A&K Philanthropy’s (AKP) Inca Trail Assistants program has trained twelve women from a traditional Quechua-speaking community to assist travellers on the iconic Inca Trail.
For over a decade, AKP has been a positive force for change in the remote communities and villages of Peru’s Sacred Valley. Through their initiatives, AKP works to improve the lives of local people while providing travellers with the opportunity to visit the projects and form a deeper, more meaningful connection to the region. At the heart of AKP’s mission is a philosophy of collaboration, co-creating programs with the communities they serve.
A powerful example of this approach is the Village of the Flowers, where 30 local families approached AKP with a request to help them set up a textile workshop on their village patio. The goal was to enable local women to create and embroider textiles and garments in the traditional Inca style. Each piece showcases individual family designs that have been passed down through generations.
A&K guests can visit and learn about women’s ancient weaving traditions and purchase a unique piece of ancestral woven textile. Each garment represents the creator’s family tree, and when guests buy them as gifts, the artisans share the meaning behind the piece, offering a unique experience for A&K guests.
Thier Inca Trail Assistants Program is another example of how AKP is growing their presence in the region. Through the program, the twelve women can learn hospitality skills, earn an income, gain independence, and share their cultural heritage with visitors on the hike.
The impact of the program is felt not only by the women who participate but also by the travellers who benefit from their knowledge and companionship. Walking alongside guests on their pilgrimate to Machu Picchu, the trail assistants carry supplies, offer encouragement, and share insights into life in the valley. In doing so, they provide travellers with an authentic experience that goes far beyond the typical tourist journey. The women also contribute to the preservation of this ancient trail, following the Historic Sanctuary regulations and keeping it clean by recycling along the way.
The stories of the women involved speak to the profound personal growth the program has fostered. Cintia Amalia Chaucca Ramos shares how the program has increased her confidence, allowing her to provide for her children and improve their lives.
“My income has improved, and I now have a little more money of my own to buy clothes for my children,” Ramos said.
“The program has empowered me as a woman and a mother,” Sonia Quispe added.
“I would like visitors to see that women are very capable of doing many things, such as working as porters,” Emilda Ramos Salle said. “These testimonies underscore the positive changes the program has created in the lives of these women and in the broader community.”
“Our relationship with these communities goes beyond the projects our guests see,” A&K regional sales and marketing director, The Americas, Dalia Gibu, said.
“We are engaged with the same groups on an ongoing bases. Recently, we carried out a health campaign on 90 people from the Village of the Flowers, providing doctors, nutritionists, and psychologists, as well as follow-up services. During the pandemic, we were delivering fresh water and supplies because the communities were so isolated, so they know the AKP team well and it’s a long-established bond based on coordinated work, trust, and fraternity.”
