Where possible we use local guides in order to provide you with the best insights into Peruvian cultures, and to help contribute to the local economy and foster a sense of pride in Peruvian heritage. We ensure that the porters and camp staff are treated and paid fairly in accordance with The Peruvian Ecotourism Association guidelines. Your guides will help you minimise any environmental impacts on fragile trails, make sure that you are aware of any sensitive cultural issues that you may encounter, and suggest locally made crafts that make wonderful gifts and contribute to the local economy. We believe that spending some time staying in comfort with local families can be of great benefit to both visitor and host and provide some truly memorable experiences.
Three nights of your trip will be spent in locally owned accommodation. We hope that you will ensure the fabulous cultural and natural heritage that Peru has to offer, by traveling with us you can help ensure that your visit benefits local communities and the conservation of their heritage.
The Inca Trail trek is run in accordance with APTAE (Peruvian ecotourism association) guidelines in terms of the fair treatment and payment of porters and other camp staff. The guest house scheme on Amantani and Taquile Islands are run by and for the local people. The scheme allows visitors to get a real insight into local life on the island on terms which also help the community.
We were voted most responsible tour operator by UK NGO Tourism Concern. On average 75% of the cost of your trip with us - excluding flights - remains in the destination.
Flights are automatically carbon offset through The Travel Forest, which plants 10 indigenous trees on your behalf (currently in northern Tanzania). Whilst the primary motivation for planting the trees is to offset carbon emissions, the project also works as a poverty alleviation and environmental improvement scheme.
Amanda set up this adventure tour operators with her husband in 1998 because she wanted to involve local people in offering authentic travel experiences. She believes in sticking closely with who you want to work with and maintains strong relationships with her staff. As a result, her vacations offer imaginative itineraries with unusual add-ons, thanks to the interesting links with grass roots companies. Amanda is passionate about green travel and has her own travel foundation which promotes sustainability. She and her staff work hard to 'keep it real' so that your vacation leaves you truly inspired.
We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!
