We are a group of people truly passionate about Peru, the transforming power of journeys and the webs created by them, as well as the search for sustainable development initiatives in this wonderful country. All these things led us to create Kawsay.
WHY KAWSAY?Kawsay means ‘life’ in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas and the most widespread language in the Andes these days. We chose this name because in Kawsay we understand a journey as a way to embrace life.
When exploring other cultures we reconnect to ourselves and others. When travelling we weave beautiful webs and bridges between brothers and sisters, partners, friends and different cultures. Travelling, we confirm there are several ways to understand the world, opening our eyes to the importance and richness of differences and learning from them.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM POLICIESWe are also aware that tourism, carried out in a responsible way may be an excellent development tool. Bearing this in mind, it is a priority for Kawsay to develop the practice of responsible tourism.
For this reason, we have elaborated behaviour codes for our travellers and have subscribed ourselves to international agreements of Responsible Tourism, among other actions that will help guarantee the correct and fair development of our tourist activities.
In relation to our suppliers: despite we are conscious that not everything we sell may be certified within the parameters of ‘fair trade’ (as a matter of fact, there is no certification for the practices of ‘fair trade’ in the tourist industry nowadays), in Kawsay not only do we pay fair prices to our suppliers, but we also look for them to share the same principles of responsible tourism.
We give priority to local suppliers or small businesses that are in one way or another related to projects of development in the area they operate.
In addition, it is clear to us that you are the best advisors in this field; therefore we deeply thank you all the feedback that you can deliver to us.
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCES WILL THE TRAVELER FIND HERE?Again, we have a passion for our country. Peru is extremely diverse: multiplicity of species of endemic flora and fauna, together with a great variety of cultures and their particular way of interpreting the world, coexist in this amazing place.
It is through our journeys that we seek to generate deep and real experiences for our travellers. We want them to experience this natural richness from within and have the magic of our cultures awaken in our travellers memories of diverse ways to see and live.
Here, nature and adventure lovers will enjoy intense hikes through the Andes, unforgettable expeditions to the Amazon or may sail the deep blue of the Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
Those who seek cultural immersion will enjoy the options in Rural Community Tourism we offer throughout this country or might prefer to arrange with us a Theme Trips and, for example, discover the mysterious symbolism of old textiles and learn more about the ancient dyeing techniques with natural elements which were preserved and are still used in the Andes.
Travellers looking for “inner journeys” can also profit of Peru’s amazing environment and cultures. Our dramatic landscapes and ancient spiritual traditions are the ideal frame for these inner quests.
In Kawsay we also want to become a platform for other initiatives that identify themselves with our motto: ‘embrace life’.
This is why, through this web page, you may also find information about yoga seminars, permaculture workshops (bio orchards and gardens, organic construction, waste handling, etc.), natural medicine workshops, volunteering programs and other efforts that will help the web of life we fabricate become more solid and colourful.
MISSIONKawsay is an organization that encourages experiences of cultural exchange and (re) discovery journeys of ourselves. We act like a bridge between travellers who look forward to living an enriching experience in this country and the local communities that offer various services, seeking to reinforce sustainable tourism and empower these communities as well our travellers. We also work as a platform and promote initiatives of fair trade, sustainable development, healing, permaculture and alternative lifestyles in Peru.
VISIONTo promote the development of a network of people who through journeys, exchange and empowerment of ourselves and others acting through Love, Honesty, Cooperation and Respect, co create the New World.
