FUNDRAISING TREK IN SUPPORT OF PERUVIAN PORTERS

Cuzco based Inka Porter Project (IPP) has joined forces with The International Mountain Explorers connection (IMEC) to raise funds, and awareness, for their invaluable work with Peruvian porters. The not-for-profit Peruvian organization and their American partner are offering a special 12-day adventure through Peruvian villages and along an alternate trail to Machu Picchu departing 31 May 2005 from Lima.

This special opportunity will allow participants to experience the very best of Peru and also assist the porters at the same time. The 12-day trip features a 6-day trek along the less travelled Inca paths of Peru towards Machu Picchu. This alternate trail has been chosen to reduce the impact from the already congested and more popular Inca Trail and to highlight that there is more to Peru than Machu Picchu.

Tens of thousands of tourists hike the legendary Inca trail to the UNESCO-protected site of Machu Picchu every year, yet often the porters who carry their tents and provisions at very high altitude are paid as little as five US dollars a day. Inadequate meals, poor medical care and lack of rainproof sleeping accommodation are just some of the other issues that the porters face.

Starting from Lima, the World Expedition trek takes place from 31 May to 11 June 2005 and includes time in Cusco itself as well as a tour of the dramatic ruins of Machu Picchu after five days’ moderately graded trekking through the superb Andean landscape.


Cost of the trip is US$2850, joining from Lima, and places are strictly limited to 20 people. For every participant, US$1000 from the cost of the trip will be donated to the Inka Porter Project and the International Mountain Explorers Connection.


The Inka Porter Project’s key aims are to foster respect for all porters and animal drivers that work in the Andes and the World Expeditions departure will include a visit to their new training and drop-in centre for porters, based in the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo. The project has also issued a set of responsible trekking guidelines for anyone intending to hike the Inca trail. For more details, visit www.peruweb.org/porters


The International Mountain Explorers Connection promotes responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world.


For further information about World Expeditions’ Alternative Inca Trail this spring,

visit www.peruweb.org/porters or www.hec.org.

Contact Name: Scott MacLennan
Company: International Mountain Explorers Connection
Telephone: 505-830-9808
E-Mail: smaclen@aol.com