Runas Expeditions

The Ancascocha Trek is one of the top 20 hikes in the world, according to National Geographic. I chose it because it was as one of the least known, least traveled, most spectacular routes in the high Andes, ending in Machu Picchu. I went with Runas on the personal recommendation of a friend. It was everything I had hoped, and more. The trek itself is incredible, we saw no other hikers, the landscapes were indescribably beautiful and dramatic. It was challenging but manageable - I had t spent some time acclimating prior to the trek.. The services and guidance provided by Runas were simply outstanding every step of the way. Eddy was an excellent guide - he provided so much enriching information on history, culture, plants, animals, geology - everything. The food was Peruvian, and the chef created some of the best I have ever eaten - fresh, healthy, so tasty! The service and consideration from the team was luxurious - I woke up in the mornings to a basin of warm water and hot chocolate at tent door, and enjoyed a hot water bottle for my feet on cold nights. The equipment was excellent, the team was so helpful and hardworking, Guide Eddy was kind, knowledgeable, personable. Runas is 100% Peruvian and the entire team was local Quechuan from the villages. They have a very strong connection and commitment to the land, culture, history, and people of the high Andes. Eddy is dedicated to improving the lives of the common Peruvians - he treats his team with respect and fairness, and Runas also supports a local village school. I highly recommend going with Runas Expeditions - they offer a wide variety of hikes and tours through the Sacred Valley, the Andes, Cusco, Machu Picchu. They are professional, knowledgeable, dedicated to providing an exceptional experience to their clients.

From start to finish, Eddy made sure I was taken good care of and had a fantastic experience. The food and level of service during the walk was amazing, I am still blown away by the quality of the dishes the chef came up with, all freshly made! On my first night I had stomach problems due to altitude, Rahul, the chef, listened to my symptoms and made a special tea that completely fixed me. The first night was so cold that the outside of the tent was frozen, but the sleeping gear provided meant I was toasty warm and slept very well, which is exactly what you need on a long trek.

I really recommend the ancasocha hike, stunning views and hardly any other tourists on the trail. He was physically challenging, especially with the altitude, but Eddy set a good pace and controlled me and was attentive while giving me the freedom I wanted. His English is excellent and we were able to discuss the local history and culture in great detail. When we got to Machu Picchu, his tour didn't miss a thing and he was able to navigate the site well enough that we were able to avoid the other tourists as much as possible.

I really love how much Eddy cares about the locals and the preservation of the Inca culture, it makes me feel good that the support goes to the locals instead of coming to a big company. When I return to Peru there is no one else I would consider touring with!

We just did the 5 day / 4 night Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Our Tour Guide Eddie was Amazing, with everything from his hospitality and personality to his endless knowledge of Inca History. We also had a wonderful group of porters and the most amazing campsite chef named Alfredo. The food that we were served everyday was amazing and they even cooked us a cake for our last day with them at the campsite. The hike was filled with breath taking views, tons of beautiful flowers and plants, and birds and butterflies. Eddie and his group made sure that we were well taken care for all of our needs. They always had fresh boiled water available for us to refill our backpacks, we were also greeted with fresh coffee and tea in our tent every morning. We started the trip as complete strangers but by the end of the trip we had become like family with Eddie and his team, they were truly amazing and made the trip spectacular! On the train back from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo we sat across from 2 ladies that had used a different tour group and they had a horrible experience, we felt bad when they asked about our tour and we told them just how amazing our tour was. Runas Expeditions went above and beyond what we were expecting for the trip. I cannot recommend them enough, Eddie and his group are Amazing!!!

I had the pleasure of traveling with Runas Expeditions in March 2020. Our trip was flawless and tour guide Eddi made the trip exceptional. Everything was perfect and handled in a timely and professional manner. We were picked up at the airport, taken to the Air B&B, toured local Cusco as well as other destinations of our choice and a day trip to Machu Picchu. Eddi our guide is immensely educated in history and mesmerizing in how his knowledge and delivery of information literally makes you feel that you know these places. In addition, this trip was two days before the world “closed” for the Pandemic. We were obligated to leave early and Runas Expeditions personally took care of us and assures our safety in the uncertainty of how to get back home. I cannot wait to return.

I recently did a 2-day, 1-night 18-mile trek with Runas Expeditions. We hiked to Ausengate and then to the Rainbow Mountains, with a bonus choice of hiking through the Red Valley instead of following the "tourists" down the mountain. I'll tell you, it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but one of the most rewarding!!

Eddy and his team were very professional from the start. He stopped by our hotel a couple nights before we left to drop off duffel bags and a few other supplies so we would have time to prepare. They picked us up early on our start day, drove to the starting point and proceeded to make us a breakfast of omelettes, bread, fruit, quinoa granola, coffee and coca tea (to help with altitude). It was fantastic!! My friend and I had a difficult time on the uphills (we live almost at sea level, and we hiked up to 16,300 feet that day), often taking breaks every 30 feet or so. Eddy was very patient, encouraging us and congratulating us every step of the way. It was a feeling I cannot describe when we finally reached Ausengate. WOW!! Once there, Eddy explained the significance of the sacred mountain, and even did a small ceremony with coca leaves that we were invited to participate in. Super cool. From there, we hiked to camp for lunch - soup, a vegetable salad, bread, rice, potatoes, and trout ceviche. The chef always had snacks for us to grab before we left again.

Eddy gave us the choice of staying there or heading over one more pass to camp for the night. We chose to go on. We made it right before dark and snacked on popcorn while the chef made dinner. I was too exhausted and had no appetite due to the altitude, so I hit the tent. They had plenty of warm sleeping gear for the below zero temps, and even gave us a hot water bottle to put inside our sleeping bags! I slept like a baby.

The next day we got up early to beat the other hikers, had another wonderful breakfast, and got to Rainbow Mountain just after sunrise. There were just a handful of other people there, so we practically had it to ourselves. After a few photos with Eddy and his crew, we left for the Red Valley. It was unREAL!! Much better than the Rainbow Mountain you see on all the postcards. There were more rainbows in this valley, and we had it all to ourselves!! It was like walking through a painting! Eddy led us over the mountains and then down past some local farms to meet our team. We had a great victory lunch - which included a cake and a bottle of champagne!

I highly recommend Runas Expeditions if you are planning a trek. They will treat you like family and you'll never forget it!

Eddy Is absolutely fantastic!!! There is a reason all of his reviews are 5 stars. He is so passionate and kind and will make sure you are well taken care of. I cannot recommend this company enough!!!

Solo traveler, Eddie and the Runas Expeditions team made me feel right at home in their homeland, so knowledgeable of their history, Started with tour of cusco city.i did the Ancascocha 4 day 3 night treck amazing, to Machu Picchu, the food prepared by the chef was hard to believe I was in a tent. Rainbow mountain, Humantay lagoon and the last inca bridge are more of the tours I did with Runas Expeditions,