Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 D - 3 N with Panoramic Train

Panaka Travel and Lizandroperuguide

I cannot recommend Panaka Travel and our guide Lizandro highly enough. Every detail of our trip was thoughtfully planned, and every need was anticipated before we even had to ask. Traveling with their chef, photographer, and crew felt like being cared for by close friends — hot water bottles in our sleeping bags at night, hot tea waiting in our tents each morning, and a bathroom stop whenever we needed one. If we ever missed something, Lizandro made sure we circled back for it. The food was incredible, and the whole team treated us with warmth, respect, and top-tier care. Their knowledge of Peru is second to none — they even set up a private restroom tent at our campsite and arranged for public restrooms along the trail to stay open, just for us. Their attention to detail made this trip far better than anything we could have arranged on our own. Lizandro and his team were born and raised in Peru, and it shows. If you want to truly experience this country, Panaka Travel is the only way to go.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for trusting Panaka Travel and for sharing such kind words! 💛 Knowing you felt the warmth of home right there in the mountains is exactly what we aim for whenever we head out onto the trail. We’ll share your review with Lizandro and the entire team; it will be the best possible recognition for them. For us—having been born and raised here—it is a source of pride to show our land to travelers like you. We hope you’ll return soon so we can continue exploring it together. Warm regards, The Panaka Travel Team

via Tripadvisor

Peak Experience in Peru

I did the classic Inka Trail with Panaka Travel in July. It was a transcendent experience which I will cherish for the rest of my life. I can't thank Lizandro and his incredible team at Panaka Travel enough for making my journey comfortable, informative and fun. I highly recommend their services. They provided everything I needed and picked me up from my hotel and delivered me to my destination after the tour. Panaka travel is also 100 pct owned and operated by Peruvians who grew up in the Andes and speak Quechua, the Inca language. They live and breathe Inca traditions. I had an amazing guide named Saul Deyson who made sure I was safe and well taken care of. He was a fount for Inca history and the natural world. A highlight was Saul showing me the llama in the starry sky each night. Saul was joined by a chef and three porters who served our group. The food was incredible. We got soup at every meal and new main dish everyday. The chef even baked a cake! Our porters were amazing too. Their endurance is astonishing and they all worked relentlessly to set up our camp and transport our goods. The trail was difficult but so rewarding, especially after you walk through the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu on the fourth morning. Panaka Travel is your ticket for an amazing experience in Peru. Note: I also used Lizandro for a tour of Cusco and Saqsaywaman. A highlight was visiting a textile collective of Peruvian crafts above the city. The collective includes a mini-farm of llama and alpacas.

Response from the operator: Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us. July is peak season, and nights on the Camino are among the coldest of the year, so knowing that you felt so comfortable with Saúl, the chef, and the porters is the best possible recognition for them. We will pass this on to each of them, as well as to Lizandro. We are delighted that you chose to explore Cusco with us beyond just the trek. When you return to Peru, please get in touch. You have family here! Warm regards, The Panaka Travel Team

via Tripadvisor

Unforgettable 4-Day Inca Trail Trek

Choosing a local, indigenous-owned company was the perfect start knowing all the money stays directly within the community made the decision to do this 4-day Inca Trail trek feel even better. The entire experience completely blew me away, largely thanks to Lizandro. He was an absolutely amazing guide whose deep insights brought every ruin, plant, and historical detail to life. As an added bonus, he’s an expert on local birds pointing out species I completely would have missed and he knew exactly where to pause to show the absolute best spots to take photos along the trail. He set the tone for the entire trip. The logistics behind the scenes were just as impressive. The support crew of porters deserves a massive shoutout, the pace they set and the sheer effort they put in to have camp ready before we even arrived was unreal. Because of that teamwork, the food was outstanding. You simply don’t expect restaurant-tier meals when you're camping on the side of a mountain, especially given the logistics of cooking at high altitudes. I highly recommend going for this trek.

Response from the operator: Hello! 🙌 Thank you for taking the time to write to us. Cooking at that altitude and having camp ready before the group arrives requires a tremendous amount of hard work from the porters, so that recognition means a great deal to them. 🏔️ We’ll be sure to pass your words along to Lizandro—especially your comments about the birds; that kind of guide’s eye isn't something you learn from a book. When you return to Peru, get in touch. You have family here! ❤️ Warm regards, The Panaka Travel team

via Tripadvisor

Choosing the right operator makes all of the difference in the world

I had the pleasure of having Lizandro as my tour guide on the 4 day Inca Trail Trek. I'm pretty sure he knew every single person from Cusco to Machu Picchu. He also knows Quechua, Spanish and English fluently, so that's a huge plus. That's what a local, 25 year veteran of tours gets you. He knew the history behind every Inca ruin, Inca culture and tradition. For him, it's not just a tour, it's a history lesson, cultural immersion, and meaningful experience all at the same time. That's the difference between typical tourist trap and an authentic experience. I wish I knew about him before we signed up for the many of other excursions we did while in Cusco, but at least I can direct people to him now. If I ever make it back to Peru, I will contact Panaka Travel first for all of my excursions.

via Tripadvisor

Highly recommended!

The best and most memorable adventure of the whole trip to Peru. The trail, although physically challenging due to altitude, was made easy by the whole support team. Everything was taken care of, so the only thing which was left for us to do, was to enjoy. Chef Yuri prepared us food worthy of a 5 star hotel. And our guide Lizandro kept us entertained with his good sense of humour and deep rooted knowledge of the Inca culture. Highly recommended!

via Tripadvisor