What Alpaca Expeditions does

Alpaca Expeditions is a Cusco-based, 100% Peruvian and indigenous-owned adventure tour operator founded in 2012 by former Inca Trail porter Raul Ccolque. It sells packaged multi-day trekking tours to Machu Picchu via the regulated Inca Trail (a capped permit of 200 tourists/day) and alternative routes including Salkantay, Lares, and Ausangate/Rainbow Mountain, alongside day tours, train-based tours, women-only specialty treks, a luxury tier, and multi-destination packages combining Cusco with the Amazon and Lake Titicaca. Pricing is per-person, ranging from roughly $160 for a single-day excursion to $2,560 for a 10-day Amazon-Cusco package, with a $200 deposit per person required to secure booking; revenue is one-time per booking with add-on fees for equipment rental, mountain climb tickets, train upgrades, and single-tent upgrades.

Distribution is fully direct-to-consumer: website booking forms with PayPal, dedicated USA and Peru phone/WhatsApp lines, and a walk-in Cusco office. Customers are primarily individual adventure travelers, families, and university students from global inbound markets (with explicit North American inbound presence), bookable 3-5 months in advance for Inca Trail departures. Marketing leans heavily on review platforms (31,421+ TripAdvisor reviews at 5.0, 6,196 Google reviews at 5.0), social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube), and earned media in Forbes, Netflix, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet.

The competitive position rests on regulatory access to scarce permits, four ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 21101, 45001) plus Carbon Footprint certification, repeat World Travel Awards for Peru's Leading Tour Operator (2021-2023, 2025), and a proprietary porter welfare program (Green Machine) covering a 300+ porter workforce with a dedicated Porter House and social projects. Differentiated operational features include satellite phone coverage on all trails, portable toilets at campsites, small group sizes (10-16 hikers with 2 guides), and English-speaking professionally trained guides. No proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capability, app, or external funding is referenced in the available data; the underlying technology layer is a conventional website, WhatsApp, and phone-based sales stack.

Name

Alpaca Expeditions

Legal name

Alpaca Expeditions

Website

https://alpacaexpeditions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% Peruvian and indigenous-owned tour operator based in Cusco, selling packaged multi-day trekking tours to Machu Picchu — primarily via the regulated Inca Trail — to global individual adventure travelers, families, and student groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism and Trekking Tours

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL), Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ), Jungle/Rainforest Expedition & Survival Tour Operators (THAAADAI)

Keywords

• Adventure tourism
• Inca Trail trekking
• Machu Picchu tours
• Guided hiking tours
• Peru travel packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Cusco

HQ country

Peru

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Trekking and Tour Package Sales: The company generates revenue through selling packaged adventure tours including Inca Trail treks, alternative treks (Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate), day tours, and multi-destination Peru packages. Revenue is one-time per booking, with customers paying deposits ($200/person) and remaining balances before the trek. Tours include transportation, permits, guides, porters, meals, camping equipment, and entrance tickets as part of the package price.
2. Additional Services and Add-ons: Additional revenue streams include rental equipment (sleeping bags $30, inflatable air mattresses $25, walking sticks $25), extra duffel bags ($120), Huayna Picchu mountain climb tickets ($75), Machu Picchu Mountain climb tickets ($75), train upgrades (Vistadome Observatory upgrade $75/person), and single tent upgrades ($50).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alpaca Expeditions is a Cusco-based tour operator that sells guided trekking and adventure tour packages to Machu Picchu and other Peruvian destinations. Its core products are multi-day Inca Trail treks (2 to 7 days) in group, private, and luxury formats, plus alternative treks (Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate/Rainbow Mountain, Choquequirao, Huchuy Qosqo), train-based tours, day hikes, and multi-destination Peru packages. Tours include permits, transportation, guides, porters, meals, and camping equipment bundled into a single per-person price.

