Guido is a founder of Impactful Travel, a trailblazer in responsible and community-based tourism. He has been promoting inclusive and slow tourism since 2002. He founded Impactful Travel (formerly RESPONSible Travel Peru) in 2010 along with
'Coffee route' to Machu Picchu
Following the unknown backroads to Machu Picchu

- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: Approx. 24km
- Duration: Four days (three days hiking)
- Accommodation: Homestay
- Start/end point: Santa María/Aguas Calientes
In my opinion, Machu Picchu represents everything that needs to change in the tourism industry. The ruins are marketed as the "lost city" that you can "discover" like some sort of modern day Indiana Jones. But tell that to the people who've lived around these ruins for centuries. Why don't they feature in the Machu Picchu story – or benefit from the vast profits it brings to big tourism companies?
To answer some of these questions, alternative ways of getting to Machu Picchu have been developed by those of us in the responsible tourism movement. This 'coffee route' breaks down the barriers between mass tourism and local people. You'll get to know coffee farmers, stay in their family homes, and trek with them on the backroads to Machu Picchu that most visitors don't even know exist.
The final leg does involve taking the regular shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance gates, but you'll be there safe in the knowledge that you did it the 'right' way.
At a glance
Destinations
Machu Picchu
Activity
Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Culture, Responsible Travel, Community-led Tourism, Slow TravelPhysical Level
Moderate
Season
April - December
Duration
4 days
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'Coffee route' to Machu Picchu
Following the unknown backroads to Machu Picchu
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