Peru is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the world. However, mass tourism has left its mark. By traveling responsibly, with respect for nature and local communities, you have the opportunity to make a positive contribution as a tourist. Together with Inkaterra Hotels, which has been working for 50 years to preserve Peru’s natural and cultural treasures, we will show you how to experience the country in an authentic, immersive way with greater respect for nature and local communities
Peru – a dream for nature lovers and adventurers
Breathtaking landscapes, Inca treasures in the majestic Andes, and the mysterious rainforest – Peru packs a lot into a small area, with a wide range of geographical and climatic conditions, enormous biological diversity, and a vibrant culture shaped by nature and the Inca heritage. If you dream of traveling to Peru, you are not alone!
Green travel guides Peru
I have written two detailed guides for sustainable travel in Peru. There you will find many tips, places of interest and destinations that will help you plan your trip right away.
Responsible travel in Peru
As travelers, or those preparing to travel, we usually see only the beauty of a destination, the awe-inspiring nature, and the rich culture. Peru is no exception. It is only when you dig a little deeper and take a closer look that the challenges become apparent: Peru struggles with poverty (see this World Bank report), and the onslaught of tourists has not been without consequences. While tourism has generated revenue, it has also endangered valuable natural and cultural treasures. The most famous example is the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, which was flooded with tourists and littered with garbage until it had to be closed. Now you can visit it again on a guided tour.
An axe in the Amazon – How Inkaterra’s story began 50 years ago
For 50 years, Inkaterra has taken a different approach: as an advocate of eco- tourism, the owner-operated hotel group shows how tourism can be combined with environmental and cultural protection measures
José Koechlin von Stein is the founder of Inkaterra. He is a member of the Koechlin family who came to Peru from Alsace in 1852. In 1975, José bought a piece of land in the rainforest. In Puerto Maldonado, he took an axe to the jungle and helped clear it to build Inkaterra’s first hotel: Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica. Even then, he had the idea of ecotourism, which at the time was considered idealistic, to say the least. But José believed in a gentle way of traveling that preserved nature.
With his ideas and idealistic vision of tourism, he became the founding president of the “Sustainability Committee of the National Confederation of Private Enterprises (CONFIEP)” and founded the Inkaterra Association, dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving Peru’s cultural treasures.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu – a long-term reforestation and conservation project
In 1976, Inkaterra purchased another piece of land near Peru’s most famous attraction: the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu. The land was originally used for cattle ranching and tea cultivation. In addition to building a hotel, Inkaterra reforested the land with native plants. By planting ferns, bromeliads, palms, and native trees such as queñual and pisonay, they have the area has gradually been replanted with native species to help restore parts of the original Andean cloud forest.
Contribution to conservation
The eco-pioneers have always had a special love for orchids and butterflies. Inkaterra promotes orchid research and has discovered ten previously unknown orchid species! The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is surrounded by one of the largest collection of native orchids in Peru. You can discover them by walking the winding garden paths around the hotel.
Inkaterra also operates a butterfly house in which an average of 350 cocoons are formed each week. Peru is one of the countries with the largest number of butterflies in the world (over 3,700 species). To learn more about how important these pollinators are to our entire ecosystem, read our article on insect extinction.
Bird species record
In 2025, the eBird app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Rensselaer University confirmed that the grounds of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel are one of the most biodiverse urban hotspots in the world. The app recorded a record 311 bird species on the property, including 18 species of hummingbirds (my personal favorite). Ideal for those who enjoy birdwatching while on vacation.
Machu Picchu has been associated with extensive climate and environmental initiatives
Inkaterra has helped make Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the first World Heritage destinations associated with a comprehensive climate strategy. Yes, it is a miracle that it has survived at all in its current state! Mass tourism has had a significant impact on the Inca ruins, and in 2016 it was added to the list of World Heritage in Danger.
Inkaterra (along with other supporters) then committed implementing protection measures for Machu Picchuthrough These include:
- A PET waste compacting system that compacts up to 14 tons of plastic waste (from tourists) per day and transports it for recycling.
- Protecting waterways with a biodiesel plant. In the Machu Picchu region, it was common for commercial kitchens and the local population to simply pour used vegetable oil into the Vilcanota River. Since the plant was built, the oil is collected and processed into biodiesel.
- Organic waste plant that converts up to 7 tons of organic waste per day into fertilizer. The fertilizer is used for a government reforestation project.
“”We are proud of our extraordinary achievements and of being recognized by the United Nations as the first climate-positive hotel brand ever.” – Inkaterra founder José Koechlin von Stein
50 years of Inkaterra
“Since we began this epic journey fifty years ago, Inkaterra is among the early promoters of ecotourism in Peru. Our vision helped lay the foundation for ecotourism and authenticity,” concludes José. He is pleased to have inspired hotels around the world with his ecological approach.
Inkaterra now consists of seven accommodations, all designed by José’s wife, Denise. She is responsible for the warm and authentic look, taking care to use high quality and durable and natural materials, combined with different cultural features (such as the Inca and colonial past) – each appropriate to the region.
Each year, Inkaterra hosts approximately 200,000 travelers. They all contribute to Inkaterra’s ability to continue its important projects for biodiversity and human well-being.
Anniversary Special: 7 or 11 unforgettable days in Peru
Inkaterra has taken the anniversary as an opportunity to create a special round trip.
The tour lasts either 7 days (6 nights) or 11 days (10 nights) and includes the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2 nights Hotel Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba), Machu Picchu (2 nights Hotel Ikaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo) and Cusco (2 nights Hotel Inkaterra La Casona). Optionally, you can extend your trip to Lima and the Amazon Rainforest (the highlight here is the Canopy Walkway: you walk on hanging bridges through the treetops of the Amazon – an unforgettable experience!)
You will be taken care of professionally the whole time. There are shuttle services for you and guides to take you to places of interest, traditional markets and nature. In some places you can choose to get up early for a bird watching tour or sleep in until breakfast.
A journey with heart
With 50 years of experience in hospitality, you can be sure that Inkaterra has thought of everything to make this tour perfect! Cuisine, nature, adventure, history – always with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
This is because you are dealing with people who truly love Peru from the bottom of their hearts. And want to show it to you in the best way possible. You can download a PDF of the Travel Special at this link, and for more information and to book, visit the Inkaterra website.
Depending on where you are flying from, you should also consider allowing enough time for the trip – a short trip from Europe is not sustainable. A longer stay makes the air emissions more likely to be “worth it”.
We recommend that you book your accommodation directly with Inkaterra and not through a third party. This way you can be sure that all the money goes to Inkaterra and their projects, helping to ensure that future generations will be able to experience the beauty of Peru. It may not be a cheap trip – but it is certainly a trip that makes a difference!
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