The Wayra Lodge high in the Peruvian Andes above Machu Picchu
When someone decides to build a couple of lodges in the middle of remote, stunning mountain scenery near Machu Picchu then alarm bells will clearly ring for those of us who care about protecting these places.
Surely it would destroy the feeling of remoteness that makes the mountains so special. Then there are environmental considerations – the area has no electricity connection or running water. It does make you wonder what sacrifices have been made to create these lodges?
It is reassuring to know that the lodges are owned and operated by a team genuinely passionate about the environment and the communities they work in.
Mountain Lodges of Peru is a Peruvian family business. The driving force behind the project is to eliminate poverty in the Salkantay region within 20 years.
With this aim in mind they set about building four lodges along the remote Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. It took ten long years of fighting Peruvian beuarocracy to get permission.
During that time the company was also the subject of a lot of local rumours – first that they were actually building a dam to create a water supply and then exploit the locals by selling it on at extortionate rates.
Then came the story that were in fact building a brothel.
And next, possibly the most pernicious rumour of all, was that the company was run by Chileans. Chile and Peru have a long history of mutual dislike. The Peruvian owner was out on his horse one afternoon when he came across some locals who called him ‘The Chilean’. He was so incensed by this he jumped down from his horse and got out all the ID he had on him to prove otherwise.
So with this as a back story it is a real testament to the owners that they battled on. The lodges are now a big part of the local community and fully accepted. The integration and social responsibility is probably the best I have seen anywhere in South America.
Read more about our lodge based hike to Machu Picchu.