Product overview

Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% locally owned Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco, offering a comprehensive portfolio of trekking, adventure, and cultural tour services focused on the Machu Picchu region and broader Peru. The core product lineup centers on Inca Trail treks ranging from 2 to 7 days, with group and private tour options. Alternative trekking products include Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate/Rainbow Mountain, Choquequirao, and Huchuy Qosqo routes. The company also provides train-based Machu Picchu tours, luxury premium experiences, specialized women's-only treks, and multi-destination Peru packages spanning 9-22 days that combine destinations like Lake Titicaca, the Amazon rainforest, Sacred Valley, and Cusco. Day tour offerings include Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Cusco City, Sacred Valley, and Maras Moray excursions. All treks include professional guides, porters, meals, permits, and equipment, with differentiation through ISO certifications, porter welfare programs, and sustainable tourism practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inca Trail (Classic) 4D/3N Group Tour Flagship 4-day/3-night group trekking tour along the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, including camping, meals, permits, professional guides, porters, and Vistadome train return. Priced at $835 per person.
• Inca Trail 4D/3N Private Tour Private 4-day/3-night Inca Trail experience with exclusive group arrangements, personal porter service, and customized itinerary for the trekker's pace. Priced at $1,695 per person.
• Short Inca Trail Trek with Camping 2D/1N Condensed 2-day/1-night Inca Trail experience featuring 6 hours of hiking along the famous trail with one night camping at an exclusive campsite. Priced at $595 per person.
• Short Inca Trail Trek with Hotel 2D/1N 2-day/1-night short Inca Trail hike followed by overnight hotel stay in Aguas Calientes, mixing trekking with comfortable lodging. Priced at $585 per person.
• Machu Picchu Inca Trail 5D/4N Extended 5-day/4-night Inca Trail trek allowing hikers to take in the wonders of the Andes at a slower pace with additional nights on the trail. Priced at $995 per person.
• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Sky Domes Experience 5D/4N Popular alternative to the Inca Trail featuring 5 days of trekking through Salkantay mountain scenery with unique glass cabin and Sky Domes accommodations. Priced at $695 per person.
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Cultural-focused alternative trek passing through traditional Andean communities where hikers can learn about local traditions, ancient Inca culture, and weaving techniques. Priced at $650 per person.
• Ausangate, Rainbow Mtn & Machu Picchu 4D/3N Trek combining the Ausangate mountain circuit with Rainbow Mountain and culminating in a visit to Machu Picchu, featuring high-altitude Andean landscapes.
• Rainbow Mountain Hike & Red Valley Tour 1 Day Full-day hiking excursion to Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley from Cusco, featuring the colorful striped mountain formations of Vinicunca. Priced at $160 per person.
• Sacred Valley Tour & Train to Machu Picchu 2D/1N 2-day/1-night tour combining Sacred Valley exploration with Vistadome train journey to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu guided tour. Priced at $550 per person.
• Luxury Inca Trail 4D/3N Premium 4-day/3-night Inca Trail experience featuring high-end accommodations, gourmet meals, private guides, and personalized service throughout the trek. Priced at $2,495 per person.
• Short Inca Trail Women Only to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Women-only 4-day/3-night Inca Trail experience led entirely by female guides, featuring a cooking class, spa treatment, and celebration of feminine strength in the Andes.
• Cusco and Lake Titicaca 11D/10N Comprehensive 11-day/10-night package covering Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain, and Lake Titicaca with Puno, showcasing Peru's diverse landscapes and cultures. Priced at $2,445 per person.
• Cusco & Amazon 10D/9N 10-day/9-night package combining Cusco region tours with Amazon jungle exploration in Puerto Maldonado, offering contrast between Andean and rainforest experiences. Priced at $2,560 per person.
• Machu Picchu, the 7th Wonder 7D/7N 7-day/7-night comprehensive Peru package starting with Lima city tour, progressing through Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Maras Moray.
• Humantay Blue Lagoon Day Hike Full-day hiking excursion to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake near Salkantay, including scenic drive, guided hike, and lunch at the base of the trail.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.0 star rating on TripAdvisor with 31,421+ reviews
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Intrepid Travel: Large global adventure tour operator with Peru trekking and cultural tours. Comparable in adventure-tourism positioning and customer profile, with a much larger portfolio and reach.
• G Adventures: Global small-group adventure tour operator with significant Peru/ Machu Picchu offerings. Overlaps in product and customer segment but operates at much broader scale across multiple continents.
• Exodus Travels: Established UK-based adventure tour operator with Peru trekking and walking tours. Overlaps in walking/trekking product category and European customer base but offers broader global portfolio.
• World Expeditions: Australia-based adventure travel company with established Peru trekking itineraries. Comparable in trekking product and small-group adventure positioning, with broader geographic footprint.
• REI Adventures: North American adventure travel brand offering guided Peru trekking and Machu Picchu trips. Comparable in guided-trekking product but bundled within REI's broader outdoor retail and travel ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Peru Treks: Peru-based trekking and tour operator focused on Machu Picchu and alternative routes. Similar product portfolio and customer base of international adventure travelers.
• Llama Path: Cusco-based trekking operator specializing in Inca Trail, Salkantay, and alternative treks to Machu Picchu. Directly comparable in product mix, target customer, and geographic focus.
• SAS Travel Peru: Peru-based tour operator offering Inca Trail, alternative treks, and Machu Picchu packages. Comparable in product scope, pricing, and direct-to-consumer sales model.

Emerging players

• Adventure Life: Small-group adventure tour operator with strong Peru trekking and Amazon offerings. Comparable in small-group adventure model and destination mix, though smaller in scale.

Regional players

• Andean Trails: UK-based adventure tour operator with deep Peru trekking expertise including Inca Trail and Salkantay. Comparable product offering but primarily serves UK and European inbound travelers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIGQEUEKIinXKZs5tx8Ohcg
• Facebookfacebook.com/alpacaexpeditionstravelperu
• Instagraminstagram.com/trekwithalpaca
• Xx.com/trekwithalpaca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alpacaexpeditions

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alpaca Expeditions