Peru 2011: May
Machu Picchu
Climate change and its effects on mountain people in the Andes: May 21-June 1, 2011
NGO: The Mountain Institute – Through its programs and projects in the Andes, TMI promotes the development of long-term livelihoods for mountain people linked to the conservation of their mountain ecosystems.
Climate Issue: Rising global temperatures are melting away the glaciers in the Andes. These glaciers are disappearing faster than predicted, some estimates say that in 10 years they will all be gone. Peru is home to 70% of the world’s tropical glaciers. The runoff from these glaciers is the main water supply for drinking and agriculture to an entire region of people. The current condition is having a severe impact on the families and communities that have lived on the mountains at high-altitudes for generations. Their stories need to be heard and shared now.
A $500 deposit, due within two weeks of your application, is required to confirm your spot on the trip. The balance of trip fees will be due by March 26, 201
Apply Now for this trip by clicking here
Leader: Eduardo Sciamarella
12 Days in Peru : Lima, Huaraz, Cusco, Machu Picchu
May 21 (Sat) Flight to Lima
May 22 (Sun) Lima: City of the Kings
May 23 (Mon) Huaraz: Home to the white mountains
May 24-26 (Tues-Thurs) The Mountain Institute stories workshop
May 27 (Fri) Huaraz: Final project day
May 28 (Sat) Lima->Cusco: The Imperial City of the Incas
May 29 (Sun) Sacred Valley of the Incas
May 30 (Mon) Hike to Machu Picchu
May 31 (Tues) Exploring Machu Picchu
June 1 (Wed) Lima->home
Huaraz
Highlights
Peru fascinates the adventurer, the anthropologist and the biologist equally. It is a wonderful country with tremendous contrasts, from arid coastline and high mountain peaks to vast jungles in the Amazon. Culturally, Peru offers small indigenous tribal communities, beautiful colonial cities and the mysterious and awe-inspiring ruins of the Incan civilizations. The ruins of Machu Picchu are one of the country’s most well known ceremonial centers and offer opportunities for exploration beyond your wildest imagination. Peru’s biological diversity is mind-boggling – within the country’s borders are 83 distinct ecological zones, representing 80% of those found on Earth!
The high plateaus and valleys of the Andes Mountains cover 27 percent of Peru. Some hardy residents of this region live in cities built at more than 13,500 feet above sea level. The high-altitude communities continue a tradition of resourcefulness that harkens back to their pre-Colombian ancestors; they have mastered the rugged landscape and maintain their vibrant traditions. However, the people of Peru are heavily dependent on the countries natural resources—from the rangelands at the foothills of the Andes, to the plants and animals of the Amazon rainforest, to the fisheries off the coast of Peru. The region’s ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the changes in water availability expected with a changing climate. Higher global temperatures along with more frequent El Ninos may bring increased drought, and melting glaciers in the Andes threaten the future water supply of mountain communities.
On this 12 day journey participants will work with The Mountain Institute (TMI) to document mountain farming families stories of changes they have seen due to climate change, problems they are facing and how they are preparing for the future with the help of TMI.
Cost
The cost of the 12 day Peru is $3275
Includes: all in country transportation (including domestic flights, buses, private vans and taxis), all meals where listed in itinerary, all accommodations in 3 star guesthouses and homestays, all activities listed in the itinerary including Machu Picchu, all local guides and translators.
Does not include: international flights, int. departure tax ($30.25-some airlines now include this in your ticket price), some meals not included in itinerary and personal items such as internet, laundry and phone calls.
Huaraz
Detailed Itinerary May 21-June 1 2011
A note: All of our itineraries are flexible. Our philosophy is to let the country guide our experiences and not to live by a strict itinerary. If unexpected events arise, we may change plans to take advantage of the situation or deal with an issue. However, we will do all we can to offer you everything that is on the schedule. Please be flexible yourself and allow the program to unfold. Meals included in the program cost are listed as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner) for each day.
May 21 (Sat) FLIGHT TO LIMA
Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by your SalaamGarage leader and brought to your local guesthouse in the heart of Miraflores, near the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. Since flights arrive late, we will get settled in, have a welcome drink and get some rest.
