Machu Picchu small group holiday

Planet

WASTE: In Peru, as with all of the countries that we operate, we practice a Leave No Trace principle. This is important in preserving the Lares and Machu Picchu region. Reducing waste and reducing the environmental impact of tourism in this region of Peru is a big priority of our company in all the place we operate. In Peru we incentivize environmental stewardship in the Andes mountain regions by assessing all partner lodges based on local ownership, energy-sourcing, and waste disposal. Our lodges in Cusco, the Lares area, and in the Machu Picchu area go to great measures to reduce impact in this remote area by packing in and out supplies and waste. The Andes region of Peru is an amazing area and we must help to protect it. All meals are provided with food that is sourced locally to minimize packaging and waste. All supplies and waste on the trail and packed in and out. Our local Peruvian guides serve as environmental and waste reduction educators on the Lares trail. They talk about the environmental issues that are challenging the Lares region the Peruvian Andes. They demonstrate and educate best practices for responsible travel to our travelers.

WATER: On our Backroads Machu Picchu trip in Peru, we encourage the use of reusable bottles instead of purchasing plastic bottled water. We actively educate our clients on the impact of plastic products on the remote environments of the Andes Mountains, the Lares area, and all of Peru. We encourage our travelers to bring and utilize reusable water containers. This practice eliminates tens of thousands of wasteful water bottles being purchased and discarded and that could potentially pollute the delicate Peruvian environment.

People

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: With our company, we are committed to doing travel in Peru right. We see travel in Peru as one of the most effective means of investing in amazing people and places. We hire experienced local Peruvian guides from the local communities in which we operate. This is not only the responsible thing to do but provides a better and more authentic Peruvian travel experience for our guests. We invest 10% of our total revenue in the form of microcredit to small-scale entrepreneurs in the communities of Peru where we travel. We partner with microfinance institutions that provide low-interest capital to small businesses in the regions where we operate. We feel this is an effective and responsible way to give back and support the Peruvian people that let us explore their country. This is our mission, our passion, and what makes our company very unique in the travel industry.

A FAIR DEAL: In Peru our company partners up with local lodge owners in Cusco, on the Lares Trail, Aquas Calientes and the Machu Picchu region. We partner with local Peruvian drivers and transport companies that employ local Peruvian residents. We focus on partnering with other local businesses in the areas and communities we operate. We do this to maximize the local benefit from tourism. We practice a Leave No Trace principle on all our expeditions and we incentivize environmental best practices among our partners. Our teams are locally hired within Peru. We travel with respect and preservation of local Peruvian customs and with that perspective in mind, we educate those who travel with us in the importance of preserving these important factors that make Peru an amazing place to visit and protect.