Contributing with the places we visit
In many of our sample itineraries we have included some projects and organizations which we hold very dear to our hearts with the goal of not only gaining pleasure from the experience but also contributing to the places we are visiting.
One of our favorite hotels in Peru also happens to be a part of one of the organizations that we regularly support, Sol y Luna. As a company, we work very closely with the owners of the hotel and try and offer it where possible to all of our clients that travel to the Sacred Valley. We have opted to fully support one of the children who attends their school whereby we provide him with all of the necessary support required to allow him to live a healthy and fulfilled life. It is an incredible hotel with an even more incredible heart, and we are very proud to be able to support their cause.
The following symbol
which you will find on our itineraries indicates the journeys which directly contribute towards these amazing organizations.
Empowering through education
Intercultural School Sol y Luna
As a part of the Sol y Luna foundation, the school was opened to provide the children of the surrounding community with a proper education, medical care and support. The school began welcoming children with disabilities in 2015 and we decided to fully sponsor an incredible student at the school, Said Santos, who was diagnosed with Edward’s syndrome, a rare disease that affects the normal development of the organs and body. We cover all of the costs associated with Said’s education, food, psychological support, therapies, transportation and any other requirements he may need. Together with the beautiful people working at the Sol y Luna school, we are able to give this incredible child the best possible quality of life.
Take a look at this heart-warming video from our recent visit.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
Hazla Por Paracas
‘Hazla’ is a volunteer-based organization that calls on the public to join in on a hands-on cleanup of the beaches throughout South America. Each year, along with a sponsorship from Setours, some of our staff volunteer to spend the weekend together, restoring their beautiful beachfront to its former glory. With tons of garbage already being removed since 2015, each year the movement is steadily growing and slowly ridding our country of plastic pollution one beach at a time.
Take a look at the official video of our cleanup effort in 2019.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
Milpuj Homestay
Casa Hacienda Milpuj, a few kilometers away from the pre-Inca archaeological site of Kuelap, is a personal project brought to light by a mother, Senora Lola, and her son Perico to reforest the land that she inherited from her ancestors. They built 4 rooms to host guests who are looking for a place to unwind and disconnect. There is no TV and only limited WiFi. Instead, you have a natural botanic garden, an apiary and a path that used to be an Inca trail leading to Chachapoyas. You hear only the sound of the birds with the creek in the background. Enjoy the hospitality of the hosts as well as some home-made meals, it is a magical place where one of the few dry forests in Peru thrives. Visitors from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh discovered the rarely-seen ‘esenbeckia weberbariana’ in this area when they visited. More than twenty thousand Tara trees have been replanted here since 2000, and as of March 2020, we coordinated a continual effort by means of a donation, that will allow for the initial planting of 350 more trees.
Take a look at their ‘living a life of conservation’ story here.
Keeping age-old tradition alive
Officially declared and recognized as a Cultural Heritage of Peru, local ‘Picanterias’ remain ever loyal to the region’s colonial flavors. Though, increasing rental fees in Arequipa’s historic center moved these humble eateries to the outskirts of the city. ‘La Benita de Characato’ is one of the most traditional picanterias. Family-run for 5 generations, they dared a come back to the center and share this tradition with travelers looking for authentic local cuisine. The new ‘La Benita de Los Claustros’, with an unbeatable location in the courtyard of La Compania (a church dating back to 1650) just on the corner of the main square, allows for the opportunity to sample some of the regional dishes which Arequipeños have been enjoying for generations.
Take a quick peek into this picanteria and discover the true flavor of Peru.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
A Caminar
We collect all recyclable office materials, including paper, cardboard, excess holiday brochures, cans, glass and plastic. These materials are collected by the local charity ‘A Caminar’ and with the revenue that is generated they are able to fund for children in need, donate fresh produce to community kitchens and provide financial support for the technical education of young people.
Keeping age-old tradition alive
Misminay Community
There are over 300 families who live and preserve their ancient traditions in this Andean community, each working together with nature and the universe. In this remarkable village, which possesses a mysterious textile iconography, unique fauna and flora and a subtle local gastronomy, the inhabitants seek to inform visitors about their ancient techniques and traditional farming knowledge. The community works together and offers an array of options for travelers going off-the-beaten-path. By booking a weaving demonstration, a traditional lunch or one of their workshops where they share their skills and way of life, your support will allow the community to diversify their sources of income, improving on their quality of life.
Take a quick look at one of the weaving demos taking place.
Keeping age-old tradition alive
Mil & Central Restaurants
Virgilio Martinez, owner of both Mil and Central, is at the forefront of gastronomic discovery in Peru and along with this research comes a great deal of support to the local community and people. In a bid to support Virgilio’s cause, we recommend and sell both gastronomic proposals to our clients traveling through Peru.
