Machu Picchu: The Not So Lost City for Exodus Porters

Porters - they’re the beating heart of the Inca Trail. At its highest point - Dead Woman’s Pass - the trail reaches a staggering 4,215m above sea level. But it’s not just the high altitude the porters have to contend with… every rucksack they carry weighs a hefty 20kg.

Tackling this tough terrain with incredible agility and expertise, porters work tirelessly so that by the time their trekking group arrive, a comfortable camp and a delicious home-cooked meal awaits them. Physical strength is integral, but it’s their inspiring positivity and warmth which makes walking the Inca Trail an unforgettable adventure.

Tourists embarking on the trek travel from across the globe to fulfil a lifelong aspiration to see the archaeological phenomenon that is Machu Picchu. As the trekkers set out on the final leg towards the Sun Gate for their first glimpse upon ‘that’ iconic scene, their porters have already begun their descent to Aguas Calientes where they’ll prepare for the next trip.

Although it’s common practice, at the end of the trek, porters miss out on visiting Machu Picchu. Many have never seen this paramount piece of their own Peruvian heritage. Our Carried Away: Porter Project, which was filmed last year, saw Exodus take the first step in balancing this industrywide norm. As part of the film we took a group of porters to see Machu Picchu and for 2018 we have decided to extend this so that all of our Inca Trail porters will get the same opportunity.

We are the first tour operator to ever do this and we’re extremely excited to help our loyal team of 100 local porters to learn about Peru’s history and the Inca Empire, just like our customers do – although for the porters the tour will be conducted in their native Quechuan language!

The dedication, spirit and humour of the Inca Trail porters has been captured in our Carried Away short film. Watch the video and find out what happens when one Irishman takes on the Inca Trail as a porter!