“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
Our goal is to collaborate with the Andean communities to overcome social and cultural challenges through work on sustainable projects.
Recipients:
parents & children of the community of Lares
Objectives:
Encourage contact with nature, knowledge of our historical and cultural heritage of the different socio-economic realities that coexist in our country. Value the importance of school excursions to experience and relate pedagogical issues with which to make human and natural.
Specific objectives:
Favor social, cultural and recreational exchange Appreciate through direct experiences the applications and processes that have become the specific subject of classroom learning Value teamwork and organizational techniques for the realization of all types of projects.
Encourage cultural exchange
Create a climate of group life, based on affection, respect, and freedom 100% of our porters work on the Inca trail, and only 5% ever get to see Machu Picchu. In this sense, ALPACA EXPEDITIONS considers the experience of educational trips as valuable. Implementing methodologies, and strategies to be able to instill in them the history of their people. We chose this small town of Lares, which is 3’171 meters above sea level. It has a population of almost 60 residents among children and adults all of the same family.
We started our tour on September 21, where we picked them up from the town of Lares at 7 in the morning. We started our journey to the archaeological center of Pisac, where they could learn more about the history there. They were full questions, doubts, and were surprised while listening attentively to the explanations of our guide.
We finished our tour in Pisac and boarded our bus for lunch that was prepared by the cooks of ALPACA EXPEDITIONS. After our lunch, we went to the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, where our guides shared with them the history of this archaeological center. In Ollantaytambo, our group could observe the hill of Puncylluna. This place hid the mysteries of the Inca era. They learned so much about the history of the region, but where little exhausted and ready for dinner. The whole group was tired since it was almost 7 p.m. and it was time to take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Many of them were amazed as it was their first time on a train. They were filled with joy and laughter as they made jokes in Quechua on the way. Finally, we had reached the town of Aguas Calientes exhausted, so we took them to their hotel for much-needed rest. It was precisely 5 AM, and our group was ready to begin their adventure, so our guides directed them to breakfast. Ready for our journey, we boarded the buses that would take us to Machupichu. Once there, tourist looked at us with amazement and happiness. We went through the entrance of Machu Picchu and had it almost all to ourselves. Once they were inside the majesty of the complex was so amazing that it left them in aw. It was a unique experience that they shared among families as. We made the complete tour, and our group learned that the city was built around the harmony of “Pachamama” the Inca deification of Mother Nature. That energy that it gives off is almost tangible that made our group happy and satisfied. We set out to return to Aguas Calientes for lunch once our tour was over and then boarded the train to go to the town of Ollantaytambo. The group was so happy to have these experiences and adventure. It was almost time to say goodbye sadly as the company bus picked us up and we took them back to Lares and finish our beautiful trip. The residents of Lares gave us potatoes and other native products in gratitude. Without a doubt, it was a beautiful group and an experience that we will never forget.
Thanks ALPACA EXPEDITIONS!
“The teaching that leaves its mark is not that which is done from head to head, but from heart to heart. Howard g. Hendricks
Alpaca Expeditions Recognitions
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
World Travel Awards
Alpaca Expeditions is internationally recognized as a leading tourism company in Peru. As proof, we have been awarded the World Travel Award for Peru´s Best Tour Operator 2021 for the second time.
TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
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Hotel to Hotel service
Regarding the transportation provided by Alpaca Expeditions, we are committed to delivering a quality service. We strive to ensure that passengers feel supported throughout their journey. To achieve this, we coordinate closely with our guides and representatives to ensure timely pick-up at the start of their tours. Additionally, we have representatives responsible for escorting our passengers to their hotels at the conclusion of any tour.
Our drivers are not only trained in customer service but also come properly uniformed, and many are fluent in English.
Typically, all transportation types are included in each of our services. For instance, if you have booked a trekking tour, we will pick you up early, typically between 4 AM and 5 AM.
When visiting Cusco, it's important to note that traffic here is generally moderate. However, there are peak traffic times, such as between 7 AM and 8 AM, which coincide with school hours, and in the evening between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Therefore, if you have a flight during these times, it's crucial to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. The drivers of Alpaca Expeditions ensure their vehicles are prepared with all necessities before each service. They are acutely aware that delays can lead to missed trains, flights, or other connections. Consequently, they are always more than punctual, arriving at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time for any service, understanding the responsibility they carry in executing these tasks.