Mil is not only a restaurant located directly above the terraces of Moray but also a multidisciplinary center where art, science, investigation, experimentation, innovation and cuisine are delicately fused together in order to create a unique experience for you and to promote local development. Both Mil and Central provide a platform for programs and projects which are conducted hand-in-hand with the local communities, creating a continuous working relationship in which they share mutual respect, and allow the full involvement of its members in operations both inside and outside of the restaurants.
Find out more about Virgilio Martinez’s research collective ‘Mater Iniciativa’ in this video.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
Amantica Lodge
The Amantica Lodge is committed to supporting the local communities on Amantani Island, where it is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. In addition to contributing a percentage of its income to the fulfillment of the needs of the local communities, the lodge hires and trains the locals in order to give them the necessary skills to receive and welcome guests to the lodge. This form of sustainable tourism creates a community upliftment and allows for the surrounding communities to benefit from the increasing stream of tourists visiting the lodge. With the skills and employment opportunities offered to the locals, the community is able to rely on a steady flow of income, assisting with the growth and maintenance of the community’s infrastructure and quality of life. To further the assistance to the local communities, Amantica has teamed up with Eco Wekk and provide for the refurbishment and building of the locals’ residential houses.
Take a look at a few of the highlights that make this secluded luxury lodge so special.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
Crees Manu Learning Centre
The Manu Learning Centre is on the frontline of conservation as it seeks to protect the regenerating rainforest with the aim of providing a safe haven for rare and endangered wildlife. It’s home to scientists, conservationists, volunteers and visitors from across the world, each brought together by their love for the Manu rainforest and their passion to protect it.
Take a look at the story ‘from destroyer to protector’ courtesy of the Crees Manu Learning Centre and discover how one mans love for the rainforest has ultimately led to its protection.
Keeping age-old tradition alive
Andean Lodges
Andean Lodges promotes sustainable and community-based rural tourism for true nature lovers and seekers of off-the-beaten-path experiences. This is an inclusive initiative that directly involves the traditional local communities of Osefina and Chillca as equal partners. The company is also determined to promote the conservation of the natural resources and ecosystems in the High-Andean region. Thanks to this unique partnership between the lodges and the community members, four superb mountain eco-lodges have been built. Each lodge is well-appointed and designed for the comfort and relaxation of its guests. The communities are involved in the Andean Lodges’ decision-making process and take part in 100% of their operations. The locals are given employment opportunities that allow them to preserve their cultural and spiritual heritage and livelihood practices. In addition, the locals accompany travelers on the hike along the Apu Ausangate route, they share their knowledge of the sacred mountain and their cosmological perspective with visitors and offer the sale of native products.
Keeping age-old tradition alive
The Patacancha Community is situated about 1-hour away from Ollantaytambo, along a winding unpaved road and completely off the beaten path. This colorful community will welcome you with some music and offer you the option to don some traditional ponchos, skirts and hats. The women will then continue to demonstrate how the wool is carded, spun, and naturally dyed while showing you how each garment is meticulously handwoven, giving you a new appreciation for their workmanship. The ladies of Patacancha are budding entrepreneurs and look to you for some support as they offer their wares for sale from their makeshift handcrafted market in hopes of generating a little more income for their family and community.
Take a look at the video showing our visit to this vibrant community.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
School Kitchen & Homestays in Luquina
During an inspection to Luquina, a tiny yet charming Andean community on the shores of Titicaca Lake, we noticed the lack of a proper kitchen and dining room facilities to provide breakfast for children attending the public school. APT, our client and Australian partner, agreed to cooperate with us and provide the funds for this project while we oversaw and managed the planning and implementation phase. In addition to that we offer a lunch in this quiet community during our full-day tours of Titicaca Lake. For travelers looking for closer contact with the community, we have also received wonderful feedback from clients overnighting in one of the community’s homestays with each of the rooms featuring a private bathroom, heating and hot water.
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism
The Llama Pack Project
The Llama Pack project focuses on recovering the traditional use of carrier llamas in the Sacred Valley highlands. The project works closely with local llama farmers and aims to include high-Andean communities in the growing tourism industry of the area through the implementation of networking opportunities and skill-building workshops. The initiative offers travelers treks with llamas, an authentic and unique activity. There is also the option to visit local communities and learn more about the challenges faced by llama-herding families. This gives locals access to an alternative source of income and in turn, improves their quality of life. The Llama pack project seeks to promote environmental awareness among community members and the conservation of the Andean mountain ecosystems. Llamas are perfectly suitable pack animals for treks in high altitudes and mountainous areas. The use of foreign introduced horses or mules often leads to trail erosion. The Llama pack project aims to maintain ancestral trails and native ecosystems by connecting agencies with local llama breeders.
