The Peruvian Ministry of Culture strictly limits Inca Trail access to 500 people per day (including guides and porters). We highly recommend booking at least 5 to 6 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the dry season (May to September). Alternative treks like the Salkantay or Lares can generally be booked with less notice.

Our main operations center is located right in the Plaza de Ollantaytambo. Depending on your chosen itinerary, your trek may depart directly from Ollantaytambo or we can arrange a private pick-up from your hotel in the city of Cusco.

Under the leadership of Porfirio Carbajal Gutierrez, our lead guides are trilingual. We confidently conduct our briefings, trail running, and historical tours in English, Spanish, and the native Quechua language.

Absolutely. Our General Manager is a professional marathoner, and Kuska Expeditions specializes in designing custom trail running itineraries. Let us know your pace and athletic background, and we will tailor the logistics, support, and route distances to accommodate a running expedition.

Difficulty varies greatly. A standard Sacred Valley day hike is considered moderate, whereas routes like the Salkantay Trek or high-altitude trail runs are highly demanding. We grade all our itineraries during the inquiry phase to ensure you choose a route that safely matches your fitness level.

Safety is our primary concern. All our guides carry emergency oxygen tanks, comprehensive first aid kits, and communication radios. If your symptoms are severe, our guides are trained to evaluate the situation and, if necessary, arrange an immediate evacuation to a lower altitude or medical facility.

We strongly advise arriving in Cusco (3,400m) or Ollantaytambo (2,792m) at least 2 to 3 full days before beginning any multi-day trek or run. Use this time to rest, hydrate, and do light walking to help your body adjust to the thin air.

Kuska Expeditions provides all collective gear, including high-quality sleeping tents, dining tents, chairs, and cooking equipment. You only need to bring your personal sleeping bag and trekking poles (though both can also be rented from us at our Ollantaytambo office).

For traditional hiking, we recommend sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support. If you are joining us for a trail running itinerary, bring specialized trail running shoes with an aggressive lug pattern for grip on loose, rocky Andean trails.