We are an international collective of volunteers who organize unique, thoughtful, and educational trekking experiences that positively impact both people and planet. 100% of our profits directly fund Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), providing quality education, safe housing, and social support for vulnerable indigenous children in Xela.
Quetzaltrekkers believes tourism should honor and respect local cultures, create fair work opportunities in the community, and channel funding towards fighting social inequity in the region.
To guide our work and measure our objectives at Quetzaltrekkers, we use four pillars of impact:
Support education for vulnerable children in the region by channeling all profits to fund EDELAC’s social projects, such as the primary school and safe home.
Create fair and meaningful employment opportunities for local tourism providers.
Reduce inequality by equitably distributing the economic benefits of tourism among all stakeholders.
Impact Stories:
Advocate for mutual respect as a foundational principle of sustainable and resilient tourism.
Facilitate cultural exchange among stakeholders to foster awareness and understanding across diverse cultures.
Address social inequities through education and open discussion of social issues.
Impact Stories:
Minimize our ecological impact by reducing waste, adopting sustainable operational practices, and prioritizing local suppliers and products.
Support environmental initiatives that educate through participation and raise awareness of regional environmental challenges.
Foster transparency through clear communication and documentation, ensuring stakeholders have accurate and timely information.
Promote collaborative decision-making by encouraging inclusion, representation, and regular feedback opportunities.
Provide meaningful learning opportunities for everyone involved in the organization.
Want to see more of the impact we’re making?
Learn more about all the ways Quetzaltrekkers works through our mission, see the stories of impact in our community, and discover how the money makes a difference in EDELAC.
Quetzaltrekkers is part of a nonprofit social project here in Xela. Asociación Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC) operates a primary school for over 150 children and a safe home (Hogar Hovte) for over 25 children, primarily funded through our treks.
Join us on October 17, 2026 for a fundraising hike with one of our partner organizations. Asociación Caras Alegres and Quetzaltrekkers are organizing a fundraising excursion to a mirador along our Volcán Zunil trek for a group of young people from the community we support in Barrio La Rosa. Learn more about them here!
The young people participating in the hike are Caras Alegres scholarship students, who are continuing their education with the support of our scholarship programme. They come from families in the vulnerable community where we work and are working towards completing their studies and building opportunities for a better future. Alongside their studies, many also have responsibilities within their families and communities.
The hike is an opportunity for them to step away from their usual routine and spend a day together in the mountains. At Mirador Zunil, they will have the chance to explore a different environment, enjoy the landscape, share time with one another and experience something outside their everyday school and family responsibilities. You can support them by participating in the hike alongside the students, participating in language exchange, and learning more about the lives of youth here in Xela.
