Colombia and Peru tour, 15 day

Planet

Transport:
As you move from place to place, you’ll use public buses where possible, which an effective way to help lower your carbon footprint, mingle with the locals and soak up the scenic views as you make your way to the next location. You will also enjoy a walking tour of Cali & a cycling tour of Bogotá, which is a relaxing and slower paced visit. A lot of our activities are based on walking from place to place. These cycling and walking trips will provide you with light exercise - looking after your well being, while also reducing the carbon footprint on the planet - looking after the planet’s well being!

Accommodation:
All of the places we stay in are locally run and passionate about doing their part when it comes to the environment. On this tour, we stay in hostels & guesthouses, a great way to immerse yourself in a local Colombian & Peruvian tradition. Whilst you’re staying in each of these places, we encourage you to use local services on offer, this way your money goes straight into the local community and economy. Check out the Local Restaurants or Street Food Vendors rather than visiting chains. The local coffee is some of the best!

In Cusco, the hostel implements sustainable actions to contribute to environmental care, encouraging travellers to be part of positive change during their stay. The hostel implemented water-saving measures, such as water-saving shower heads and encouraging guests to reuse towels. They have also implemented a rainwater harvesting system.

Wildlife:
This tour takes you to some seriously stunning areas of the world, as Colombia and Peru boast some of the best, such as hiking up the famous scenic El Peñol Rock or the colourful mineral rich slopes of Rainbow Mountain. Enjoy a 4-day hike in one of the Natural Wonders of the World and see Machu Picchu. When enjoying these hikes, we encourage travellers to follow waste disposal rules – carry out any trash, and use eco-friendly products to avoid pollution. Stay on the designated paths and do not climb or touch ancient ruins.

Top Tips:
We do not encourage our travellers to drink tap water in Colombia & Peru, however we still suggest packing a reusable water bottle in case there are safe refill stations so that we can still try to minimise the trail of plastic left behind.

We also recommend packing as light as possible, to help keep your carbon footprint low.

People

Local tour guides:
By hiring local tour guides we help support the local people and provide employment opportunities.

For example, in Colombia we take a visit to Finca el Ocaso Coffee Farm, where travellers can learn about the coffee plantation from the people who work there.

Whilst we take on the classic 4-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu and a Rainbow Mountain hike, local experienced guides and porters will accompany travellers throughout, ensuring your safety throughout.

Local experiences:
The time in Medellín will immerse you deeply into the culture available. Learn about the city’s history as you explore the vibrant streets. Learn about how Tango has a cultural significance in Colombia and of course discover how coffee is an integral part of Colombian culture, by learning about the traditional coffee-making techniques and the livelihoods of local farmers. Cusco showcases colonial and indigenous influences, whilst the Route of the Sun dives deep into the historic sites, indigenous villages, and ancient ruins.

As a sign of respect, we think that it is important for travellers to learn a few key words or phrases in the native language, so we offer classes to learn about the local language and encourage learning along the way.

All of our customers’ interactions are with local suppliers, and we promote integration between travellers and local people through our “unmissable” included activities and our optional activities, and opportunities for authentic cultural immersion.

Our Adventure Leaders are trained in ensuring that customers are aware of local customs and traditions, educating them on when it is appropriate to take photos and/or videos.