With so many tour operators in Cusco, how can you choose? Who is the safest, who has the best guides, who has the most ethical practices? Who has the best balance of the above while staying within your budget? Bellow see of Why Travel with 69 Explorer Peru!
Choosing the right tour operator for you is imperative to ensuring that you make the most out of your trip to Peru. After all, you’ll probably only come here once- so why not make the most of your time here? We’re here to help. Read on to find out if 69 Explorer is the right tour operator for you.
Founded by a local team of passionate explorers, 69 Explorer began as a small venture with a big dream: to share the magic of Cusco and its surrounding wonders with the world.
Over the years, we have grown into a trusted name in travel, known for our personalized service, expert guidance, and deep love for Peruvian culture. 69 Explorer is a 100% Cusqueñian owned company, and a tour operator dedicated to making a difference.
Unlike many other tour operators, we operate everything ourselves. This means that we can absolutely guarantee the level of service you are receiving, that we can answer your questions quickly and accurately, and that the guide who takes you not only knows everything there is to know about the history of the route, but also that he knows evacuation plans, parts where travelers may struggle, and the best spot for a selfie.
Perhaps most importantly, it also means that you’re not paying extra for a third party seller. On our trips, you get what you pay for: quality service at an exceptional price. We also guarantee all confirmed departures. If you’ve made your deposit- you’re on the trip!
Our guides are handpicked and employed full time- unlike many companies whose guides only work in a freelance capacity, our guides work exclusively with us. Every guide we have is at least bilingual (and many of them trilingual), has a degree in guiding and tourism, and at least 2 years experience.
On top of this, each year they undergo first aid and guiding training. We search for guides who want to better themselves at every chance they get. That means they never stop learning, and never stop improving the tours they can give you.
More than just our guides, our whole team is ready and set to ensure that you can enjoy the best trip possible. From our dedicated team of office staff waiting to fix any qualms and answer every question you may have, to our impressive team of chefs, ready to fix you deliciously decadent Peruvian meals along the trail.
Our office staff are the backbone of the company, seamlessly sewing trips together to your liking, and ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. Everything from checking you are maximizing your time in Peru and seeing everything you want, to matching you with a guide you’ll love and making adjustments to itineraries at your request.
Above all else, the whole team is dedicated to making sure that you fall in love with Peru, sharing their expertise and knowledge with a smile.
The majority of our office staff are Peruvian, born and bred. And who knows Peru better than a Peruvian?
Ensuring that you have a fantastic trip is paramount for all those at 69 Explorer. We support all of our travelers throughout the decision making and booking process, right up until we say farewell at the end of the trip.
Every detail is considered and clarified before your adventure begins, and what you want and need out of the trip is important to us. If you’re not sure about which trip is right for you then have a chat with one of our travel specialists, and they will share their wealth of knowledge.
We are available to chat in whichever method of communication suits you best.
At 69 Explorer, we make a point to always respond to emails quickly. While our response time is restricted by Peruvian working hours, it is still incredibly fast. If you haven’t heard back from us within 24 hours, check your spam box!
If you want a faster answer, reach out to us on Whatsapp. Regardless of whether you prefer calling or texting, you can catch us there.
If you don’t have Whatsapp and want to discuss your trip with us, we have international phone numbers for the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Drop us a call whenever is most convenient to you.
If you are located outside of any of these countries and still want to chat over the phone, we can call you at no cost to you.
Finally, if you prefer a face to face conversation, we can schedule a skype meeting, or if you’re already in Cusco simply pop into the office.
Simply let us know your preferred method of communication on your booking form, or email. We’re happy to accommodate whatever you’re comfortable with.
All of our local guides have degrees in tourism and a minimum of 2 years experience in the field. They all speak English and Spanish and many also speak Quechua, the native language of Peru.
Why is that important? A Quechua speaking guide allows you to connect more deeply with your surroundings and the remote locals, who often only speak Quechua.
It also allows them a deeper personal understanding of the history and legends that help to weave the fabric of the rich cultures of Peru. This understanding is something they can share with you to help deepen your experience.
Oftentimes, a guide can either ensure the holiday of a lifetime or can spoil a trip with their mistakes. That’s why at 69 Explorer Peru we have a rigorous training program, and unlike most companies, our guides are not freelance- they work with us, and only us, full time.
This means that they can enjoy the benefits of full-time employment with things such as healthcare, pension funds and regular payment, while you can enjoy a guide who knows the routes, the behind the scenes team, and the insider information on every single trip.
In order to guarantee your comfort and safety, each of our guides are highly trained for all eventualities, including responding to emergencies. Each guide undergoes annual training in both guiding and first aid, as well as carrying specialized equipment on journeys to ensure travelers safety: from emergency oxygen to satellite phones.
Our guides are more than their training. They’re fun, kind, and passionate individuals who have dedicated their careers to sharing their country with those who choose to visit.
Our chefs have a magic touch, able to whip up decedent buffet style feasts in the middle of the mountains, the edge of rivers, and even on the side of the road if the occasion calls for it. By taking advantage of locally sourced ingredients, you can enjoy a delectable spread of Peruvian and international cuisine. Vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, and all dietary requirements, rejoice, there are dishes waiting just for you.
