Use this page to find out how to care for your porters wherever you are in Peru

We have different guidelines according to where you are trekking and how you make your booking. Please select those most appropriate.

Environmental Guidelines for trekkers

Click here for printable pdf version

Trekking the Inca Trail?
Leave only your footprints behind you!

130,000 people walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2004 – a 14-fold increase in the last 10 years. This heavy foot traffic on the Inca Trail, and also on other trekking routes, is taking its toll on the environment in the following ways:

• Pollution from detergents used for washing dishes and cooking utensils which contain oils and grease from cooking. These get washed into streams and rivers by rain. The local people downstream use this water untreated so it needs to be clean. The pollutants also harm, or even kill, aquatic plants, animals and fish.
  

• Rubbish includes food remains, packaging, toilet tissue and cigarette ends. Some rubbish is toxic and some rots but can take a long time. For example, it can take six months for orange peel to rot. As waste decomposes, it releases chemicals and these find their way into streams and rivers causing pollution. Some rubbish, like plastic, does not decompose and is unsightly and can harm domestic or wild animals if they eat it.
  

• Erosion of the footpaths, campsite areas and Inca remains at Machu Picchu and other sites.

Regulations are in place to minimise these impacts and, as a visitor to the Inca Trail (and other trails), you can help too by taking a few simple steps:

When You Book

Ask your tour company what it does to minimise environmental impacts: what do they do with the rubbish? What products do they use for cleaning dishes? Do they tidy the campsites before everybody leaves? What training do they provide for their staff on environmental practices?

What to Take

• Plastic bags for rubbish.

• Refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.

• Biodegradable soap made from natural, local products

On the Trail

Rubbish

• Collect rubbish in plastic bags and bring it back down with you. 

• Make sure your tour guide, cook and porters take all the rubbish back down with them for disposal in proper areas.   

• Don’t buy disposable water bottles. Use refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.

• Only smoke in designated areas.

Toilets

• Always use the fixed toilets or portable toilets.

•  Don’t put toilet paper down the toilet.

• If you really have to defecate, and there is no nearby toilet, walk as far away from any streams as possible, dig a hole 6-8 inches/ 12-18 cm deep and 4-6 inches/ 10-12cm in diameter. Bury and cover with leaves or grass so that it is as inconspicuous as possible. Bury toilet paper properly or take it with you in plastic bags – do not leave it fluttering around. (By doing it this way, what you leave behind will decompose in the soil, instead of getting washed away by rain into streams.) 

• Wrap tampons and sanitary towels in plastic bags and take them with you. Don’t bury them (they decompose too slowly). 

• Urine is sterile so causes less environmental impact but excessive amounts can damage plants. Think before you pee!

Washing

• Use biodegradable soap to prevent water pollution.

• Plates without any grease on them don’t need cleaning with detergents; just use water.

Erosion

• Keep to footpaths and designated areas – don’t encroach on other areas. 

• Don’t touch any Inca remains or climb or sit on them. (Oils and sweat on your hands can cause damage.)

Wildlife

• Leave wildlife alone. Take a photographic “souvenir” instead.

• Don’t make loud noises, like shouting and playing loud music.

• Don’t light fires or burn any rubbish. 

• Don’t cut down plants and trees.

• Don’t trample on plants and flowers.

• Don’t feed wildlife or leave scraps of food for them. (It encourages them to rely on human contact.)

Leave no trace!

These guidelines apply equally to other trekking routes in the Andes.
Leave all trails as you find them ….. or better …. for those after you to enjoy and to avoid a detrimental effect on the Inca remains and the lives and health of the local people.

Recycle

South American Explorers has a recycling centre in Cusco where you can recycle plastic bottles, tins, glass, etc. 
Bell 4, 188 Choquechaca, Cusco.
Tel: (084) 245484
Email: cuscoclub@saexplorers.org
Website: www.saexplorers.org

Questions to ask your agency when booking the Classic Inka Trail from your home country

Please note that special regulations apply to this trail as it is part of the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

• Does the company follow the International Porter Protection Group's five guidelines on porter safety? These are:
  

  • Adequate clothing for protection from bad weather and high altitude should be provided

  • Porters should have access to shelter (room, tent or lodge, sleeping bags and mats) and cooking equipment

  • Porters should have the same access to medical care as tourists

  • Adequate procedures should be in place for medical evacuation of porters

  • Porters should carry no more than 25kg according to Peruvian law
    

• What is the company's policy on equipment and health care for porters?
  

