Sacred Valley trek · 2 or 4 days

Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu: 4 Days with the Short Inca Trail

By Miguel Angel Gongora Meza, co-founder and former Inca Trail porter · Updated November 2026

The Huchuy Qosqo trek is a moderate route from Patabamba over the Pukamarca pass (about 4,150 m) to Huchuy Qosqo, the Inca royal estate whose name means "Little Cusco", high above the Sacred Valley; our most popular version adds the Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu in 4 days. It is the gentlest way to combine an Andean trek with the Sun Gate.

Huchuy Qosqo sits on a balcony 600 m above the town of Lamay, with terraces, a great hall and storehouses built for the Inca Viracocha. You reach it on foot, on a restored Inca road, and you camp right beside the ruins.

Quick facts

4-day trek, per person

From $990

Short Inca Trail permit, Machu Picchu and Huchuy Qosqo tickets, guide, cook, porters, meals, trains and buses included.

2027 dates are open. Short Inca Trail permits are limited, so book early.

A $300 deposit secures your place; pay the balance by card at least 30 days before, or in cash in Cusco at least 2 days before.

Travel & Hospitality Award Winner 2024

What our guests say

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tanya Peever 
 
5 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
Evolution Treks was amazing. They provided such warm hospitality and guidance as we did our journey. Jacqui and her amazing team of porters and chefs work and function as a family and this shows. Jacqui's love of her job and knowledge added so much context and provided such an incredible perspective on what we were seeing. They are so friendly, welcoming, and full of knowledge that instantly puts you at ease. The care and attention to details translates not only to the tours, but also extends to how the staff are treated. The care is evident and I would recommend Evolution Treks to anyone wanting an intimate adventure that is grounded in care. As a side note, you will not leave this trek hungry, the food was amazing and abundant. 10/10 would recommend and use again.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Garrett Corkery 
 
8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We had an exceptional experience with Evolution Treks! Although there was an initial permitting issue, the team handled it professionally, adjusted the schedule, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.

My wife and I hiked the Inca Trail with our guide, Jacquie, who truly elevated the experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the ruins and genuinely invested in making sure everyone enjoyed the trek.

What stood out most was how Evolution Treks treats its staff and porters. Compared with other companies on the trail, the difference was clear. The extra cost was absolutely worth knowing that the people supporting our journey are treated fairly and valued. The Evolution crew seemed genuinely happy, enthusiastic, and supportive of one another, which was wonderful to see.

Our chef, Nicolas, was also incredible and added to an already fantastic experience. We wholeheartedly recommend Evolution Treks to anyone considering the Inca Trail!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 KATHRYN M 
 
9 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Salkantak at age 70. No problem.
My daughter and I walked the Salkantay trek with one other guest and guide Beli, horseman Roberto, Chef Guillermo, Assistant Dayse and Assistant Chef Roli. Could not have asked for a better crew. They treated us like family, making sure we were up to the task of a 15,000 foot vertical, and helping us decide when the rain might have made it unsafe to hike down. Guillermo works his magic in the kitchen — delicious, multi course meals with fresh vegetables and local Peruvian specialities. Dayse and Roli assisted with food, camp set up, and cleanup. I really appreciated the hot coca tea brought to the tent at day break.My duffle traveled with Roberto and his mule. What a blessing to only have to carry a waist/fanny pack. Can’t rave enough about Beli!!! He was always checking in on how were were doing/feeling. And his knowledge about the culture and history of the area and its people was exceptional. Quite the educator. And now a friend. Hats off to Evolution for hiring an excellent staff.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Cecelia M 
 
9 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Salkantay Trek
Trekking to Machu Picchu has been a dream for my mom and I was more than happy to join her. I was tasked with figuring out the trek and tour company we’d be using. It was overwhelming to find a group that prioritized their staff’s welfare. I’m so grateful that my research led me to Evolution Treks their communication over WhatsApp was fast and responsive. The trek itself was incredible and I’m thankful for the staff who were able to make everything happen. Beli was our guide for 5 days. He expertly managed our group taking into account different hiking speeds, trail conditions, educating us on culture/flora/fauna, and ensuring we made it to Machu Picchu safely. I enjoyed our conversations and it felt within the first day I felt as if I had known Beli for much longer. Guillermo our chef was fantastic! I’m a pescatarian and everyone else in the group was an omnivore. Guillermo was able to not only accommodate my dietary restrictions but also make meals on the road that are nicer than anything I’ve made for myself. I never felt hungry and was amazed how we never ate the same meal twice ever! The food (and drinks) were delicious. The rest of the crew was also incredible. Daysy and Roli ensured our tents were always set up before we got to the campsite. They both were busy as sous chefs in the kitchen and cheerleaders for the trekkers always greeting us with high fives when we made it to camp. Daysy also helped me practice my Spanish and I enjoyed our time together and hope to see her guiding some day soon. Finally, Roberto! If not for Roberto I don’t think mom and I would have made it through the trek. Roberto expertly managed the mules so we only had to worry about bringing our water, extra layers and day snacks for the day. Again, it was an incredible trek and want to say thanks again!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mateusz Krasucki 
 
