BEHAVIOR CODE FOR THE KAWSAY TRAVELLER
Dear friends, this is a behaviour code that will not only assure you have a pleasant travelling experience, but also a responsible and more constructive one.
Part of this code was inspired both in the ‘Travelling Code’ proposal developed for the ‘Inca Naani Project’ of the Mountain Institute, as well as the behaviour code of ‘Responsible Travel’.
LEARN ABOUT THE COUNTRY YOU ARE VISITING- Try to obtain as much information as possible related to the country you are about to visit. In our web page, you will find various links to web pages that talk about Peru and its people. If you know any other you’d like to recommend, please do!
- Use your travel guide as a starting point, not as the only source of information.
- Try to learn some useful words in the local language.
- Stay open to embracing difference. Being tolerant to new cultures and traditions will allow you to enjoy your trip even more.
- Respect local legislation regarding alcohol and drugs.
- Always ask for permission before taking pictures. Not all of us react in the same way to a camera. In some places, locals will not allow photographs, in some others they will ask for money or perhaps they’ll just be happy to pose with you and your friends.
- Be respectful with the local culture and traditions. Observe dressing codes, especially in churches and sacred places.
- Do not give candy or medicine to children. The indiscriminate use of these doesn’t contribute to a good health. The same goes for tipping to children in the street: giving it doesn’t really help to improve the situation of these families and only teaches them to depend on tourists. If you really want to help, try to donate school material or, better yet, spend some of your time with them through volunteer work. Donations are always welcome but it is important to be sure what is your money supporting.
- Do not make promises you will not keep. Example: saying you will gather money or clothes you will then send from your country, telling street vendors you will buy something from them later (they’ll believe you and could wait for that buy all day long).
- When buying, think where your money is going. Try to put your money into local businesses. Example: buy local beer instead of imported beer or try to eat in local restaurants instead of big food chains.
- Bargaining: this is possible in most places and sometimes even expected. However, make sure you don’t pay less than what is fair.
- Help preserve the local fauna and its habitat by respecting local laws and regulations, such as staying on signalised tracks and paths.
- Do not buy handicraft made with protected local flora or fauna such as condor feathers.
- Be aware of pollution and conscious with the use of water. We recommend, for example, buying bottles of two litres to refill your own containers or smaller plastic bottles. This will not only save you some dollars, but will generate less waste.
- Care for and preserve natural resources. Pay attention to the waste you generate and do not leave non-degradable waste (such as batteries) in natural places.