Personal Porter of 7KG
Remember that Alpaca Expeditions offers an extra 7 kg allowance for your personal belongings on any of our tours. We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag without any additional fee. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you reach your evening campsite. The bag should not exceed 7 kg, which includes 4 kg for clothes and 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
When you visit our Alpaca Expeditions office, you will receive your duffel bags at your briefing. The porters will carry them and return them to you at each campsite. The bags measure 66 cm in length and 36 cm in width (approximately 2 ft long by 1 ft wide). Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items, which must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). From us, these two items weigh a combined total of 3.5 kg.
Each Alpaca Expeditions porter is paid directly after each trek, allowing them to return home more quickly. They receive better wages than our competitors, health insurance, and all their equipment free of charge, including hiking boots, pants, jerseys, fleeces, jackets, hats, flashlights, sleeping bags, and high-quality food. We ensure each of our porters has a comfortable bed in a pleasant room to sleep in before and after each trek. We also visit the communities they live in, providing toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and other necessary supplies to their families, along with books for their children.
This is just the beginning for us, and we are always looking for ways to do more.
While the government allows each porter to carry up to 25 kg, we limit this to 20 kg to prioritize their health and safety. Each porter carries up to 15 kg of company equipment and 5 kg of personal items. This is why it is crucial to keep your personal duffel bag weight under our 7 kg limit. You might see other companies allowing their porters to carry more than the allotted weight, but at Alpaca Expeditions, we strictly adhere to these limits to ensure our porters' well-being.
Clases de Cocina
Alpaca Expeditions offers its passengers the chance to experience local cooking. We aim to immerse trekkers in Inca life by walking them through the original Inca paths and teaching them about Inca culture. Food is a significant part of Inca life, making it a special element in any tour or trek with Alpaca Expeditions.
In 2022, Alpaca Expeditions introduced a cooking class as part of each of our treks, conducted by our amazing trekking chefs and interpreted by our guides.
We will transform your dining tent into a makeshift kitchen, providing all the necessary supplies to prepare a Peruvian specialty. Your chef will guide you step by step through the process of making a traditional Peruvian meal, such as Lomo Saltado, and share some essential mountain cooking tips.
Peru is recognized as a top culinary destination, largely thanks to the popularity of our renowned beef dish, Lomo Saltado. This is most often the meal you will learn to cook, but there is also the opportunity to learn how to prepare other dishes like traditional Peruvian ceviche or even our signature drink, the pisco sour.
Cooking Class on the Inca Trail: These classes are voluntary and designed to be a fun, educational experience. Our clients consistently marvel at the amazing ability of our chefs to create culinary magic on a mountaintop. As you learn to prepare and cook Peruvian specialties, you will also see firsthand how such elaborate meals can be created on a small campsite stove.
Enjoy a cooking class in the mountains and be sure to take plenty of photos, just in case your friends won't believe your incredible experience.
Satellite Phones
The best way to hike in the mountains of Peru is to completely disconnect from technology, especially the internet and cell phones. The most impressive and exciting aspect is the opportunity to experience the true and wonderful nature that we often miss when we are at home, watching TV or absorbed in our cell phones during our leisure time. The feeling of being disconnected from work and the daily routine left at home is incredible.
However, this remoteness means limited access to emergency resources. That's why Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones for every trek.
We are prepared to assist you in case of any emergency, particularly health-related issues. For this reason, Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones, as they are one of the most crucial tools for any operator trekking in remote areas where telephone or television signals are absent. This means that every guide on our treks will be equipped with a fully charged satellite phone as well as radios. While these are primarily for emergencies, we allow our clients to use them at any time.
We ask that you cover the cost, which is $2.50 per minute. This fee can be paid in cash at our office or via PayPal once you have completed the trek.
Being just a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured of their safety. Radios, which all our guides carry, have limited reach, so Alpaca Expeditions includes satellite phones to ensure that we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain.
Portable private toilet
We understand that our clients will need restroom facilities at various times and locations during their journey. Along the Inca Trail, there are restrooms available, particularly those belonging to the communities near the trail. Alpaca Expeditions provides portable toilets to enhance this service, which will be set up at each meal site or campsite.
As with any mountain trip where we are exposed to nature, it is possible to use natural areas as restrooms. However, it is crucial to be mindful of the waste we generate, such as toilet paper or wet wipes used for cleaning. These should be carried with us and not discarded on the ground or left along the trail. Remember, the Inca Trail is a protected area overseen by a government institution. In places where garbage bins are unavailable, particularly at our camps, we provide special plastic bags for waste. Our porter team will be responsible for carrying out our waste.
Please be aware that although there are designated bathrooms for men and women, in practice, both genders often use the same facilities. Functionally, there is no significant difference between men's and women's bathrooms. Therefore, it is common for people of all genders to use whichever bathroom is available.
