About the author
Raquel Sánchez co-founded Terra Quechua Peru in Cusco in 2012 together with Edwin Medina, both with extensive trekking experience. She writes our Inca Trail guides from the day-to-day work of securing permits and organizing every departure with our guides, cooks and porters.
A decision guide to Peru’s three main Amazon destinations: access from Cusco, days needed, wildlife, a month-by-month calendar, SERNANP fees by length…
Real heights, camps and climbing for El Misti and Chachani, which one is harder and why, the Arequipa acclimatization ladder, volcano status…
What the name Inca Uyo really means, which parts are Inca and which were arranged in the 20th century, the living rituals,…
Cusco’s three rainbow mountains compared with official data: altitude, walk, drive time, crowds and fees — plus why Vinicunca is listed at…
Skip the self-written rankings. How to verify any Inca Trail operator in ten minutes: the three registrations that matter, questions with the…
Is Huayna Picchu dangerous? Every section of the climb rated for exposure by our guides, the sourced safety record, a fear-of-heights self-check…
There is no age limit on the Inca Trail. An honest route-by-body guide for hikers over 60: what really makes it hard,…
If your Inca Trail dates are gone, here is what to do first and every alternative ranked by how close it feels…
What the Inca Trail really costs in 2027: what our tour price includes, every extra with a typical cost, a fill-in budget,…
Why companies give different booking times, a month-by-month book-by calendar for 2027 with Easter, Inti Raymi and holiday dates, and how the…
When do 2027 Inca Trail permits go on sale? Every official release date since 2022, why the date keeps moving, the new…
Where the toilets are on the Inca Trail, what they are like, what they cost and what to pack — stop by…
Both treks have a hardest day of about 1,200 m of climbing — but at very different altitudes. A Cusco operator compares…
The Classic 4-day and the Short 2-day Inca Trail both end at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Here is how they…
Ready to hike to Machu Picchu?
Check permit availability for 2026 and 2027 and secure your date with an online deposit.
Real reviews from travelers who explored Peru with our local team in Cusco.
Our 5 day Salkantay Trek with Terra Quechua Peru was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. The scenery, the challenge, the food, and finally arriving at Machu Picchu made this a trip I’ll never forget…
Una experiencia increíble en el Salkantay Trek de 4 días. Los paisajes fueron espectaculares y todo estuvo muy bien organizado. El equipo de Terra Quechua Perú siempre fue amable, atento y profesional…
No tengo palabras para describir el trabajo de Cristian, Adrian y Guillermo. Cumplimos nuestro sueño pero también conocimos 3 seres humanos maravillosos. Estuvieron pendientes 24/7 de nosotros…
We had the most amazing experience over the last few days making our way up to Machu Picchu. Our guide, Carlos was so accommodating, helping us whenever we needed, telling us lot of interesting facts along the trail…
Realizamos el tour de 5 días y 4 noches a Choquequirao, simplemente fue maravilloso en cuanto a paisajes, al servicio de la agencia y por sobretodo del guía Yas, muy amable y quien estuvo pendiente a nuestros requerimientos…
Si bien eran altas las expectativas, la experiencia real ha sido superior. Enhorabuena Terra Quechua, y en especial a nuestra guía Leidy Canal, sin ella estoy seguro que no hubiera sido lo mismo…
How can we help you?
Our team in Cusco replies 24 hours a day.