17 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We decided to do a Short Inca Trail with Evolution Treks due to their reputation for ethical treatment of all the people employed. It was all well organised and our guide made sure we had the best possible chance to experience and appreciate Machu Picchu. The company was also very helpful and informative when the accident on the Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo railway caused our return train to be significantly delayed. Highly recommended!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ethan Martin 
 
19 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+2
My family and I worked closely with Miguel, at Evolution Trek, to customize our entire Peruvian vacation. He was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. Many local guides guided us throughout our vacation. Edson and Barnaby, our guides for the first and second day, were experts on history and the archaeological sites they showed us. Roberto, our guide for the third day, provided us with a more spiritual focused theory on Incan customs, traditions, and architecture. I appreciated that Miguel provided us with different guides, allowing us to learn about their own theories and interpretations of Peruvian History.

Through working with Miguel, we decided to book the five-day four-night luxury Inca Trail Expedition. Luxury was an understatement. Dionses and Daisy, two of our porters, ensured that our tents were clean and cozy each night and we had a personal restroom tent with a portable toilet inside of it! We had amazing food, fantastic guides, and good spirited porters.

Fernando and is his assistant Sergio curated amazing meals. Since all of the food has to be carried, I was nervous about what we would be eating. Fernando provided us with exceptional, filling, and delicious three course meals every day.

Our Inca Trail guide and his assistant, Marco and Edwin, knew the answer to every question we threw at them. Marco was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and Peruvian history. He explained to us the history of the Incas and the cultures that came before them. Both were also great at lifting our spirits during the more intense hiking days. Marco was exceptionally patient and he and Edwin remained in good humor throughout the whole trip.

One very important distinction that separates Evolution Trek from other touring companies is their treatment of their porters and their hiring of women porters. Evolution Trek provides modern ergonomic backpacking equipment for their porters and strictly limits the weight that they carry, even below the government maximums. On the trail, we noticed porters from other companies struggling under the weight of their backpacks. Evolution Trek was the only company, that we saw during our 5 days, that had women porters. Furthermore, Evolution Trek provides their porters tents, something that is not standard in the industry.

Our trip to Peru was amazing and we are thankful that we chose a company leading the charge for better and safer working conditions for porters. I could not recommend Evolution Trek enough.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Jeffrey Raskin 
 
22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Hiking Machu Picchu has long been a bucket list item for me and the experience did not disappoint! We went with the 3 night 4 day experience guided by Evolution. The cost was competitive to higher cost peer companies, but the mission to integrate social change and promote gender diversity resonated with me. Examples of them making a difference includes first to employ female porters, providing structured hiking backpacks for the porters instead of essentially large sacks which shifts weight and destabilizes the porters as they run, sleeping accommodations instead of having porters sleep uncovered on the ground, and providing the option of supportive hiking boots for ankle support instead of not (many non-evolution porters wore sandals!).

The accommodations were great with rented gear that all worked, including poles, sleeping bag, liner, tent, and pad. The food was fresh, delicious and never got us sick! Guillermo the head chef served hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a tea happy hour as well. We ate in a spacious tent with camping chairs.

Our patient guide Marco (celebrating 725 tours) gave us plenty of information around the sites, mostly physically at Machu Picchu, without overwhelming us and allowed us to explore on our own. You should be aware that just cause you hiked forever you do not have a ticket to ALL three circuits so spend as much time as you like in the park before leaving! It’s also worth contextualizing experience. Our experience with Marco differed from what is described online with Sarah. Marco asked us (coerced?) to write a review prior to leaving the restaurant the company has a deal with, and comparing Marco to Sarah reviews reveals some differences. I think probably Marco feeling ill contributed a lot to him not developing rapport and being absent a bunch, but admitting to us he doesn’t always remember the clients names anymore was interesting.

Besides the ancient and spiritually powerful Inca Trail itself, the best part of the experience were the porters. Lead by Rosa, they all were personable and up-beat throughout the experience. They spoke in broken English and we spoke in broken Spanish and together we were able to understand some things about each other.  The team obviously liked each other, and also worked together seamlessly. It was a camaraderie not seen in other porter groups.

