The Contours Collection

At Contours Travel we believe strongly in responsible and sustainable travel, which is why we have been supporting a range of locally-based community initiatives throughout Latin America since 1975. Whether through offering direct loans, importing artisan products or through supporting local development organisations, we are trying to increase employment opportunities for the people of this wonderful continent, especially through self-help projects that use local knowledge and traditional skills. That is why in our tours we always include visits to rural communities and experience the work of these organisations first-hand.

Peru’s Challenge was created to improve the living standards of rural communities in Peru (mainly indigenous people of Quechua origin) who live in extreme poverty. With a particular focus on education, health and general wellbeing, Peru’s Challenge works in partnership with local residents to develop functional and sustainable schools and communities.

Site: www.peruschallenge.com

Casa Ecológica in Cuzco works with a number of different communities from the Andean and forest areas of Peru and aims to increase economic opportunities through ecological and sustainable commercial ventures. This will reinforce the communities’ identities and offer alternatives to sustainable development.

Site: www.casaecologicacusco.com

Wings- Working Together is a nonprofit association of our Peruvian partner, Condor Travel. It promotes sustainable tourism in the countries where Condor Travel operates. Their mission is to identify and develop projects in which they can create a synergy between the stakeholders to enhance their passengers’ experience. Their pilot in the village of Misminay has had success in creating economic and social opportunities for local people.

Hearts Café is part of the Living Heart NGO, which is working with five communities. Their projects include nutrition care, providing breakfasts, educational activities and supplies for schools, organising art and theatre classes for children, providing seeds and plants so schools can create scholastic organic gardens, and organising doctors’ visits to communities.

Site: www.heartscafe.org