In a world of travel, that often rushes from one destination to another, and visiting places without connection, the story of Domingo Atao, and founder of Kallpa Travel, stands out among the many Cusco Travel Agencies as a guiding light in the tourism industry. His journey from an Andean Quechua community in the highlands of Cusco to becoming a leader in responsible travel in Peru, authentically embodies a vision of tourism that is uplifting, and that educates and unites people from all over the world.
Domingo’s philosophy is simple yet revolutionary – travel
should be a human experience that benefits both the visitor and the host.Through his company, Kallpa Travel, he promotes sustainable and community-based tourism in the Andean region.
Where each traveler can be an integral part of a unique travel story. One of cultural preservation, personal growth, and low environmental impact. In Quechua, Kallpa means “energy” or strength, (imagine lightning striking) which is a fitting symbol for the power of people and communities to change the world. Domingo’s life is the living proof that travel, when done with purpose, can be a force for many amazing things.
Community Roots and the Lights of the Night
Before he became a forward -thinking visionary entrepreneur, Domingo was just a boy from a remote Andean village, where the Milky Way stretched endlessly over the mountains. His early education was not from school books, like most children, from nature itself. His grandparents taught him to listen to the rivers, to respect the ”apus” (sacred mountains) and to observe the stars as beautiful nightlights, as well as living folklore. This became the foundation for his later passion- Astro tourism and astrophotography in Peru. Where travellers can experience the cosmos through the Andean worldview. However, Domingo’s path was far from easy. Formal education was scarce, and his days were filled by working on the farm. However, he was determined to learn more about the world and his reality in The Andes mountains. At night, after long hours in the fields, he walked to a nearby night school, where he studied under the same starlit sky that had inspired him from his childhood. “The community was my first classroom,” he says. “And the night was my second”. Even in the darkness, I learned how to find the light.” This unique balance between ancestral knowledge and modern learning became the foundation of his leadership skills, teaching him that true authentic education happens when knowledge can directly benefit these humble Andean communities.
Mentors and the Life-Changing Trip to California
Domingo’s early work as a mountain guide introduced him to travelers from all over the world. They were fascinated by his profound knowledge of the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, and Sacred Valley of the Incas, but even more captivated by his storytelling and the way he connected history, spirituality, and the natural world. Guiding, for Domingo, became so much more than a mere job, it evolved into a mission to awaken travelers to the deeper meaning of exploring Peru. Yet he knew that to guide travellers well, it was important to master the art of personal transformation. This journey led him to train under César Mormontoy, a respected Peruvian mentor in human development. Under Mormontoy’s guidance, Domingo learned important tools for emotional intelligence, inner growth, and an empathetic leadership
approach. These teachings empowered him to see communities as powerful centers of touristic potential.
When he visited California, he immersed himself in the world of Tony Robbins, one of the world’s most famous motivational coaches. There, Domingo refined his ability to inspire, to lead with authenticity, and to turn great ideas into reality. “I understood that transformation begins within,” Domingo recalls. “When you change one life, you start a chain reaction of change”. Armed with this new mindset, he returned to Peru determined to bring together two very different worlds – the ancient and the modern, by developing sustainable tourism in Cusco.
The Founding of Kallpa Travel
When Domingo founded Kallpa Travel in Cusco, his dream wasn’t just to run a travel company. The main aim was to redefine what travel actually means. He envisioned experiences that celebrate Andean identity, protect the natural environment, inspire, and directly benefit local communities. From the beginning, responsible tourism in Peru was not a marketing slogan for Kallpa Travel it was a true way of life. Domingo’s model incorporates three key principles:
Empowering Local Communities
Tourism should be a tool for growth, not dependency. Kallpa Travel ensures that financial benefits flow directly to local families, artisans, and guides in the Andean communities. By supporting community-owned businesses and cooperatives, Domingo transforms tourism into a circular economy that sustains the people who are living examples of Peru’s Andean culture.
The Importance of Ancestral Knowledge
Every trip with Kallpa is a lesson in ancient wisdom. Travelers learn from farmers about ancient irrigation systems and farming techniques, from native weavers about natural dyes, and from community elders about the Inca´s unique relationship with the cosmos. For Domingo, this authentic local interaction with the Andean communities is what gives travel its soul.