Overall I’d give this experience 4 stars. For the very discerning, ultraluxury focused, i’ll contextualize this experience with the psychological experiment feeding monkeys grapes. Both monkey groups are happy to perform tasks and receive grapes, until one monkey receives marshmallows instead. This drives the grape receiving monkey crazy and it refuses to perform further tasks and throws a fit. The correlation here is that this escalating arms war of luxury accommodation between companies has some setting up full mattresses and porting private toilets for guests and their waste. This is done on the backs of porters and exploits the indigenous people who are forced to meet an increasingly divergent experience to what “hiking to Machu Picchu” means to me. That notwithstanding, simple things like a duffle or a T-shirt done for nearly every other company would be nice for the price point and would not tax the porters. Evolution delivered a grit-luxury experience that was 4/5 would recommend and delivered on my dream to hike/immerse myself in the Inca Trail while prioritizing the wellbeing of the porters. I recommend this company for a higher priced gritty experience which I think does so in a sustainable way.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tia Raskin 
 
22 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
Five stars for the porters and chefs, one star for our guide, averaged to three.

There really aren't words to describe how amazing the porters are. They are the heart of the operation, without question. They carry impossible loads at unbelievable speeds, and they genuinely seemed to be a tight-knit group who enjoyed working together, a camaraderie I didn't necessarily see in other groups. The food was outstanding. The chef and assistant chef prepared gourmet meals each evening that would rival many fine restaurants.

I chose Evolution because of how they described their treatment of porters, and I did see that their porters had tents every night, unlike porters from other groups we saw sleeping on cement under whatever overhang they could find. I also chose them because they say they were the first company to hire women porters. We had an incredible woman porter in our group, Rosa. I didn't love that she seemed to be paraded around, to her own discomfort, as proof. Giving women the opportunity is enough. They shouldn't have to perform being a woman for tourists.

I had hoped for more from our guide, Marco, who honestly did the bare minimum. He was clearly sick with a cold, and I'm grateful he powered through, but we spent roughly 40% of the trek without a guide. He would stay behind and tell us he'd catch up, with directions like "if the path forks, always stay right." Outside the ruins, he taught us exactly one thing on the trail, about the white insects used to make red dye. At camp, he went straight to his tent and didn't reappear until dinner. When he was with us, he often walked right behind us to speed us up while repeatedly telling us how patient he was. He would offer us a choice between two options when it was obvious only one was acceptable. Then at Machu Picchu, the pacing flipped: he spent so long on his tour that we had no time left to explore on our own.

He never asked us a single question, not even "where are you from?" Conversation was mostly him monologuing about how bad other companies were. One moment stuck with me. When a porter hurt his ankle, my partner, who is a doctor, offered to help. Marco instead asked him for pills for his own sore throat, and over the four days he went through all of our Advil. I've been on countless tours and have never had a less engaged guide.

One practical warning: our group was supposed to be eight, but a family of five cancelled at the last minute, leaving just three of us. We were asked to cover that family's share of tips, so the company's suggested tip of around 10% of the tour price became roughly a third. The porters and chefs absolutely deserve it, but be aware that cancellations can make this a much more expensive trip. When I did the trail 20 years ago as a broke student, that would have been impossible.

Also worth knowing: I assumed all "classic Inca Trail" trips followed the same daily schedule. They don't. Companies split the distance differently, with some putting the longest day first and others saving it for last. If you have a preference, check the day-by-day route before booking.

Overall, I would consider Evolution again, but only if I could be sure we wouldn't have the same guide. It comes with fewer frills at a higher price, but I felt good knowing our porters were treated better than those with other companies.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Tia R 
 
