Responsible Tourism: Operating responsibly, commitment to social welfare and respect for the environment

Vida Andina recognises that we have to operate our treks in a responsible manner, being sensitive not to cause damage to the beautiful environment that we pass through as well as minimizing the impact on local communities and the amazing cultural heritage that Peru has to offer visitors. Responsible tourism is not just about packing out rubbish at the campsites but about treating local people with the respect that they deserves and helping to give a little something back to the communities. This is very important when it comes to employing people, particularly porters, from mountain villages. Our commitment to being one of Peru's foremost responsible tour operators can be seen in the following areas: Responsible operation, commitment to social welfare and respect for the environment.

Responsible Operations

Vida Andina is a Peruvian run company. The owners are from Cusco and all of our guides, cooks and porters are local to the region.
Vida Andina operate our own treks. We have high quality camping equipment which us regularly maintained and renewed.
Our guides are trained in first aid and cooks trained in food preparation and hygiene
Vida Andina is a licensed Inca Trail operator with guaranteed fixed departures in 2005

Social Commitment

Unlike overseas tour operators Vida Andina pays local sales (IGV 19%) and corporate taxes helping to contribute to Peru's economy.
Our employees are paid professional wages and our porters, cooks etc are paid promptly on a weekly basis.
Good porter treatment and welfare is very important to us: our porters receive high wages, waterproof tents, high budget for porter meals which include high quality & quantity rich in carbohydrates. Our excellent treatment of porters is widely recognised in the porter community

Vida Andina allows for 10% of the company's net profits to be used to help community projects in the Cusco area particularly in communities along the routes of the treks that we frequently operate.

Respect for the Environment

We provide regular training to our trekking staff on how to comply with Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Sanctuary Regulations and environmental awareness.
Vida Andina complies with the Law of Natural Protected Areas #26834 (published July 04, 1997), as well as with the Law of Conservation and Sustainable Profit of the Biological Diversity #26839 (published July 16, 1997)