If you're looking for a more authentic lodging experience on your way to Machu Picchu but aren't quite the camping type, staying in a local Andean village could be the perfect solution! Turismo Huilloc, a community-run tourism operation, offers comfortable homestays in a traditional community that is home to the porters of the Inca Trail and their families. With support from the TRIP Foundation, villagers participating in the homestay association upgraded their houses to include energy efficient light bulbs, low capacity electrical water heaters, and other environmentally friendly design features.

One popular activity among tourists is the "chaski" ceremony, an ancient Incan ritual of passing information between mountain villages. Travelers can stay the night or just visit for the day and experience the traditional food and customs of the Huilloc.

For more information, photos, and a diagram of a typical house, visit Turismo Huilloc's SustainableTrip profile.

This entry was posted on December 13, 2013 at 1:37 PM and has received 1010 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.