23 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Five-star porters and chefs, one-star guide
Five stars for the porters and chefs, one star for our guide, averaged to three. There really aren't words to describe how amazing the porters are. They are the heart of the operation, without question. They carry impossible loads at unbelievable speeds, and they genuinely seemed to be a tight-knit group who enjoyed working together, a camaraderie I didn't necessarily see in other groups. The food was outstanding. The chef and assistant chef prepared gourmet meals each evening that would rival many fine restaurants. I chose Evolution because of how they described their treatment of porters, and I did see that their porters had tents every night, unlike porters from other groups we saw sleeping on cement under whatever overhang they could find. I also chose them because they say they were the first company to hire women porters. We had an incredible woman porter in our group, Rosa. I didn't love that she seemed to be paraded around, to her own discomfort, as proof. Giving women the opportunity is enough. They shouldn't have to perform being a woman for tourists. I had hoped for more from our guide, Marco, who honestly did the bare minimum. He was clearly sick with a cold, and I'm grateful he powered through, but we spent roughly 40% of the trek without a guide. He would stay behind and tell us he'd catch up, with directions like "if the path forks, always stay right." Outside the ruins, he taught us exactly one thing on the trail, about the white insects used to make red dye. At camp, he went straight to his tent and didn't reappear until dinner. When he was with us, he often walked right behind us to speed us up while repeatedly telling us how patient he was. He would offer us a choice between two options when it was obvious only one was acceptable. Then at Machu Picchu, the pacing flipped: he spent so long on his tour that we had no time left to explore on our own. He never asked us a single question, not even "where are you from?" Conversation was mostly him monologuing about how bad other companies were. One moment stuck with me. When a porter hurt his ankle, my partner, who is a doctor, offered to help. Marco instead asked him for pills for his own sore throat, and over the four days he went through all of our Advil. I've been on countless tours and have never had a less engaged guide. One practical warning: our group was supposed to be eight, but a family of five cancelled at the last minute, leaving just three of us. We were asked to cover that family's share of tips, so the company's suggested tip of around 10% of the tour price became roughly a third. The porters and chefs absolutely deserve it, but be aware that cancellations can make this a much more expensive trip. When I did the trail 20 years ago as a broke student, that would have been impossible. Also worth knowing: I assumed all "classic Inca Trail" trips followed the same daily schedule. They don't. Companies split the distance differently, with some putting the longest day first and others saving it for last. If you have a preference, check the day-by-day route before booking. Overall, I would consider Evolution again, but only if I could be sure we wouldn't have the same guide. It comes with fewer frills at a higher price, but I felt good knowing our porters were treated better than those with other companies.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Jeffrey R 
 
23 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Grit-Luxury on the Inca Trail: 4 Stars for Evolution Treks and Their Porters
Hiking Machu Picchu has long been a bucket list item for me and the experience did not disappoint! We went with the 3 night 4 day experience guided by Evolution. The cost was competitive to higher cost peer companies, but the mission to integrate social change and promote gender diversity resonated with me. Examples of them making a difference includes first to employ female porters, providing structured hiking backpacks for the porters instead of essentially large sacks which shifts weight and destabilizes the porters as they run, sleeping accommodations instead of having porters sleep uncovered on the ground, and providing the option of supportive hiking boots for ankle support instead of not (many non-evolution porters wore sandals!). The accommodations were great with rented gear that all worked, including poles, sleeping bag, liner, tent, and pad. The food was fresh, delicious and never got us sick! Guillermo the head chef served hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a tea happy hour as well. We ate in a spacious tent with camping chairs. Our patient guide Marco (celebrating 725 tours) gave us plenty of information around the sites, mostly physically at Machu Picchu, without overwhelming us and allowed us to explore on our own. You should be aware that just cause you hiked forever you do not have a ticket to ALL three circuits so spend as much time as you like in the park before leaving! It’s also worth contextualizing experience. Our experience with Marco differed from what is described online with Sarah. Marco asked us (coerced?) to write a review prior to leaving the restaurant the company has a deal with, and comparing Marco to Sarah reviews reveals some differences. I think probably Marco feeling ill contributed a lot to him not developing rapport and being absent a bunch, but admitting to us he doesn’t always remember the clients names anymore was interesting. Besides the ancient and spiritually powerful Inca Trail itself, the best part of the experience were the porters. Lead by Rosa, they all were personable and up-beat throughout the experience. They spoke in broken English and we spoke in broken Spanish and together we were able to understand some things about each other. The team obviously liked each other, and also worked together seamlessly. It was a camaraderie not seen in other porter groups. Overall I’d give this experience 4 stars. For the very discerning, ultraluxury focused, i’ll contextualize this experience with the psychological experiment feeding monkeys grapes. Both monkey groups are happy to perform tasks and receive grapes, until one monkey receives marshmallows instead. This drives the grape receiving monkey crazy and it refuses to perform further tasks and throws a fit. The correlation here is that this escalating arms war of luxury accommodation between companies has some setting up full mattresses and porting private toilets for guests and their waste. This is done on the backs of porters and exploits the indigenous people who are forced to meet an increasingly divergent experience to what “hiking Machu Picchu” means to me. That notwithstanding, simple things like a duffle or a T-shirt done for nearly every other company would be nice for the price point and would not tax the porters. Evolution delivered a grit-luxury experience that was 4/5 would recommend and delivered on my dream to hike/immerse myself in the Inca Trail while prioritizing the wellbeing of the porters. I recommend this company for a higher priced gritty experience which I think does so in a sustainable way.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Miri Kate Gubler 
 
