Peru trekking vacation, Lares

Planet

For our treks, we buy fresh local produce and prioritise local products over imported goods where possible, including local ingredients in our cooking. We reduce waste by choosing products with minimal packaging, removing rubbish from trekking routes and keeping water sources and campsites clean. We follow Leave No Trace guidelines and organise clean-up activities along trek routes and local rivers.

We provide bottled water at the beginning of treks and boiled water for the remainder of the journey, while encouraging travelers to refill their own bottles. Reusable cloth bags are used for trek snacks instead of individual plastic bags, and biodegradable soap and dishwashing liquid are used on treks.

Our Cusco-based partner is a Peruvian company employing local staff.

We donate to an organization which has planted several thousand native polylepis (Queuña) trees have been planted in areas where the species is under pressure.

People

All our porters are local to the areas through which we trek in the Lares Valley. They carry a maximum load of 20kg and are provided with tents and food.

Our guides provide information about local customs, culture and the livelihoods of communities in the surrounding mountain areas.

Since 2006, we have supported Huchuy Yachaq in the Hermanos Ayar neighbourhood of Cusco, contributing annually. The project provides educational and social activities for children and families, including study and games sessions and vacation programmes. Our contributions have supported educational books and games, furniture, school materials, improvements to the community-owned building and toilets.