Program itinerary:
* 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: Orientation in Cusco
We begin our journey in Cusco, the capital of the mighty Incan empire, where our group will acclimatize to the sights, smells, sounds and smiles of the 3,400 m/11,000 ft-height city. We'll explore the cobblestone streets of Cusco while learning about the complexity of Peru's colonial history. We will hit the streets learning how to bargain hard in local markets and end our day learning how to cook one of Peru's signature dishes.
Day 2: Culture & Traditions - Cusco
We will wake up in our cozy guesthouse in the mountains and take in the breathtaking view of the Andean city with a cup of coca tea. We will continue our exploration of traditional food by learning about the health benefits of various grains and plants, followed by a hands-on opportunity to make our own energy bars. From their we will meet with our partners Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras.
Day 3 - 4: Environmental Sustainability & Traditional Medicine at Kausay Punku in Maska
For the next three days we will live on the organic family farm at Kausay Punku. Our first day will be spent learning from the Ccapa family about sustainable agricultural methods, traditional medicine and the real story of the Incas.
Day 5 - 6: Adobe Construction & Distillation at Kausay Punku
After waking up in our cozy adobe huts, we will enjoy delicious meals made from locally grown produce. We will spend the day harvesting eucalyptus, and learning about the distillation process of medicinal plants into pure essential oils. We will also learn about the environmentally sustainable adobe construction projects on the farm and continue discussions about the traditional Incan way of life that the Ccapa family has committed to preserve.
Day 7: Going Off the Beaten Path: Part 1 - Maska to Paru Paru
After a hearty breakfast, we'll set off on an epic hike through the Pisac region. Guided by our partners at Kausay Punku and friend, Silvestre, we'll be shown sights rarely seen by tourists, including pre-Incan wall paintings and secret mountain lakes! We'll learn about histories from the region and hear stories passed down for generations. We will trek to Silvestre's home-turned-guesthouse on a beautiful lake in the town of Paru Paru where we'll enjoy a traditional dinner and spend the night in a unique and cozy corner of the Andes.
Day 8: Going Off the Beaten Path: Part 2 - Paru Paru to Pisac
Rise and shine! We'll continue our trek through the Andes, finishing above the Pisac ruins with a view of the old Inca city overlooking the Pisac Valley. The ruins are considered to be one of the finest remaining Inca archeological sites in the country, with vast agricultural terraces and the largest known Inca cemetery of 20,000 caves carved into the side of the mountain. Then, we'll make our way down into the valley and spend the night in the town of Pisac where we'll rest our tired legs and weary minds. We will fill our bellies and sip on Pisco sours as we tell stories and share lessons learned. Of course, we'll also sit under the stars thinking about our impact and what we can do to bring it home.
Day 9: Departures - Pisac, Cusco
Finally on our last day, we'll have one last walk around the famous Pisac market before making our way back to the Airport in Cusco. Get ready to say adios and adelante!
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