Our Story & Philosophy
Having been born in Cusco, I have always been passionate about the area around Mount Salkantay. After working as a guide in the region for many years, I began to formulate my own ideas for a very different kind of tourism: our socially responsible, adventurous trekking tours for the upscale traveler are the first of their kind in the Andean region of Peru. From a very young age, I saw groups of tourists coming to my grandfather’s property, the Hacienda Pincopata (today, Pincopata Ecocamp). At the time, this was the starting point for the early expeditions to Mount Salkantay, as well as Choquequirao and Espiritu Pampa, in the remote Vilcabamba mountain range. As a young assistant, my job was to prepare these expeditions carefully, in order to ensure their success. In addition to these long expeditions, for other tourists I acted as a local guide, organizing trips to the Choquechurco archaeological remains on the edge of my family’s property. In 2016, we began to revive this experience by taking visitors on walking or horseback tours, just as we used to back in the day. Those early years I spent gaining experience in the travel industry at my grandfather’s hacienda marked the beginning of a long career in tourism.<br /> I went on to complete my studies as a mountain guide (IFMGA, International Mountain Guide Associations) and to obtain a degree in tourism at the University of Cusco. I also traveled extensively throughout the Americas, where I took the time to study a number of sustainable projects and was inspired to start my own. Peru Ecocamp has been conceived to bring travelers to the Mount of Salkantayarea, while ensuring the social well-being and economic development of local communities. We are now living the Peru Ecocamp dream, and we are looking towards a future filled with enormous possibilities, as the very first project of this type in Peru. Our concept is one that prioritizes the environment, coupled with eco-friendly development that is sustainable over time. Our goal is to benefit our strategic partners, while at the same time working on skills building and job creation initiatives for the local communities who form part of the Peru Ecocamp family.
How one man’s dream became a reality
Raul Montes, founder and owner
