2019 New West Charter Peru Service Adventure

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2019 New West Charter Peru Service Adventure! We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
Travel Dates: June 11, 2019 - June 24, 2019
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $3,365 USD

What to Expect

Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.

Itinerary

We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
June 11USA - LimaTonight the group will travel from the USA to Lima, Peru. We will arrive the following morning.Airplane
June 12Lima - CuscoWe will catch our early morning connection to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan empire. Once in Cusco, we will settle into our hotel and rest after a long travel day. Later we will hold an orientation meeting before taking a guided walking tour and marvel how Quechua, Spanish and modern influences mold the current day Cusco.Pension Alemana
June 13CuscoOur day will begin with an adventurous photographic scavenger hunt in the cobblestone streets around the central plaza of Cusco. Next, we will take Latin dance classes before touring the famous Quechua ruins of Saqsayhuaman. In the evening, we will enjoy local and international food and the comforts of our quaint hotel.Pension Alemana
June 14Cusco - Homestay CommunityToday we will depart Cusco and arrive at our homestay community. We will meet our families in the central plaza and after a short introduction, we will settle in with our new hosts. In the afternoon, we will have a walking orientation of the community and get ready for first day of service.Homestay
June 15Homestay CommunityThese days will be spent in our homestay community and represent the heart and soul of the program. Students will volunteer on meaningful service project(s) during the day while also enjoying sufficient free time to interact with their host families and fellow travelers, practice their language skills and explore the surrounding area.Homestay
June 16Homestay CommunityToday, we will work on our service project and spend time with our host families. Evening activities will vary.Homestay
June 17Sacred ValleyThe adventures continue as we set out for Chinchero, a small town just above the Sacred Valley. We will enjoy a weaving demonstration from the women famous for this local craft, then set out through the Sacred Valley to Salineras, where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountains and Moray, an ancient Quechua agricultural laboratory. Later, we will descend down the valley in bikes (or vans) before returning to our homestay community.Homestay
June 18Homestay CommunityToday, we will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. Evening activities will vary.Homestay
June 19Pisac - OllantaytamboWe will leave our homestay community early and set out through the Sacred Valley to the town of Pisac, home to the largest regional market. Our students will explore the colorful market and use their Spanish to get good deals on world class crafts. In the afternoon, we will explore the famous ruins at Ollantaytambo, where Quechua warriors staged a heroic stand against the Spanish.Homestay
June 20Homestay CommunityToday, we will work on our service project and spend time with our host families. Evening activities will vary.Homestay
June 21Homestay CommunityToday, we will finish work on our service project and spend time with our host families. In the evening, we will celebrate our time spent in the host community with a fiesta de despedida, where the bravest among us can try cuy!Homestay
June 22Homestay CommunityThis morning we will make our way to Ollantaytambo's train station to take the beautiful two-hour ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We will relax in the afternoon in anticipation of the big day tomorrow.La Cabaña Hotel
June 23Machu PicchuToday’s the day! We will wake early and either bus or hike up to the famous ruins. With our local guide, we will learn about the history and significance of Machu Picchu and take time to reflect on our journey thus far. In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Cusco ahead of our international departure tomorrow.Pension Alemana
June 24Cusco - Lima - USAThis morning we will begin our journey back to the USA. We will catch an early flight from Cusco to Lima and from there catch our international connection back to the USA.Your own bed...eventually!

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Accommodations

In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. 

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Pension Alemana

Situated in the hills of the San Blas neighborhood, Pension Alemana is a beautiful bed and breakfast overlooking the historic center of Cusco. Representative of the city’s history and culture, this hotel blends Quechua and Spanish colonial styles to provide a stunning setting to relax at 11,000 feet. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

La Cabaña Machu Picchu Hotel

The locally owned and operated La Cabaña Machu Picchu Hotel in Aguas Calientes provides clean and comfortable accommodations for weary travelers visiting the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. A sister hotel Jaya Machu Picchu Hotel, the more rustic style of this hotel combined with its modern amenities combine to make an all-around great experience for guests. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Group Flight

DEPARTURE FROM USA

Airline: LATAM Airlines
Flight: LA601
Date: June 11 – 12, 2019
Departs: Los Angeles (LAX) – 9:40 PM
Arrives NEXT DAY: Lima, Peru (LIM) – 8:00 AM

RETURN TO USA

Airline: LATAM Airlines
Flight: LA600
Date: June 24, 2019
Departs: Lima, Peru (LIM) – 12:20 PM
Arrives: Los Angeles (LAX) – 7:00 PM

Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Ollantaytambo is one of the few remaining towns laid out according to Inca design- a grid system of adobe houses and cobblestone streets with active irrigation canals surrounding a central square, or “plaza de armas.” It is situated alongside the Urubamba river at 9,160 feet along the floor of the Sacred Valley. Multiple ruins can be found in the hills surrounding this town and snowcapped peaks can be seen from several viewpoints. Many community members continue to speak with one another in Quechua, the language of the Incas, but almost all speak Spanish as well. While the town retains much of its distinctly Incan culture, as a gateway to Machu Picchu, the local residents are accustomed to travelers from all over the world passing through their town. Walking Tree has been working with Ollantaytambo for nine years and our host families are looking forward to receiving this year’s students.

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!

