- You’re hoping to spot a jaguar and colorful macaws in pristine rainforests?
- And get to know the art of weaving in the Sacred valley of the Incas?
- You want to participate in scientific projects to protect the Amazon?
- And want to plant and harvest potatoes, corn and wheat in the Andes?
- Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca feast with music, dancing and storytelling?
- And above all, leave a green footprint while travelling?
If you answered these questions with YES, then you should start planning your trip to one of the following sustainable destinations in Peru. Here are our recommendations for nature, culture and adventure lovers, with a sense for meaningful experiences and environmental protection.
Preserving the rainforest at Tambopata National Reserve
Welcome to Tambopata National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, far, far away from the hustle and bustle of civilization! An overview of your benefits at Tambopata:
Wired Amazon Program – where conservation meets adventure
Our partner ecolodges Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Center are excellent examples of how immersive ecotourism can help to protect wildlife in the Amazon jungle. During your visit you’ll have the opportunity to actively participate in scientific projects, such as the Wired Amazon Program.
The experience is based on exploration, with various circuits leading to different ecosystems, such as the bamboo and flooded palm tree trail, monkey and night walks, visits to parrot clay licks and much more. Tambopata Research Center Lodge is one of the most remote lodges in South America and requires at least 3.5 hours of travel time. But therefore, 4 of 10 GUESTS can spot a jaguar on the way to the lodge from July to September.
Here are some of the achievements of the Wired Amazon Program
- 31 new species of arthropods discovered.
- 20 individual jaguars through AmazonCam identified.
- Over 12 000 global participants engaged in citizen science projects.
- 650 000 images aiding wildlife monitoring and conservation collected.
- 1st place for the project in the Biodiversity Category at the Green Awards in Miami, 2022
Authentic Cultural Immersion
On the social side of sustainability, the Tambopata lodges stand for environmentally conscious lodging that empowers communities. Did you know that one of the lodges (Posada lodge) is owned by the Ese Eja of the Native Community of Infierno?
The Native Community owns the lodge, while Rainforest Expeditions supports its marketing and management – a successful strategic alliance since 1996, and one of the most successful ventures between a local community and a tourism company anywhere in the world!
In fact, the venture creates meaningful profits and full-time employment for the Ese Eja people. Each year, profits are shared among the households of the community, increasing annual incomes by 25 percent. During your visit you get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience Ese Eja’s life and support the conservation of indigenous lands and culture!
Local building materials, seasonal & regional menu
Building materials for the lodges and the ingredients for the delicious menus couldn’t be more local. The menu was developed by the renowned Peruvian chef Dennys Yupanqui, who traveled and worked for 2 years in this project, showing that healthy gastronomy can go hand in hand with conservation. The result? A diverse menu with seasonal inputs, regional ingredients from small farmers in the surroundings of the lodges and a lot of respect for the products used.
Energy efficiency and recycling
Solar energy, hot water from hot springs, efficiency systems saving resources and absolutely no single-use plastics! That’s how you’ll leave a greener footprint while staying at the Tambopata Reserve. Throw-away plastics are totally prohibited, so bring your refillable bottle with you or buy a glass water bottle on site. At every lodge, you will find places to refill your bottles with purified water from ceramic and ozone filters.
Carbon Neutral Operations
Our partner Rainforest Expeditions, the operator of Refugio Amazonas and Tambopata Research Center Lodge, are proud to announce that their company is a 100% carbon neutral, including:
- Day-to-day operations at all three lodges
- Our offices in Puerto Maldonado
- Transportation of all permanent staff
This is thanks to a partnership with Regenera, an innovative footprint management service that measures their carbon footprint and offsets it through local carbon sequestration and avoided deforestation actions, transferring 60% of revenues to local communities who have agreed to protect forests.
Community Tourism in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Magnificient nature, breathtaking views, ancient ruins, and countless meaningful cultural activities. Hardly any other place is as rich in history as the Sacred Valley. Back then, the Incas chose the valley because of its geographical location and favorable climatic conditions to grow different types of plants – for example, at Moray, a striking archaeological complex consisting of terraces that were once used as a laboratory for farming experiments.
Today, the Sacred Valley is home to many indigenous communities who have preserved their traditions and are proud to share their culture with us – the perfect destination for meaningful community tourism.
Chinchero
You’d like to learn about the art of weaving textiles? In the town of Chinchero, famous for its handmade textiles, you can participate in a weaving workshop, while enjoying a spectacular view of the Chinchero archeological site. To make your visit even more unforgettable you will have the chance to spot native species such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas.
Misminay weavers & traditional lunch
But also the members of the Misminay community are very skilled in weaving and pass their ancient weaving traditions on from generation to generation. Get to know their secrets, tools and techniques to produce finest textiles. Hungry after all the weaving? In Misminay you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious lunch, cooked by one of the local families of the community. The food is simple but delicious and 100 % made with local produce from Misminay!
Rural Tourism at the Amaru Community (Pisac)
If you are interested in Andean culture, this tour is definitely for you. Become a member of the 200 Amaru families on a visit to this traditional community of farmers and artisans. The Amaru will give you authentic insights into the entire process of dyeing and spinning, using a variety of natural materials. For lovers of ethnobotany, the locals will show the uses of dye plants in natural medicine. The Amaru will welcome you with open arms and a lot of kindness.
The crafts market in Pisac
No tour to Pisac is complete without a visit to Pisac’s handicraft market. Combine the experience of interacting with a native Andean community and immersing yourself in the colorful market of Pisac, with a wide variety of locally made handicrafts.
Visit the Patacancha Community in Ollantaytambo
Patacancha is a high-altitude Quechua-speaking community, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant textile art and sustainable agricultural practices. Spin alpaca or sheep wool, weave intricate patterns with red and black motifs and learn about their symbolic meanings deeply rooted in Andean cosmology. Plant, harvest, or tend crops such as potatoes, corn, and wheat. These practices are fundamental to the community’s self-sufficiency. Finally, participate in the preparation and enjoyment of a traditional Pachamanca feast, a communal meal cooked in an earth oven with hot stones. This culinary experience is accompanied by music, dancing and local storytelling, facilitating a deeper understanding of spiritual and social life of the villagers.
Ready to explore Peru with a positive impact?
Committed to environmental, social and economic sustainability, we at Gulliver Expeditions would be delighted to help you design your tailor-made sustainable trip through Peru. Because it can be quite easy to protect the rainforest and its unique species. Because it feels good to support local communities. And because sustainable travel enriches and broadens your personal horizons.
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