Most trekkers tip their guides, porters, and cooks on the final day of their Inca Trail hike. Tips are not included within the total price of the treks as it’s not obligatory for you to tip, so you shouldn’t feel you have to. It is however a nice tradition and a welcomed “thank you” to the team as they work so hard to make sure you are well looked after and have the trip of a lifetime.
How much cash should you bring with you
To give you an idea of how much cash you should bring with you for tips and how to split this across the various trail support staff – we’ll have a look at the advice provided by some of our recommended Inca Trail tour operators. These recommendations are for the classic four day/three-night Inca Trail in the currency of Peruvian nuevo soles – in general, it’s best to tip trekking staff using low denomination nuevo Sol bills if possible.
Tipping Guide for Treks and Tours
Tipping with SAM Travel Peru is not compulsory but highly appreciate if you are happy with the service provided. It inspires excellent service and is a feature of tourism across the tourist industry in Cusco, Peru including SAM Corp. Tipping is not compulsory and in regards to your guide, tipping should be based on the quality and length of service.
Inca Trail Tipping:
The following is suggested tipping guide on the Inca Trail Trek. Tipping is usually done by pooling tips from all members of the group for the porters, assistant chefs, and head chef. The following are suggested amounts for porters (80 soles each), assistant chef (100 soles) and head chef (120 to 150 soles).
***All tipping to trail guides is based on your personal appreciation, length of trek, and quality of service provided by your guide.
Alternative Treks Tipping:
The following is suggested tipping guide for Alternative Treks. Tipping is usually done by pooling tips from all member of the group for the horsemen, assistant chefs, and head chef. The following are suggested amounts for horsemen (80 soles each), assistant chef (100 soles) and head chef (150 or more soles bases on amount of days).
***All tipping to trail guides is based on your personal appreciation, length of trek, and quality of service provided by your guide.
TIPs for Tour Packages:
The following is suggested tipping guide for tour packages. In regards to your driver 20 to 25 soles per day. All tipping for tour guides is based on your personal appreciation, length of tour package, and quality of service provided by your guide.
General Tipping in Cusco Peru
For taxis that pick you up from the airport, the standard tip is around 5 to 10 soles. In regards to restaurants in Cusco, tipping is based on quality of service and your personal appreciation for your server. There is no standard tip amount or percentage in Cusco. Just tip based on your customary way to tip from your country or your perception of the service. Other types of tipping is purely discretionary.
Always remember that unlike many other nations, tips are not mandatory. The tipping ranges provided above are suggestions only and the assumption is that the service provided was of a good standard. Please only tip what you can afford and only if you are happy to do so. If you feel that you would like to tip more than the recommendations above, keep in mind that many porters would also be grateful for any additional donations for school clothing or equipment for their children.
SAM Coporations – Tipping Recommendations
Communal tipping: Allow USD 10-20 per person, per day, so USD 40-80 in total, to cover the guide, cook, and porters on a 4-day trek.
Direct tip to Inca Trail porter: Allow USD 5-7 per person per day, making USD 20-28 per person directly to the porter.
**You can tip both directly and communally if you wish. We recommend against giving large individual tips because this can distort the wage structure within the team.
What is the Inca Trail? Why Should I hike it?
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world’s most incredible treks, one which 200 keen hikers and 300 hard-working Inca Trail porters embark on daily.
The four or 5-day hike over 28 miles/44 kilometres is a high-altitude walk past Inca ruins, soaring Andean peaks, and breathtaking views while walking on original stone Inca trails.
For many, the Inca Trail is a bucket list dream. For others, like the Inca Trail porters, it is a valuable source of work and income and an integral part of their history and culture.
At Sam Travel, we’re proud of how we treat our Inca Trail porters. That means you can enjoy your trek knowing you will leave a positive footprint locally. We look at everything to do with our Inca Trail porters, from porter welfare to a bit of their local Quechua language.
