While working as a Tour leader in Peru for a few months I visited Machu Pichu over 5 times, one of them after the Inca trail.
As anyone probably imagines, this was an amazing experience but it did shock me at times how travelers are abusing of the resources and how locals are taking advantage of the quick dollars. Nobody looking after the most important thing: The natural resources that brought both parts together.
I love traveling and I hope I will be able to do it the rest of my life, but if we don’t change our behaviour, soon nothing natural will be left and we will be the ones to blame.
On this note, I would like to comment about the Inca trail itself and share with you some important guidelines to take into consideration when booking this amazing experience.
These guidelines have been written by “the inka porter project/ Porteadores Inka Ñan” and you can find more information on their website: http://www.peruweb.org/porters/index.html
So enjoy your visit and remember that you are also part of nature, so behave in a balance and responsible way towards the rest of the natural world!
FACTS
130,000 people walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2004 – a 14-fold increase in the last 10 years. This heavy foot traffic on the Inca Trail, and also on other trekking routes, is taking its toll on the environment in the following ways:
*Pollution from detergents used for washing dishes and cooking utensils which contain oils and grease from cooking. These get washed into streams and rivers by rain. The local people downstream use this water untreated so it needs to be clean. The pollutants also harm, or even kill, aquatic plants, animals and fish.
*Rubbish includes food remains, packaging, toilet tissue and cigarette ends. Some rubbish is toxic and some rots but can take a long time. For example, it can take six months for orange peel to rot. As waste decomposes, it releases chemicals and these find their way into streams and rivers causing pollution. Some rubbish, like plastic, does not decompose and is unsightly and can harm domestic or wild animals if they eat it.
*Erosion of the footpaths, campsite areas and Inca remains at Machu Picchu and other sites.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
When You Book
Ask your tour company what it does to minimise environmental impacts: what do they do with the rubbish? What products do they use for cleaning dishes? Do they tidy the campsites before everybody leaves? What training do they provide for their staff on environmental practices?
What to Take
*Plastic bags for rubbish.
*Refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.
*Biodegradable soap made from natural, local products
On the Trail
Rubbish
*Collect rubbish in plastic bags and bring it back down with you.
*Make sure your tour guide, cook and porters take all the rubbish back down with them for disposal in proper areas.
*Don’t buy disposable water bottles. Use refillable water bottles and water purification tablets.
*Only smoke in designated areas.
Toilets
*Always use the fixed toilets or portable toilets.
*Don’t put toilet paper down the toilet.
*If you really have to defecate, and there is no nearby toilet, walk as far away from any streams as possible, dig a hole 6-8 inches/ 12-18 cm deep and 4-6 inches/ 10-12cm in diameter. Bury and cover with leaves or grass so that it is as inconspicuous as possible. Bury toilet paper properly or take it with you in plastic bags – do not leave it fluttering around. (By doing it this way, what you leave behind will decompose in the soil, instead of getting washed away by rain into streams.)
*Wrap tampons and sanitary towels in plastic bags and take them with you. Don’t bury them (they decompose too slowly).
*Urine is sterile so causes less environmental impact but excessive amounts can damage plants. Think before you pee!
Washing
*Use biodegradable soap to prevent water pollution.
*Plates without any grease on them don’t need cleaning with detergents; just use water.
Erosion
*Keep to footpaths and designated areas – don’t encroach on other areas.
*Don’t touch any Inca remains or climb or sit on them. (Oils and sweat on your hands can cause damage.)
Wildlife
*Leave wildlife alone. Take a photographic “souvenir” instead.
*Don’t make loud noises, like shouting and playing loud music.
*Don’t light fires or burn any rubbish.
*Don’t cut down plants and trees.
*Don’t trample on plants and flowers.
*Don’t feed wildlife or leave scraps of food for them. (It encourages them to rely on human contact.)
Recycling
*South American Explorers has a recycling centre in Cusco where you can recycle plastic bottles, tins, glass, etc.
Bell 4, 188 Choquechaca, Cusco.
Tel: (084) 245484
Email: cuscoclub@saexplorers.org
Website: www.saexplorers.org
BOOKING
Questions to ask your agency when booking the Classic Inka Trail from your home country
*Does the company follow the International Porter Protection Group’s five guidelines on porter safety? These are:
*Adequate clothing for protection from bad weather and high altitude should be provided
*Porters should have access to shelter (room, tent or lodge, sleeping bags and mats) and cooking equipment
*Porters should have the same access to medical care as tourists
*Adequate procedures should be in place for medical evacuation of porters
*Porters should carry no more than 25kg according to Peruvian law
*What is the company’s policy on equipment and health care for porters?
* What does the company do to ensure its staff are properly trained to look after porters’ welfare?
*Does the company ask about treatment of porters in its post-trek questionnaire?
*A question to ask tour operators that hire other agencies to run their Inka Trails (NB: this includes most international tour operators).
*What is the company’s policy on training and monitoring porter care by its ground operator in Peru?
PORTERS
Hire a porter.
Day two is really hard especially if you are not acclimatised to the altitude. As the guides say, you can either treat day two as an endurance test or enjoy it: it’s up to you.
Do not give your pack to a porter who already has a full load. If they carry more than 25kg, not only is it bad for their health, but they and the agency will get a substantial fine. If the agency gets fined, the porter generally does not get paid.
Ask your agency how much the porters are paid
The Porters’ Law states 120 to 135 soles for the four days but, in 2005, agencies have collectively negotiated 100 soles. However, it is often the case that porters are paid as little as 60 soles. If your trip costs less than $275, you can be fairly sure that the porters will be not be well cared for.
Let your agent know porters’ welfare is of concern to you
Drum the message home: porters need sleeping mats, tents with integral floors, adequate light and enough appropriate food (not just what is left over when tourists have finished).
Spend time with your porter
They can tell you amazing stories. Guides often tell you that porters don’t want to talk to the tourists, which may be true if you go barging in when they are eating together or sleeping. But along the trail, offer them coca leaves and learn a few words of Quechua!
Tip your porter.
Most groups collect at dinner on the last night of the trail and then give it to the porters. Remember to take adequate small change in order to tip porters individually. Please let your group know that 30 soles per porter is a minimum and it’s best to deal separately with porters that carry individuals’ bags. It is best to tip porters directly rather than giving the money to the guide or cook. Some tourists feel that this “ceremony” is degrading for the porters but they feel that it shows appreciation of their work.
Make sure that the guide takes care of sick porters
It is required by law to share the first aid kit with everybody in the group, not just the tourists.
Report all instances of neglect or abuse to the International Porter Protection Group.
