7 Questions to Ask a Machu Picchu Trekking Agency
The best questions to ask a Machu Picchu trekking agency are the ones that turn two different quotes into two comparable ones. Seven cover most of what can go wrong: permits, the Machu Picchu circuit, group size, emergency support, porters, bad weather and accommodation.
Send the same list to every operator, and keep the answers in writing. If two operators answer the same question differently, ask each one to explain the difference before you decide.
Before you ask: the basics
Choosing an operator deserves as much attention as selecting your route. Compare permits and emergency procedures before paying any deposit, and never compare operators by headline price alone. Also make sure to check group size and exactly what the price includes.
One check needs no email. Supreme Decree 005-2020-MINCETUR created a national directory of qualified tourism providers, and only registered agencies may use the name Agencia de Viajes y Turismo and the ministry’s badge.
Seven questions to ask a Machu Picchu trekking agency
This guide to Machu Picchu tour companies lists the same checks, and the list below turns them into questions you can paste into an email.
1. Which permits and Machu Picchu tickets does the price include?
Both Classic and Short Inca Trail tours are restricted and need a permit, and Peru limits Inca Trail access to 500 people daily, guides and support workers included. Ask exactly what is covered and who buys what, and whether the operator is authorized to run the route. Reservations well in advance are advisable during peak travel time, so ask which dates are still open.
2. Which Machu Picchu circuit comes with my package?
Your ticket comes with a specific visitor circuit, and since June 2024 the citadel has three circuits that group ten routes. Check it before you buy train tickets, and do not assume every ticket gives the same route. For 2026, the Ministry of Culture set a daily capacity of 5,600 on selected high-season dates and 4,500 on the other days, which is why the ticket and the trek need to be planned together.
3. How many hikers are in each group?
Ask for the maximum number of hikers. A smaller group is not automatically better, but you should know the number before you pay. Among the operators the guide lists, SAM Travel Peru’s published group programs commonly use smaller trekking groups, which gives you something concrete to compare against. Ask what the group size will be on your specific date.
4. What emergency oxygen and first-aid support do you carry?
Request details, because altitude adds difficulty quickly on every route. The Classic Inca Trail reaches Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, and Salkantay crosses a pass above 4,600 meters. Spend several days around Cusco before you start, and ask what the plan is if someone feels unwell.
5. What are the porter and horse weight rules?
Confirm them before packing luggage. Also ask about the company’s published employment policies for porters, since some operators describe theirs openly. Alpaca Expeditions publishes information about licenses and porter programs, and Evolution Treks Peru promotes women porter employment and responsible worker policies.
6. What is the policy for cancellations because of bad weather?
Get it in writing. The dry season, from April through October, is the more favorable period for the Inca Trail, but the route also closes throughout February, so ask what happens to a booking near those dates. June through August can also bring colder nights at altitude, so bring multiple layers of clothing.
7. Which hotel and train categories are included?
Verify them before paying your deposit. The categories are part of what you are buying, and the quote should name them. Ask too whether all entrance tickets are covered.
What to do with the answers
Put the replies side by side. The guide mentioned above lists five operators: Guru Explorers, Alpaca Expeditions, Llama Path, Evolution Treks Peru and SAM Travel Peru. It says Guru Explorers operates from Cusco, works with local guides and states that it holds an operating certificate, and that it offers shared and private treks.
Whichever you pick, ask exactly which permits and Machu Picchu tickets your package includes. A little research before booking can prevent major problems later, and a company that answers all seven questions clearly is easier to compare against the next one on your list.