There is no better way to experience the beauty of Peru than with ecotourism. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or an inspiring educational journey, exploring Peru’s diverse ecosystems and cultures offers something extraordinary. With its lush tropical rainforests, endless mountain landscapes, and bio-rich cloud forests, there are countless opportunities to enjoy an unforgettable eco-travel experience.
Peru is home to some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, and because of this, sustainable tourism practices are essential for protecting these fragile environments from environmental degradation, while at the same time, bringing economic benefits and opportunities to local communities.
In recent years, many organizations and tour operators have begun offering ecotourism experiences to conscious travelers who want to explore Peru by practicing sustainable and responsible tourism.
But this begs the question, how do you know which eco-tourism companies are actually fulfilling their promises of protecting the environment and supporting local communities?
Well, you are in luck!
Our team on the ground, comprised of people living and working in Peru, has done first-hand investigating for you, and the results are in.
Here are the seven most ethical eco-tourism companies currently operating in Peru.
Best Practices for Being a Responsible Eco-Tourist
Being a responsible eco-tourist is more than just picking the most eco-friendly tour company, it is also about how you act, what you pack, and where you choose to spend your money.
When it comes to how you act, you should always respect local laws and customs, never engage with unethical animal tourism, and ask permission before taking photographs of local people. It would be pretty odd if you were at home and random people walked by and snapped your photograph without asking, would it not?
When it comes to what you pack, bring a reusable water bottle with you and avoid using travel-size plastic containers for your toiletry items. For example, use a shampoo bar rather than a travel-size plastic bottle of shampoo, and bar soap rather than liquid.
Also, look for non-toxic and environmentally friendly sunscreens and bug sprays that will not release chemicals into the air and water.
When it comes to where you spend your money, try to always support the local economy when it comes to buying supplies, shopping for souvenirs, and dining at restaurants. Skip the malls, international megastores, and chain restaurants.
These small steps may seem insignificant, however, if everyone who travels to Peru follows some simple sustainable practices when they travel, it can have a really big impact.
What Makes an Eco-Tourism Company Sustainable and Responsible?
On a basic level, sustainable and responsible eco-tourism companies prioritize sourcing goods and services from local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions and to support local economies. They also offer tours that focus on experiencing, supporting, and learning about nature and the local people who live in these unique regions of the world.
Some of the tours offered by eco-tourism companies may contribute to the conservation or preservation of natural areas and others may be more recreational, either way, the main thing is that the tours offered are ethically managed to be low-impact, non-consumptive, and locally oriented when it comes to control, benefit, and scale.
In the end, eco-tourism companies should strive to bring empowerment, economic benefits, and opportunity to local communities while practicing responsible and sustainable tourism.
Best Eco-Tourism Companies in Peru
So, based on the principles that we have discussed, which companies currently operating in Peru are actually living up to their promise of providing environmentally friendly travel opportunities that support local economies?
Here are the seven best eco-tourism companies currently operating in Peru according to our investigation.
1. Explora
Explora is a B Corp Certified luxury accommodation located in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The Sacred Valley is a fertile land set between towering mountains that extends for more than 60 miles from the city of Cusco all the way to Machu Picchu. Explora Sacred Valley offers over 40 different guided tours for guests to enjoy while staying in the Sacred Valley on their way to Machu Picchu.
To be considered for B Corp Certification, businesses must demonstrate high social and environmental performance, make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, and exhibit transparency by allowing information about their sustainability performance to be measured and made publicly available.
2. El Albergue
El Albergue is a beautiful historic hotel located on the outskirts of Ollantaytambo near the Urubamba River. The hotel grounds are also located across the river from the trailhead to the Chicaqata Hike that leads to Inti Punku (Sun Gate).
El Albergue is known for maintaining its own organic farm and several gardens on the hotel grounds where all of the foods that make up the menu are sourced. El Albergue partners with many local tour operators and local businesses who abide by the philosophies of sustainable and responsible tourism to give guests a unique experience. They also are avid supporters of ECOAN, a Peruvian conservation organization that works to provide sustainable, long-term protection and restoration of threatened Andean ecosystems in partnership with local communities and authorities.
3. Rainforest Expeditions
Photo Source: rainforestexpeditions.com
Rainforest Expeditions is one of the first and most famous eco-friendly tour companies to come out of the Peruvian Rainforest. Known for ongoing scientific research programs such as the Discovering New Species Progam and for their partnership with the Ese Eja de Infierno community, Rainforest Expeditions is an industry leader when it comes to eco-tourism and raising awareness about sustainable practices and responsible travel.
Another important thing to note about Rainforest Expeditions is their work at the Tambopata Research Center. The Tambopata Research Center uses much of the proceeds from its luxury accommodations and jungle expeditions to help protect endangered species and the natural resources of the Amazon as well as the natural and cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples living in the Amazon.
4. Andean Lodges
Andean Lodges is an eco-tourism company located in the culturally rich region of Ausangate, the most sacred mountain peak in the Southern Peruvian Andes. Andean Lodges consists of four different lodges, all connected by hiking circuits that crisscross the Ausangate region. The mission of Andean Lodges is to create steady employment for the communities of Ausangate so they can continue to preserve their cultural heritage consisting of alpaca and llama herding and traditional textile weaving.
5. Inkaterra
Photo Source: inkaterra.com
Inkaterra is another major industry leader when it comes to ecotourism, conservation, scientific research, and working with local populations. With over 47 years of experience, Inkaterra became the first world hotel enterprise to be recognized with the International Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by the CU Green Choice Sustainable Tourism Standard in 2012.
With locations in Madre de Dios National Park, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, support many conservation efforts, and their scientific research has discovered and cataloged over 28 new species including 19 orchids, 5 amphibians, 1 butterfly, 2 bromeliads, and 1 tropical vine.
6. Kallpa Travel
Kallpa Travel specializes in customized Peru itineraries for conscious travelers looking to engage with indigenous life and culture. All of the tours offered by Kallpa Travel are 100% sustainable and ethical while supporting local communities to preserve their uniqueness and authenticity.
Kallpa Travel also helps travelers learn how to keep environmental impact to a minimum when traveling and the importance of participating in carbon offset programs to help reduce their carbon footprint and fight against climate change.
7. Pacayasamiria
Photo Source: Pacayasamiria.com.pe
Deep in the Amazon Rainforest about 75 miles southwest of the city of Iquitos, Peru is the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and Eco-Lodge. Once at the lodge, guests will find a variety of different excursions and cultural experiences they can choose from including helping with aguaje and turtle preservation and various other sustainable projects working with members of the San Jorge and 20 de Enero communities.
The Pacaya Samiria Amazon Lodge works hard to promote the socioeconomic development of local communities and the conservation of the Amazon Rainforest.