Description

Don't all camels live in the desert?

Shockingly no! The South American camel is native to the Andes Mountains, a far cry from the deserts of India and Africa. On this Peruvian adventure you will spend your first week working with a camel conservation project in the gorgeous Andes Mountains. You will learn to weave camel wool and also be involved with feeding and caring for the animals. The second week is your time to really explore the fantastic history of Peru. You will visit Cusco and the surrounding areas as well as Ollantaytambo, the sacred valley of the Incas. Your tour with conclude with a visit to the stunning Mach Picchu, a world heritage site and recently dubbed one of the new Seven Wonders of the World!

Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Peru! Today you will be picked up from Lima airport and brought to your home stay in Lima. Dinner is included.

Day 2: Orientation
Meet the dedicated i-to-i in country team and learn all about what Peru has to offer. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 3: Flight to Cusco
Hop on board your flight to Cusco and head to the heartland of Peru. You will be taken to your home stay and have a chance to settle in. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 4 to Day 8: Work at the camel project
Over the next few days you will be involved in a variety of tasks including helping to feed the camels, learning to dye, spin and weave the camel wool and preparing the textiles. You will even have a chance to learn some Quechua - the indigenous language of the region. Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 9: Tour Cusco and surrounding ruins
After breakfast, you will to taken from your home stay to your new accommodation in Cusco. You will have the morning free to get settled and after lunch, you will take a tour of the major sites in the city including the Cathedral and the Qoricancha. You will then hop on a bus and go explore the ruins in the surrounding areas often city including Qenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 10: Sacred Valley of the Incas - Ollantaytambo
You will get an early start today and travel to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas". On the way you will stop at a local market to practice your Spanish haggling skills. Your last stop of the day will be at Chinchero to visit a splendid 16th century Church built on an ancient Inca Palace. You will return back to Ollantaytambo to spend the night. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 11: Ollantaytambo
You will have this day to explore the famous Incan city of Ollantaytambo. The local market and church are not to be missed. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 12: Machu Picchu
Get your camera ready because today you are off to see one of the most famous places in the world. You will take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes where you will catch a bus up to the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu. You will have a guided tour of the ruins and plenty of free time to explore this amazing place on your own. You will return to Aguas Calientes for a hardy lunch, you'll need it after climbing all the steps up, down and around Machu Picchu. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy in Aguas Calientes. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 13: Aguas Calientes - Cusco
Enjoy a nice mellow morning. Have late breakfast and wonder the many shops of Aguas Calientes. After lunch, you will take the train back to Cusco. You will be met at the train station in Cusco and transferred to your accommodation. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 14: Cusco
Enjoy your final day in Cusco. Spend the day exploring this beautiful city and do some last minute shopping. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 15: End of Tour
It is time to say good bye top the Andes as you board your flight to back to Lima. Breakfast is included.

Highlights

Trip Highlights:

* Wandering through the ancient city of Machu Picchu
* Learning the ancient craft of weaving from the source, the Andean people
* Bonding with the South American camels
* Touring magical Cusco, a city cloaked in history

Travel Types

• Tours
• Eco Tours
• Nature Tours
• Heritage Tourism
• Native Culture Studies
• Safari

Qualifications

This Project is ideal for mountain lovers who are anxious to get a first hand insight into the Andean culture and to experience the heartland of Peru. No previous weaving experience is required!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1759.00 for 2 weeks

Program Fees Include:

What's Included

* Accommodation: Shared room in homestay and guesthouse
* Food: Some meals as per itinerary
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure help desk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support
* Fees: All entrance fees including entrance to Machu Picchu

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Tourism
• Volunteering

Age Range

18 - 80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement

i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.

Year Founded

1994