Peru | A quest into the land of Abundance, Alpacas, & Amazonia
The wonders of the Amazon Rainforest were exceptional behold, especially from this treetop outlook point, capturing the magic of the mist rising from the canopy, after a rainstorm earlier in the day.
I felt called to Peru for various reasons. In April 2023, I read the Celestine Prophecy - a spiritual classic - which left a significant impression on me. It's about a young man who's drawn to Peru, and has a series of synchronistic encounters with different individuals in his travels that each have a wisdom message to impart. A book about travel as a tool for spiritual development, SOLD!
We began to have momentum onboarding property partners based in Peru through Postcard Travel Club in the winter of 2024 who were committed to responsible travel. I took this as my green light that the timing was right to cruise on down to see what life lessons were waiting for me.
My mission was to seek deeper insights into understanding how I could better embody responsible travel practices as a traveler myself, while also testing new media formats in collaboration with property partners sharing their unique stories of the humans and experiences that contribute to creating a positive impact for their respective destinations.
I started in Lima to get my bearings, although I often find that major cities are not a great representation of the true spirit of a country. Through exploration into more rural areas, I gained a deeper sense of the culture and landscapes. Here were some of my highlights along the way and some lessons I learned about how to adopt a responsible travel mindset:
Views of Lake Churup were well earned after the strenuous hike in the high altitude conditions of the White Mountain Ranges.
Huarez
Of course, Peru is an attractive destination because of the opportunity to visit one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” by touring the terraces of Machu Picchu. But I wanted to understand some of the emerging attractions in the country, too, which led me to Huaraz.
Huaraz, meaning ‘Dawn’ in Quechua (Waraq) is the capital of the department of Ancash, located in the middle of the White Mountain Range. Some call it the little Switzerland of the Andes. It is ideally built for the adventure traveler, with trekking circuits, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, boating, paragliding, rock, ice climbing, and more. The 9 hour bus ride, alone, from Lima featured breathtaking views as you begin to weave your way through the mountainous region.
Since I was working during my visit, I did not choose to do any of the multi-day treks, but instead I took advantage of the cultural highlights and some of the shorter hiking options . I highly recommend taking time to stroll around the local markets. For an acclimation hike, within the city, you can trek up to a beautiful lookout point with a cross on the Mirador de Rataquenua. For a more challenging day-hike, easily reached from the city - check out Laguna Churup. The altitude is kind of brutal (14,600 feet), so be prepared to be humbled. But, the views along the way, and of the lagoon at the top of the hike, are absolutely awe-inspiring.
To reward yourself post-strenuous exercise, enjoy generous dishes of Chifa - a Chinese Peruvian culinary tradition based on Cantonese elements fused with traditional Peruvian ingredients and tradition, influenced by the arrival of Chinese immigrants starting in the 1850s. Or check out one of the local cafes built for backpackers, including the cozy Cafe Andio or Trivio Resto Bar. If you put your body to the test in this adventure-filled destination, there’s also the option of a rewarding massage at Centro de Masajes Huaraz. While I did not stay here, The Lazy Dog Inn was highly recommended to me by one of my favorite South American partners - Impactful Travel, who handcrafts immersive and sustainable itineraries in Peru, Educador, and the Galapagos.
Responsible Travel Tip: Even if you are traveling for a “bucket list” item, for example, Machu Picchu- a very well-known destination - consider how you can also visit other “off the beaten path” parts of the country that are not as well known. This can economicically benefit the tourism in other regions. Consider traveling by bus, rather than by air, in the country, as this mode of transport can decrease your carbon footprint by up to 77.5%!
Hiking up to the mystical and magestic peaks on Amanti Island was a site to behold the wonder of Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca
Part of my curiosity about Lake Titicaca was motivated by discovering that it is the Sacral Chakra of the world. Apparently, just like the human body has chakras - the centers of spiritual power in the human body - so does our planet. These spots are considered powerful Energy Vortexes located at various points across the globe.
The Sacral Chakra, in human physiology, is associated with creativity, emotion, and sexual energy. Lake Titicaca is a cradle of ancient cultures and mythologies, pulsating with creative and emotional energies that have been revered since the time of the Incas and pre-Incan civilizations.
