Other key areas of accomplishment include:

ECOLOGY
Sponsorship of major flora and fauna projects in the Amazon basin, resulting in an inventory conducted by Harvard Professor E.O Wilson. Findings proved that there are more ant species at Cusco Amazonico / Reserva Amazonica than anywhere else in the world. Other works include the creation of the world’s largest Orchid Research Project / Study of native species (372 species) in their natural habitat, at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. In addition, Mr Koechlin has sponsored a number of ecological publications on conservation in both the rain forest and the Andean cloud forest. His sponsorship has lead to the discovery of 14 New Species to Science found at Inkaterra properties, 3 of which honors his name.

FILMS
Peruvian producer of “Aguirre, The Wrath of God”, (1991 / 1972); “Burden of Dreams”, and “Fitzcarraldo” (Best Director, Cannes; Best Foreign Film, Hollywood Foreign Press Association Award 1982), of which Mr. Koechlin is alsoauthor. His quest was to expose the essence of Peru.

PUBLICATIONS
Co-author with Dr. William Duelman of “Cusco Amazonico Reserva, Peru: Biological Investiga-tions, Conservation and Ecotourism”, University of Kansas, 1991. Co-authorwith Benjamin Collantes and Carmen Soto of “Orchids at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel”, Inkaterra 2007.

EXPLORATION
Discoverer of “The Purification Inca Trail” to Machu Picchu, and of the original Hiram Bingham Trail to Machu Picchu.

RESEARCH SPONSOR: PUBLICATIONS
“Cusco Amazonico, the Lives of Amphibians and Reptiles” by William Duelman, Cornell University Press (2005). “Flora of Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica”, Botanical Garden / Inkaterra Association (2007). CARBON SEQUESTRATION– For the past 20 years, along with the University of Leeds (UK), constant monitoring of carbon sequestration at Inkaterra now proves the economic value of Primary rain forest.

Inkaterra is devoted to conservation through tourism. Inkaterra Association is a non-profit institution devoted to research conducted specifically in the Amazon Rain Forest, the Cloud Forest, the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.

Inkaterra´s luxury lifestyle lodges have developed and grown simply thanks to perseverance and determination. Mr Koechlin bought land in 1976 at the base of Machu Picchu, at Aguas Calientes, to support the structure of the incipient town and in turn promoting the cities expansion. Over time the donation of some 11 acres (4.45 has.) was agreed to build a school, the train station, market, stadium, and houses. Now the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel has 85 rooms, designed by Koechlin’s wife, Denise Guislain; an organic farm and tea plantation; a restored cloud forest property with living collections of 111 species of butterflies, 54 fern species and 18 types of hummingbirds (amongst 192 wild bird species); the Andean Spectacled Bear Rescue Project; and, as published by the American Orchid Society, the world largest collection of native orchid species found in their natural habitat.

Inkaterra´s first property, the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge outside of Puerto Maldonado opened in 1975. Central to this lodge is work on rain forest research, conservation and for guests at the lodge a totally authentic and local experience. At this property, the IFC / World Bank and UN Global Environment Facility donated funds for a treetop canopy walkway, which has since been paid back by Inkaterra´s visitors. Also the National Geographic Society has funded the restoration of the Hacienda Concepcion which is undergoing renovation and will be converted into a Field Research Station (ATI). Finally, in Cusco Inkaterra has been proudly responsible for  the conversion of a 1585 house in the center of the city. Today Inkaterra La Casona stands as an 11-suite luxury boutique hotel, designed as a traditional Peruvian upper class home – its opening in May 2008 was received with much interest and acclaim.

Throughout his professional career, José Koechlin has participated in Peru’s main trade and commercial associations. He served as Chairman of the Peruvian Association of Adventure Travel and Ecotourism (APTAE) from 1998 to 2002. Prior to that, he was Chairman of CANATUR, Peru’s National Chamber of Tourism, from 1995 to 1997. He was also a member of the Board, and on the Board Executive Committee, for the National Confederation of Private Enterprise (CONFIEP) for four years, during which time he also served as Founding Chairman of the Sustainable Development Committee. He also chaired the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (Instituto Tecnologico Pesquero).