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Our latest Cotahuasi trip was an excellent expedition. Our accommodations are with a local hacienda and all our food is purchased at local markets. We worked with local transportation to get us from Arequipa to the rim of the Cotahuasi. We then hired local farmers and their donkeys to get all our equipment down to the river. Our trip consisted of several local guides whose knowledge of the area enhanced the expedition. This trip is an amazing cultural experience; the river takes our guest to seldom seen Incan Ruins in the heart of the Cotahuasi Canyon.
Though we are on a whitewater trip, we could always use extra days to explore more of the ruins and burial sites along the way. Incredibly, the sites seemed untouched as if they had survived hundreds of years without notice. No footprints, no signs of disturbance, not even a hint of anthropological studies! Interestingly, the trails that once were used by the Inca to run, yes run!, fish fresh from the Pacific Ocean to their rulers high in the mountains eventually washed away in the torrential coastal rains and rockslides, isolating these lost and forgotten ruins. We practice leave no trace so we will pack out everything we pack in.
Inca Trail / Apurimac River On the Inca Trail we hire local guides to hike the trail with the expedition. The hike to the ruins is an amazing cultural journey. It traces the steps of an ancient civilization. The creation of the lost City is fascinating accomplishment. Our local guides have incredible knowledge of the history of this amazing region. We’ll stay in local haciendas run by local families and enjoy local cuisine. All our food for our trip is purchased at local markets from local farmers. We practice leave no trace on all our expeditions so we’ll pack out everything we pack in.
While rafting on the river we propel ourselves with the most environmentally friendly power, physical labour. Throughout the entire trip, we pack all gear, food and refuse out of the Gorge and leave nothing in the river or on the banks. Even dishwater is strained so we don’t deposit small pieces of food in sump hole. Food and beverage cans are smashed to save space. Anything recyclable is hauled out to the proper facility after the expedition is complete.
Our suppliers consist of a short list, the market (food for the river trip) and lodging (before and after the river expedition). We always do our food buy locally, for the reasons of helping the locals, convenience, and freshness. The lodging we set up for our guests ranges from hostels to private bungalows with room service, depending on our guests’ requests. We always choose the most eco-friendly lodging available. We steer clear of “golf course in the desert” resorts, both because it is a terrible idea and it is not our style.
Our main policy aim is to keep conservation simple my making our environmental and cultural impact as low and friendly as possible. Keeping our impact low is comes naturally, as this state of mind has been held as a standard by most river communities for many years. Our ultimate goal is to instil these ideas into our clients’ every day life. We hope to accomplish this both by practice on the river expeditions as well as exposing them to the remote pieces of the world and giving them a greater appreciation for wilderness and our environment, giving them another motive for being environmentally responsible.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
