Social Projects

Every March of each year, Inkayni selects a specific community to support all the children in the community. School supplies are purchased according to what the school requires and the distribution of educational materials is done directly among the children. This activity is carried out because the small communities are always willing to receive any additional support for the education of children and youth.

It is very common for children from different rural communities to lack the financial resources to buy school uniforms and even shoes. They have no choice but to reuse what little they have for as long as possible, from 2 years to more. They will also often use the local sandals (“ojotas” in local language) because of their very low cost compared to a pair of shoes. These “ojotas” are made of rubber, a material from recycled tires that is highly toxic and harmful to health. Many do not have a pair of shoes, so you can imagine how much less they will be able to afford a backpack, uniforms, school supplies or other supplies for their education.

Thanks to your reserves, Inkayni Company is helping our children in remote communities at the beginning of each school year with the purchase of uniforms, including:

• Shoes
• Pants
• T-shirts
• Sweaters
• Backpacks

The children always look forward to Christmas in the Andes!

Every Christmas the Inkayni family travels to a community far from the main towns to share a moment of joy with the children through a delicious Christmas breakfast and gifts (toys), along with dancing and lots of fun with the agency staff. We had a very meaningful and memorable time both for these children and for us.

All garbage generated during our activities is collected and deposited in appropriate places.

In all our treks we use only biodegradable materials (soaps, detergents, biodegradable bags, among others).

We educate all our staff to be respectful of nature; always take all garbage with them after each camp, and reuse recyclable products when possible, and provide them with new ecological products such as solar lamps, etc.

We organize annual campaigns with all Inkayni Peru Tours staff (Guides, cooks, porters, office staff, and anyone else who wants to participate in these activities). All forms of waste are collected and disposed of on the trails to Machu Picchu, Inka Trail, Salkantay and Lares.

We are all witnessing how climate change is generating substantial effects a few at a time all over the world. Vegetation cover is being lost at accelerated rates around the world, including of course Peru whose large forests have been deforested in recent years.

Seeing this situation, Inkayni has carried out reforestation projects in different areas of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and in high Andean communities. Inkayni Peru Tours carries out annual campaigns inviting the general public and students to reforest different areas with native trees such as the Queuña (Polylepys incana) to replace Eucalyptus trees, an introduced fast-growing species that provides firewood. However, these are non-native trees that sometimes prove to be invasive, impoverish the soil and deplete water reserves.

The queuña (or qiwiña, as it is known in the Quechua language) is the only native tree that survives in the Andes and is one of the most cold-resistant trees in the world, growing at altitudes of up to 4,500 meters above sea level. Unlike the Eucalyptus, the Queuña only uses 5% of the water that the Eucalyptus needs.
The queuña also fulfills important ecological functions, regulates the climate, prevents soil erosion and provides a filtration system that helps feed natural springs. The forests of these native trees also provide habitats that support the Andean flora and fauna typical of these ecosystems.

Trekking boots, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, belts, as well as the most important element – an appropriate nourishment before and throughout the trek.

The Peruvian government has created laws that protect and support all porters to improve their working conditions. Unfortunately there are still companies that take advantage of these humble workers, forcing many to carry more than 25 kg without paying them an adequate salary.

Inkayni was created with the goal of creating the necessary changes, making an example of ideal conditions that other agencies can also adopt, as well as the respect that this rigorous work deserves, starting with a salary that honors their impressive physical labor. Our porters will not weigh more than 18 kg and will receive a better salary for their time and service.

We recognize that we are part of the communities that saw us born; that taught us to grow, laugh and learn the wisdom of the Andes, especially the principle of Ayni or sacred reciprocity. We honor our origins and work hard to support our cooks and porters so they can support their respective families. Inkayni takes responsibility for improving the quality of life of our porter family..

It is important that our staff receive nutritious and appropriate meals during all treks to account for the rigorous physical activity.

As soon as each trek concludes, our staff is paid on site by a representative of our office so that our porters can return to their communities instead of traveling to our office in Cusco.