Peru, an eco-friendly destination that preserves its natural and cultural heritage

If you are looking for a place in the world to connect with nature, the environment and communities in a respectful, cooperative and transcendental way, Peru is that place.

This nation not only has one of the most precious jewels in the world, "Machu Picchu", but also a tourism industry that is sensitive to the environmental and social transformations that the planet is undergoing.

Conscious of the importance of protecting its heritage, cultural heritage and biodiversity, the country has adopted a comprehensive approach towards sustainable tourism. Change that has occurred in a genuine way, in part, thanks to its living and unique cultural legacy in the world, which is allowing this wisdom of caring for the environment to be heard, valued and transmitted to travelers seeking this encounter with the identity.

One of these pillars is the conservation of natural heritage. Peru has established protected areas and natural reserves, such as the Manu National Park, the Tambopata National Reserve, and the Calipuy National Sanctuary, with the aim of preserving the ecosystems and unique biodiversity it harbors.

Additionally, the ACCA - Wayqecha Amazon Conservation, carries out guided tours aimed at students from nearby towns, with the aim of promoting a culture of conservation and awareness about the importance of the cloud forest and has a volunteer program designed especially for students who see this place as an opportunity to develop their professional careers.

Sustainable tourism in Peru goes through the entire value chain of the sector, in the generation of awareness for the tourist, which goes from its hotels that promote a responsible travel experience, in the efficient management of energy and water, with the use of solar panels, the use of led lights, and recycling in its restaurants and composting of all consumption, among other initiatives.

Similarly, the social component is very present with multiple development and volunteer projects to serve communities in a cultural and knowledge exchange, in areas such as teaching English in schools or serving vulnerable people, as well as guided tours to promote culture and the conservation of natural treasures; and the promotion of fair trade throughout the food production chain consumed by travelers.

If you are looking to discover the diversity and beauty of Peru practicing tourism with purpose and identity, we present 3 destinations that will captivate you:

Cusco

In the Cusco region, Machupicchu has been recognized as the first wonder of the modern world and the first international tourist destination to obtain the distinction of "Carbon Neutral Destination". This achievement was awarded by "The Green Initiative" in September 2021, and highlights the region's efforts to promote responsible and environmentally friendly tourism, the result of the strategic alliance between the Machu-Picchu District Municipality, Inkaterra , Grupo AJE, SERNANP, and the support of PROMPERÚ, the Ministry of the Environment, the Sociedad Hoteles del Perú and APTAE.

This jewel of the world has made significant progress in terms of sustainability. With a focus on the circular economy, the "A million trees for Machupicchu" project has left more than 300,000 trees planted to date, thousands of recycled glass bottles that are turned into sand for the construction of homes, and savings initiatives such as the reuse of cooking oil from restaurants to produce biodiesel for tourist buses, among other advances.

The goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

On the other hand, we have Inkaterra, a hotel company recognized worldwide for its commitment to sustainable tourism. They have been awarded as the first "Climate Positive" hotel brand by The Green Initiative. Its holistic model seeks to improve ecosystems, biodiversity and local communities in the country. Its hotels in Machu Picchu, the Amazon jungle and Cusco stand out for their sustainable construction and use of native materials in harmony with the environment.

Ancash

Sustainable tourism in Ancash focuses on the preservation of natural and cultural resources in its territory. One of the tourist attractions that promotes activities with low environmental impact is the Huascarán National Park, an extensive natural protected area that has been recognized as a Biosphere Reserve since 1975 and as a World Heritage Site since 1977. Its main objective is to preserve the mountain range. The largest tropical region in the world, as well as its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, impressive geological formations, majestic snow-capped peaks and scenic landscapes of great beauty.

In addition, the region is home to a wide variety of ecological and heritage treasures, such as the impressive Llanganuco lagoons, the majestic Cordillera Blanca, the fascinating ruins of Chavín de Huántar and the beautiful beaches of Casma and Huarmey.

Loreto

Loreto's green lung is a natural treasure with exceptional biodiversity and a wide variety of ecosystems that include rivers, jungles, and nature reserves. The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve stands out, known as "The jungle of mirrors" and recognized in March 2022 at the Green Destinations Story Awards, which honor the most inspiring stories among the 100 best sustainable and resilient destinations worldwide. This distinction was granted in the category of "Nature and ecotourism".

Apart from that, it is the second largest protected area in Peru. In it, there is a wide variety of animal and plant species in their wild state. Like, for example, the largest jungle fish known as “paiche”. Another notable inhabitant is the charapa turtle, an endemic species found in rivers and lagoons, and can measure up to one meter in length and weigh up to 50 kilograms. Within the reserve, you can also spot the imposing anacondas, which are some of the largest constrictor snakes in the Amazon.