Responsible tourism is everyone’s responsibility – from the agencies who design the tours, to the operators who lead the tours, to the adventurers who travel with them. There is so much we can each do to make sure that our impact on local communities and the environment is a positive one.
>>Read more about how to be a responsible tourist in our Traveler’s Code of Conduct!
It is so important to be mindful, as trek operators and as visitors, of the places we visit and the impact our actions have on the local environment, customs, and economy. Apus Peru was founded on principles of sustanable tourism, and we strive to minimize negative impacts while bringing the benefits of tourism to remote Andean communities.
As a visitor, even you have a role to play in promoting sustainable tourism in Peru! We have given this a lot of thought. Our Traveler’s Code of Conduct contains everything that you can do to be a responsible tourist while in Peru. Here are a few highlights:
Download a PDF of our full Traveler’s Code of Conduct for a complete overview and read on for more information on being a Responsible Tourist while traveling in Peru.
Visitors to Peru are often painfully aware of the different standard of living that many Peruvians experience, and feel compelled to do what they can to help. This is a very noble and understandable sentiment, but you must be very careful about what and how you give gifts as they can create undesirable side effects, like corruption, jealousy, and a begging mentality where none existed before.
Remote Andean communities still live by the concept of ayni, the philosophy and legal principle of reciprocal exchange, or “today for me, tomorrow for you”. Over time, significant gift-giving – without the reciprocal exchange – can break down this fundamental principle of Quechua society. Therefore, while it feels good to give, also consider the long-term implications and what it means for these traditional communities.
Gifts to Avoid
Recommended Gifts
Don’t forget that you are already giving a gift to rural families when you book a trek with Apus Peru! $20 of your trek price is donated to Threads of Peru, a local organization dedicated to providing economic opportunities to rural indigenous women and to preserving the Andean weaving tradition.
Visitors to Peru are often painfully aware of the different standard of living that many Peruvians experience, and feel compelled to do what they can to help. This is a very noble and understandable sentiment, but you must be very careful about what and how you give gifts as they can create undesirable side effects, like corruption, jealousy, and a begging mentality where none existed before.
Remote Andean communities still live by the concept of ayni, the philosophy and legal principle of reciprocal exchange, or “today for me, tomorrow for you”. Over time, significant gift-giving – without the reciprocal exchange – can break down this fundamental principle of Quechua society. Therefore, while it feels good to give, also consider the long-term implications and what it means for these traditional communities.