Adventure Vacation Lets Travelers Make a Difference

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Jan 10, 2011, 08:15 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers who crave an adventure off the beaten path have an exciting new option -- with a philanthropic twist. Llama Expeditions offers a range of guided tours through Peru, from sightseeing tours to multi-day hikes along the Inca trail. In addition to taking in the stunning scenery and experiencing incredible adventure, these tours also allow travelers to make a personal connection to the country and its people.

"The company fills the spot between responsible tourism and voluntourism," said Diane Valenti, Founder. "This is a real vacation, for people who work hard and want a chance to relax. We stay in nice hotels and eat in good restaurants. But it's also a chance for culturally curious travelers to make a meaningful connection with the people and the land of Peru."

One tour takes participants to a school that serves scholastically gifted children from rural communities in the Peruvian Andes. Travelers meet the children and have the opportunity to present them with gifts of school supplies -- notebooks, pencil cases, and boxes of crayons, for example. "The kids' faces light up," said Valenti. "You get to see firsthand that you make a difference in their lives."

On another trip travelers will have the chance to interact with an organization that rescues street children and teaches them to surf to build their self-esteem and heal them physically and emotionally.

"The company makes a donation to these organizations, but our adventurers also have the chance to make a personal gift," said Valenti. "It's a truly heartwarming experience." More information is online at http://www.llamaexpeditions.com.

About Llama Expeditions and Diane Valenti

Diane Valenti, founder of Llama Expeditions, hatched the idea for the company over a home-cooked chicken dinner at close to 14,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes. She has been able to apply her over 20 years as a business consultant working with clients such as Genentech, Nike, and Starbucks Coffee Company to her new enterprise. Diane is now looking forward to introducing her travel clients to the magic of Peru.