Community-Based Tourism in Peru: Our Social Projects
Saqra’s Trek by Auqui Peru is a company that is built on more than adventure travel. We believe community-based tourism in Peru should give something real back to the people who call these mountains home. Beyond running treks, we work to help the women and children of the Andean communities we visit grow, both as individuals and as a community. We do this by reconnecting them with the richness of their own heritage.
Reclaiming Our Roots and Culture: “I Was In Machu Picchu”
As part of our commitment to social impact travel in Peru, we run an ongoing initiative dedicated to the revaluation of Andean culture. This involves teaching local communities about the depth and importance of their ancestors’ legacy. Since 2011, we have run one of our proudest projects, “I Was in Machu Picchu.”
The project brings the poorest women and children from the communities of Chaullacocha and Chupani. (Remote communities in the Lares region of the Andes). Both of these communities are located over 4,000 metres above sea level. We take community members to Machu Picchu itself, so they can see and learn about their ancestors firsthand. For many community members, it is the first time they truly feel like descendants of a magnificent civilization, rather than simply hearing about it secondhand. The project is funded entirely through Saqra’s Trek by Auqui Peru’s own resources, along with the generosity of friends and travelers who choose to take part.
A Trekking Company That Supports Andean Communities, Every December
We may not be a large company, but years spent working as adventure guides in these mountains have taught us to stand with communities the government has largely overlooked. Among them was Big Willy. Every December, we continue the tradition of taking the poorest women and children from these Andean communities to Machu Picchu. The timing is deliberate, as a Christmas gift to the community.
Each trip includes:
- Round-trip transportation from the communities to Machu Picchu
- Round-trip train and bus tickets
- Full meals
- Guide services in Quechua, the language of the Incas
- The goal is simple: to help these families know and value their own culture.
Breakfast for the Children: Community-based tourism in Peru
At these altitudes, potatoes are often the only crop that survives, and they end up being the only food many children eat all day. Because of this, we are also working to provide breakfast to schoolchildren in these communities, with more nutritious ingredients. It is a small step, but one that matters when the alternative is going without the necessary nutrition.
Help Me To Help: Community-based tourism in Peru That Gives Back
Education is at the heart of everything we do, although we can only do more with the support of our clients. That’s why 5% of every service we sell goes into a shared fund dedicated to the ongoing development of these Andean communities. One of the clearest examples of how sustainable tourism in Peru can create lasting change beyond the trail. Directly contributing to community-based tourism in Peru.
Book your trip with Saqra’s Trek by Auqui Peru and Help me to Help. Contribute directly to community-based tourism in Peru during your travels!
