AB Expeditions Local Inca Trail Operator — Local services in Distrito de Cusco

Rainbow Mountain with AB Expeditions - Best Birthday I could have imagined

In Cusco there are many tour offers to visit the Rainbow Mountain. First we got an offer for around 35 US$per person in a group with around 20-40 people starting at 5.00 am. Then we came to the office of AB Expeditions and we met Senior Abel. In contrast to the other tour agencies and offices Senior Abel didn't try to talk us into the trip with his company. Abel was very honest and and explained to us that with AB Expeditions the maximum group size is 6 persons. But the price is also more expensive (about 120 US$ per Person). To have something more special and private, we decided to book the tour with AB Expeditions for the next day - starting at 2.15 am at our hotel.

As planed the driver, a cook and our tour guide David picked us up at 2.15 am at our hotel in San Blas. We were provided with warm blankets and so after a short explanation of our guide David we slept during most of the ride. After around 3 hours of driving in a very nice van (compared to other tours we already did in Peru) we arrived at our breakfast spot in a small village. The sun was about to rise and it was still very cold. For breakfast our cook provided us with fresh scrambled eggs, coca tea, bread, marmalade, fruits and with a snack pack for the day.

After further 20 minutes of driving we finally arrived at the starting point for our hike to Rainbow Mountain. There were only a few cars at the parking lot and no tourist at all - so we were the first starting to hike up.

At around 6.30 am we started our hike. David told us a lot about Peruvian history, nature and about the genesis of Rainbow mountain. His explanations were in perfect English and very interesting. During our hike we made several breaks to take photos and to catch our breath. David also offered us oxygen from an bottle but we refused.

The landscape was impressive: green grass and alpacas/lamas, steep colorful rocks and snow covered mountains far in the valley. Nevertheless the hike was demanding. After 3 hours we arrived at the Rainbow Mountain. Only 3 tourists had already arrived by horse (cheaters!) so we were almost alone at the Rainbow Mountain. We continued to hike to the perfect viewpoint a few meters up the hill after drinking a cup of coca tea. We were completely stunned by the beauty of the view. Not only by the different colors of the Rainbow Mountain but also by the whole scenery with the white glacier and deep red rocks on the other side. After taking more than enough photos/videos we descended a little and continued to the red valley view point. Again we were totally impressed by the pure beauty of the scenery. One of the great advantages of this tour was, that David did not pushed us with the time, so we could spend as much time as we wanted.

When we looked back to the Rainbow Mountain we saw many tourists walking up there - like a line of thousand ants. We were really happy that we arrived there as one of the first groups.

When we arrived at the parking, most of the tourist groups had left. So with AB Expeditions we could enjoy the landscape much longer then other groups. After a 20 minute ride we arrived our lunch stop. Our cook Senior Mario provided us with many delicious courses (Lomo Saltado, chicken, salad, guacamole, rice, noodles, potatoes). We really enjoyed the perfect meal and after that we again felt strong. Actually the lunch was one of the best ones that we had during our stay in Peru.

When we arrived back in Cusco we were welcomed by Senior Abel and his wife at our hotel. Abel´s wife brought a cake because the day before we revealed to Senior Abel that today was my 30th birthday. Thank you so much!

Conclusion: We did not regret to spend the extra money for this very personal tour. It was the perfect 30th birthday for me and the views we will never forget. The hike was demanding but definitely worthwhile. Last but not least a big THANK YOU to Abel and David, who made this special...

Three Tours with AB Expeditions – A Mostly Great Experience with a Standout Guide

We booked three tours with AB Expeditions during our time in Peru: the Sacred Valley tour, the half-day Cusco city tour, and the 4-day Inca Trail. Overall, we had a great experience—especially on the Sacred Valley and Inca Trail tours. A huge part of what made the difference was the guide. The right guide can truly elevate the entire trip, and Jacob did exactly that.

Communication & Logistics All planning and logistics were clear, organized, and easy to follow. Communication happens over WhatsApp, so be sure to have that downloaded before arrival. We were always informed about pickup times, what to bring, and what to expect.

Sacred Valley Tour We loved every stop—Ollantaytambo, Moray, Maras, and more—but Pisac wasn’t worth it that day, since traffic caused us (and every other tour group) to miss it before it closed. The day felt a little rushed, and removing one site could make it more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk about Jacob, our guide for this tour. He was phenomenal. His English was excellent, and he struck the perfect balance between being informative, personable, and fun. He brought history to life and gave cultural context in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand. Beyond that, he also took some of the best photos of our entire trip—seriously, Jacob has an eye for photography and knows where and how to get the perfect shots. We felt like we had a built-in photographer and storyteller in one. He’s a true gem.

