Lares Valley

Hello,

I would highly recommend a guide company called Chaski Ventura in Cusco. We just got done with a week-long trek through Salcantay and into MP with Chaski's main guide, Klever Marca. I have used guides in SE Asia, West Africa and other places, and Klever is hands down the best guide I have ever had. He's the full package. Knowledgable, accomodating, honest, a strong hiker with a good crew, and able to take care of all his clients. He's well-trained and completely connected to the local communities. He helped found the company to get the local communities more involved in and more financially linked to the guide industry. He also works with the Peruvian govt to develop projects in communities that help keep money inside the small towns that host trekkers.

Your contact at Chaski will probably be Miguel, whose English is still in development; but he responds promptly, follows through, and never ever told me anything that didn't turn out to be true. Using this company made our trip so much the better. These guys are awesome. You can contact them at info@chaskiventura.com

Tell them Matt Kelley referred you. And if you want any direct references, I'd be happy to oblige. This is the kind of company that gives back to the communities. Give them a try! And tell Klever hello.

SAS would be my last choise. Kleber seems to be clever :-)

May I inquire as to why SAS would be the last choice?

Hi,
We did Lares with "forever young" agency in Cuzco - no booking ahead.
It was great.
Take loads of nick nacks for the kids you will meet (crayons, paper, books, sweets, etc.)
Mike

And here are the pictures of day 1

www.churchy.net</a><BR><BR>Mike

Altitude says that SAS are not good because they have had a bit of a bad reputation (I don't know the current situation) they did get taken to court by the porters for maltreatment... (5 years ago?) and there was some other stuff going on...

MIKE - aka Churchman - please, do not take nick nacks for the kids you meet. This might be fun and gratifying behaviour for yourself, but what are you teaching those children??? They then ask every gringo for lollies etc which becomes begging, which is not positive behaviour for them and is certainly not fun for the tourists that come after you...

If you wish to positively contribute to the communities you visit, ask your travel agency how you can help. They should be able to make suggestions - if they don't already have some program in place. Ie. a 'facilitated' donation (via the travel agency) to the community's head man for school supplies would be better for everyone.

We took crayons and books and gave to a school teacher to distribute.
The guide (a local) told us to take sweeties for the kids.
The kids appreciated it and I don't think we corrupted them.

Few weeks ago SAS came on the newspapers again and for the same reason: maltreating their porters! I can find the newspaper (El Sol) and give you the exact date if you PM me.

Churchman: do you think candies are good for children? what about their teeth? I think too you are encouraging begging.

Do you want to do something nice? good! take with you a doctor and get people to have a check up and also taking some vitamins could be great , people need this rather than sweeties.

Another way to contribute locals is by purchasing their goods.

Since corruption is high I believe the teacher will soon open up his own Book store; sorry to desapoint you but its likely to happen!

Oohhh noooooo tourists handing out stuff to kids (or adults for that matter)! Those are the ones who spoil it for all the others who come after them. And for the inhabitants themselves (turning them into beggars, and causing severe fights between the tougher kids and the weaker ones).

If you want to play Santa Clause then please do a sensible donation to a school or a church, or a reputable development organisation like Oxfam or something. Do not corrupt the locals with these condescending acts of 'charity'. They will start seeing white people as walking goldmines (or even more so), not as equal people. You will ruin it for everyone who follows.

The difference is so big between regions where many tourists (of the Santa Clause type) have passed before: children harranging you for money, sweets, even getting agressive when you don't GIVE GIVE GIVE something.... or the regions that are still rather untouched, and where the kids are simply very curious to see you, chat with you, play soccer with you, have their pictures taken and them looking at them on your camera ("the TV!")..... why is this type of contact not enough for some travellers and why do they have to spoil it by handing out stuff at random?

Please, just show some respect and try to have a conversation, even with hands and feet, play a game, make drawings together, and if you really want to give them something then give them used postal stamps of your country.