23 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Their porters are incredibly nice and hardworking. It was genuinely lovely seeing them at the end of the day of hiking when we walked into camp and they had everything all ready for us. They are provided with proper gear such as backpacks with lumbar support, more supportive shoes, have weight limits of how much they can carry and are given tent spaces to sleep in at night which you’ll see the other porters from competing companies on the ground under the stars and under tarps to give them barely any protection from the elements, you’ll also see them hiking in less than ideal shoes with their hands along their back to ease the load. So. That’s why we’re here and the mission we’re happy to support. I hope the porters all get the raises they deserve. The food was also incredible so huge shoutout to the chef and assistant chef. We had plenty to eat at every meal.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Andrew Scarani 
 
24 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+3
Evolution Treks Peru provided us with a truly inspiring and incredible experience.

We had a few separate adventures with them during our time in Peru, including day trips as well as a trek through the Salkantay wilderness.

On the Salkantay trek, Mariel did an incredible job orchestrating around timelines, baggage delivery, weather patterns, dietary restrictions, and altitude sicknesses, to ensure the entire group had a wonderful time at every step. Her assistant guide, Maxuel, also helped us along the way, teaching us more about the area, animals and some quechua lingo.

Every meal cooked by chef Rolly was incredible! My memorable meals from Peru were from that trek. And the entire Evolution crew - the horsemen, porter, assistant chef were all so friendly and made such an incredible effort to make our trip special. It was especially nice to see them taken well-care of - good gear, ergonomic packs, and training and supporting careers in the outdoors for women.

Hiram led us on an incredible trek to Machu Picchu via the short Inca trail and then gave us a tour of the site. He is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and patient and provided us with such an amazing tour.

I’d highly recommend Evolution Treks if you’re traveling to Peru! They hire great people and truly care about their staff and sharing Peru with others!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Millie Borren 
 
27 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Excellent team for Inca Trail. Margot, Guelliermo, Rene, Louisa, Victor, Vicente and
Rosmel really went above and beyond for us. Highly recommend Evolution Treks.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Cheyenne Martin 
 
29 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our Inca Trail journey was truly unforgettable thanks to the team at Evaluation. Miguel planned the perfect itinerary.

We acclimatized in the Sacred valley and learned so much from our guides Edson and Barnaby. Stephanie our driver was super kind and accommodating.

Our 4 day hike to Machu Picchu went better than we could have even imagined. Our guides Marco (la leyenda) and Edwin (the future leyenda) were incredible. Marco answered all of our questions with his encyclopedic amount of knowledge. He and Edwin made us laugh and forget we were going up endless stairs. They were both infinitely patient with us which is, in my opinion, the best trait in a guide. The food was so delicious and gourmet that the food in our 5 star hotel paled in comparison. Our chefs were Fernando and his brother Sergio, and I can’t even imagine what they could do with a professional kitchen.

However, The most important members of the team that made it all possible was the porters who worked under Fernando and Sergio. They are the most hardworking and strongest group of people we have ever seen. Even though the porters are the most integral to the tour, they are often the most exploited. Evolution is actively changing the standards for the industry by giving the porters the best equipment, hiring women, and respecting the maximum weight limit that the porters are legally allowed to carry.

These men and women seem superhuman but they still need to have their health and wellbeing protected by their employers. Evolution provided their porters with tents to sleep in and ergonomic backpacks, which we had not seen with other companies.

Our family booked with evolution because of their customer service, organization, and care for their workers. We saw incredible landscapes and got to rest in a camp were we were treated like family. The positive camp environment could only be attributed to the fair treatment of the porters and guides. Thank you to everyone at evolution for making this the best trip of our lives.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Izzy610 
 
59 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing company and trip
We had an amazing experience with evolution trek. From start to finish they were excellent they helped us decide what the best trip would be for us as a family and were really knowledgeable. They booked all the tickets and accommodation and transportation. Andmade sure that we had everything that we needed.. we did the two day Machu Picchu hike which was the highlight of our trip. We chose the private group tour as we were a family of four and Veronica was our guide.. she was absolutely amazing. She is hugely knowledgeable kind and caring and made sure that even the slowest in the group didn’t feel rushed.. I can’t recommend this company highly enough. They also pride themselves on ethical practices which is important because not all of the companies there do.they treat their people Well and is a reflection of their professionalism. if you’re in doubt about who to go with, don’t hesitate to book. A great company with great People and wonderful memory that will last a lifetime .
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Rio D 
 
