For the first time in Machu Picchu trekking history, an all-women team of porters and tour leaders will guide an all-women group through the sacred Andes to the awe-inspiring Inca citadel. The trek is planned for March 30, although changing COVID-19 restrictions may alter the route and plans remain subject to change.
“I’m excited because a pure women’s group signifies change. We are proving we can do it without men,” states Lucia Merclajuly Vela Sosa, who will participate as a tour guide. This initiative not only aims to break stereotypes but also supports women against discrimination, providing them with opportunities to earn a fair income.
Eight to ten porters and two tour guides—primarily indigenous Quechua women living in towns along the Inca Trail—will carry a 15-kilogram (33-pound) pack of camping and cooking equipment from start to finish. Initially, they intended to hike the classic four-day Inca Trail trek, but recent government restrictions due to COVID-19 have necessitated a change in their route, opting for one of the many other trails in the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, as the Inca Trail remains closed. The women will set up and take down camp every day while guiding their clients along the celebrated trail. Moreover, they will receive the same wage as men—a rate of $87 for a five-day trek plus tips, which contrasts significantly with the typical earnings of $10 a day for women in Peru.
Portering was exclusively a male-dominated job until 2017 when Evolution Treks Peru, followed by other companies, began hiring women porters and tour leaders—though typically only one or two on a team of up to 20 porters.
“We hope to conduct this trek every two weeks in 2021,” remarks Miguel Angel Góngora Meza, co-founder of Evolution Treks Peru. “And every week or more in 2022. There’s significant interest in this.” This initiative is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both men and women in the workplace while actively advocating for porters’ rights along the trail, promoting fair wages and adequate living conditions. Notably, the all-women initiative takes it a step further by breaking stereotypes and demonstrating possibilities for other women.
“It’s not just about being a porter,” explains Sara Qquehuarucho Zamalloa, who will join the trek as the second tour guide. Both she and Lucia were the Inca Trail’s first-ever women porters in 2017, later advancing to professional tour guides after completing a tourism program in their hometown of Calca in the Sacred Valley. She emphasizes the empowerment gained from this work, stating, “If I can do the Inca Trail, I can do anything.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a change in route for this trek, which was altered due to COVID-19 restrictions.