Our chefs undergo annual training to make sure that they are competent and comfortable in producing food for diets of any complexity. You’re in safe hands with us, on whichever adventure you choose.
Porters are some of the hardest working people in Peru. Carrying camping equipment, food, and other people’s luggage up and down the unforgiving stairs of the Inca Trail is no small feat, and they do it with a smile on their faces.
We have 90 porters employed, and the majority of them come from the villages of Huacawasi, Calca or Patacancha. It’s an important part of our company culture to hire from these villages, as it provides a much needed boost in rural economies, as well as sustainable and reliable income to help feed their families.
It also allows you to travel only with your daypack- a massive bonus for your enjoyment level.
We are committed to sustainable tourism, and we always want to leave the places we visited at the very least the same, if not better than we found them. From helping with school initiatives in rural communities, to picking up litter along our trekking routes and plenty more.
Here are just a few of the sustainability initiatives we focus on:
We’re interested in helping Peru to flourish in all aspects, from environmental to the cultural aspects that can often be overlooked. If you want to learn a little more about how we commit to looking after Peru, read our page on sustainability here.
At 69 Explorer, we offer trips at a competitive price, perfect for those on a budget. While all our tours are small group and all-inclusive, specifically to guarantee the best experience possible, there are still plenty of opportunities to personalize your experience.
We’re flexible to our guests needs and are happy to accommodate any adaptations that you may have. Whether that’s an extra day in Machu Picchu, adding on an extra tour, or changing the order of an existing tour. We are happy to do it to ensure that you can enjoy the best experience possible throughout your time in Peru.
With years of experience and a team passionate about adventure, it’s no surprise that at 69 Explorer, we’re always seeking out new destinations, new routes, and new campsites. Even on popular treks such as Lares, we make sure that camp is away from the crowds, and follow our own route.
By trekking our own route, you have the unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the valley, interact with locals who are happy to see you (and just you, rather than hoards of trekkers), and find some true wilderness on what is typically a popular route.
Both our Lares and Salkantay routes stray off the beaten path while maintaining true beauty. Get in touch with us to ask about some of our more off the beaten track destinations.
The Inca Trail is famous for selling out- even if you are flexible on dates you may not be lucky enough to score a permit, especially in the high season. So, what are you to do? Take an alternative trek, of course.
Which alternative trek is best is heavily dependent on you as a traveler. If you are looking for a challenging and iconic trek, then Ausangate may call your name. If it was the history that drew you in, the Lares Trek allows you to get close to the living culture of the Andes. If you’re just in it for the views, Salkantay is your best option.
A quick chat with one of our sales team will help you with your decision. After discussing what interests you, how long you want to trek for, how fit you are, and how long you have in Cusco, and a myriad of other factors, we can offer you an alternative trek that fits your needs perfectly.
Even if there are Inca Trail permits available for your chosen date, a quick chat about your options may be beneficial to you, just to make sure that you do the trek that fits you best.
Below are some of our favorite alternatives to the Inca Trail:
We have a strict rotation on the purchase of new equipment, so when traveling with us you will never use anything older than two or three years, and from a high quality brand. We provide the basics such as tents and thick foam mattresses for all our camping clients, and we also rent out clean & warm sleeping bags, therm-a-rest air mattresses, and trekking poles for your convenience. These come at a small additional cost.
We have all kinds of adventures suitable for all kinds of travelers, and we always strive to offer the best prices possible. We can also adjust each trip to your personal preferences, each of our tours and all inclusive packages are designed to give the traveler the best experience possible.
Our groups are either private tours or small groups, averaging out between 4 and 6, with a maximum number of 8 per group. This allows fantastic value for money for travelers, and a great opportunity to meet other people.
All of our adventures are available as private tours for a small additional cost.
For those who don’t want to worry about where they are staying, or what they are doing day to day throughout their vacation, an all inclusive package may be the right choice. Our multi-day itineraries can also be offered without accommodation if you’re interested in a particular hotel or hostel during your stay.
These packages are also available as private or group tours, depending on your preference.
Regardless of whether you are traveling on a trek, a tour, or one of our all-inclusive packages, we can and do adapt them to your specific needs. If you want to spend an extra day in Machu Picchu, or add a visit to Rainbow Mountain, we can do that for you.
We can also recommend restaurants, off-the-beaten-track trails, and all kinds of fun and different ways to spice up your itinerary. Get in contact with one of our travel experts today and they will advise you on the best way for you to customize your itinerary to suit you.
At 69 Explorer, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience. Your safety, comfort, and enjoyment are our top priorities. We continuously strive to exceed expectations and ensure that every trip with us becomes a cherished memory.
PaymentOur guides are locals with extensive knowledge about the history, myths, and secrets of the region.
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you an unforgettable experience
Our With seven years of experience and more than 20 packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to carry out a successful expedition.
We believe in responsible tourism. Our tours are designed to respect the local communities and environment, ensuring a positive impact.
