The Importance of Ethical Treatment of Porters on the Inca Trail

What if we didn’t have porters to help us achieve our bucket-list trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? No one to help carry our clothes, tents, gear, and assorted home comforts. Only ourselves to rely on for super-fresh gourmet meals, warm water to wash our faces, and hot coca tea to revive our aching bodies. We’d be hard-pressed to achieve any kind of comfort or personal goals without the help of local porters. Thank goodness they’re around to support our ambitious treks… but what if they weren’t? Unfortunately, we may soon find out what that reality looks like.

Current Porter Standards

The working conditions for the Inca Trail porters are protected by a 2001 law that:

• Limits the load a porter may carry to 44 pounds (20 kilograms), with 11 pounds (5 kilograms) reserved for personal items;
• Provides for warm clothing and accommodation;
• Ensures appropriate rest and sleep;
• Ensures sufficient food;
• Includes life and accident insurance.

Since 2001, the leaders of the porters’ union—the 10,000-strong Regional Federation of Porters ‘Camino Inca Daniel Estrada Perez’ (RFP)—have met sporadically with representatives of the main Inca Trail tour operators, the Ministry of Culture, and SERNANP. This ongoing dialogue is essential to assess the law, with crucial discussions held in 2017 when the salary was reestablished at 230 soles (US$70) for a four-day trek.

A few companies abide by at least some of these decrees. However, many that prioritize profits over ethics are creating friction. After enduring years of poor working conditions, the porters are now uniting to demand better treatment and fair salaries. ‘The companies are paying less and less to these guys,’ said Alberto Huaman, RFP’s elected president. ‘They have to carry more and more every year. They work more than 16 hours a day, even 24 hours. They want a good salary for this job.’ In short, the conditions of the 2001 law are not being upheld.

Making Ethical Choices

‘The companies don’t want the clients to know this is happening on the trail,’ said Góngora. ‘Yet they don’t have the willingness to address the issues internally.’ Despite the threats, Huaman indicated RFP is planning further demonstrations to spotlight their plight. The idea is to safeguard working conditions and fair wages for porters, ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity.

Responsible travelers can make an impact. It’s up to us—the trekkers engaging in the Inca Trail experience—to support companies adhering to fair business practices. Before undertaking your trek, consider these key points:

• Read reviews and testimonies on platforms like TripAdvisor and social media to gauge how companies treat their porters.

• Avoid donating to NGOs raising funds for porters; if you wish to help, consider donating directly to the porters.

So, who should you choose for your trek? Huaman believes that only one company is doing it right, which is Evolution Treks. Other companies, such as Llama Path, are making strides, including providing proper care for porters. It’s crucial for travelers to perform thorough research and ensure the companies they choose are truly committed to ethical practices. Reputable trekking providers are open to answering any questions you may have before committing to a trek. ‘We are fighting this fight to show people what happens behind the scenes,’ said porter Miguel Mayta. ‘We want to make changes for the better for the porters. We want people to see that we are human beings, not animals.’