May 22 (Sun) LIMA: CITY OF THE KINGS
After a traditional Peruvian breakfast, you will join your Lima guide for a brief historical tour through the streets of central historical Lima, visiting the catacombs of the famous San Francisco Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas. From here we will head Lima’s Surquillo market. A visit to this immaculate market will show you the main players in Peru’s fabulous food. Here we will see and learn about the bounty of ingredients in exciting Peruvian dishes inspired by Spanish, native Indian, African, Chinese and Japanese kitchens. This will be the perfect introduction to a lunch at Lima’s famous La Mar restaurant owned by renowned Chef, Gaston Acurio. Gaston’s staff will treat you to a short lesson on how to prepare Peruvian Ceviche and Peru’s most famous drink, the Pisco Sour.
After lunch, you can walk off your meal by exploring the eclectic neighborhood of Barranco. Once Lima’s beach resort, this district is now the home of Peru’s most interesting and innovative artists and writers. Here we will explore little known nooks and crannies of this Bohemian neighborhood before sipping coffee at Kantu, a new fare trade artisan and coffee shop. In the late evening, you will board the traditional High Andes Mountain bus on an overnight trip to Huaraz in the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains). B,L
White Mountains
May 23 (Mon) HUARAZ: HOME TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
Arriving into Huaraz early, we will check into our guesthouse and get a little rest. Around noon, we will join the director of climate change program at TMI for lunch and an introduction to their work with mountain families. Free time in the afternoon to self explore and acclimatize to our new home. B,L
May 24-26 (Tues-Thurs) THE MOUNTIAN INSTITUTE STORIES WORKSHOP
After breakfast, we will travel to the Andean villages of Huasta, Canrey and Aquia near Huascaran National Park. Welcome from village council and families. Over the next 3 days you will be exploring the Andes Mountains and the village of Huasta, Canrey and Aquia including meeting farmers, artisans, beekeepers, musicians and school children. Interviews will be set up in families homes. Afternoons will be set aside for chats, dancing, music, and language lessons with our host families. If desired, you can have a lecture and walk with a local Shaman to study traditional medicine. On our final day, we will join our host families for a traditional Pachamancha feast celebration before returning to Huaraz. B, L
Vicos - threshing with horses
May 27 (Fri) HUARAZ. FINAL PROJECT DAY.
Return to Huaraz in the morning. Final day for projects. TMI will be available for interviews and questioning. Great day for mountain photography or relaxing at Café Andinos for a spectacular view of the mountains and a real cup of coffee. In the evening you will board an overnight bus back to Lima.
Cusco
May 28 (Sat) LIMA-CUSCO: THE IMPERIAL CITY OF THE INCAS
Upon your arrival to Lima, you will transfer to the airport and take a short 1 hour flight to Cusco, the imperial City of the Incas. After settling in, and taking in the spectacular views from our guesthouse, we will explore the imperial city of the Incas in order to acclimatize to 3,400 meters of altitude. Peru’s sensory feast comes alive as we wander through the San Pedro flowers, meat, fruit and shamans’ markets. In the afternoon we will visit the ancient monuments of Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Plaza de Armas before a much need rest and dinner. B
May 29 (Sun) SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
After breakfast, we will travel 40 minutes down the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the village of Chinchero. Upon our arrival, we will meet members of the Minka Chichero Weavers Cooperative as they demonstrate the traditional use of plants, soil and insects for dying their handmade Inca weavings. We will have lunch with the family before heading further down the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, an attractive town that was built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in canchas (blocks) that are almost entirely intact. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca ruins that protected the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba River – an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex was still under construction at the time of the conquest and was never completed. Here you will explore the magnificent ruins with a local guide. Overnight at local guesthouse. B,L
May 30 (Mon) HIKE TO MACHU PICCHU
Following the footsteps of the Inca, we will hike the Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This route is believed to be the ceremonial path that the Inca ruling caste used for ritual purification before entering the sacred site of Machu Picchu. The trail is a magnificent hike from the Choquesuysuy ruins, through an amazing cloud forest to Quetzal Falls, to the watch tower of Winayhuayna ruins.
In the afternoon we will climb to Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the ancient entrance to the sanctuary and arrive in the late afternoon to see Machu Picchu for the first time. When all the crowds have cleared, we will descend to Aguas Calientes where we can enjoy an evening of soaking in the fabulous local hot springs. B,L
MAY 31 (Tues) EXPLORING MACHU PICCHU
We will spend the entire day exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu hearing the stories of the meaning behind this Inca site from our local guide. In the afternoon you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own and to climb to the top of Wuyanu Picchu and the Temple of the Moon before returning to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cuzco. Evening free time in Cusco. B
JUNE 1 (Wed) LIMA-HOME
Final free morning for self-exploration and shopping. Arrive to Lima in the early afternoon, you will have time for a final dinner before boarding late night flight back to the U.S. B,D
