Explorandes: 50 years of environmental leadership in adventure tourism

At Regenera, we accompany organisations on their journey to transform their environmental impact and become climate-positive. During this time, we have advised different types of partners. However, there are some that stand out for their deep commitment to sustainability, an essential quality for generating real change in the relationship with Nature.

Explorandes is, without a doubt, an emblematic example of this work. Over the years, it has actively reduced its environmental impact and generated positive impacts in the territories where it operates. Its 2025 Impact Report confirms sustained progress, made possible by consistency with its principles and its commitment to environmental leadership.

Responsible tourism and territorial management

As an adventure tourism company, Explorandes has seen firsthand the loss of Nature due to human activity, as well as the enormous potential for transformation that the tourism sector offers. In that sense, its approach has been clear: to work hand in hand with local communities to build more balanced and regenerative tourism models.

Since 1975, Explorandes has opened new routes for international adventure tourism, such as the Hidden Valleys of Salkantay or the Great Inca Trail from Chavin to Huanuco Pampa. These initiatives have allowed diversifying the tourist offer and generating income for rural communities.

In implementing these routes, they have chosen to incorporate entrance and camp fees per traveller into the travel costs to ensure fair compensation for community members and service providers. In addition, they provide ongoing training for support staff.

However, the growth of tourism has also brought challenges. Overloading on certain routes has put pressure on fragile ecosystems and local social dynamics. Faced with this, the company has made strategic decisions such as avoiding operating saturated routes, adjusting its logistics in areas of high demand, and prioritising alternative destinations. In this way, they better distribute the benefits of tourism while reducing environmental and social impacts.

From measurement to climate action

During 2025, Explorandes offset 1,204 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This milestone is the result of more than 8 years of continuous work on measuring, managing, and offsetting its footprint, which has enabled it to become a climate-positive company.

Social impact and local development

In 2025, Explorandes mobilised USD 225,000 in suppliers to underserved rural communities and engaged 731 local people in conservation actions.

Throughout their 50-year history, they have witnessed the transformative impact of tourism on the lives of many people: porters, cooks, guides, and field workers who have been able to improve their living conditions, invest in education, and start their own businesses, such as transportation, restaurants, and lodging. This approach places communities at the centre, connecting supply and demand through a logic of shared development.

Integral environmental management and sustainability system

It has also developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with national and international regulations, based on decades of learning. This system addresses key impacts, including waste management, efficient energy use, responsible water consumption, fire prevention, and emissions measurement and offsetting. It aims to reduce impact in both offices and field operations, especially in natural environments.

A valuable ally in regeneration work

Through its partnership with Regenera, we have accompanied Explorandes since 2018 in managing its carbon footprint through an insetting approach that goes beyond offsetting. This model drives the restoration of native forests, the protection of watersheds, the improvement of soil health and the generation of sustainable livelihoods. We bring together communities, NGOs, experts, and public institutions around a shared vision of conservation and sustainable development.

ExplorAndes has been a key ally in promoting the care of the Machu Picchu Landscape, where communities such as Piscacucho and Misquiyaco play a fundamental role in protecting ecological corridors through reforestation, fire prevention, and sustainable tourism.

A sustained path to sustainability

If Explorandes is today at an advanced level in its relationship with Nature, it is because it has been working steadily on it for more than two decades. Since 2000, it has strengthened its environmental commitment by obtaining international certifications for its Environmental Management System (EMS).

In 2010, the company broadened its approach to incorporate social and economic dimensions, aligning itself with standards such as the Rainforest Alliance and consolidating a more holistic view of sustainability.

More recently, in 2024, the team decided to move towards B Corp certification as a way to strengthen its governance, align its operations with its purpose and join a global movement that drives systemic change from the corporate level.

A vision for the future

Explorandes demonstrates that tourism can be a powerful tool for regenerating territories, strengthening communities, and protecting ecosystems. Its experience confirms that sustainability is a path that requires coherence, innovation and long-term commitment.

While becoming Nature & climate positive represents an important milestone, the team recognises that there is still much to do as an industry. One of the main challenges is to move towards a more comprehensive measurement of impact that incorporates all emissions associated with passenger travel, from the moment they leave their homes until their return.

This involves considering not only domestic operations, but also international flights, primarily from North America and Europe to Peru. Integrating these emissions into the equation is the next key step in building a truly responsible tourism model aligned with today’s climate challenges.