Monthly Archives: April 2018

Conservation and Sustainability

Four ways Inkaterra help the planet

Last weekend, eco-conscious citizens around the world celebrated Earth Day, an annual event supporting environmental protection. For Inkaterra, it’s not just a great way to celebrate the achievements we’ve made in conservation over the past 43 years, but a chance to educate travellers and local communities on the importance of sustainability and eco-tourism. In light of Earth Day, here are four ways we’re helping the planet (and the ways you can get involved, too).

Andean Spectacled Bear Sanctuary

Did you know, the number of Andean Spectacled Bears in the wild is rapidly decreasing? That’s right, our furry-faced friends have been deemed by UCN as having a vulnerable conservation status. So, in 2001, we launched the Andean Spectacled Bear Sanctuary, a pioneering conservation programme at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, designed to recover bears that have been negatively impacted by human activity. Where possible, the bears are then reintroduced to their natural habitat in the Andean mountains. Click here to meet some of our resident bears!

Machu Picchu – a global example of sustainability

You might remember a few months back, our CEO and Founder José Koechlin said ‘we aim to turn Machu Picchu into a global example of sustainability by 2021, as part of Peru’s Bicentennial Plan’.
Back in 2016, UNESCO observed a waste crisis in Machu Picchu. As a result, Inkaterra partnered with the AJE Group, a Peruvian family-owned beverage multinational producing in 23 countries, indicating a pledge to lead diverse sustainability initiatives to benefit Machu Picchu’s heritage.

For example, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel has installed a biodiesel production plant, following the donation of a waste compacting machine which can process 14 tons of waste per day.  The specially designed machine can process burnt vegetable oil, therefore reducing the use of fossil fuels, one of the primary human contributions to global warming. By preventing oil spills, the project is also benefitting the local Vilcanota River.

Conservation Corridors

Did you know, Inkaterra has registered an amazing 814 bird species in their hotel grounds alone – that’s equivalent to 93% of Costa Rica’s total bird diversity. You can imagine then, how devastating the effects of deforestation are to the local flora, fauna and local communities.
So, to combat the negative effects of logging, our NGO Inkaterra Asociación (ITA) proposed the creation of a 78,756ha sustainable landscape corridor around the Tambopata National Reserve, from Puerto Maldonado – on both banks of theMadre de Dios River – to the Peru-Bolivia border. Hopefully, the creation of this ‘conservation corridor’ will decrease illegal mining and deforestation, and therefore safeguard local cultures and provide safe routes for both endemic and migrating birds.

Educating the next generation of conservationists

Last year, we opened the doors to our Inkaterra Guides Field Station, which was originally designed as a research centre for Inkaterra Asociación (ITA).  Now, the Field Station is open to eco-conscious travellers, families, researchers, volunteers and students from around the world, offering an in-depth and immersive look at the vital conservation projects being carried out. A hub of knowledge, research and discovery, Inkaterra Guides Field Station aims to educate the next generation of eco-conscious travellers.

Heading North

But what’s next for Inkaterra? In the latter half of this year, a new tourism venture in the northern fishing region of Cabo Blanco – a lost paradise where Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne partied in the 50’s and 60’s –  is set to be unveiled. The region is also famed due to Alfred Glassell, who captured the world’s largest Black Marlin(1,560lb) from the ‘Miss Texas’ in 1953, with Ernest Hemingway aboard.
 
Oil drilling and overfishing are major threats to the marine life in the region, which includes species of whale, dolphins, manta rays and pelagic birds such as the blue-footed booby. We’re working to provide water for the local communities, invest in marine conservation and conduct whale watching studies. As such, the new Inkaterra lodge will create jobs, improve fishing and local incomes, and educate local people about the environment. Watch this space!
To find out more about Inkaterra’s conservation initiatives and ITA, please click here.

