we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism...

One of our key projects is the support through the part employment of a bilingual (Quechua/English teacher) in the community of Chaullacocha in the Lares-Ollantaytambo valley. the teacher works with the younger children who, as yet, only speak Quechua.

5% of your trek price is kept in trust for community projects.

In 2006 the small NGO RUFADA Rural Family Development Association of the Sacred Valley fought to have the government re open the school in the community of Chaullacocha from April through to December. The school had been closed for five years due to a lack of resources, especially teaching staff that declined to live in remote and difficult conditions. In 2006 school reopened with 22 children in first through fourth grade. By 2007 numbers had swelled to 29 children studying through to fifth grade. RUFADA identified that as the government paid teacher was not bilingual (in Quechua and English) they were unable to communicate with the majority of the children, especially the smaller ones who only speak Quechua. Apus Peru came into the project four months into the school year and now pays the large part of the salary of a bilingual teacher who teachers the younger children.

RUFADA writes: "we are aware that the only way to depart from under development is to give more emphasis in the education of our children and especially the less favoured in remote communities. We hope to gain a pride of our Andean identity and Quechua language while also improving their chances in broader Peruvian society."

You can currently actively participate in the Chaullacocha bilingual education project by going on the Lares to Machu Picchu trek.

You can also actively visit this community by participating in one of our Christmas and New Year tours.

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Pictures from the community of Chaullacocha, near Lares, which we support through the part employment of a bilingual (Quechua/English teacher). 5% of your trek price goes to assisting this community and another like it. To visit Chaullacocha, contact us.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism...

366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.