2021 Gilbert High School Peru Service Adventure
| Travel Dates: | June 16, 2021 - June 26, 2021 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,190 USD
- or -
$3,090 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $900 |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free monthly installment plan. Follow whichever option works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $3,190
Pay in Full
Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive a $100 discount off your program tuition! Payment with the discount would be:
$3,090.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$72.71
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Peru Service Adventure
Viva Peru! Here is a country with so much to offer a curious traveler: dazzling culture, world-famous landscapes, compelling history and friendly and hospitable people. Whether you’re strolling the cobblestone streets of Cusco, watching the sun rise from the splendor of Machu Picchu or working on a meaningful service project in a small community in and mountains of the Sacred Valley, Peru is sure to leave you wanting more.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Experience the grandeur of Machu Picchu
Tour the Saqsayhuaman complex above Cusco
Learn new moves in a Latin dance class
Navigate the region's largest market in Pisac
Hike through the Amazon jungle
Explore the Sun Temple and other Incan ruins in Ollantaytambo
Visit the capital city's coastal neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco
Canoe through Lake Sandoval in the Amazon
Wander the cobbled stone street of Cusco, the former capital of the Incan empire
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA - Lima, Peru | Today the group will travel from the USA to Lima, Peru. After arrival, the group will settle into their hotel and rest ahead of our connecting flight the following morning. | Mami Panchita |
| 2 | Lima - Cusco | Today we will leave Lima and travel to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Quechua empire. Once in Cusco, we will hold an orientation meeting at our hotel in the beautiful San Blas neighborhood to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. Later, we will take a guided walking tour of the historic center and marvel at how Quechua, Spanish and modern influences have molded current day Cusco. | Pension Alemana |
| 3 | Cusco | Our day will begin with an adventurous photographic scavenger hunt in the cobblestone streets around the central plaza of Cusco. Next, we will practice our moves in a Latin dance class before heading up the surrounding mountains to tour the famous Quechua ruins of Saqsayhuaman and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. In the evening, we will enjoy local and international food and the comforts of our quaint hotel. | Pension Alemana |
| 4 | Cusco - Pisac - Ollantaytambo | Today we will head out to the town of Pisac, home to the largest regional market. Along the way we will make a brief stop at an Andean camelid farm to feed llamas and alpacas as well as learn about the important roles these animals played to South America's indigenous peoples. We will then explore the colorful market in Pisac and use our Spanish language skills to negotiate good prices on world class crafts! Later we will set out through the stunning Sacred Valley for Ollantaytambo, the community where we will work on our service project tomorrow. | Hotel Sol Ollantay |
| 5 | Ollantaytambo | Our service day will be spent in Ollantaytambo, which represent the heart and soul of our program. We will volunteer on meaningful service project(s) during the day while also enjoying sufficient free time to interact with locals and fellow travelers, practice our language skills and explore the surrounding area. | Hotel Sol Ollantay |
| 6 | Sacred Valley | The adventures continue as we set out for Chinchero, a small town just above the Sacred Valley, where we will enjoy a weaving demonstration from the women famous for these local textiles. We will then make our way to Salineras, where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountains, and Moray, an ancient Quechua agricultural laboratory. From there we will descend the Sacred Valley in bikes (or vans) and head over to the train station. We will take a two hour train ride this evening to Aguas Calientes, the base town of Machu Picchu, and settle in to our accommodations. | Aguas Calientes Hotel |
| 7 | Machu Picchu | Today's the day! We will wake early and either bus or hike to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. With our local guide, we will learn about the history and significance of this mystical citadel set high in the Andes, and take time to reflect on our journey thus far. We will head back to Cusco this evening. | Pension Alemana |
| 8 | Cusco - Puerto Maldonado | We will catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to some of the most biodiverse pockets of the Peruvian Amazon! From town we will embark on a 40 minute boat ride down the Madre de Dios river into the jungle, where we will settle in to the bungalows we will call home for the next two nights. This afternoon we will have our first excursion into the surrounding forest to a shiringuero, or rubber encampent, to learn about this collection process and see how it is used for many products. This evening we will embark on a caiman safari on the river, searching for caiman and, with a bit of luck, other animals along the banks from our boat. | Corto Maltes Amazonia |
| 9 | Amazon | This morning we will venture even deeper into the Amazon to the Tambopata National Reserve, where we will hike around with our guide, admiring the variety of incredible flora and fauna on the ground. We will also row across the stunning, palm-ringed Lake Sandoval and search for giant river otters! In the afternoon, we will visit an observation tower to enjoy the sunset and a different perspective above the canopy, as well as a Brazil nut camp on our way back to the lodge. | Corto Maltes Amazonia |
| 10 | Puerto Maldonado - Lima - USA | Today we will say goodbye to Peru and begin our journey back to the USA. Depending on our international flight time, we will rise early and take short walk to a clay-lick, where we will observe a colorful and delightful display of parrots during their morning feed. After our own breakfast, we will head back to Puerto Maldonado and visit the local market before catching our flight back to the capital. If time permits, will leave the airport to experience the capital. Options could include exploring the historic center around the plaza mayor, including a tour of the catacombs under the convent of San Francisco; checking out some of the vast collections of Peruvian art and and treasures in MALI or the Larco Museum; catching an impressive water and light show at Parque de la Exposicin; or a eating a final meal together on the malecn overlooking the Pacific Ocean before catching our overnight flight from Lima to the USA. | Airplane |
| 11 | USA | We will arrive home! | Own bed |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
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.
Mami Panchita
Mami Panchita is a family owned and operated colonial style guest house in San Miguel. Conveniently located between the airport and the attractions of the coastal neighborhoods, this hostel offers a cozy retreat from the bustle of the Peruvian capital that students will surely enjoy. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Corto Maltes Amazonia Lodge
The rustic lodge at Corto Maltes is a collection of beautifully finished wood bungalows, common spaces, kitchen cabin, pool and garden areas. This low-impact, eco-friendly lodge provides an important balance of comfort and style while enjoying the wild of the Amazon. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the common areas during certain times of day. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
My experience with your organization was exceptional. The communication was prompt, courteous, and thorough. The trip was very well planned and the educational focus made me feel this such trip had a great value. My daughter has grown and matured in a wonderful way because of this trip.
Jim
Parent of Teagan, traveler on 2017 program to Thailand
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
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Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.