The gateway to Lake Titicaca in Peru is the city of Puno, which proudly holds the title of “Capital of Peruvian Folklore.” Puno is the land of more than 300 dances that are highlighted by their costumes, choreography, music, and tradition and each is steeped in their own story.
I saw this magical place through the eyes of two different cultures - the Uros and the Amanti people.
Our host on the Uros islands, Felix, passionately shared his commitment to preserving the culture of his people and their language, which has been largely lost. Equally, he expressed joy towards hosting guests from around the world and learning different languages from them.He introduced us to the spiritual significance in the region of the condor, the puma and the serpent. These 3 animals represent the cosmovision of the Incas: the superior world of the gods, the world of the living and the world of the dead.
Felix's generosity in sharing his home, culture, and engaging stories of hosting other guests was good for the soul in a foreign land.
The Uros islands are unique in that they are built from a type of plant that grows in Lake Titicaca, called totora. These organic islands, up to three meters thick, need constant care -renewing dry braided plant layers to maintain their integrity.
Tourism has become a part of island life. The Uros welcome visitors, sharing their culture and traditions. They seek to balance this new economy with the preservation of their heritage.
From there, we made our way to Amanti Island on a majestic boat ride across the serene waters of Lake Titicaca for a homestay with a local family. The highlight of this portion of the trip was the hike to Cerro Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Heaven) to watch the sunset.
The Andean mysticism prevails in the heart of this community, as well, and we were given a glimpse into this through visiting these ceremonial centers. We were encouraged to circle the top of Pachamama three times and express three of our hearts desires with each loop, with the belief that the higher forces would hear our requests, and co-conspire to support their realization.
The evening of dancing and music to follow was festive, after our host families helped us dress in traditional attire. The long day on the water and hiking was not conducive to my energy for such fanfare, but it was a nice experience to feel the generosity of the Amanti people welcoming us into their cultural traditions.
Responsible Travel Tip: When seeking opportunities to learn about local cultures, consider whether the economic system is properly rewarding those who are generously sharing their wisdom, craft, or traditions. Ask yourself these two questions: Is there a fair balance of giving and receiving in the exchange? Are your tourism activities contributing to helping these people have the resources to protect and preserve their heritage?
Participating in the Citizen Science Program available to guests at Rainforest Expeditions various lodges. Here we are capturing the sounds of the birds and other wildlife through bio-acoustic landscape recordings, contributing to an extensive libraries of calls being catalogued for conservation research.
Amazon Jungle
My visit to the Amazon Jungle was accompanied by reading a novel, Ruthless River, about a couple who had traveled to Peru in the 1970s, and managed to get stranded on a river raft, and barely survived their harrowing adventure.
As I journeyed down the Madre de Dios River to my first ecolodge, I could not help but reflect about how much tourism has changed in this country since that time. I was amazed at how easy it was to get around the country by bus or plane, and also how safe I felt, regardless of where I was. And still, the Amazon region feels no less exotic, as you traverse the winding rivers and take in her majestic canopy along the way.
In this region, I had the unique opportunity to stay at three different lodges, including Amazon Planet Peru, Posada Lodge, and Tambopata Research Center. These places each had a unique angle to the access point they were giving you to the rich biodiversity of the region.
At Amazon Planet Peru we got to tour the neighboring animal rescue center, Taricaya Ecoreserve. We had the chance to visit with both the Founder, Volunteer Coordinator, and some of the volunteers themselves to learn about the impactful work taking place to protect certain endangered species, such as the spider monkey. It was extremely rewarding to realize that a portion of the proceeds from anyone who stays at Amazon Planet Peru goes towards supporting the rescue center operations, extending their conservation impact in the region.
Our amazing guide at Amazon Planet Peru, Alejandro, introducing us to what I discovered as my favorite animal in the region, the River Otter! At Taricaya, the Rescue Center next door, they were helping to restore this pup back to health, so that he could be returned to the wild.
At Posada Lodge, we learned about medicinal plants from our expert guide, Luis, who comes from the local indigenous community - the Ese Ejja - who co-operate the lodge. He introduced us to the medicine cabinet of natural solutions in the Amazon rainforest, including plants that serve as novacane or iodine, sharing how these and other plants are harvested and prepared for medicinal use. This offered a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity of native knowledge.
And at Tambopata Research Center, we had hands-on experience with their Citizen Science program. Citizen science is when the general public gets to be part of a collaborative project with professional scientists, including collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world. One of these projects, where I got to jump in and channel my inner “Bill Nye The Science Guy” was focused on Discovering New Species.
Apparently there are around 2 million species of insects described. But there are 10 to 20 million that are yet to be discovered. Through discovering new species, this helps to ensures that various species are not lost without being known. After, our delicious buffet dinner, we headed out into the jungle, to collect insects which will be sent to a lab to be cataloged as part of a partnership between Rainforest Expeditions and Guelph University. Such a unique way to gain an understanding of the importance of the intersections between conservation, tourism, and research!
Responsible Travel Tip: When researching property hosts for your travel, consider inquiring about whether they have any conservation or community development projects that they support, as part of their operations. Knowing your investment is not only ensuring you have the essential amenities, but also that there is purpose and heart behind the project, leaves you with the feeling that your visit is additive, not extractive.
Getting cozy with a warm beverage while soaking in the beauty of the mountains in the Sacred Valley at Hacienda Urubamba. Pretty inviting, I must say...
Sacred Valley
After making friends with the many critters of the Amazon rainforest, and adjusting to the humidity of that region, it was time to cool off in the most popular region of Peru, the Sacred Valley. Make sure to bring a sweater and a good book to cozy up next to the fireplace, if you plan to make a stop in this area.
My time in this region gave me another level of appreciation for the amount of reverence still held for the Pre-Incan and Incan cultures. There are clearefforts to preserve and celebrate the history of these people and their impacts on modern day life, in Peru and beyond.
My stay at Hacienda Urubamba, where I was greeted with a complimentary pisco sour, included a Twilight Walk with Hiroshi, who shared that he had been working at the lodge for five years, and appreciated the platform it gave him to share ancient wisdom and teachings from his culture. Seeing the milky way through his eyes, understanding the significance of astronomy to the Incan civilization, and the ways the sky provided essential insight into weather patterns and agricultural cycles, took me to another time and place. One before we relied on phones, or clocks, or any modern technology to guide every part of our daily lives.
My visit with Mountain Lodges of Peru introduced me to the magic of lodge-to-lodge trekking, and many diverse perspectives to appreciate the past, present, and future of the Peruvian people and landscapes. Our expert guide Felix, illuminated the path of Peru from having been haunted by terrorism in the 1990s, to becoming a top travel destination in the 2000s due to Machu Picchu being named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, to the recent political upheaval that crushed tourism activities in 2023.
What an honor to be included in a local ceremony for the local indigenous tribes in the Sacred Valley area through our Mountain-Lodges-of Peru itinerary. Through this we gained an appreciation for the value of "Anyi," which in Quechua means “Today for you, tomorrow for me,” expressing the spirit of reciprocity that these communities embody in their daily lives and interactions.
We were whisked through local markets, ancient archaeological sites, rural villages, up mountainsides, and through ceremonial rituals, resulting in a depth of understanding of what makes this part of the country unique. And let’s not forget the generous welcome feast, including a guest appearance of guinea pig, as a culinary delicacy. To complement this experience, I had a behind the scenes interview with Andres Adasmes Tapia, who designs the itineraries for Mountain Lodges of Peru. Hearing about his deep passion for re-connecting travelers with the roots of humankind in order to rewire our bond with our humanity and Mother Nature through his Kind Human platform, I can fully endorse the soul behind both of these projects.
Responsible Travel Tip: The tourism industry provides a great opportunity for job creation in rural areas. The more questions that conscious tourists ask about “good practices”, when visiting a place, the more that properties will be encouraged to embrace and pursue these within their operations. Consider asking about their approach to hiring locals from the region, including the right training to be successful on the job, as well as giving them an outlet to share their own passion for cultural preservation.
The many wonders, from food, to landscapes, to cultures of Peru took me by great surprise. After my two month tour of the country, I feel like I only scratched the surface, and will definitely be back for a deeper dive into all these elements. A huge thanks to all my hosts for generously sharing your warmth, traditions, and perspectives. Keep a cup of chicha ready for me when I return!
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