2024 Ida B Wells Peru Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 18, 2024 - June 30, 2024 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Estimated Airfare: | $900 |
Peru Cultural Journey
Immense, rugged, colorful, vibrant and mystic. No one word or idea can embody a land so diverse in geography, culture and history. Peru is the destination for adventure. Whether tracking a wild boar in the Amazon Basin, dancing to salsa music in Lima, watching wheat sway in the shadow of the mighty Andes, or spying a rainbow forming above the ruins at Machu Picchu, Peru will take your breath away.
The contrasts of Peru permeate every part of the country. Despite its beauty, there are large discrepancies among socioeconomic classes and wide differences in standards of living throughout the country. Travel with us to Peru and explore this unique country, combining meaningful service with an unforgettable adventure.
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
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
Enjoy a photographic scavenger hunt of Cusco in the high Andes
The 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.
| 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. | Hotel Lima |
| 2 | Lima | This morning we will hold an orientation meeting in the hotel gardens to discuss the upcoming trip in detail. We will then make our way to the historic center to explore the plaza mayor and the catacombs underneath the convent of San Francisco. Later on, we will explore the Miraflores neighborhood, including the Parque Kennedy, and dine on some of Lima's famously delicious delicacies. | Hotel Lima |
| 3 | Lima - Cusco | Today we will fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Quechua empire. Once in Cusco, 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. | Hotel Cusco |
| 4 | Cusco | Our day will begin with an walking tour in the cobblestone streets around the central plaza of Cusco. Next, we will practice our moves in a Latin dance class 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. | Hotel Cusco |
| 5 | 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 finish the day in Ollantaytambo. | Hotel Ollantaytambo |
| 6 | Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes | Today we will explore the town and the Ollantaytambo archeological site. From this site we will get a breathtaking view of the valley. We will have some free time to explore the local market and do some souvenir shopping. In the evening, we will head to the train station where we will catch our train to Aguas Calientes, the basetown of Machu Picchu. We will spend the rest of the day relaxing ahead of our big day tomorrow. | Aguas Calientes Hotel |
| 7 | Machu Picchu | