Peru Hikers is a 100% locally owned and operated tour company based in Cusco, Peru, with deep roots in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We specialize in authentic, thoughtfully designed adventures to Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca Trail, the Sacred Valley, and beyond. Led by experienced local guides, our journeys combine personalized service, genuine Andean hospitality, and a deep understanding of the land we call home.
Our Quechua heritage is at the heart of who we are. Inspired by the wisdom of our ancestors and our love for Pachamama (Mother Earth), we are passionate about preserving our living traditions, respecting nature, and sharing the extraordinary cultural heritage of the Andes.
We believe travel should be more than discovering breathtaking landscapes. It should bring people together, create meaningful cultural connections, and leave travelers with memories and stories that stay with them long after their journey ends.
We don’t just show you Peru. We welcome you into our world, share our traditions, and invite you to experience the Andes through the eyes of those who call them home.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
FROM INCA TRAIL PORTER TO FOUNDER OF PERU HIKERS
A Journey Rooted in the Andes
Born and raised in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas, Daniel grew up surrounded by majestic mountains, ancient traditions, and the living heritage of the Quechua people. From an early age, he developed a deep respect for Pachamama (Mother Earth) and a strong connection to the land he proudly calls home. His journey in tourism began in 2005, not as a business owner, but as a porter on the legendary Inca Trail. Carrying supplies through challenging mountain terrain, he experienced firsthand the dedication, resilience, and teamwork behind every successful expedition. Those years taught him something invaluable: the true spirit of the Inca Trail lives not only in its breathtaking landscapes, but also in the people who make each journey possible. Driven by curiosity, determination, and a passion for sharing his culture, Daniel became a professional tour guide. Over the years, he guided travelers through Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the ancient trails of the Andes, sharing stories, traditions, and knowledge passed down through generations. After more than 16 years of experience in Andean tourism, he founded Peru Hikers with a vision that went beyond organizing tours: to create meaningful journeys while honoring Quechua heritage, respecting Pachamama, and creating opportunities for local people.Today, his journey from porter to guide and founder continues to shape the heart of Peru Hikers. He believes every guide, porter, chef, driver, and team member deserves respect, recognition, and the opportunity to grow. Because for Daniel, Peru Hikers is more than a travel company. It is a way to share his homeland with the world while giving back to the people and communities who make it extraordinary.
LOCAL EXPERTISE. PERSONAL SERVICE. AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES.
Why travel with us
Your journey through Peru deserves more than an ordinary tour. It deserves passionate local experts who know the land, cherish its traditions, and genuinely care about every detail of your experience.
Born in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru Hikers combines deep Andean roots, firsthand experience, and personalized service to create authentic, thoughtfully crafted journeys that connect you with the people, culture, and extraordinary landscapes of Peru.
With Peru Hikers, you receive:
- A founder-led and 100% locally owned Cusco tour company
- More than 16 years of firsthand tourism and trekking experience
- Professional local guides with deep knowledge of Andean history and culture
- Small-group and private travel options
- Carefully planned trekking, transportation and accommodation logistics
- Direct assistance from our Cusco-based travel specialists
- Personalized attention before, during and after your journey
- Responsible experiences that support local families and communities
- A genuine connection to the people, culture and landscapes of Peru
The people who bring every journey to life.
Our local team
Peru Hikers is supported by a dedicated local team of professional guides, chefs, drivers, porters and travel specialists. Each person contributes essential knowledge, experience and care to the journeys we operate. Our guides share the history, culture and living traditions of the Andes. Our chefs prepare nourishing meals in demanding mountain environments. Our drivers provide reliable transportation across the region, while our travel specialists coordinate the many details required for a seamless experience. Together, we work as one team with a shared commitment to safety, hospitality and professional service. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it is present in every well-prepared meal, every comfortable transfer, every carefully organized campsite and every unforgettable moment along the journey.
The backbone of every Inca Trail expedition.
Elite Inca Warriors
Our porters—proudly known as the elite Inca warriors—are the backbone of the Inca Trail. Every successful expedition depends on their strength, endurance, teamwork and extraordinary knowledge of the mountains.
They carry the essential equipment that makes the journey possible, including tents, food, cooking equipment and camping supplies. They move across steep mountain passes, changing weather and challenging terrain to ensure that camps are ready, meals can be prepared, and travelers receive the support they need throughout the trek.
However, their role extends far beyond carrying equipment. Our porters understand the rhythm of the trail, the mountain environment and the responsibilities required to keep an expedition moving safely and efficiently. Many come from Quechua-speaking Andean communities where knowledge of the land, agriculture and mountain traditions has been passed from one generation to the next.
They are not invisible workers behind the journey. They are skilled professionals, cultural representatives, fathers, brothers, farmers and respected members of their communities. Their dedication, resilience and spirit are central to every Inca Trail experience.
At Peru Hikers, we believe that porters must be treated with dignity and recognized as equal members of the expedition team. We are committed to respectful treatment, fair working conditions, appropriate equipment, regulated carrying limits, nutritious meals and genuine recognition for their essential contribution.
We also encourage meaningful and respectful interaction between travelers, guides, chefs and porters. Sharing names, stories and moments along the trail helps create a more inclusive expedition where everyone feels valued.
Without the elite Inca warriors, the Inca Trail experience as travelers know it would not be possible. They carry much more than equipment—they carry the strength of the expedition, the knowledge of the Andes, and the proud legacy of their communities.
Elite Inca Warriors — carrying dreams to Machu Picchu.
Our Core Values
The heart of every journey we create
Travel with the real Peru.
We share Peru from a local perspective, honoring Andean traditions, Quechua culture, and the communities that make each journey meaningful.
Travel with the real Peru.
Our trips are more than sightseeing. We create genuine connections between travelers, local communities, guides, and the landscapes of the Andes.
Journeys that change you.
We believe travel should leave you with more than photographs. Every adventure should inspire personal growth, unforgettable memories, and a deeper appreciation for Pachamama.
In short:
We create authentic journeys that connect people with Peru and leave a positive impact on
travelers, communities, and nature.
In short:
To inspire a new way of traveling Peru—deeper, more authentically, and with a
lasting positive impact.
Contact our local team
Speak directly with our Cusco-based travel specialists and receive personalized
assistance when selecting your itinerary, travel dates, and preferred experience.
Whether you are planning an Inca Trail expedition, a scenic train journey to Machu Picchu or a personalized tour through the Andes, our team will help you prepare with clarity and confidence.
