Peru

Highlights

This Junior’s Abroad trip is built around the natural and cultural diversity of Peru. This spectacular diversity encompasses the alpine forests of the Andes, the Amazonian rainforest, Lake Titicaca (the world’s highest fresh water lake), and the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

Students will also learn about and experience the cultural diversity of this region, a diversity that encompasses both the past and the present. Our journey will put us in touch with the Pre-Columbian Incan cultures as well as the modern, indigenous groups and dominant Spanish culture. Our interactions with the various cultures will include the highland villages of the Andes as well as the villages along the Amazon River. While visiting Cusco, we will experience Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World. Along the way we will have the opportunity to interact with the local people.

We begin our trip in Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon and jungle lodges. Here we will take a
boat up the Amazon to a remote lodge where we will take a canoe ride and hike through the
jungle, hopefully spotting monkeys, caimans, turtles, herons, pink river dolphins, snakes, and
many other species of flora/fauna along the riverbank. If conditions permit, we will swim with
the dolphins. After our time in the Amazon, we will fly to Arequipa, the colonial era capital of the
Arequipa region. Here we will experience the magnificent views, including volcanos and the
Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, and hopefully spot the flight of the
amazing Condor.

We then travel to Puno and Lake Titicaca. Here we will visit Amantani Island, spending the
night with the indigenous Quechua community and participating in a possible high altitude
soccer game with the locals. From here we go to Cusco, at almost 12000 feet, the capital of the
Incan empire. Activities will include a visit to Sacred Valley and the pre-Incan ruins. After a
short hike we will spend the night in Ollantaytambo, the only remaining village laid out according
to the Incan plan. We then will travel to various sites around this area, including a Quehuan
weaving demonstration.

We will board a train to Aquas Caliente, a small village at the foot of Machu Picchu. From
Aquas Caliente we will travel up to and spend the day at Machu Picchu, the lost mountain city of
the Incas, and one of the Wonders of the World. From Machu Picchu we will return to Cusco
where we will explore more ancient Inca ruins and enjoy two incredible day hikes, one to
Laguna Humantay and one to Rainbow Mountain. Both of these hikes are over 13000 feet, with
spectacular views of the Andes. We will end our time with a tour of Cusco and a free day to
enjoy the city.

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