The buffet lunch on this tour was a bit overpriced and just okay. For small groups, AB might consider partnering with more affordable local restaurants instead.

Half-Day Cusco City Tour This tour included major landmarks like Saqsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, Tambomachay, and a visit to an alpaca farm. While we were glad to see these sites, our guide didn’t seem very engaged. Her English was hard to follow, and her attitude seemed a bit impatient or uninterested. It made the tour feel slower and less enjoyable overall, especially compared to the others.

4-Day Inca Trail The highlight of our time in Peru. Everything from permits to porters was handled smoothly. Our guide kept a manageable pace, offered meaningful information at the archaeological sites, and helped us stay motivated throughout the trek without being overbearing.

Yes, it was physically challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding. Arriving at Machu Picchu on foot after four days was unforgettable—far more impactful than arriving by train or bus. We wouldn’t change a thing.

We had some of the best food in Peru while on trail. Our master chef Yuri was incredible!

One note: the "toilet tent" provided is for urination only, so you’ll still need to use the public squat toilets when needed. Also, we noticed that some other companies provided gear like chairs with backs instead of stools, which might make a difference in comfort, depending on your priorities.

Final Thoughts We would book with AB Expeditions again, but it’s important to know that your guide can really shape your experience. If you’re lucky enough to get Jacob—your trip will be amazing. He set the bar high with his energy, language skills, storytelling, and photography. On the flip side, if your guide isn’t as engaged, it may impact the enjoyment of the tour.

That said, we made unforgettable memories, especially on the Inca Trail, and AB Expeditions helped make it all possible. A solid choice for...

We had the most extraordinary trip on the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail trip with AB Expeditions. Our guide Giovanny (Gio) was incredible, our chef Nicanor cooked the most amazing food, and the entire team of porters were amazing.

I was in your shoes a few months ago reading reviews of Inca Trail tour companies trying to decide which one to book with (it's confusing!), but you should stop your research and book with AB Expeditions. They were the absolute best, and I'm so glad we chose them for our Inca Trail experience.

These were the key differentiators and reasons why I can't recommend AB Expeditions highly enough:

• Group Size – AB Expeditions prides itself on group sizes and this had such a positive impact on our experience. Our group size was five total hikers, and that size allowed us to have a really tight-knit, intimate team unit on the trail. We got to know everyone well, and it was nice to have a personal connection with everyone. We saw other groups on the trail that were 15-20 people, which would have been an overwhelming and far-less personalized experience. The small group size made everything better!

• Guide – Our guide, Giovanny (Gio), was incredible! He was an amazing leader of our group, set such a positive tone for the entire trip, and taught us so much about Peru, the Inca Trail and the Incan people. Gio was so kind and supportive, and he was so proud to share the culture and history of his country with us. We learned so much thanks to Gio! Gio's also an incredible photographer. He's done the trip so many times and he knows all of the best photo spots. He was dedicated to making sure we all got the photos we'd want to remember this amazing trip!

• Food – I had no idea what to expect from the food, but everything was delicious! It's unbelievable what remarkable meals this team can prepare given the circumstances. We had delicious food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was worried going into it that we'd be hungry and I brought a lot of snacks, but I didn't even need them – we were so well fed! I'm also a pescatarian, and the team was so kind and thoughtfully accommodated my dietary restrictions at every meal. We enjoyed so many traditional Peruvian foods and everything was truly delicious!

• Gear – AB Expeditions only started leading Inca Trail tours within the past few years and because it's newer, all of their gear is new and in great condition too! We had high-quality tents, sleeping bags, comfortable sleeping pads, and everything we needed for the most comfortable sleeping conditions. Additionally, it really stood out to me that our team of porters had the nicest gear on the trail. It's clear that AB Expeditions really respects and prioritizes the safety and comfort of their team and every porter was equipped with nice, technical clothing and boots to make their time on the trail as comfortable as possible.

• Logistics – All of the logistics, from pickup in their nice sprinter van, to coordination of entry passes into Machu Picchu, to train tickets back were smooth and made it as easy as possible for us to focus on the trek and enjoy!

Our entire experience was incredible! One of the most challenging, and most rewarding things I've ever done. I can't recommend this trip highly enough, and AB Expeditions is 110%...