This Is How to Travel to Peru – All You Need to Know Guide

Responsible Travel in Peru – Social Impact

One of the main reasons I was in Peru was to visit a collection of incredible projects of positive social impact in Lima and Cusco, set up by G Adventures and their charitable arm, Planeterra. These are projects where tourism footfall and the money we spend benefits local communities when travelling through. It can also serve as a means of empowerment, helping in the preservation of culture and allowing for the continuation of micro-enterprise within communities as one person’s success can fund another’ business idea.

Travellers pass through these projects on either the G Adventures small adventured tours in Peru and on their way to Machu Picchu on the G Adventures Inca Trail trek, where they are able to put their money to good use.

Positive Social Impact Projects in Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op was G Adventures’ first social enterprise project. While men in the Sacred Valley are often employed in agriculture or as porters for treks, women now have the opportunity to work as well as continue a beautiful tradition. Here, travellers have the chance to not only visit the community and see how the weaving co-op is set up, but also have the chance to buy a range of handmade souvenirs from jumpers, scarves and items for the home.

A group visits the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op in the Sacred Valley, Peru

Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op in the Sacred Valley, Peru

50km from Cusco, in the village of Huchuy Qosqo in the Sacred Valley, a community was struggling due to limited access to economic opportunities. Yet travellers were passing nearby, and so an idea was set in place for the construction of the Parwa Community Restaurant. Over 1,500 G Adventures travellers pass through each month, eating meals using ingredients sourced from local farmers, served by those who are given hospitality training and employment benefits. All income earned by the restaurant is reinvested back into community social projects, including separate micro-enterprises, like Warmicha, which sells various locally made snacks to travellers hiking their way to Machu Picchu.Travellers pass through the Parwa Community Restaurant.in the Sacred Valley, Peru on the Inca Trail

Parwa Community Restaurant.in the Sacred Valley near Cusco

The indigenous community of the Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley, Peru on the Inca Trail

Parque de la Papa (Potato Farm) is a conservation project dedicated to potato seeds. Over 6,000 indigenous community members work together to preserve the 3,000 species of potato that exist in this area. This not only provides economic opportunities and the preservation of indigenous culture but also preserves agricultural biodiversity unique to this region of Peru.An indigenous man explains the 3,000 varieties of potato in Peru at the Parque de la Papa conservation project

Parque de la Papa potato farm conservation project in Peru

A former G Adventure Chief Experience Officer (CEO) set up Nunay Reimy restaurant in Cusco. Travellers on G Adventures trips visit this restaurant, where a portion of the establishment profits and put back into the community.The owner of Nunay Reimy restaurant in Cusco explains traditional food and drink of Peru

Cuisine insights at Nunay Reimy restaurant in Cusco

The Inti Runakunaq Wasin local youth drop-in centre in Cusco was one of the first big Planeterra projects for G Adventures, where the money to build the centre was raised by a huge five-year-long international fundraiser by G travellers. Children who live in extreme poverty in Cusco are usually forced to drop out of school and beg on the street in order to help their families. You will be contributing to a project that provides children from poor families with a place to get guidance and support. You can support the centre in your visit by buying handicrafts produced by the children who have the opportunity to train in various workshops such as leatherworking and jewellery-making.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *