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.
-
At Alpaca Expeditions, we strive to deliver unforgettable trekking experiences that highlight Peru’s rich heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
-
Vision
To be the global leader in sustainable tourism, showcasing the Andes’ wonders with exceptional service and a commitment to preserving the environment. -
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.
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!
OurGuides
- 100 %
- Local Guides
- Certified
- Professional Guides
- Expert
- Mountain Knowledge
Exploring the majestic Andes is a dream for many, but doing it with the right experts turns a simple trip into the journey of a lifetime. At Alpaca Expeditions, our team of passionate guides is entirely composed of Cusco natives who grew up surrounded by these legendary landscapes. Certified in high-mountain safety and advanced first aid, they have spent years mastering iconic routes like the Inca Trail, Choquequirao, and Lares Trek.
From the moment your trek begins, our guides go above and beyond to provide a safe, enriching, and deeply personalized experience. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Quechua, they proudly bridge the gap between travelers and local traditions, revealing hidden history, wildlife, and ancient secrets along the trail. With their warm hospitality and keen eye for stunning scenery, they ensure every moment of your journey is seamless, inspiring, and truly memorable.
OurChefs
- Fresh Daily
- Prepared Meals
- Professional
- Mountain Chefs
- Healthy
- Balanced Nutrition
Enjoy fresh, delicious, and deeply nutritious meals prepared daily in the heart of the mountains by our professional Alpaca Expeditions chefs. Born and raised in local Cusco communities, our culinary team uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to bring authentic Peruvian flavors straight to your campsite table.
With fully customizable options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and special dietary needs, every multi-course meal is thoughtfully designed to restore your strength, satisfy your palate, and keep you energized throughout every leg of your adventure.
AE súper portersGreen Machine
- 250 +
- Professional Porters
- 25+ Famale
- Porters
- 100% Local
- Communities
Our hardworking porters are the true heroes of the trail—proud local men and women from rural farming communities across the Cusco region, ranging from 18 to 55 years old. As pioneers in ethical trekking, we proudly employ both male and female porters, supporting family units where fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and siblings work side by side. By choosing us, you directly support steady income, fair wages, and empowered livelihoods for families originating from traditional villages such as:
Working tirelessly behind the scenes, our porters carry the heavy load so you can focus on enjoying the journey. They embody the warmth, resilience, and rich heritage of the Andes, welcoming you with genuine smiles at every campsite and ensuring your gear, food, and high-mountain setup are fully prepared before you even arrive. Their dedication and spirit are at the very heart of an unforgettable trek.
Safe & ReliableTransportation
- Hotel-to-Hotel
- Private Transfers
- Safe
- Professional Drivers
- Direct
- Trailhead Transfers
Travel in total comfort with our modern, fully equipped fleet designed specifically for high-mountain terrain. At Alpaca Expeditions, we handle all your ground transfers with private, air-conditioned vehicles and professional local drivers, ensuring your door-to-door journey from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley is safe, smooth, and entirely hassle-free.
Whether you are heading to the trailhead early in the morning or returning after a rewarding trek, our reliable transport service guarantees exact punctuality and relaxed travel. Sit back, unwind, and soak in the breathtaking Andean landscapes while we take care of every detail of your mountain logistics.
OurPorter House
- 250 +
- Professional Porters
- Safe House
- for Porters
- 100% Local
- Communities
At Alpaca Expeditions, ethical tourism goes beyond the trail—it extends to where our team rests and recharges. Our dedicated Porter House in Cusco provides a warm, safe, and comfortable home away from home for our porters before and after every expedition. Equipped with clean sleeping quarters, hot showers, and nutritious meals, this facility ensures our hard-working team receives the dignified care and rest they truly deserve.
More than just a place to stay, the Porter House serves as a community hub where our porters can relax, connect, and access ongoing education, health support, and professional training. By providing high-quality lodging and fair treatment, we ensure that the men and women who power our treks are valued, empowered, and fully supported every step of the way.
SISTEMA INTEGRADO DE GESTIÓN – SIG
OUR OFFICE AND HOURS
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
CONTACT US
info@alpacaexpeditions.com
Owner
raulmanager@alpacaexpeditions.com
Passport Change
passportdetails@alpacaexpeditions.com
Travel Partners
travelpartners@alpacaexpeditions.com
CALL US
+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
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
Inca Trail (Classic) 4D/3N Group Tour + Vistadome Train Experience
2-Day Short Inca Trail Trek + Vistadome Train Experience with Hotel
Short Inca Trail trek with Camping 2D/1N
Inca Trail + Salkantay Trek 7D/6N
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N with Sky Domes Experience
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.