• What does the company do to ensure its staff are properly trained to look after porters' welfare?
  

• Does the company ask about treatment of porters in its post-trek questionnaire?
  

• A question to ask tour operators that hire other agencies to run their Inka Trails (NB: this includes most international tour operators).
  What is the company's policy on training and monitoring porter care by its ground operator in Peru?

BACK TO TOP

Porter welfare while on the Inka Trail 

Click here for printable pdf version

Hire a porter

Day two is really hard especially if you are not acclimatised to the altitude. As the guides say, you can either treat day two as an endurance test or enjoy it: it's up to you. 

Do not give your pack to a porter who already has a full load. If they carry more than 25kg, not only is it bad for their health, but they and the agency will get a substantial fine.  If the agency gets fined, the porter generally does not get paid.

Ask your agency how much the porters are paid

The Porters' Law states 120 to 135 soles for the four days but, in 2005, agencies have collectively negotiated 100 soles.  However, it is often the case that porters are paid as little as 60 soles.  If your trip costs less than $275, you can be fairly sure that the porters will be not be well cared for. 

Let your agent know porters' welfare is of concern to you

Drum the message home: porters need sleeping mats, tents with integral floors, adequate light and enough appropriate food (not just what is left over when tourists have finished).

Spend time with your porter

They can tell you amazing stories. Guides often tell you that porters don't want to talk to the tourists, which may be true if you go barging in when they are eating together or sleeping.  But along the trail, offer them coca leaves and learn a few words of Quechua!

Tip your porter

Most groups collect at dinner on the last night of the trail and then give it to the porters. Remember to take adequate small change in order to tip porters individually.  Please let your group know that 30 soles per porter is a minimum and it's best to deal separately with porters that carry individuals' bags. It is best to tip porters directly rather than giving the money to the guide or cook.  Some tourists feel that this "ceremony" is degrading for the porters but they feel that it shows appreciation of their work.

Make sure that the guide takes care of sick porters

It is required by law to share the first aid kit with everybody in the group, not just the tourists.

Report all instances of neglect or abuse to the International Porter Protection Group.

BACK TO TOP

Guidelines for independent trekking in the rest of Peru

Click here for printable pdf version

If you are trekking independently and hiring guides, animal drivers (arrieros) or porters (porteadores) directly, you need to take responsibility for the welfare of the porter.

Go trekking and hire a porter

Employing a porter is a good way for a trekker to contribute to Peru's rural economy in a positive way. Check with the local Guides' Association which has names of guides registered to work in the area and the going rate for their services.

Don't over-negotiate

An acceptable wage in 2005 is around $10 a day. An arriero or animal driver will also charge around 20 soles a day for his animal. Porters acting as guides who speak some English should get about $20 per day. 

Make sure your porter is properly equipped

Bring extra waterproofs from home or visit the Inka Porter Project offices to borrow equipment such as tents, sleeping bags and mats. If your porter is carrying a western-style backpack, please make sure he does up the waistband properly.

Select strong and experienced porters for high, remote treks

You will also need to provide sufficient food, equipment and shelter.

Offer porters coca leaves and tea 

It's a nice gesture on long or difficult days. Many trekkers treat the arrieros as an extension of their group, with everyone taking turns to cook and wash up.

Spend time with your porter

There is much to be learned from these inspiring people and spending time in direct contact with them can enhance your experience on the trail.

Tip your porter

A recommended tip is one day's wage for each week worked, normally paid at the end of the trek.

Take care of sick porters

You are responsible for first aid. Make sure that sick porters are not sent back alone but with someone who speaks their language or understands the problem.

And finally try picking up a load yourself!