95 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
An incredible experience thanks to our team!
We had an amazing experience with Evolution Treks. Our guide Sara Herrera was friendly, professional, and always checked in on us and kept us informed. She had so much information and was super engaging. She always had an answer to our questions. We enjoyed getting to know her over the four days and many meals together. The cook, Nicolas, was amazing. Phenomenal! Everything was delicious and nutritious and kept us energized for the trek. Our first night was my partner’s birthday but we didn’t mention it to anybody ahead of time. We had brought drinks to do a little toast at the campsite and Sara overheard. She told Nicolas and he had a beautiful iced cake ready in a couple hours to sing to him after dinner! It was touching and very impressive! We’re very appreciative of them for making his birthday a little extra special. The porters, Dora, Luisa, Deunicia, Guillermo, Fernando, Abram, Augusto, Pio, Nazario, Juan, Elias, Elvio, Ignacio, and Juan de Dios, all did an amazing job not only carrying the equipment but setting up the lunch and campsites, serving the food, waking us up in the morning, and welcoming us warmly when we arrived. They make it the incredible experience that it is. I know especially because my partner and I were the only ones who didn’t hire an extra porter and I kinda wish we had because the climb was so difficult! It’s incredible what they do and they deserve a lot of recognition. We went with Evolution Treks because they promised to be the most ethical company and I sincerely hope that the porters, guides, and cooks are being paid fairly for creating the experience for us and the hard work that they do over four days. The bar seems to be very low with the protections for porters on the Inca Trail and I was pretty shocked at what I saw. I hope Evolution Trek is going beyond just hiring women and providing high quality backpacks to really repay the value that the porters bring to the company. I can’t say enough what an incredible experience we had thanks to our team and I hope they get to partake in the beautiful meals that they provide and that the company provides the same no-stress transportation to get to the trail and home afterward for them as they did for us.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Jacey C 
 
98 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing tour with ethical practices
We had the most amazing trip doing the 4 day/3 night Inca Trail with Evolution Treks! They accommodated our 14 person group excellently and made sure that everyone felt supported the entire time. From the porters— who help carry all of the camping equipment, bring fresh tea or coffee to your tent in the morning, and do all of the setup and tear down each day—, to the chef Fernando and assistant chef Frank—who made the most delicious multi-course meals that included fresh vegetables and meats and every day surprised us with what they could whip up on the trail, including an entire cake!—, to the guides Marco and Margot—who kept us laughing even on the steepest stairs and had so much historical and cultural knowledge to share with us—this was truly the best team to guide us along this famous trail. One of the most important reasons we picked Evolution Treks was because of their commitment to ethical working conditions for the porters, including empowering women to be porters, and we could see this on the trail. I loved getting to meet two young women, Griselda and Wendy, who were completing their first trek as porters and to see that with the good gear and responsible weight limits that Evolution Treks enforces they were enjoying themselves as much as the seasoned porters. You truly won’t regret spending a bit more money on this trek (compared to other companies) in order to be a part of Evolution Trek’s movement to empower women and improve working conditions for all porters.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 KWandtheworld 
 
110 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Great experience on 4-day trek!
Many thanks to Evolution Treks for a fantastic Inka trail adventure. We went as a couple and wanted to make sure we went with an ethical company who treated their workers fairly. We were super pleased with our how our guide, Jacqueline, tailored our 4-day Machu Picchu trek to what we were looking for. Super knowledgeable and a great leader. We also had a female porter, Daisy, on our team! We will miss Abram, Fernando, Vicente, Juan, Guillermo and Felix. Gracias for such a once in a lifetime experience. We highly recommend. The only thing I’d recommend would be to clarify expectations on tipping. They recommend higher than average which is good but also have to balance with what you can also afford.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Alison B 
 
122 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Epic Experience with an amazing company
Our guide Sara, was a gem. She was knowledgeable, funny, responsible, and kind. We immensely enjoyed our time with her. She got us all to Machu Picchu despite an injury. We ate better on the trail then we did in Cuzco - seriously the food was better than highly rated restaurants The porters were all lively and extremely helpful anticipating our needs before we even had a chance to ask Evolution Treks treats their employees well and you can see it in the way they interact with one another and the fact that they are carrying feasibly sized packs while other tour companies appear to exploit their people. could fit in some of the packs other companies porters were carrying and that’s just not cool. I felt good about supporting Evolution Treks Peru and would recommend 10/10 to anyone wanting to do the Inca trail in Peru!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor  
 
  
 
