This half-day Cusco tour is a journey off the beaten path to the real life of the urban population of Cusco. This experience is a meaningful and respectful cultural exchange with local Cusqueños and focuses on current topics: cultural recognition, discrimination, environmental problems and challenges, progress and social obstacles, etc. Get to know a Cusco beyond the touristic sights on a visit to one of its urban local communities!
Pick-up from Cusco hotels.
9am or 2pm
We’ll pick you up at your hotel for your Cusco tour at 9am or 2pm and we’ll head to the higher areas of the city where the human settlements or ‘pueblos jovenes’ are located. These local communities were founded by people migrating from the countryside in search of economic opportunities or a better education. We’ll be welcomed there by the organization Asociación Pro-Vivienda, who will first give us background information on the area, their work and on the daily life in these communities. They will also share some personal stories about themselves. There will also be time on this Cusco tour for conversation where you can ask any questions about daily life in Cusco, the role of the woman, migration from the countryside to the city and the socio-political situation of families, education, etc.
They will then show us around on a walk where we will visit several families and local projects that aim to improve the situation in these communities. We’ll learn more about daily life in this often harsh environment but will also get the chance to be introduced to some of the efforts carried out to improve the situation.
Your visit benefits the local community in different ways. First of all, it provides an income to several community members as well as to the local organization Asociación Pro-Vivienda. Secondly, your visit also supports the NGO Centro Bartolomé de las Casas, which works with many rural and local communities in the Cusco and Sacred Valley area.
In addition to financial benefits, the interest and attention of people who came from all over the world increases the pride of the local people in their communities. The admiration and interest of visitors from across the world reinforces their engagement to their environment and traditions.
