Andean Trails is helping to tackle the problem head on.
We’ve paid for the provision of 3,500 native polylepis trees to replant in the high Valleys of the Peruvian Andes. Local organisers and volunteers head, each year, to the local mountain range to plant locally grown polylepis saplings.
This brings great benefits to the community. The project is run locally by ECOAN (Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos), all money stays in the local economy and valleys are reforested.
There are 19 species of Polylepis native to the Peruvian Andes. They are found at altitude between 1800 and 5100 m. The mountains have suffered deforestation for firewood and industry, leaving seriously depleted ecosystems. This woodland is vital for biodiversity, carbon sink and to highland ecosystems for water regulation and soil conservation.
In 2018, ECOAN (Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos) and GFC (Global Forest Generation) came together to found Acción Andina. Together they have facilitated over 20 separate projects in the high Andes. This has involved over 25,000 local people in reforesting over 5,000 hectares with Andean woodlands and protecting over 11,250 hectares of existing forest.
Over 200 local communities in the high Andes of the Cusco area have benefited. Economic prospects have improved as a result of activities such as: reforestation, forest preservation, establishment of micro-businesses, access to healthcare, installation of water collection systems, adoption of clean-burning clay stoves, use of solar panels, and formalisation of land titles.
In 2023, Acción Andina was awarded the prestigious Earthshot Prize. This award, initiated by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, recognises their efforts in addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
In Peru, deforestation of the Andes and the Amazon and the loss of most of the major glaciers pose a risk of a serious shortage of water.
By working to reforest areas, Andean Trails and ECOAN hope to be able to be part of a sustainable tourism movement.
Hopefully, this will show that tourism in Peru can be run in as sustainable a way possible to ensure the amazing places we travel through can be enjoyed for many generations to come.
As important is that the local communities genuinely get to benefit from our travelling through their backyards.
Please contact us if you would like more information about how to get involved.
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+44 (0)131 378 5593
+44 (0)131 554 6025
info@andeantrails.co.uk
Kirsty, UK. Biking in Ecuador and Galapagos, Aug 2026 Andean Trails organised our holiday adventure in Ecuador at very short notice. We had a week cycling on the mainland and a week snorkelling & hiking in the Galápagos Islands. The organisation was perfect, the cycling was varied, the hotels were all lovely and the food always had veggie and meat options. The local guides were excellent, we learnt so much about local history, culture and animals. Communication was excellent throughout and a small issue with the taxi time was resolved very quickly. Ecuador is a fantastic place to visit and we couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
Kirsty, UK » Galapagos Active Adventure Tour
Jamil Malik, UK. Tailormade Ecuador and Galapagos, June 2026 Overall it was an amazing trip, Galapagos blew our minds with all the nature, very special place, loads of memories to take with us. Highlights: Cuicocha lake first crater walk at altitude (tiring but we all did it) followed by visit to Cotopaxi volcano. The main highlight, arriving in Galapagos, scene out of Jurassic Park. Quilotoa crater lake – amazing to look at. Galapagos – snorkelling, biking, boat trips all excellent. Miguel (Quito part) (guide) was excellent, and Paquito his driver was quiet and polite. Miguel’s knowledge was unbelievable and he adjusted our days as required and accommodated stops etc. Thinking about the next one already!
Jamil Malik » Galapagos Land Tour: Santa Cruz & Isabela
