At Explorinka, each of our bike routes actively involves local communities in the logistics of the tours. We collaborate with them by utilizing their food, lodging, and cultural tourism services, ensuring that their participation is not only economically beneficial but also fosters personal and community growth. We organize workshops and talks to help them improve their services, promoting sustainable development.
Below, we detail the communities we are currently working with.
The community of Misminay, located in the district of Maras, Cusco, at 3,700 meters above sea level and near the archaeological site of Moray, is known for its agricultural activities and small livestock farming. Recently, the residents of Mullakas Misminay have organized a cultural tourism program that offers visitors the opportunity to experience Andean culture in an authentic way.
Among the services offered, tourists can enjoy full meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and lodging in local accommodations. Additionally, they have the opportunity to participate in various cultural activities, such as adobe construction, llama walks, and the planting or harvesting of agricultural products.
Explorinka is currently working with two families from the community, providing these services to its cyclist travelers, offering a unique experience in contact with nature and community life. Misminay is an excellent option for those who wish to connect with rural Andean life and learn about local traditions.
The community of Rumichaca, located at 2,900 meters above sea level near Urubamba, Cusco, is an emerging destination that offers lodging and meals as its main tourist activities. Although it is still a relatively unknown place, its residents have begun setting up food stalls and cabins to accommodate visitors.
Explorinka is promoting the community among its cyclists, who make Rumichaca a key stop on their journey through the Urubamba Valley. Travelers especially enjoy lunch after an intense day of cycling, highlighting the local services and products the community has to offer.
The community of Patacancha, located at 3,400 meters above sea level near Ollantaytambo, Cusco, is a tourist destination that offers immersive experiences while preserving its cultural traditions. Agriculture and alpaca wool production are the main economic activities of this picturesque community.
Visitors, especially Explorinka cyclists, can enjoy the local cuisine and stay in traditional cabins while immersing themselves in the local customs. The men of the community wear vibrant red ponchos, and single women can be identified by hats adorned with flowers, highlighting the area's rich cultural heritage.
Families like those of Juan Yupanqui, Claudio, and Francisca benefit from tourism, which is promoted sustainably by Explorinka, ensuring that visitors consume local products and services. Patacancha is a community full of color and living culture, ideal for those seeking an authentic immersion in Andean culture.
The community of Lares, located at 3,200 meters above sea level in the district of Calca, Cusco, is renowned for its hot springs and hospitality. It offers a rich, immersive tourism experience where visitors can stay in local homes, engage in cultural activities, and enjoy Andean traditions.
Explorinka passengers can relax in the medicinal hot springs, a natural attraction that enhances their stay by allowing them to unwind while closely experiencing the local customs. They also have the opportunity to learn about traditional hand-weaving and participate in agricultural activities, such as potato harvesting and adobe brick making.
Explorinka promotes visits to Lares, supporting sustainable tourism and local economic growth, while providing passengers with an authentic and culturally enriching experience.
The community of Willoc, located at 3,600 meters above sea level in the Patacancha Valley near Ollantaytambo, is renowned for its textile heritage and vibrant red clothing, which locals continue to wear daily. This community offers a cultural immersion through artisanal weaving workshops, where visitors can learn ancient spinning and dyeing techniques.
Explorinka passengers have the chance to participate not only in these workshops but also in local agricultural and construction activities, using traditional methods. Visitors are welcomed by local families who share their hospitality and way of life, providing an authentic experience.
Explorinka promotes sustainable tourism in Willoc, respecting and celebrating the community’s ancestral customs while contributing to its economic development. This experience allows travelers to deeply connect with Andean traditions and create unique and unforgettable memories.
The community of Pumamarca, located at 3,500 meters above sea level in the Patacancha Valley near Ollantaytambo, is a living tourism destination that blends history and tradition. Known for its agricultural terraces and the archaeological site of the same name, Pumamarca allows visitors to explore ancient Inca structures and engage in traditional farming activities.
