We encourage responsible tourism... consider these following hints. We have also included a section on tipping. You might alos like to read the piece on Impacts of tourism to provide a bit more food for thought during your time in Peru.

Be sensitive to local customs

Be flexible in your expectations

Bridging the cultural gaps

Practice environmental minimum impact

Tipping Advice

Be sensitive to local customs

•  Conduct that may be acceptable in certain Western communities (ie. Drug use, nude sun bathing, loud and gregarious public conversation) is not appropriate in this region and culture.

•  Don't hand out sweets, loose change or small gifts, this only serves to corrupt and create begging mentality where none existed before.

•  Churches are often viewed as tourist attractions; however, their primary purpose is as houses of worship for local residents; visitors should be quiet and respectful.

•  Be aware of people's sensitivity to be photographed; always ask first.

•  Be perceptive of your own cultural values and how they affct your judgement of others. There are many different concepts of time, personal space, communication etc. which are not wrong or inferior, just different.

•  Act as an example for other travellers who are less informed than you!

Be flexible in your expectations

•  Approach your travels with an open mind and you won't be disappointed. Sometimes plans change and an chance for more in-depth learning or a unique cultural experience presents itself. Adapt yourself to the situation rather than trying to change the situation to you.

Bridging the cultural gaps

•  Take the opportunity to be a cultural ambassador. Much of the world's image of western tourists is based on the unrealities of television and magazines. Look for situations for cultural exchange whereby leraning about each other's lives is mutual. Getting to know the person sitting next to you on a local bus or the person cooking your food takes is often a rewarding experience.

Practice environmental minimum impact

•  Follow the international “Leave No Trace” rules. Pack out everything that you bring in, including toilet paper (if there is no toilet) or plastic water bottles. Relieve yourself at least 70 metres from any water source. Remove litter that others leave behind.

•  When hiking, stay on the trail. Don´t trample delicate vegetation or remove any form of plant or animal life.

•  Don´t approach, surround or chase animals you may observe in order to get a photograph.

As part of our commitment to responsible tourism we are currently investigating ways to contribute 5-10% of each tour's price to the communties we visit in that tour. However, we want this to positively contribute to the community rather than being viewed as a handout and so have not yet implemented this program. Keep posted!

Turismo Sostenible en castellano

http://www.humboldt.org.co/biocomercio/turismosostenible/quienes.htm

Ideas y programas de turismo sostenible

Tipping Advice

This advice comes from the Inka Porter Project website
This also applies for arrieros (muleteers) if you are not on the Inca Trail. The porters have been very specific about this. They value themselves according to how much the tourists appreciate them and so the tip is very important. If the tip is not a minimum of 30 soles per porter, they wonder what they have done wrong. Take plenty of change. The third night of the Inka Trail is usually the last time you will see all the porters together. Most of them will not continue to Machu Picchu but go down the mountain directly from WinayWayna to the train stop at km 108. Work out how many porters you have and then try to ensure that the pooled tips add up to at least 30 soles each. Ideally, the porters have asked that the money is divided up and given to them individually, because that avoids the problem of the guide or cook taking charge of the envelope and taking a cut for themselves. Tips for the guide and cook should generally be treated separately.