The Inca Trails to Machu Picchu go across a very complex bio-cultural system: flora. fauna, natural resources, villages, archaeological sites and so on. Everybody will certainly benefit if prevention of ecological pollution is done. Here are the guidelines.
Advantages of Ecological Pollution Prevention
- First, if everybody involved follows a proper behavior, it will impede deterioration of the entire natural environment, nowadays that is so important to preserve resources like water, woods and so on.
- The Inca Trails routes will always remain neat, enjoyable and attractive for visitors, will always be a wonderful place, full of wonders to hike across everytime you want
- Prevention of ecological pollution will in turn protect the archaeological and cultural heritage to be damaged, thus keeping it available for the enjoyment, learning of present and future generations
- This will also hinder harmful impact on the population which lives along and close to the paths, thus respecting their human rights and avoiding a social movement against tourism and particularly trekking
Preventing Ecological Pollution on the Inca Trails
Next there are practical, easy-to-comply attitudes and behaviors to ensure the Inca Trails and all they offer will always stay in the best conditions that satisfy hikers, travel agencies, government offices and the local population:
- Waste management: to begin with the good news, the amount of garbage left along the paths is greatly decreasing each year and we expect this trend to continue. The best way to prevent generation of polluting disposals along the trails is that everyone must be totally careful with residues, by reducing them, bringing enough biodegradable plastic bags to collect and then handle everything to our staff. Anyway, we also conduct maintenance works along the route several times a year.
- Do not damage flora along the way (ripping plants, breaking branches or trees, etc); also, in the same way do not harm any of the animals which live on the mountains and the jungle border. Don’t destroy mountain sides or paths. Very important too, avoid contaminating stream and river waters with any kind of chemicals.
- Please preserve the quite valuable archaeological heritage along the old stone roads: do not break, hit, paint, climb, stand and so on, those ruins are close to sacred for Andean people and nobody wants local authorities finally prohibiting access to them
Please keep in mind that the protection of natural and cultural riches is a duty for any government, so hikers will not benefit if our officials are forced to adopt restrictive, prevention measures along this great hike. Also, Andean people are historically and economically very closely attached to nature, it actually provides their survival and they believe all the environment to be filled with a strong feminine energy, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) which has to be respected and worshipped.
So, remember to enjoy the Inca Trails with a proper care fo r nature and cultural heritage, ensuring this way that they will always stay “in good shape” for all hikers, present and future.
Finally, don’t forget permits sell out very quickly, if you want to book the Classic or the Short Inca Trail, please contact us the soonest you can. On this website you’ll find an availability calendar which is updated in real time.
