Community Projects
Andean Trails believes tourism should make a positive impact in the communities we visit.
We are proud to support a number of NGOs and charities that contribute to the environment and the communities where we have lived and worked since we started up in 1998.
Each year we give a total of approximately USD 4,000 to NGOs and charities working in the Andean nations:
We are also members of:
Some of the projects actively encourage volunteers, so if you would like to donate or fancy contributing time as a volunteer then contact the office for how best to organise this.
Huchuy Yachaq
Huchuy Yachaq Project, highland Cusco
A community project in a Cusco neighbourhood. The project has been running for well over 20 years. It aims to improve education, skills and the quality of life of families in this poor community. Contact us about the possibility of volunteering.
Danielle Children’s Fund, highland Ecuador 
We began supporting Danielle Children’s Fund in 2024. Their mission in Ecuador is to contribute to the co-construction of healthy, protective families and communities that protect and prioritise children.
Rainforest Concern
We support Rainforest Concern, a UK-based charity established to protect threatened natural habitats and their biodiversity, as well as the indigenous people who live there. They have several projects in South America that we are delighted to support.
Reforestation of the Andes with ECOAN 
Together with ECOAN, a Peru based NGO, Andean Trails is helping communities reforest the Andean slopes.
Amantani
Andean Trails has sponsored the Graham Water Marathon, organised by Amantani, who help bridge the gap between home and school for children living in Ccorca, a handful of Quechua communities nestled high in the Andes of southern Peru.
Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT)
Book your Galapagos holiday with us and help safeguard the Archipelago’s future.
We pay an annual membership fee to the GCT.
Books for Guyana Initiative, Guyana
The Chenapou Village Library, born from a UK volunteer’s vision, was officially opened in February 2025. Following her 2018/19 teaching stint, Kirsty launched the ‘Books for Guyana’ initiative, and began fundraising. The first barrel of books arrived in February 2024, marking a crucial milestone, with four more barrels successfully funded and delivered by September 2024. We made our first donation to the library in 2025.
Testimonials
Pam and Paul, Australia, Paine W self-guided, Chile. March 2025 As an older non Spanish speaking couple hailing from Australia, booking our 5 day solo Torres del Paine W trek with Andean Trails was the perfect start to realise our adventure. Having all our accommodation, transfers, inclusive meals and comprehensive pack list sorted to suit our itinerary by such knowledgeable, professional and amenable travel experts meant we could focus our efforts entirely on the trek. We were blessed by great weather - a considerable bonus given we took a few hours longer to complete each daily walk as some of the trails were challenging too but the stunning views that unfolded along the trails provided impetus for us to persevere. We also found our walking poles were essential for ascents and descents on steeper slopes. Our last night was a fixed tent camping spot - comfortable enough and allowed for unreal Milky Way stargazing in the wee small hours. Our 3 nights in Refugios were good - took a bit of getting used to sharing space with 4 other bunk bed mates and it helped being organised the night before when setting off for a pre-dawn start with head torches. The food provided was fine and portions adequate to needs and the Chilean staff were all friendly and helpful. In summary whilst we have physically come down from the mountain tops we are still on an emotional high! Our entire Patagonian trip was nourishment for the heart and soul and a truly awesome experience to be immersed in such an incredible, diverse and unique natural environment - the sound of roaring rivers, the thunder of shifting glaciers , the winds through the forest and high peaks further complimented our sensory experience. There are many options for trekkers to explore in terms of walks and destinations within this mighty National Park to suit fitness and/or time constraints. Our advice would be take your time considering what you feel comfortable with challenging yourself (I was certainly apprehensive about my ability to complete the full 70km circuit and we ended up doing less kms towards the end which felt just fine and meant we we could have more time sitting on a rock admiring Grey glacier from a greater distance) and then make it happen, one beautiful step at a time - you might even glimpse a Puma along the way!
Pam Christmas
» Self-Guided Paine W Trek
C. Cooper, UK. Photography Tour, Chile and Bolivia, April 2025 We had a truly amazing experience. Chile and Bolivia are stunning. Our guides were professional, knowledgeable and friendly. All of the guides said we had a very well planned itinerary that gave us the best chance of acclimatising to the altitude properly (the hike in Atacama and the trek to the Hot Springs before departing for Bolivia). Our driver in Bolivia was fantastic. He was professional and very competent. Despite the condition of the roads and the amount of time we spent travelling we always felt completely safe. The hotels in Bolivia were basic but charming. Some of the facilities were a bit more rustic than we had expected (no heating and/ or no hot water in the mornings) but we managed. Food was simple but good. Overall, it was a very special trip and has given us a lot of amazing memories. If someone asks what the best part was, I couldn’t decide because there were so many best bits….Moon Valley, the flooded Solar de Uyuni, The Milky Way, Sunsets & Sunrises, the Flamingos at Laguna Colorado. It was exhausting and unforgettable - just how we like it :-) I will eventually get to reviewing my photos and will send you some. Many thanks for your help in organising everything.
C. Cooper
» Bolivia Uyuni Salt Flats 4WD Tour
View All 
