* This is a preliminary itinerary. The final itinerary may change a little based on the needs of our partners and new opportunities which present themselves. This should give you a really good idea of what the program will look and feel like.
Day 1-2: Arrivals & Orientation in Lima
Welcome to Peru! We'll begin our adventure with a little orientation in the centre of the famous city of Lima. We'll get an intro to the local culture with group Spanish lessons and Peruvian cooking classes at Peruwayna!
Next, we'll stretch our legs with a unique tour of Lima's famous and not-so-famous landmarks. From "El Malecon" to Barranco's old town, get ready to see Peru's vibrant capital in a whole new light before joining with some friends and journeying downtown to learn about one of the darker periods in the country's history at the LUM. If we're lucky, we'll celebrate the day with a sunset looking out over the city.
Day 3: Transforming Tourism in Lurin
After a little bit of shopping in one of Lima's biggest markets, we'll head off to nearby Lurin to meet Ichimay Wari. Here, on the outskirts of Lima, a group of refugees who escaped the terror of the Shining Path have found safe haven and are now developing a unique model of cultural and craft-based tourism. There's simply no better place to talk about social enterprise and the rise of alternative tourism!
Day 4: Ride the Waves of Change in Lima
After getting our feet firmly planted on the ground and our bodies orientated in Lima, we'll head down to the beach and meet Alto Peru, an inspiring organization of youth who are doing things just a little differently! These young folks are harnessing the power of sport to provide opportunities to local Peruvians. They'll teach us to surf and show us how tourism and community-based development can go hand-in-hand.
Day 5-6: Juggling Community in Ventanilla
Our next stop is Pachacutec! Tourism rarely reaches this far-flung barrio of Ventanilla, but after only a short journey north from Lima, our group will be greeted by the awesome Asociacion Casa Juvenil Pachacutec (ACJP). This incredible group of creative youth express themselves through dance and acrobatics, using their talents to empower and promote positive change in their community. For two days, we'll camp and collaborate with ACJP, assisting in the delivery of workshops, playing reflective games, and hitting the beach for a bonfire.
Day 7-11: Amazon Adventures in San Roque de Cumbaza
After saying goodbye to our new friends on the coast, we'll take an incredibly long (but rewarding!) journey from the coast, over the Andes, and into the Amazon! Our 32-hour bus ride follow the winding road to Tarapoto, where we'll meet and work alongside Ecoaldeas in their mission to support more environmentally and socially sustainable initiatives in rural Amazonia.
We'll settle into our jungle lodge in the community of San Roque de Cumbaza for a few days of hands-on learning. We'll explore medicinal plants, grow some coffee, make some compost and help build infrastructure alongside local staff and community members. Then, we'll lace up our boots and hit the trail on a 3-day trek with Ecoaldeas. Get ready to see all the unique flora and fauna of the upper amazon! It's a challenging hike but we'll be well rewarded with incredible views and delicious food in the good company of our amazing guides. And of course, be prepared for late night sing-alongs and storytelling!
Day 12-14: Disorientation and Departures
After a quick flight back to the coast, we'll conclude our adventure in the town of Lunahuana on the shores of the Canete River. Here, tourism is a way of life, so we'll get our adrenaline pumpin' and white-water raft down some Class IIIs and IVs before slowing down to reflect on our incredible journey. We'll fill our bellies, tell stories, stare at the stars, and think about everything we've learned. Then it's back to Lima for a hug-filled farewell!
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