We firmly believe that, if executed properly, tourism can be a source of sustainable development. It can provide dignified and rewarding employment to the local population, pay fair prices for local organic produce, encourage best practices for water management and waste disposal/recycling, invest in reforestation as well as in the upkeep of archaeological sites.
We use a minimal impact architecture that blends with the environment. Insulating our tents to be thermally efficient and to offer our guests a very comfortable stay with the highest finishes. Using solar energy for our lighting needs.
We promote day trips, off the traditional tourist route. With these activities, we try to help the community by hiring local guides. We generate employment in our neighbouring villages and train our staff to the highest hospitality standards. We make donations to help the local schools purchase equipment and train their staff.
We believe that in order for us to prosper, our neighbours must do so too. It is with that mindset that we set up a non-profit association to promote activities that will help contribute to the well-being of the Patacancha river valley. The association is funded by 100% of the margin we make on the activities we promote and by generous donations from our friends and guests.
Peru has a serious educational deficit. More so in rural areas. Covid 19 has worsened what was already a critical situation.
We believe that investing in Education is key in order to structurally improve people’s lives and give them opportunities for dignified and rewarding occupations.
Water quality and availability are of prime concern worldwide. We focus on building the right irrigation infrastructure for Las Qolqas Eco Resort and for its neighbours.
We also invest in water treatment, waste management, recycling & reforestation.
Together with Kuska School and El Albergue, Las Qolqas is one of the founding members of CASA KUSKA, a library and cultural center in the historical center of Ollantaytambo. This center aims to provide a safe space that promotes the love of reading and learning amongst the youth of Ollantaytambo and its surrounding villages. Tutoring, workshops, additional training for teachers and emotional support sessions are amongst the activities that will further the overall well-being of new generations of thinkers.
Provided irrigation hoses, hired a hydraulic engineer and organized our neighbours to implement an aspersion irrigation system. Allowing each of the neighboring farmers that make use of the agricultural terraces to share water equitably and more efficiently.
Paid for the Translation of the national grade-school curriculum from Spanish to Quechua. This exercise was executed by MAB with the help of two local teachers and a psychologist from Ollantaytambo.
Commissioned an audit of the emotional and academic level of teachers, students and parents of the schools in our neighboring villages: Ollantaytambo, Pallata, Huilloc and Patacancha.
This led to the inclusion of the teachers of said schools in the program ‘De Tambo a Tambo’. The teachers now engage in monthly calls with other teachers and coaches, in which they have a forum to voice their doubts and get support in order to do the best job they can with their limited resources.
Restoration of Inca wall along the road from Ollantaytambo to Huilloc. Engaged an archaeologist to work alongside experts from the Ministry of Culture. They prepared a plan and subsequently monitored the restauration of a millenary Inca wall.
The entire staff of Las Qolqas participated in planting thousands of Queuña trees near Pumamarca
Built a river intake and canal system to be used by all the neighboring farmers on the south bank of the Patacancha river.
