Written by: Aleesha Sharma, who interviewed Chris Ellis
Published: 12 August 2026
High in the Andes, beyond the better-known sights of
Peru, lies the small Quechua community of Misminay. The village sits in a remote corner of the Sacred Valley, surrounded by the kind of dramatic mountain scenery that makes you stop and look twice. But it isn't simply the setting that makes a visit to Misminay memorable.
It's the people you meet, the stories you hear, and the feeling of being welcomed into a place that few travellers will ever get to visit. As one of our longest-running
Positive Impact Experiences, a visit to Misminay epitomises what travel should be about: genuine connection with local people, culture, and tradition.
A warm welcome into the Misminay community
On arrival, visitors are welcomed with music, singing, and dancing, before being introduced to the community. There's an opportunity to learn about village life, meet the people who live there, and hear how tourism has become a key part of the community's future.
Traditional clothing is available for anyone who wants to try it, but the focus is more on a shared experience. Something that surprised Explore's
South America Programme Manager,
Chris Ellis, during his recent visit was just how authentic it felt.
"I'll admit, I had my reservations before I went," he told us. "Sometimes experiences like this can feel a bit forced or become a bit stale over time. I'm delighted that couldn't have been any further from the truth. In fact, we are still one of the very few tour operators that visit this village."
Inca storytelling under the stars
After a traditional meal with locally sourced ingredients, and as darkness falls, an evening with the Misminay community becomes even more memorable.
Gathered around a campfire, visitors listen to traditional Quechua stories inspired by the night sky. On clear evenings, the constellations become part of the storytelling, offering a glimpse into how Andean communities have interpreted the cosmos for generations.
"You've got the backdrop of snow-capped mountains of the Andes in the distance, lit up by the starry night sky. And you're sat there with a Cusqueña beer, hearing stories of the cosmos," says Chris. "It's a magical experience."
Why Positive Impact Experiences are so important
For over 15 years, Explore and its local partner, Condor Travel, have worked with the community of Misminay. The project was set up to provide a stable income for
Inca Trail porters outside of the Inca Trail season and to generate employment opportunities for women, the elderly, and young people.
Nowadays, very few porters from the village still work on the Inca Trail. As many of them have now retired, they're more reliant on the income generated through tourism. 100% of this money goes straight back into the Misminay community, such as helping children through school and supporting the harvest.
Positive impact, however, shouldn't mean that travellers have to sacrifice their enjoyment of a holiday. "We aim to ensure guests have an incredible time. If we're able to do that in tandem with providing benefit to the community, that's a double win," Chris tells us. "Guests end up having this really meaningful visit which is totally different from what most people have ever experienced, but the benefits are so tangible and easy to see."
A deeper connection to Peru
One of the most rewarding aspects of a visit to Misminay is how it deepens your understanding of Peru. Throughout the trip, you'll uncover the story of one of South America's oldest civilisations, from ancient archaeological sites to the legacy of the Inca Empire. But it's often the people you meet along the way who make that history feel real.
For Chris, Misminay isn't just another stop on the itinerary – it adds another dimension to this story. Rather than simply learning about Peru's history, you're meeting people whose culture, traditions, and language are part of its living heritage. "It helps bring that story to life rather than it being a history lesson," he says. "It's real, it's tangible."
Reflecting on what he believes makes these experiences so impactful, Chris told us: "When we ask Explore guests for the highlights of their trip, very rarely is it a place. It's usually an experience shaped by people. And it's often those experiences and interactions that live longest in the memory."