A safe Peru adventure depends on finding a safe operator to book with. But where do you begin when there are thousands of companies offering their services, all telling you that they are safe?
What is Peru’s adventure licensing scheme?
Peru introduced its adventure licensing scheme in 2019 in response to several fatal accidents that can be traced to poor operational standards by the companies involved.
MINCETUR (the national ministry of tourism) and DIRCETUR (the Cusco regional tourism board) are in charge of carrying out the inspections and issuing the licenses for the scheme. While many operators have complied, far too many still have not.
Insufficient promotion of the scheme to travellers, combined with insufficient enforcement, allows unscrupulous operators to continue selling activities they are unlicensed for and not competent to operate.
If this is the first you have heard of it, let us explain more.
Which activities require a license?
First off, there is a basic license that any tour operator needs, even if they never set foot out of the city. This has existed for years, but some still sell tours without having it. Then there are the adventure-specific licences for the following activities:
- Trekking
- Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding
- Mountain biking
- Ziplines, via-ferrata, bungee jumping, climbing, and abseiling.
- Horse riding
A licence for a particular activity does not give a company free rein to operate that activity everywhere. It is restricted to specified routes that the company has been assessed as suitable to operate.
Are adventure licences hard to get?
The licensing process is relatively straightforward for companies that are already operating to a high standard and offering safe Peru adventures. The video below explains the procedure in a way that is easy to understand, even if you don’t speak Spanish.
The problem is that many companies do not operate to an adequate standard. Many have sub-par equipment, poor to non-existent risk assessments, insufficient safety procedures and guides who lack the experience needed for the routes they are sent to operate. They know they would find it hard to get a license, so they ignore the scheme altogether.
How can you tell if a company is licensed?
The simplest way to check whether an operator is appropriately licensed for the trip you have in mind is to ask them to send you a copy of the relevant paperwork. You can also type their name into Mincetur’s website, although it won’t show you what routes the company is licensed to operate, just the overall activities. You won’t see the trekking licenses there either, as they are handled through a different system. It can at least help you to eliminate unlicensed companies from your search.
Don’t base your decision on a license alone
While the license scheme is a positive step forward, it is best to think of it as a baseline to start from. Running safe Peru adventures goes far beyond having the right license. Here are some steps to take when looking for an operator:
- Look at a company’s experience in the area and activity you are interested in
- Read up about their safety procedures
- Take note of how forward or otherwise they are about informing you of the risks involved
- Ensure you understand the risks involved in the trip you want to do
You can read more about Amazonas Explorer’s risk and safety procedures here.
A poor standard of operation doesn’t just endanger passengers; it also endangers the guides and staff who run the trips. As a responsible traveller, it is important to think carefully about where you spend your money. The more that travellers demand safety and quality, the less room there is for poor practices to continue in the industry.
