Providing Work Opportunities for Local People in Peru - the Inka Porter Project

October 3, 2005

Providing Work Opportunities for Local People in Peru - the Inka Porter Project
By Danielle Weiss,

Sustainable Tourism Coordinator

G.A.P Adventures

In January & March 2005, G.A.P Adventures and the Inka Porter Project (IPP), a Peruvian non-profit organization worked together to develop and offer training courses to 123 people from four local communities just outside of Cuzco to work as Porters and Cooks on the Inca Trail in Peru.

Our 2-day Porter Training Courses were developed as a way to provide job skills training and to educate community members about relevant social and environmental issues. Participants were divided into small groups of 10 – 15 to take part in various workshops. The workshops included how to set up tents, how to care for, maintain and carry camping equipment, and special techniques to use in order to avoid future back problems. Other topics included first aid training, a basic English language course, training on proper disposal of organic & inorganic waste, responsible tourism, cultural heritage and trust building exercises. Participants were also given a copy of the Porter Law which was reviewed and discussed.

A 3-day training course for Cooks was also offered to teach participants how to prepare food for our travellers on the Inca Trail and on the importance of food presentation and hygiene. Our cooks were then provided the opportunity to cook and serve food for all porters, guides, teachers, and G.A.P Cuzco office staff during our 2-day Porter Training Course.

In order to receive further training and work experience, participants from these courses have been hired to work for G.A.P Adventures on the Inca Trail. We ensure that our porters and cooks are paid fair wages and are provided with adequate food and camping equipment. G.A.P also pays for all travel expenses to and from the point of departure and in accordance with the Porter Law our porters carry a load limit of 20 kg or less.

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