Developing Human Potential
Applying lessons from Mormontoy and Robbins, Domingo leads workshops that help train local youth with leadership qualities, hospitality, and also self-confidence. “If we want responsible tourism,” he says, “we must first have responsible people. These amazing people need to believe in their own power.” It is through this original way of thinking, Kallpa Travel has become a true living example of community-based tourism in Peru! An experience where visitors and locals learn and grow together.
Astro Tourism and Astrophotography in Peru and Connecting with the Cosmos
One of Domingo’s most innovative and groundbreaking contributions to tourism in Peru is his passion for Astro tourism. This unique form of travel combines science, spirituality, sustainability and the ancient Inca belief system. Under the crystalline skies of the Andes, Domingo takes travellers on a journey to rediscover their place in the universe. Using both telescopes and traditional Andean fable, he explains how the Incas read the stars to mark the different seasons and understand the cycles of life itself. “Astro tourism reconnects us with humility,” he explains. “When travelers look up and see the Southern Cross, they realize that we are all part of the same universe.”
Kallpa Travel’s astrophotography experiences attract visitors from around the world.
Amateur photographers as well as professional astronomers come to Peru seeking pristine dark skies, especially above the Andes.
These specialist tours also generate income for remote Andean communities by encouraging them to preserve their lands and stunning natural landscapes, completely free from light pollution. Through astrophotography in Peru, Domingo has found a way to merge his childhood learnings with his adult mission of life, clearly demonstrating that sustainability begins with the Earth and more importantly, how we see the universe.
When Tourism Heals People
Over the years, Domingo has witnessed countless changes in the communities and how visitors view the region. Travellers arriving in search of adventure, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose. His approach is rooted in the Andean philosophy of “ayni”, which is the Andean principle of reciprocity. This is giving and receiving in balance and harmony. By travelling with Kallpa Travel, tourists experience so much more than a visit. They receive complete immersion into Andean society. They may plant trees, share meals with Quechua-speaking local families, learn to weave or farm, play with the children. Then there is the amazing experience of gazing at constellations while hearing ancient stories passed down through generations. The outcome are authentic Peruvian experiences that encourage empathy, mindfulness, leaning and mutual respect. Or in the words of Domingo “When you connect with a community, you don’t just see Peru…. you feel it.” Domingo wholeheartedly believes tourism, done in the right way, can truly heal. It can begin to heal the disconnection between people and nature, between wealth and simplicity, between travelers and themselves.
The Shining Light of Responsible Tourism
Despite his many achievements, Domingo is more than aware of the challenges that sustainable tourism faces in The Andes. Issues such as over-tourism, environmental degradation, losing ancient traditions, and even the native language-Quechua, are all real threats to Peruvian identity. He believes not in expansion at any cost, but education and helping travellers and even other tour operators to adopt a completely different mindset.
According to Domingo “The goal is not to have more tourists, it’s to have better travellers.”
Through speaking and dialogue, partnerships with local communities, and online social media like LinkedIn and Instagram, Domingo spreads his important message. A message that shares the idea that responsible travel in Peru is not just about conservation, but about human connection. His dream is one of seeing his model replicated, all over the world, especially in developing countries, who depend on tourism. He would like to see a form of human sustainable tourism that is based on empathy, education, connection and authenticity
This is Just The Beginning!
Imagine, a small Quechua boy studying under the stars who then becomes an advocate for responsible tourism. Domingo Atao is a true reflection of the spirit of the Andes! He a a person who is resilient, luminous, genuine and full of life and light. Through his agency Kallpa Travel, he has built many bridges. For example, between the traveller and local indigenous families, the past and the future, between earth and sky. His unique Andean way of life inspires us to reflect on the fact that the true destination of travel is not just a mere tourist attraction, but a whole life transformation. So, if you’re looking for an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, that lets you connect deeply with Peruvian nature, community, and cosmos, this incredible South American country awaits you. Hike the trails, listen to the folklore, and look up at the same stars that guided Domingo’s path. At the end of the day, tourism with a soul is more than a dream trip to Peru. Domingo will make it a real and authentic adventure to experience!
Join Us On An Authentic Andean Adventure!
- Explore the sustainable and cultural tourism routes that Domingo Atao and Kallpa Travel are developing in Cusco and all through Peru!
- Experience Astro tourism in Peru, absorb yourself in ancient wisdom, and become a part of a new model of responsible travel.
- What do you think is the biggest challenge in making responsible tourism go worldwide?
Share your thoughts below and become part of the change!