Peruvian Special Interest Tours Launched

INKATERRA, Peru’s pioneering eco travel company, has launched new special interest tours and packages. Since its creation in 1975, its mission has been to conserve and protect the country’s natural wonders and indigenous communities whilst sharing them with the world. The new tailor-made itineraries are in line with this ethos focusing on educating guests on Peru’s rich natural and cultural heritage. They include Bird Watching Tours in the Amazon Basin and Andean Highlands Orchid Itineraries.

INKATERRA’s responsible tourism philosophy evolved organically out of founder José Koechelin Von Stein’s devotion to the conservation and preservation of both Peru’s ecology and local communities. His commitment to this cause has led INKATERRA to be considered a leader in this field receiving support from the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation arm, the United Nations Global Environment Facility and recognition from a host of organisations including the National Geographic Society, Conservation International and Sustainable Travel International.

In 2001, INKATERRA established the NGO INKATERRA Association (ITA) to efficiently self support their research, conservation, educational and social development programmes. This not-for-profit institution develops scientific, technological, social and cultural research in order to manage and protect the biodiversity of Peru’s Andes and Amazon Rainforest.

Studies have led to some world record first’s such as the classification of orchid species at INKATERRA Machu Picchu and the identification of 362 ants species in one single place at INKATERRA Reserva Amazonica by Harvard Professor Edward O. Wilson. Furthermore new species of orchids including the Keferstenia koechlinorum, Masdevallia Barlaeana var. Deniseae and Masdevallia karineae, along with the Hyla koechlini frog have also been discovered at INKATERRA Machu Picchu and INKATERRA Reserva Amazonica respectively. A variety of books and journals have been published on the numerous studies carried out at both these properties.

Guests staying at INKATERRA’s hotels can learn about all of these during their stay. Other projects include the Spectacled Bear Project at INKATERRA Machu Picchu, a rehabilitation initiative for bears that have been negatively affected by human impact. At INKATERRA Reserva Amazonica tours also include a visit to the Amazonian Ese’ Eja families of the Palma Real village to learn about the challenges they are facing in a changing world.

All trips are led by local professional English speaking guides and experts in conservation and preservation.

Valere Tjolle