Awards & Accolades, Events

Month in review: March 2018

From winning awards and hosting workshops, to celebrating colourful Peruvian gastronomy, it’s been an active month at Inkaterra. Want to take a peek at what we’ve been up to? Here’s a snapshot of our achievements over the past month, from the Andes to the heart of the Amazon:
Die Goldene Palme 2018 Award (Germany)

We were honoured to see Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel awarded first prize in the ‘Responsible Tourism’ category at the Die Goldene Palme Travel Awards that took place in Berlin.
Through a public-private partnership with the Machu Picchu Town Hall and the multinational Peruvian beverage AJE Group, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is working to help turn Machu Picchu into a global sustainability model. You can read more about the initiative here.
The donation of a compacting machine led to the city’s first biodiesel production plant to be opened at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. The new plant plant produces biodiesel, which reduces carbon emissions by up to 44% compared to traditional fuels, and petrochemical-free glycerine. Consequently, Inkaterra collects 600 gallons of waste oil from local restaurants, hotels and houses each month, thus avoiding its spillage into rivers.
“We are truly honored with this recognition to an effort Inkaterra has encouraged in Machu Picchu since 1976,” said Inkaterra chairman José Koechlin. “Through scientific research as a basis for wildlife conservation, we managed to restore one of the most biodiversity-rich environments within city limits. Now we aim to turn Peru’s iconic patrimony into an example for all travel destinations worldwide.”
 
Chef Virgilio Martínez talks at the first Gastronomy Masterclass in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

On 14th March, the Urubamba Coliseum hosted the first Gastronomy Masterclass. The goal: to incorporate all members in attendance within a supply chain that encourages the Sacred Valley as an agricultural and gastronomic destination, with a focus on sustainable production which benefits local producers, restaurants, hotels, food markets, and ultimately, the environment.
World-famous Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, winner of the 2017 Chef’s Choice Award, spoke at the event, sharing his experiences on food research and high-quality standards and hospitality services.
It’s not the first time Virgilio Martínez has been in the spotlight this month – eagle-eyed UK viewers will have seen him appear on popular UK cooking show, Masterchef, promoting Peru as a gastronomic wonderland. Recently Inkaterra-ITA have started a partnership with Virgilio Martínez, Inkaterra providing organic products from our Bio-Orchard located near Inkaterra Guides Field Station, for his restaurants: Central in Lima and Mil in Moray-Cusco.
 
José Koechlin appointed Vice-Chairman of CANATUR
Award winner Jose Koechlin
March also saw Inkaterra Founder and CEO, José Koechlin, being appointed as Vice-Chairman of CANATUR, the National Chamber of Tourism, for the 2018-2020 period (he was Chairman for the period of 1994-1996).
CANATUR aspires to help the Peruvian government improve tourism, with the goal of welcoming more visitors to Peru by 2021, the year of Peru’s 200th anniversary of independence. The group plans on boosting tourism through innovative marketing strategies, improving hospitality services, and new investment projects.
 
Field Projects International announced 3 new courses at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Last, but by no means least, Field Projects International announced three different field courses are to be held at Inkaterra Guides Field Station, our research station in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Genomics in the Jungle: Sample to Sequence in the Amazon Rainforest, Lab and Field Training (22nd July – 4th August) explores how the subject of genetics is transforming biological research, including successfully deploying instruments which enable molecular work to be conducted ‘on-the-fly’ and in the field.
Amazonian ABCs: Fundamentals of Rainforest Ecology and Field Botany (3-16th June and 15-28th July) offers a broad overview of forest ecology and conservation, with a taxonomic focus on plants, and a geographic focus on the Amazon basin in Southern Peru.
Amazon to the Andes: The Birds of Peru (24th June-7th July or 13th July) will enable participants to delve into one of the richest areas in the world in terms of bird diversity. The Peruvian Amazon hosts over 1000 recorded species, including 256 native to the region.
To read more about what we’ve been up to this month, click here to view our newsletter.

