About Alpaca Expeditions
100% Peruvian Company

Many people ask us why being a local company is so important to us and why we are so proud of it. The answer is simple — Cusco is our home. Tourism is the heart of this city, and thousands of local families depend on it every day. Guides, porters, chefs, artisans, and communities all play an important role in sharing the beauty and culture of the Andes with the world.

As Cusco became one of the world’s top travel destinations, many foreign companies and investors entered the industry. While tourism continued to grow, many businesses lacked a real connection to the local culture and communities.

For us, being local means creating authentic experiences while directly supporting the people, traditions, and communities that make these journeys truly special.

  1. Mision

    At Alpaca Expeditions, we strive to deliver unforgettable trekking experiences that highlight Peru’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
  2. Vision

    To be the global leader in sustainable tourism, showcasing the Andes’ wonders with exceptional service and a commitment to preserving the environment.
  3. Goals

    We focus on empowering travel agencies, tour operators, schools, and special interest groups by providing tailored trekking experiences that inspire and amaze.

The Story of Raúl Colque, Founder of Alpaca Expeditions

Meet Our Founder

Raúl Colque, founder and owner of Alpaca Expeditions, began his career in tourism as a porter on the Inca Trail.

He was born and raised in a small Andean community called Sequerracay, located in the Quesermayo Valley near the district of Ccorao, just outside Cusco. From a young age, he balanced school with work in his community. After graduating from high school, he completed his mandatory military service in the Peruvian Army. He later decided to pursue a degree in Tourism while working as a porter.

Raúl as a Former Porter

For more than five years, Raúl worked as a porter on the Inca Trail and on other famous trekking routes such as Salkantay and Lares. During that time, he also took on other essential expedition roles, including tent crew (camp setup) and assistant cook. These experiences gave him a firsthand understanding of the physical demands and challenges porters face every day, as well as the dedication required to provide outstanding service to travelers.

Despite the long and demanding days on the mountain, Raúl continued studying Tourism and English. Through hard work and determination, he became the first porter to graduate as an Official Licensed Tour Guide among all the porters who were studying tourism. He was also the first former porter to work professionally as a tour guide, becoming an inspiration to many others. Motivated by his success, numerous porters followed his example, completed their studies, and earned their own tour guide licenses.

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Raúl as a Former Guide

As an Official Licensed Tour Guide, Raúl became known for his passion for Inca history, Andean culture, Peru’s unique flora and fauna, and his ability to bring the region’s stories to life. For many years, he guided travelers from around the world, sharing not only his knowledge but also his deep love for the Andes. He also enjoys playing the traditional Andean flute, adding a unique cultural touch to the experiences he shared with his groups.

Before founding Alpaca Expeditions, Raúl also spent a short time working in the administrative office of a tourism company. This experience gave him valuable insight into tour operations, logistics, and customer service, complementing his years of field experience.

Founding Alpaca Expeditions

Finally, in 2013, after building a career as a porter, camp crew member, assistant cook, tour guide, and administrator, Raúl founded Alpaca Expeditions. His vision was to create a different kind of trekking company—one built on respect, fairness, and the well-being of every member of the team, especially the porters. He applied everything he had learned throughout his journey to build a company that would raise the standard for responsible tourism in Peru.

Today, Alpaca Expeditions is internationally recognized for delivering exceptional trekking experiences throughout the Peruvian Andes while remaining deeply committed to the well-being of its staff, the support of local communities, and the preservation of Andean culture and traditions.

Who are the Alpaca Expedition’s
GREEN MACHINE

Alpaca Expeditions has been growing year by year, not only in number of clients, but also the number of employees. By the end of 2017, we were so happy to employ more than 300 people. Most of our staff works along the treks providing the best and safest experiences. Each one of them are part of the powerful Green Machine!

SISTEMA INTEGRADO DE GESTIÓN – SIG

Documento que específica las acciones realizadas para la implementación de las siguientes normas internacionales de sistemas de gestión.

Política del SIG ALPACA EXPEDITIONS.pdf

ALCANCE DEL SISTEMA INTEGRADO DE GESTION.pdf

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OUR OFFICE AND HOURS

Our Address:
Heladeros Street 157, Office 24 – 25, 2nd floor, Cusco Peru
Office Hours:
Monday through Saturday
9AM – 1PM & 3PM – 7:30PM
Sunday 4:30PM – 7:30PM

CALL US

Office Phone
+51 84 254278 / +51 84 657759
Owner’s WhatsApp:
+51 947 824774
USA Phone:
202-550-8534
WhatsApp:
202-550-8534 / +51 984 441 260
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ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.

Top Tours

Recognition & Excellence

TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS

Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.

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