 
 Allie T 
 
124 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing Experience!
The four-day, three-night Machu Picchu trek with Evolution Treks exceeded every expectation my husband and I had. This had been my bucket-list trip for more than 20 years, and somehow it was even more incredible than I imagined. One of the biggest reasons for that was our guide, Veronica Clemente. She was absolutely exceptional—warm, funny, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history, culture, and beauty of the Inca Trail. She created such a positive, supportive atmosphere for our group of four and made everyone feel welcome and encouraged. Her insights added so much meaning to the experience, and her enthusiasm was contagious. The trek itself was nothing short of magical. Every day brought breathtaking scenery, unforgettable moments, and a deep appreciation for the incredible landscape and history of Peru. Reaching Machu Picchu after days on the trail was overwhelming in the best possible way. It's a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life. One of the main reasons I chose Evolution Treks was their reputation for treating their porters ethically and with respect. Throughout the trek, it was clear that the porters were valued members of the team. They were treated with kindness and dignity, which made me feel even better about choosing this company. I can't recommend Evolution Treks highly enough. If you're considering hiking to Machu Picchu, this is the company to go with, and if you're lucky enough to have Veronica as your guide, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Thank you to Veronica and the entire Evolution Treks team for making my dream trip everything I hoped it would be and more.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 王月 
 
134 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. 
+0
Had a lovely experience. The food was good and the staff are very kind
Had a lovely experience. The food was good and the staff are very kind
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Trustindex  
 
  
 
 
 Bengüsu Karacayir 
 
427 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Trustindex. 
+4
Short Inca Trail with Isabel
I did the short inca trail with Isabel and it was amazing! The trail itself was a bit challenging but isabel motivated me all the way :) Everything was super organized, had my briefing the day before and then I got picked up from my accomodation at 3am, every ride was smooth, isabel guided me through everything. We did the circuit 1 on the first day. My hotel in aguas calientes was central and clean, it was really nice to have a hot shower after the long day. We did circuit 3 on the second day, which had amazing views, we saw lower terraces and lots of houses, temples etc. Isabel explained everything to me very well before and during the visit. All in all it was amazing, a trip to remember
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Anonymous 
 
464 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Guillermo and his team were incredible from morning to evening, working tirelessly to provide for us. We had delicious meals prepared for us throughout the hike. The backpacks were clearly thoughtfully purchased for such long journeys with heavy loads. If it rained, they ran around and zipped our tents shut, in the morning, they came around with tea and coffee at wake-up time. I felt so well taken care of the entire time and was so thankful and impressed with this team. They made the trek so enjoyable! Gracias Evolution and Team Guillermo.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Gert Brichau 
 
464 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
We had a very nice trek for 4 days with Guillermo to Macchu Picchu.  What an amazing experience it was. Not only are the views breathtaking but we also got Michelin star level food each day. With the team of 14 porters and the guide Marco we were in very capable hands. It was also very clear to us that Evolution Trek is the only company that takes diversity and care for its employees serious: they were the only ones with women porters and their backpacking material was clearly superior to the other companies we witnessed on the track. Anyways, make sure to have a good condition before starting this trek as it is a difficult but rewarding one.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Emily 
 
503 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
This company cares about its porters and other staff by providing them with proper backpacks and other equipment.  They also employ women as porters; we were so lucky to have Yolanda, Pilar, and Saturnina helping on our trek.  The staff are always provided accomodation for sleeping. We saw many other companies with porters carrying overfilled backpacks of poor quality and design, often broken and missing chest or waist straps.  The companies that offer "luxury" in the mountains are doing so on the literal backs of human beings. Choosing Evolution means you are contributing to a positive change in tourism in Peru, and they also offer a fantastic experience on the Inca Trail. The food prepared by Chef Nicholas was incredible, I am gluten free and he never failed to accommodate my needs.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Lieselotte 
 
503 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
We thoroughly enjoyed our trek on the Inca Trail with Evolution Treks Peru! While we might have paid a bit more, we noticed that our porters were treated better than those of other companies. They have professional backpacks, have to carry less weight and the team also includes women. Moreover, all the food that Nicholas and his team prepared was absolutely incredible every single day. They provided me (a vegetarian) with separate dishes, which were never lazy substitutions. Don't expect to lose weight! Lastly, our tour guide Marco was knowledgeable and let us set our own pace. Evolution Treks Peru comes highly recommended!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Cami & Jonathan 
 
763 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
+7
I can't express enough gratitude towards our guide, Jayder, Miguel and everyone  that facilitated our trek on the Inca Trail. Jayder is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable and impressive guide I’ve ever encountered. He provided both my partner and me with an unforgettable experience, teaching us about the historical significance of the Inca Trail as we hiked. By the time we reached Machu Picchu, we felt well-versed in the history and culture of the people who lived there. At times, it truly felt like we had been transported 500 years into the past!