CLOTHES: (quantities depend on your trip length)

  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • T-shirts, tank tops or work shirts
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Light sweater/sweatshirt
  • Shorts
  • Jeans/pants
  • Swimsuit/s
  • Light rain jacket
  • Sturdy shoes (appropriate for lots of walking/athletic activity)
  • Sports sandals ie Chacos/Tevas etc. (optional)
  • Flip flops
  • Sun hat

TOILETRIES: (in addition to the basics)

  • Sunscreen – you will use a lot.
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Band Aids and Neosporin, anti-diarrhea meds, basic first aid kit.
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Medication in properly marked original container (better to pack this in your carry on luggage)

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Sunglasses
  • Journal and pen
  • Book/s
  • Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
  • Universal adapter
  • Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
  • Durable water bottle (optional personal water filtration system – Walking Tree will always provide drinking water)
  • 1 quick-dry towel
  • Soap for washing your own clothes during community time
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Batteries, if needed
  • Deck of cards or other portable games
  • Homestay gift
  • Student ID
  • Spanish/English Dictionary

HOMESTAY GIFTS

Travelers often contact us regarding what an appropriate gift might be for their student’s host family. Host families are often curious about where our students come from and their families in the U.S. As such, we recommend a simple gift that describes, represents or depicts your home. Well-received gifts in the past have included calendars or picture/coffee table books from your city or state, a framed picture of your family, paraphernalia from a local sports team, toys, soccer balls, school supplies, or something produced or grown in your hometown, like chocolate, local candy, t-shirts, etc. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to worry about this… Anything, no matter its value, will be well received!

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.

Tommy Tyson
Tommy Tyson
Country Director, Country Operations Manager - Peru


University of Denver – B.A. Spanish, Minors in History and Hebrew

Currently based in Minnesota, where he is originally from, Tommy works in the Country Operations department at Walking Tree Travel. His hobbies include camping, snowboarding, basketball and traveling. Fluent in Spanish, he first developed his love of languages and Latin American culture at the age of ten on a mission trip in Mexico. This experience and subsequent trips to follow inspired him to study Spanish and pursue development work in other areas of Latin America as well. Tommy gained valuable experience as a middle school Spanish teacher and coach after he graduated. His experience in education encouraged him to combine his two passions of travel and education and join our team full time. He had the pleasure of living in Cusco, Peru for three years as our Country Director and has enjoyed planning and guiding student trips ever since.

Raquel Monteros Araujo
Raquel Monteros Araujo
Ecuador Country Director, Program Leader


Catholic University of Ecuador – B.A. Applied Linguistics to Teaching 

I was born in Loja (also known as the cultural capital of Ecuador). At a very young age I discovered my love for languages and different cultures. I decided to travel to Russia right after I finished high school, an experience that changed my life in many different ways. When I came back from Russia I decided to study Linguistics in Quito (Ecuador’s capital). Most of my subjects were taught in English, meanwhile I also had to learn German and Kichwa (an indigenous language from Ecuador). After university, I worked as an English and Spanish teacher for five years. I had the chance to work for two Ecuadorian companies that were recognized in other countries for the quality of their products. I had the chance to work for a non-governmental organization in the Amazon region of Ecuador, an experience that made me aware of the difficult circumstances people from this part of the world had to face. These people were my biggest motivation while working there, especially women from indigenous communities. I strongly believe women empowerment is something we need to keep on working all around the world. My love for service made me found my own yoga school in Loja where I have the chance to teach others values like compassion, veracity, strength, self-esteem and self-respect. I strongly believe that we can make a change if we start becoming aware of the light within ourselves. So as you can see I have many passions, languages, yoga, traveling and I think I didn’t mention……… cooking! I will be ready to welcome you in this small paradise called Ecuador!

Daniel Marion
Daniel Marion
Program Leader


Tufts University – B.A. American Studies and Africana Studies

Daniel’s long-time dream of living in Latin America became even crazier when he chose Havana, Cuba as his initial destination. After studying abroad at the University of Havana, he never stopped trying to return and eventually lived in Havana again (not an easy task for an American) when he worked as a translator for the Episcopal Church of Cuba. In Cuba, he befriended international students from all of the continent, deepening an already existing passion in Latin American history, politics and culture. Since then, he has spent time in Peru and Colombia, and is very excited to return to Peru this summer. Besides his interest in Latin America, Daniel is also a big fan of Philadelphia sports teams, Latin American and American music, and, above all else, crazy and authentic cross-cultural experiences.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

  • 1 Bodhi Hakim
  • 2 Cole Turner
  • 3 Daniel Avidon
  • 4 Daniel Blumkine
  • 5 Eli Hammond
  • 6 Gene Ramos
  • 7 Gillian Greenberg-Green
  • 8 Hudson Herath
  • 9 Juan Marin
  • 10 Leonid Raksin
  • 11 Lucas DaVeiga Fernandes
  • 12 Matthew Tuch
  • 13 Maxine Press
  • 14 Mira Dixon
  • 15 Olivia Van hoovels-Juma
  • 16 Ryden Weiss
  • 17 Sarah Thompson - Group Organizer
  • 18 William Barash
18 Travelers

Blog and Communication

During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.

Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

 

GLC Curriculum

Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.

For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.

Learn More About the GLC

To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.

Pre-Program Activity Portal

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.

ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL

  1.  Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
  3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
  4. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

  1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
  2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
  3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
  4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
  5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
  6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
  7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Peru website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.

Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.

We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with  two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.

To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.

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