iconic route, none of the porters in their group had ever actually been beyond the entrance to Machu Picchu, because of the cost to go inside. A few phone calls later, and the porters were joining paying guests inside the citadel, exploring their heritage and learning about the significance of Machu Picchu for the first time, with a guided tour in the Quechuan dialect.
Our Inca Trail trek Holidays
Hiking the Inca Trail holiday
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
High Inca Trail trek in Peru
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
Peru walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
Peruvian Andes trekking holiday to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
Inca Trail trekking holiday, alternative route
Discover the beauty of the Inca Trail in a different way
Ancascocha 5 day trek in Peru
Off the beaten trek to Machu Picchu
Peru adventure holiday, Sacred Land of the Incas
Discover a land of contrasts
Highlights of Peru holidays
Discover the real Peru. Includes Inca Trail Trek
Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest holiday
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & rainforest
Inca trail holiday, Peru
Retrace the steps of a fascinating civilisation
Family adventure holiday in Peru, Inca & Amazon
Pretty Sherpa villages and spectacular mountains
Inca Trail extension holiday
Conquer ancient pathways on the historic Inca trail hike.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trekking holiday, Peru
Choquequirao - trek to a lost Inca City, Peru
Luxury Inca Trail trek, Peru
Spectacular trek on the Inca Trail through the high Andes
Southern Peru tailor made holiday, Alternative Inca Trail trek
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without camping
Galapagos and Machu Picchu holiday
Cusco, Short Inca Trail & Galapagos Island Hopping
Inca trail trekking holiday
Andean adventure small group holiday
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
An adventure of a life time hiking to Machu Picchu, Peru.
Peru in depth and the Inca Trail holiday
Peru's stunning highlights with trekking the Inca Trail
Hiking the Inca Trail in Peru
Fully supported Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu
Peru 8 day trekking holiday, ultimate Machu Picchu
Trek into the Andes to reach Machu Picchu
Learn Spanish in Peru & trek the Inca trail
Inca trek & relaxed, professional Spanish lessons
Peru & Inca Trail small group holiday
Get an in depth insight into the lost land of the Incas
Tailormade holiday in Peru, Inca Trail & Amazon
Walk the Inca Trail with private guide, without the crowds
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek
Bucket List Adventure Trekking to Machu Picchu
18-29's Inca Trail hiking trip, Peru
Get straight down to business and up the Inca Trail.
Inca Trail discovery holiday in Peru
Ascend the classic Inca Trail
Lake Titicaca & Peru highlights holiday
Explore the attractions of south Peru with Inca Trail trek.
Peru small group holiday, Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca
Exciting journey into enchanting Peru from Amazon to Andes
Responsible trekking
In comparison with many workers in the global tourism industry, Inca Trail porters have it pretty good, but that doesn’t mean their situation is not open to exploitation. Sarah Migniac, General Manager Latin America for our partners G Adventures, explains how they help lead the way when it comes to respecting porters’ rights. “We meet regularly with other responsible operators to keep an eye on standards such as pay. There are some companies out there that look to reduce costs by making their porters pay for things such as lost jackets or even damaged tents that might just be a result of normal wear and tear, so they end up making less than the legal minimum. Our porters always earn 20-30 percent above the minimum, and their gear is supplied and replaced when necessary free of charge.”“There are checkpoints to weigh bags along the way, and check permits,” adds Olly. “The rules are very strict, so the head porter will carefully weigh each bag every morning before the group sets off to ensure no-one is carrying more than they should be.” Porters are supposed to carry no more than 20-25kg, so there’s little space for luxuries. Besides tents, inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags, they will be lugging up separate tents for cooking and dining, plus all the food, plates and cooking equipment needed for four days on the trail – hot two-course meals are standard for lunch and dinner. In addition, because there is no infrastructure along the Inca Trail, and protecting the environment is a high priority, one porter is in charge of carrying the chemical toilet, which gets heavier day-by-day. “All of our groups tip the porters at the end, and they divide it by seniority,” says Olly. “The guy in charge of carrying the toilet gets more as well, which is only fair!”
Our top Inca Trail trek Holiday
Peru walking and cultural holiday
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
This trip can be organised at any time (except February when the Inca Trail is closed) with a minimum of two people. Note: itinerary can be adapted to suit your requirements.