Hotels

Inkaterra: Guests' Perspectives

The Inkaterra story first began over forty years ago deep in the heart of the Amazon of Southern Peru. Our first hotel/lodge was Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica (1976), then named Cusco Amazónico to arise the attention of travellers to nearby Cusco and the Amazon, and home to the Canopy Tree House,  and this was followed by our second Amazon property – Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción (2011). Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción is located between the shores of the Madre de Dios river and near the Tambopata National Reserve. Guests who embark on an Inkaterra adventure in the Amazon are led by our explorer guides on boating excursions and nature trails and those who wish to admire the jungle at new heights can venture across the canopy walkway. This National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World is always ready to welcome new and returning guests, here are a selection of comments from the guest book on site that we are thrilled to have received this year at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.

‘This was my dream trip come true – a long-awaited trip to the Amazon jungle. Many, many thanks for a wonderful experience.’
– Ann

‘We had a wonderful stay here and Benjamin was an excellent guide! We saw wonderful wildlife every day! The grounds and building are perfectly designed and the food has been spectacular. The entire staff has been so friendly and wonderful, we will highly recommend!’
– Jen Glass and David Kramp

‘Came for a family vacation. The lodge was an amazing experience. All of the staff were patient and helpful. The expeditions were amazing and the guides were really knowledgeable. We got to see a lot of wildlife. I’m very happy we had the opportunity to come here.’
– Priya

‘Very nice place! Special “Thank You” “Gracias” to Paola, Italo, Leon (the guide) and Luz. All the people here are very, very nice. Bye, I hope we will come back!’
– Giusseppe and Andriee

‘What a wonderful adventure! Thank you to everyone that made our stay so fantastic.’
– Paula and Ken

For more information on our properties please visit our website.

Hotels

Llamas and Peru

Llamas are a quintessential symbol of Peru, almost synonymous with the country and a must-see snap for visitors. You’re likely to catch a sighting of them wandering the cobbled streets of Cusco, speckling the Andean landscape around Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In honour of our native furry friend we’ve gathered a few facts and some of our favourite photos on Instagram for you to get better acquainted.

Sempre quis conhecer Machu Picchu… algo sobre a antiga civilização do Império Inca e todo o conhecimento, inteligência e organização hierárquica desse povo me encantava… Porém, confesso que tirar um período de férias “só para conhecer o Perú” não me agradava… A realidade é que eu subestimei e muito esse país, e me apaixonei por essa cultura tão colorida, simples e acolhedora… Cusco foi uma incrível surpresa… para uma trip rápida, a Plaza de Armas conseguiu oferecer um pouquinho de todos os sabores e cores do país. Os sítios arqueológicos nos contavam histórias e nos tiravam o fôlego com as paisagens… mas quando chegamos em Machu Picchu… o destino mais esperado, foi indescritível…Caraaa… que lugar incrível!! A energia da antiga cidade, faz vc vibrar numa frequência muito maior, faz vc refletir sobre a vida aqui, sobre propósitos e sobre aproveitar o tempo que temos… pq o tempo passa, e quando vc vê toda a história contada através das ruínas de pedras, vc percebe que o verdadeiro Imperador disso tudo é o tempo, que passa sem vc ver, mas que tem o poder de levar com ele toda uma civilização… #peru #macchupicchu #cusco

A post shared by Diana Rodrigues Gropp (@dianargropp) on


1. Many people know that the llama is a cousin of the alpaca, although they aren’t the same species. However, you might  not know that the llama is actually also related to the camel.


2. Llamas can carry around 30% of their body weight. They can do this for long periods of time which is why they were favoured by the Incas to help them carry luggage on long journeys. That said, if you put too much on a llama’s back they’ll lie down and refuse to move until you lighten its load!


3. Llamas have three stomachs! They fill these with grass and other plants.


4. The current population of llamas and alpacas is estimated at 7 million in South America. Alpacas are actually worth more and produce more wool.

  1. And if a llama spits? They’re probably agitated so watch out!