March 2017: With 2017 stated as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” by the United Nations, Peruvian eco tourism pioneer, Inkaterra, will open their Amazonian “Inkaterra Guides Field Station” to guests in June for the first time. Located in the Tambopata National Reserve, the property will offer travellers the opportunity to explore the rainforest and participate in various conservation projects, overseen by Inkaterra's NGO, the Inkaterra Asociación (ITA).

Originally designed as a research location for ITA and a location to train Inkaterra's Explorer Guides, the Field Station will now open its doors to eco-conscious travellers, families, researchers, volunteers and students from around the world.

“The Inkaterra Guide Field Station is a key project for us; not only is it a hub for ITA to continue their invaluable conservation projects, but it is also a conveyor of valuable knowledge,” comments Jose Koechlin, Founder of Inkaterra. “We see it as an opportunity for the public to learn the importance of eco-tourism, educating the next generation of eco-conscious travellers and conservationists”. 

Inkaterra Guides Field Station set up:

Four cabañas will be available, equipped with two double beds, private terrace, mosquito nets, private bathroom and hot water. Two large “Pavilions” will offer a shared-living set up, housing eight shared rooms, each with private bathroom, sleeping up to four guests per room.

The restaurant will feature long dining tables, operating a communal dining concept and will serve only local ingredients and healthy dishes from the Amazon region. A bar will serve traditional Pisco Sours and complimentary Chicano during cocktail hour.

The Field Station “Work House” will house an Eco Centre, designed to educate guests on the various projects and excursions taking place, as well as a laboratory used for the examination of soil and the study of flora and fauna. 

Excursions:

With excursions offered in both English and Spanish, guests will be able to participate in ten wildlife-focused outings, ranging from quarter and half day trips to full five-day itineraries.

Daily trips to the Gamitana Model Farm, where ITA works with local communities, and the Bio-Orchard will educate guests on the sustainable techniques used in the agriculture, farming and horticulture of the region.  The Inkaterra Canopy Walkway (winner of the PURE's 2017 “High Emotion/ Low Impact” award) takes visitors along a series of seven hanging bridges, 1129ft (344m) above the jungle floor, offering a unique opportunity to view the wildlife diversity in the rainforest canopy.

Keen birdwatchers can take a boat trip to River Island, a large sandbank on the shores of the Madre de Dios River, to explore the floodplains that play home to many sought after bird species, including the Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus). 

The Inkaterra Asociación is a self-funded, non-profit institution dedicated to restoring the ecosystems and cultural resources in Peru through fieldwork projects, biodiversity monitoring and the promotion of responsible business models to benefit local communities. Since its conception in 1978, ITA has been able to protect 15,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest, capturing 3,400,000 tons of carbon emissions, as well as ecosystems in Cusco's cloud forests. The ITA projects are supported by partnerships with National Geographic Society, Global Environment Facility (United Nations), Conservation International and other influential organisations.  

The Inkaterra Field Station will be open to guests from June 2017 and rates start from $320 for a four-night/five-day itinerary.

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For more information, please contact PRCO:

Leah Whitfield / Sophia Davies / Amy O'Rourke

lwhitfield@prco.com / sdavies@prco.com / aorourke@prco.com

Notes to Editors:

About Inkaterra

Established in 1975, Inkaterra has pioneered ecotourism and sustainable development in Peru. The organization has spent the past four decades dedicated to authentic travel experiences, aiming to preserve biodiversity and local cultures. Inkaterra's sustainability efforts have gained them membership with diverse alliances, such as Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso and National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.

Inkaterra properties are established in the heart of the Machu Picchu cloud forest (Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and El MaPi, by Inkaterra), deep in the Amazonian rainforest of Madre de Dios (Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, and Inkaterra Guides Field Station), nestled in the cobbled streets of Cusco (Inkaterra La Casona) and surrounded by the rolling hills of the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba). Luxury standards are achieved in all hotels, defined for their eco-friendly design inspired by traditional architecture and for being built with native materials, in harmony with the environment.

Annually catering to more than 200,000 travellers, Inkaterra has been recipient of the PURE Contribution to Experiential Travel Award (2015); the Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy (2013); WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the Conservation Category (2012); Travel+Leisure Global Vision Award (2011); and National Geographic Traveler's Best Practices Award for Sustainable Travel (2002). In 2012 Inkaterra became the first world hotel enterprise to be recognized with the International Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by the CU Green Choice Sustainable Tourism Standard.