As fit individuals seeking a challenge, we finished the trail in just over 20 hours of hiking. As fit as we are, we were no match for our porters who carried double our pack weight and breezed by us everyday to set up and cook for us, and break down.

One of the key reasons we chose Evolution Treks Peru was their commitment to treating their porters fairly. While we saw some porters carrying up to 33 kilos (about 72 lbs), ours were limited to 15 kilos. The opportunity to work as a porter can be life-changing for locals, and we appreciated the company's ethical approach. As we got to know our porters and chefs, they became more like family than just workers.

The food exceeded our expectations. On the first day for lunch, we enjoyed trout, stuffed avocados, rice pilaf, and soup. There was a different soup for nearly every meal, and my favorite was the cream of asparagus, though all were delicious. Each day brought a new and amazing menu.

My girlfriend and I wanted a personalized challenge, so Miguel and Jayder arranged a customized experience for us. We booked a private enhanced tour to avoid waiting for slower groups, which worked perfectly. Our booking included their comfort package, which provided us with our own tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and pillows—top-of-the-line items that ensured a comfortable stay. With six of us total—our guide and three porters, one of whom was a chef dressed in a coat and hat—the experience was truly memorable. YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER COMPANY TO HIKE WITH!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Mala Malita 
 
1204 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
It was a trip of a lifetime. Evolution went above and beyond to give us an unforgettable experience.
Greetings.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Mike From Harrisburg, PA 
 
1410 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
It was a trip of a lifetime. And so much of it was due to the terrific planning and hard work of the Evolution Trek team.  This was in all aspects of the trip - prompt and thoughtful responses to emails, showing up five minutes early for every meeting, perfect recommendations for restaurants and hotels, taxis ready for transport, etc. We really had no problems at all. We went on the Choquequirao Trek / Manchu Picchu.  It was incredible. Grueling at times, but so worth it. Nothing like having an entire Incan ruin to yourself. Literally, it was just my buddy, our guide and me. Our guide, Flavio, was simply perfect.  He blended the right amount of hiking wisdom, with history, botany, and bird knowledge to keep us entertained, but not overwhelmed.  The support team of Fernando, Victor, Nicholas were great - starting with the coffee before sunrise, to the enormous/ delicious meals, all the while hustling through the same trails as us carrying supplies and tending the team of horses. I highly recommend Evolution Trek.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Eric 
 
1411 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
From start to finish, the experience was amazing. My friend and I (both in our early 50s) did the trail to Choquequirao Trek (which included Machu Picchu). The communication of details and logistics were quick, top notch, and they provided exactly what they said they would. This was my first time taking an organized trip like this (I normally handle all of the logistics and planning myself) and they took care of EVERY detail. If you are fortunate enough to get Flavio as your tour guide, you are in for a treat. He is a wealth of information about the trail, site history, local birds, and photography. I am a much better photographer now because of him. He motivated me to keep going when the trail became difficult. Such a positive personality! The rest of the team (Nicholas, Fernando, and Victor) were professional and efficient and I am amazed at their resiliency on the trail. The food they cooked on the trail was amazing...I think I gained weight! I chose them because they are committed to the empowerment of local women and treating their porters ethically. I saw that in action during the trip. I can't recommend Evolution Treks highly enough!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 Amala 
 
2131 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
Book tour tour witt the folk. Hey Will show you the real Peru.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Reviews.io  
 
  
 
 
 PazG 
 
2132 days ago
 
 
 Verified 
100%peruvian and sustainable
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Approximate profile. Day 2 ends with a drive from Lamay to Ollantaytambo; day 3 starts by train at KM 104.

Classic Inca Trail sold out? This is our answer

Classic Inca Trail permits sell out months ahead. Huchuy Qosqo is our easiest answer: a night camped by Inca ruins above the Sacred Valley, then the Short Inca Trail into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

How do we keep you safe?

Every trek carries oxygen, a pulse oximeter, a Garmin satellite device and two-way radios, and we check you for altitude sickness every day.

First aid kit
Emergency oxygen bottle
Pulse oximeter checks morning and evening
Garmin satellite device and two-way radios
Vehicle support at Patabamba and Lamay

How sustainable is this trek?

Fair pay comes first, and we run single-use-plastic-free treks with sorted waste.

Equal pay for women and men
Local families in Patabamba and Lamay
Single-use plastic free
Waste separated into organic and inorganic and carried out