Incas & Amazons
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Trip Highlights
· Help teach, build, clean, paint or garden, in a village near Cuzco
· The mystical Sacred Valley
· Exploring the Amazon jungle with an expert guide
· Viewing the sunrise over Machu Picchu
· Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Your ''Taste of Volunteering'' Project
Environmental, Repairs and Renovations, Teaching English, Medical
You can spend four days in a village near Cuzco where you can help teach , or you can help build, clean, paint or garden, working alongside the locals! You can expect that this will be the highlight of your trip! Furthermore, if you have medical skills, we can help you put these to good use.
Trip Summary
Your trip starts in Lima where we have a city tour. The following day, we fly to Cuzco and in the afternoon have a guided visit of the four ruins nearby, the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece, Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins.
Your Volunteer Project begins on the next day and will continue for four days in total. You can choose from a variety of meaningful projects that enable you to make a difference in a local community, including repair and renovation work, teaching, or environmental conservation. If you have medical skills, these would also be greatly appreciated.
On Day 7, we visit the village of Pisac, where an Indian market takes place and Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town which is still inhabited. We explore the ruins which tower above it.
The following day, the Inca Trail hike begins! We drive to Piskacuchu (2,700 m), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cuzco – Machu Picchu railroad, from where our hike starts. We cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River, which flows north-west along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail on a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2,800 m), to then ascend and finally see, from the highest viewpoint, the Inca city of Patallacta (2,750 m).
We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca river, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach our first campsite in the Wayllabamba village (3,000 m). Along the way we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak towers at 5,832 meters above sea level.
The next day, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. During this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high plateau with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude. We also go through a cloud forest, a habitat for many different kinds of birds such as the hummingbird and the sparrow, and the Andean bear. Immediately after the pass, we descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3,600 m), where we stop to camp after approximately six hours of hiking.
Day 10 might be one of the highlights of your trip as we visit and learn about several archaeological sites. From Pacaymayo we climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3,970 m).
Half way up, we visit the archaeological complex of the same name. This site consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have been a watchtower.
After going over the pass, we descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter a cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayamarca (3,624 m). This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals.
Continuing up an easy climb, we arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,700 m). Nearby is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, situated on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨.
From above, you can observe a sophisticated sacred structure made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we continue on to our campsite at Wiñaywayna (2,700 m).
On the fourth and last day on the Inca Trail, we climb to Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku we descend to Machu Picchu and enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨. We have a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel. You then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu mountain, where you can experience spectacular views over Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can relax in the thermal baths. From here we take the train to the city of Cuzco, where we arrive after nightfall.
The following day is a free day in Cuzco. There is an optional whitewater rafting trip you can do, if you have the energy!
The next day, we fly to Puerto Maldonado airport and transfer to the city river port. We visit the Puerto Maldonado city market. You are briefed for your Amazon adventure as we cruise downriver in an outboard handmade motor boat along the Madre de Dios river.
Along the river keep your eyes open for caimans (alligators)! We then arrive at our lodge, situated on the left bank of the Madre de Dios river.
After a warm welcome, there is an explanation of the architecture and orientation of the lodge, built entirely by local indigenous people with forest materials. In the afternoon, there is a two-hour guided walk along the botanical trail beside the lodge, with explanation of the various flora and fauna.
There is then an excursion to Monkey Island where you can observe up to five species of monkeys. After dinner there is a night walk along the riverbank to observe baby caimans and other nocturnal animals.
On Day 14, we cross the Madre de Dios river to the right bank. We have an hour’s exploration through the tropical forest. At the end of the trail, we set off by rowboat to glide through the marsh to magnificent Lake Sandoval. During the journey you can observe the diverse flora and fauna: river otters, caimans, turtles and rare Amazonian birds like the hoatzin or “Shansho” (a prehistoric-looking bird), parrots, black skimmers and herons, among others. You can also swim in the lake, but only where your guide tells you it is safe. We return to Madre de Dios River and have a brief trip before disembarking and walking in the rainforest through rubber, breadfruit trees, coffee bushes and other plants to discover the famous boat Fitzcarrald, run aground many years ago and covered with vegetation. This paddlewheel steam boat was used in the past as a hospital to assist indigenous communities in the late seventies.
In the afternoon, we visit an indigenous cultivation plot where you can learn about the local community life and different kinds of Amazonian crops.
On our final day, we return to the city of Puerto Maldonado for our flight to Lima, where our adventure ends.
Note: Your accommodation is in superior hotels (3*) in Lima, Cusco and in the Sacred Valley, in a lodge in the Amazon jungle and in tents (no stars) during the Inca Trail (three nights basic camping on the Machu Picchu trail hike). However, the 17th December trip uses a homestay for the volunteering portion.
For a full trip description in PDF format, click here (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Extension Trips Extension 1 Canyons and Lakes
Extension 2: Galapagos Explorer
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