Porters - The Super Heroes of Inca Trail

Inca Trail porters are essential to the success of any trek. They carry loads that can weigh up to 50 pounds, often over steep terrain at high altitudes. They also set up campsites, cook meals, and provide support to the trekkers. The porters make everyone’s Inca Trail experience as pleasant as possible. Without the porters, it would be impossible to complete the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. There is no basic infrastructure along the path, so parties must be self-sufficient and bring everything they require.

The Inca Trail porters’ job history.

The Inca Trail was used more frequently by tourists in the 1980s when there was no regulation over its use. This led to the exploitation of the porters on the Inca, who were forced to carry heavy loads—up to 50 kg in extreme cases—did not have proper clothing or footwear for the region’s typical temperature fluctuations, and did not eat like other passengers. And as if that wasn’t enough, their pay was inadequate. The “Tourist Use Regulations of the Inca Trail network of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” were released in 2002 by the following organizations: INRENA, the National Institute of Natural Resources, GERCETUR, the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism, and others. The aforementioned rule controlled the employment status and reasonable working conditions of porters, treating them as Support Personnel.

New Porter Workers Law

Porters previously faced precarious conditions, with strenuous working hours, low pay and lack of social security. Previous legislation (2001) did not recognize them as workers with specific rights. It had many inconsistencies, with no limits on working hours, wages, safety, health, etc. The new law corrects many of the previous shortcomings in the rights of porters, including the following:

• Providing nutritional food, adequate clothing, personal protective equipment and equipment to spend the night in appropriate rest areas are obligations of the employer, regulated by the relevant authority.
• Within the load limits: For men up to twenty kilograms (20 kg), while for women it is up to fifteen kilograms (15 kg), and compliance is supervised by the relevant labor authority.
• Porter workers will receive as the only compensation for their services a minimum remuneration of not less than three percent (3%) of a tax unit for each day worked.
• Atypical workday, limited to a maximum of 48 hours per week, and any additional time will be considered overtime.
• They must enjoy a break of at least 5 days before starting a new working day.
• Travel and tourism companies or agencies must ensure and implement occupational health and safety measures for the carriers in their charge, assessing both their physical and psychological conditions.

Frequently asked questions about porters

What Do Inca Trail Porters Transport?

Transport everything from camping gear to food. All garbage is packaged and carried away on porters’ backs. A particular gratuity should be given to the porter who is carrying the toilet tent. They are frequently the first to rise, assisting with the boiling of water for early morning hot beverages, and the last to depart camp after packing up all the stuff. Working days might last up to 16 hours.

What is the weight carried by Inca Trail Porters?

By law, male porters on the Inca Trail can carry up to 20kg, including 5kg for personal belongings, while female porters can carry up to 15kg. The weights of these are regulated within the Inca Trail, at the relevant points.

Should I Give My Inca Trail Porter a Tip?

Tipping your Inca Trail porter expresses your gratitude for their efforts. Whatever occurs, your porter will have a tough journey because the weight does not change.

Can I hire an extra porter?

Of course, you can hire a second porter to carry your own belongings. Even experienced hikers may find it difficult to carry their own equipment. Hiring a porter will make your vacation more pleasurable by providing you more time to appreciate the surroundings, while also making the porters happy because they need to work.

Who is responsible for the Inca Trail Porters’ well-being?

The 10,000 porters in the region are represented by the ‘Camino Inca Daniel Estrada Perez’ (RFP) organization. To address Porter welfare, the RFP meets on a regular basis with the three major Inca Trail tour operator groups (AATC Cusco, ASSORIC, and Association of Operadores de Turismo Ecologica de Cusco), as well as the Ministry of Culture and SERNANP.