Impact travel in Peru presents a specific challenge: the country is vast, ecologically complex, and culturally layered.
This past July, Somos ran its inaugural guided program in Peru, moving a group through the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon, the highlands of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. The experience encompassed a community service project and homestay in a small Andean village woven into the itinerary.
Into the Amazon: Los Amigos Biological Station
The program began deep in the jungle, at Los Amigos Biological Station in the Madre de Dios region, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and a long-term conservation hub for Amazon Conservation’s scientists and researchers.
Jasmin Hester, Global Impact Manager for the corporate group that traveled on the program, described what that work involved: “We spent a few days in the Madre de Dios region at the Los Amigos Biological Station, providing unskilled labor to scientists researching the effects of mercury from gold mining on the environment. As a side note, the impact was far more extensive than they initially hypothesized.”
Sandra Magura captured a different dimension of the same experience: “We spent our first days deep in the Amazon Rainforest at the Los Amigos Biological Station, doing volunteer conservation work. Yes, unrolling six-year-old tarp with venomous spiders involved, going on intense night hikes, and visiting cutting-edge research labs.”
Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu
From the Amazon, the group moved to altitude, arriving in Cusco in time to witness the Pachamama Raymi parade, then moving through the Sacred Valley, ancient salt mines, and alpaca farms before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Joel Koon described the guide who made it cohere: “Kyle guided us through some absolutely incredible places, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. Every place was an experience in itself, but having Kyle there made it even better. He knew the history, culture, and little details that you probably wouldn’t get on your own. After spending so much time together, he felt less like a guide and more like a friend who happened to know Peru better than anyone.”
At Machu Picchu, the group split with half summiting Huayna Picchu and the others exploring at their own pace. Somos accommodated varying fitness and skill levels throughout without compromising the experience for anyone.
When things went wrong
Sandra described what happened after her passport and wallet were stolen at Machu Picchu: “Edwin and Kyle [the guides] stepped up immediately, helping me navigate language barriers, coordinating with police, and getting me to the consulate in Lima so I could safely get an emergency passport. What started as a scary hurdle turned into an empowering week of solo exploration in Lima.”
According to another reviewer, “One of our travelers required medical assistance which was handled immediately and expertly. Another traveler lost a passport in Machu Picchu which could have been completely disastrous. Kyle worked tirelessly to get that person to the embassy to get an emergency passport. The effort and experience that comes with Somos Impact Travel is incomparable.”
Community service in the highlands
After Cusco, the group traveled to a smaller Andean village for two days of community service. Accommodation was in a family-run guesthouse.
Jasmin described it as one of the program’s most meaningful sections: “We spent two days painting the building’s interior and exterior while working side by side with residents. We also visited natural hot springs and stayed at what might be considered a bed-and-breakfast in the United States, where we enjoyed home-cooked meals.”
What participants took home
Vy Bownes, whose grandmother is Peruvian, described returning with something she hadn’t expected: “I returned home feeling stronger, more confident, and filled with excitement for my next adventure.”
Jasmin was direct about where Somos stands relative to other operators: “This was my company’s fourth international trip providing service to a community using different providers, and I can attest to Somos Impact Travel’s skill, flexibility, and knowledge as one of the absolute best. If you are deciding between companies, do not hesitate. Pick Somos Impact Travel.”
Somos Impact Travel runs programs in Peru in partnership with Los Amigos Conservation Hub, Runa Ñan Travel, and other community organizations, connecting schools, corporate groups, Rotary clubs, and other donor groups with local leaders. Visit somos.travel/experiences to explore programs or start planning your group’s expedition.