2021 Fugelstad Amazon Peru Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: |
March 13, 2021 -
March 22, 2021
Dates are tentative
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,090 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,500 |
| Deadline(s): | Deadline is forthcoming |
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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 and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis - Lima | Today the group will travel from the USA to Lima, Peru. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel and rest after a long day of travel. | Hostal El Patio |
| 2 | Lima | This morning we will hold an orientation meeting in the hotel gardens to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. After lunch, we will head out for a guided bike tour of two of Lima's coastal neighborhoods, Miraflores and Barranco. Along the way we will view the ancient adobe pyramids of Huacapucllana, ride along the malecón along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, and make a wish across the bridge of sighs! Dinner will be nearby the hotel or in Parque Kennedy before settling in to our hotel for the evening after a fulfilling day in the capital. | Hostal El Patio |
| 3 | Lima - Puerto Maldonado | Today we will fly to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway city to some of the most biodiverse pockets of the entire Amazon rainforest. Upon arrival, we will make our way by bus and boat to the eco-lodge, our home for the next four nights in the jungle. We will receive an orientation from the lodge's guides, then set out for a night hike in the forest to experience the vibrant nocturnal wildlife all around us. | Amazon Planet |
| 4 | Amazon | We will begin our adventure in the Amazon with some canopy hiking! We will summit the highest known network of platforms and walkways in the entire Amazon to get a feel for life above the ground. Afterwards, we will make our way to the Taricaya reserve to learn about what work the local conservationists are doing to rehabilitate the animals there back into the wild. This afternoon we will hike around an agroforestry farm and this evening we will scour the river banks from our motorboat searching for caiman by moonlight! | Amazon Planet |
| 5 | Amazon | Today we will journey deeper into the jungle to the Tambopata National Reserve and begin the 3km trek to Lake Sandoval, where we will canoe around this pristine palm-ringed lake looking for wildlife. We will spend the better part of the morning here before returning to the lodge for some much needed rest. Later this afternoon we will enjoy a relaxing activity floating down the Madre de Dios river, keeping an eye out for turtles, monkeys, herons and other birds along the river as we take in the wonder of a beautiful sunset over the Amazon. | Amazon Planet |
| 6 | Amazon | The adventures continue as we visit a native family of the region's Ese-Eia tribe. We will learn about their ancestral customs before heading back to the lodge for lunch. Later on, we will try our hand at fishing, hoping to catch local species such as piranhas or the catfish-like doncella. We will make sure to practice environmentally-conscience "catch-and-release" techniques with the youngsters, but will hve the option to eat our own catch if it's big enough at dinner tonight or donate it to the Rescue Center for the wild dogs or spectacled bear (fish is their favorite meal!). This evening we will take time to reflect on our journey thus far and end the night with some group activities. | Amazon Planet |
| 7 | Amazon - Arequipa | Today we will make the long journey by boat, bus and airplane to Arequipa. We will set out shortly after breakfast, most likely connecting on to Cusco early this afternoon before catching another flight to Arequipa this evening. Upon arrival, we will settle into our hotel in the historic district and rest after a long day of travel. | Hotel Tierrasur |
| 8 | Arequipa | Upon waking up in the white city of Arequipa, we will take a tour of the historic center, a UNESCO world heritage site, including St. Catherine's monastery and a visit to some of area's miradors. We will have some free time to explore on our own afterwards before ending the day with a cooking class, where we will get to enjoy our locally inspired creations for dinner. We would be remiss to not end our experience in Arequipa without trying it's famous and uniquely flavored ice cream, "queso helado," for desert before turning in for the evening. | Hotel Tierrasur |
| 9 | Arequipa - Lima - USA | On our last day in country, we will fly back to the capital ahead of our international departure this evening. Depending on our flight time today, we will venture into the historic district, exploring the plaza mayor and the catacombs under the convent of San Francisco. If time permits, we will then head to MALI to admire the art collections in this national museum before catching a water show in the Parque de los Fuentes before returning to the airport to make our connection back to the USA. | Airplane |
| 10 | USA | USA arrival. | 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 hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Posada Amazonas
Within the pristine Amazon Rainforest, our Posada Amazonas lodge connects you to the natural and cultural wonders of the Tambopata jungle. The lodge is conveniently located just two hours from Puerto Maldonado, yet it offers ample opportunities to observe wildlife and discover ancient indigenous heritage. There is free Wi-Fi available in the rooms in order to start connected, although the connection may vary depending on weather conditions and/or the numbers of guests. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
This eco-luxury lodge is a collection of wooden cabins inspired by the local Ese’Eja architectural style. With over 540 different bird species inventoried on the lodge grounds alone, this property makes for an excellent setting to experience the wild nature of the Amazon. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Hostal El Patio
This beautiful bed and breakfast provides the perfect escape in the heart of Lima’s trendy, coastal neighborhood of Miraflores. Flowery terraces and the friendly staff give personality and charm to this lush, green oasis in the middle of the city. 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
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
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 (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Warmer jacket
- Warm hat
- Scarf
- Warm gloves
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- STUDENT ID
- Spanish/English Dictionary
- Converter (Peru runs 220v, 60Hz AC electricity. Only necessary if electronic device doesn’t have built in converter)
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
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.
West Chester University-B.S. Elementary Education
School for International Training (SIT)-M.A. International Education
Nicole grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Amish country, and has always been accustomed to seeing a culture unlike her own. Since her first international experience at 4 years old, she has been intrigued by exploring foreign places. However, it was a study abroad program when she felt the power of international travel. After working 2-years for an inner-city, public school she felt something was missing. Nicole moved to Cusco, Peru, obtained her TEFL Certification, and taught English. Recognizing the value and impact of intercultural experiences, she returned stateside to obtain her Master Degree. After interning with an NGO in Haiti, she backpacked through Central America and fell in love with Guatemala. A life-changing 4 years later of living and working abroad at a private school, she returned to the States with her adopted dog Timo. Nicole is thrilled to call Denver home, and looks forward to hiking with her dog and the changing seasons.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
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.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
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
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
- 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
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- 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.