That is why we are thrilled to announce the launch of our Non-Profit Organization: Enigma Philanthropy. Starting Q1 2025, through this initiative, we wish to share awareness and consciousness about what can be done, and what are and we will be working on, no matter how small, to care for others, to improve our practices, to minimise our negative impact and maximise our positive one.

We have set the following four values to be our core drivers, all of which reinforce our commitment to responsible tourism.

As soon as we started seeing profits, which was fortunately in our very early stages, we have searched for initiatives and projects to support, to further extend our positive impact by helping, assisting, respecting, conserving. During this process, while we have experienced reward and gratitude, we must say we have also perceived situations in which we donated funds but we did not clearly understand their allocation and the organisations receiving them would not be open to sharing the details. Or just simply seeing how many organisations are built around the need to permanently seek for donations, not really thinking of a sustainable solution, one which would give the needed financial freedom to the supported collective, training them to work, assisting in the creation of small businesses, and more.

Through Enigma Philanthropy, we are committed to full transparency — from identifying needs to fund allocation and every step of the process. We support causes that foster long-term financial independence and genuine freedom, rather than creating cycles of dependency.

It is important to note that we have called it Philanthropy and not “Foundation” or any other specific name because it will not just focus on one specific aspect but rather, we wish to support different-angled trustworthy causes, including children, women, education, environment and also culture.

This totally aligns with our mission to operate responsibly in the very rich but also very delicate social, cultural and natural environments of Peru.

Well, Peru has actually changed my life. Brought up in Europe, daughter of a Bolivian dad most of whose family moved to Lima over 60 years ago, and a Spanish mom, I fell in love with Cusco, the mountains, its people, it is really hard to express in words. As we started operating in natural protected areas with local communities, growing together, and fascinated by it all, it is only natural to work with utmost respect and will to protect and maintain that which we love. I believe we started practising sustainability well before it became so in vogue, and empowering communities would rather be expressed as a will to share and grow together, through ethics and respect, education and financial independence on both sides.

How does the Organization plan to measure the impact of its projects and ensure long-term benefits?
The benefits we wish to generate would be for the causes we support as a non-profit. Unlike what we have seen, we plan to manage the support as we would manage our own company, with transparency. We wish to communicate how much are we getting, what the context or background information of each project supported is, why we have chosen to support them, what we are investing and how (ideally directly investing with the needed suppliers to provide for what is required), and then also very openly and transparently showing results. There needs to be a commitment from those supported versus the project, to make sure it delivers. And we plan to assist in whatever is needed, beyond the initial financial push.

Hence, anybody supporting would know were the funds are invested, accounts and details would be shared with investors and also publicly online, and causes supported would also need to deliver to receive further support. The aim is for initiatives to be supported until they run on their own, but not on a scheme that creates a permanent dependency on donations, as we don’t believe this helps in the long run. In any case, total transparency is very needed to generate trust.

What role do Enigma’s travelers and partners play in supporting the Organization’s initiatives?
Enigma Philanthropy is envisioned as our non-profit platform, sustained by an annual contribution proportionate to the company’s performance — with greater support made possible in years of stronger results.

The level of funding will also be shaped by the nature of the causes we choose to support, and by the projects that may emerge as a result. While partners, agents, stakeholders, and clients are welcome to contribute should they feel compelled, Enigma Philanthropy — as the non-profit arm of Enigma — will continue to fund carefully selected initiatives for as long as the company remains profitable.

Can you highlight a specific project or initiative that excites you most for 2025?
It would be really hard to say, as truly all of the projects, causes and ideas shortlisted have touched our heart in one way or another. From simple solutions such as recycling the used oil or composting our food remains, to writing a book on the phenomenal conservation effort that an incredible family of master weavers have been carrying on for years.

I would like to mention Dante’s project: a deaf, dumb and soon-to-be blind child, who was adopted by Holly, an outstanding guide from the US but having worked in Peru for years. Holly met Dante in Q’eros, a community in the south of Cusco, hiding in the mountains since the Inca times, and never touched by the conquistadors. Encountered only in the middle of the 20th century, they are said to keep the traditions as pure as centuries ago. It was studying the music of the Q’ero people that Holly came across Dante’s family. Seeing how his education was impossible in the remote village in which he lived, Dante was taken to Cusco, where he encountered the same problems: lack of support for education of special-ability chidren. Holly ended up adopting him, with the permission of his parents, and taking him to her native US, where he was brought up and studied. Every year, they visit Peru and Dante has been in touch with children and people of similar problems. Now both are working on an incredible documentary about his life and achievements so far with the aim of generating awareness of their difficulty and hopefully achieving that the Peruvian government considers education centers for special children to have opportunities in their future lives.

Most recently, we brought light to four pilot homes in a remote Andean community where no electricity had ever reached — some families had lived in darkness for over 30 years. Through solar technology, a new chapter quietly begins.

What message would you like to share with those who want to contribute to or get involved with the Enigma Non-Profit Organization?
I would first like to thank them for their interest and for believing in / trusting us. And then also, promise them honesty, the best handling of funds for the interest of each cause, and total transparency in allocation of funds and results obtained. We really want to act as booster for their sustainable continuation, and not a source of co-dependency. If anyone appreciates a truly altruistic approach and support, with total honesty, making a difference for the better, then please contact us.