Cordillera Ausangate Lodge trek, Peru

Planet

From the outset, the design and construction of the lodges aimed to minimise their environmental impact through the use of alternative technologies and resource-management practices.

Biodegradable detergents are used in the bathrooms and restaurants, while human waste is processed through biodigesters. The anaerobic digestion process produces a nutrient-rich by-product that can be used as fertiliser, and the system could potentially be adapted in the future to produce biogas. Organic residues are collected in the community of Chillca and treated for composting, while inorganic materials are transported to a recycling facility near Cusco.

The lodges and their staff promote awareness of the local environment among community members. The use of llamas as pack animals also maintains a traditional form of transport while providing employment opportunities for local people.

The lodges purchase fresh, locally produced food and prioritise local products over imported goods where possible. This supports local producers and encourages the use of Andean ingredients in the cuisine.

The trek uses permanent lodges rather than seasonal campsites, reducing the need for temporary infrastructure. Waste is further reduced by selecting products with minimal packaging, ensuring that no litter is left along the routes and protecting local water sources from contamination. The trekking routes follow established and historic herding paths, limiting the need to create new trails.

We continue to contribute to a reforestation programme in Peru, which aims to plant one million native trees on Andean slopes. The programme is intended to address deforestation and contribute to the retention and restoration of Andean forest.

People

The trek is one of a small number of tourism projects in Latin America that directly involve small holders and shepherding communities as partners in a commercial enterprise. Through labour contributions, land valuation and direct investment, the Chillca community owns almost one-fifth of the company's shares. Profits generated by the enterprise are intended to support improvements in education and living conditions within the community.

The project has created 24 full-time jobs and 30 or more temporary employment opportunities. It also provides a market for alpaca meat and fleece products and traditional woven textiles produced by women from Chillca and Osefina. During the first year, the direct employment created was expected to generate approximately USD 60,000 in salaries.

The project also aims to increase the involvement of community members in professional roles, with the intention that professional services would eventually be provided by members of the local communities.

Since 2006, we have supported the Huchuy Yachaq community project in the Hermanos Ayar neighbourhood on the outskirts of Cusco. The project was established by volunteer social workers and teachers and provides children with study and recreational activities, as well as vacation programmes. Donations have supported educational books and games, furniture, improvements to the community-owned building, the installation of functioning toilets, school materials and vacation activities.