Description

Peru: The Diverse Land
Join us on a journey to explore the diverse regions of picturesque Peru with Country Director Gabriel Porter-Henry. This two-week whirlwind tour will bring you to some of the country's biggest attractions while moving off the beaten path to traditional villages and hidden treasures. A great mix of adventure and education, the trip offers plenty of exhilarating adventure activities coupled with spending time delving into Peru's rich cultural heritage and exploring the contemporary issues facing its people and environment. Your experiences will be illuminated by learning from local leaders about problems in Peru and practical solutions for a rapidly modernizing world.

Cultural Immersion and Adventure in the Andes
The adventure begins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and amazing Machu Picchu. Starting in the Living City of the Incas, you will leave your daily life behind and enter a world of cobblestone streets, colorful locals, and ancient ruins. View llamas and alpacas grazing in the high Andes, descend 8,000 feet by mountain bike, zip line across river valleys, and hike through beautiful cloud forest before capping off the adventure exploring the amazing Incan citadel of Machu Picchu. This new seven wonder of the world is truly awe inspiring and provides an amazing glimpse into the Peru's past.

Home to vibrant traditional Quechua communities, the Andes are also the perfect place to immerse in timeless lifestyles and assist during community service projects. Peruvian culture will come alive as you work alongside students in schools and help to support a dormitory dedicated to providing educational opportunities for local young women. Leaving the smiles of the Sacred Valley behind, you will make a quick stop in the Incan capital of Cusco and raft the thrilling class III-IV rapids of the upper Urubamba River.

Ausangate to the Amazon
Above Cusco, the snow-capped peaks of Apu Ausangate are considered holy by the indigenous people and are home to pastoral villagers who tend herds of alpaca and llama and maintain a way of life virtually unchanged for generations. Staying in rustic guesthouses, you will immerse yourself in a timeless way of life in one of the most picturesque settings imaginable. Day hike to turquoise lakes and gaze at the sun on glaciated peaks, and then relax your tired muscles in natural hot springs.

Leaving the highland life behind, you will travel by land from the high Andes and descend over 10,000 feet directly into the lowland Amazon Rainforest in one day! Along the way witness a myriad of ecosystems as you exit the Andes and head to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado and the diverse Tambopata River. Staying at a remote jungle lodge, you will head out on daily excursions to learn about the secrets of the rainforest from locals who have lived there for generations. Rise early to search for colorful macaws, playful giant river otters and monkeys, and discover the nocturnal forest life on night excursions. These laidback but activity-packed days in the rainforest are the perfect way to end your two-week Peru adventure.

This is the perfect trip for someone looking for the full Peru experience. You should be prepared for travel in rural areas and basic accommodations at times, but you will be rewarded with a unique and educational journey from the Andes to the Amazon. This is a great combination of amazing adventure and meaningful cultural immersion and service!

Highlights

EXPLORE the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountains on this whirlwind tour highlighting Peru's great diversity.

WORK with direct descendants of the Incan Empire on small service projects.

HIKE, BIKE and ZIP LINE your way to the lost Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.

VIEW picturesque glaciated peaks while relaxing in natural hot springs and whitewater rafting clear mountain rivers.

DISCUSS the issues facing a rapidly modernizing country and practical development solutions with local community members.

TRAVEL from high in the Andes directly to the Amazon Rainforest, passing a myriad of ecosystems along the way.

Travel Types

• Hiking
• Overland Tours
• Rafting
• RainForest Tours
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Trekking

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Student Tours

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

3,795+ 495 Internal Airfare+ International air

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983