The locals preserve their ancestral attire: men wear red ponchos and hats, while women decorate their hats with flowers and wear traditional skirts. Explorinka travelers can experience the local hospitality by staying in traditional homes and immersing themselves in Andean culture.
Explorinka promotes visits to Pumamarca, fostering sustainable tourism that benefits the community and enhances the cultural exchange between residents and visitors.
The community of Huama, located at 3,800 meters above sea level in the town of Lamay, Cusco, focuses on community-based tourism, offering an authentic experience through agricultural activities, hikes to archaeological sites, and homestays in local houses. The residents primarily raise small animals and engage in farming, growing crops such as potatoes, corn, and various cereals.
Visitors have the opportunity to participate in the community's daily activities, including adobe brick making, llama herding, harvesting crops, and preparing meals with organic ingredients. Additionally, the locals have developed mountain biking trails, promoting Enduro cycling and encouraging cyclists to collaborate in maintaining these routes.
Explorinka is working to position Huama as an attractive destination for Enduro cycling enthusiasts, leveraging its trails and promoting the use of the community’s services through its travelers.
The community of Cuper Alto, located at 3,800 meters above sea level in the Chinchero district of Cusco, specializes in rural tourism with a focus on sustainable agriculture and ancestral traditions. Known for its traditional farming practices, Cuper Alto has established accessible trails for biking, charging a small fee that contributes economically to the community.
Visitors have the opportunity to observe and learn about traditional weaving in local homes, as well as participate in activities like harvesting native crops. Additionally, the community offers delicious cuisine that highlights local flavors.
Explorinka includes Cuper Alto in its itineraries, promoting responsible tourism and supporting the economic development of the area through genuine cultural exchange.
The community of Urquillos, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas at an altitude of 2,900 meters, is dedicated to community tourism and offers authentic cultural experiences. Just 25 minutes from Urubamba, its main activity is the cultivation of corn, an essential product in the region.
Cyclists traveling the Raqchi route can enjoy accommodation and lunch services made with locally sourced organic ingredients, prepared by community members. Urquillos stands out for its sustainable agricultural practices and rich cultural heritage, allowing visitors to participate in the harvesting of Andean products and craft workshops. Additionally, the community shares its traditions through typical festivities and dances.
Explorinka includes Urquillos in its itineraries, promoting tourism that respects the environment and contributes to local economic development through genuine cultural exchange.
The community of Chinchero, located in the district of Chinchero, Cusco, at an altitude of 3,760 meters, is known for its rich cultural heritage and the community tourism that offers authentic activities. This place, situated on the route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stands out for its ancestral traditions, especially in the creation of artistic pieces made from alpaca wool.
The families of Chinchero, primarily organized by women, showcase their artisan works in homes and workshops, allowing visitors to participate in activities such as textile making and harvesting Andean products. Tourists can also explore the local market and the archaeological center of Chinchero.
Local cuisine is another significant attraction, offering typical dishes that reflect the community's cultural identity. Explorinka includes visits to this community in its itineraries, contributing to local economic development and promoting a genuine cultural exchange.
The community of Yunkaypata, located in the district of Calca, Cusco, at an altitude of 2,900 meters, offers community tourism centered around agriculture and native cultural activities. It is about a 45-minute drive from the city of Cusco, and its inhabitants primarily engage in agriculture and the raising of small animals, preserving their traditions and way of life.
Visitors can enjoy handicrafts and traditional food, providing them with an authentic and participatory experience in the community's daily activities. Yunkaypata is a key stop for Explorinka passengers, who have the opportunity to rehydrate and taste local products. Many choose to extend their visit, enjoying the hospitality of Yunkaypata by renting cozy accommodation options available in the community.
El Mariscal is a cevichería located in Wanchaq, Cusco, renowned for offering authentic cuisine with a focus on Peruvian ceviche. Although Wanchaq doesn't have major tourist stops, this establishment has become a gastronomic attraction for visitors. In addition to providing the true flavor of ceviche, El Mariscal also employs local university students, supporting community development. Tourists have the opportunity to enjoy a ceviche preparation demonstration, providing a unique culinary experience.
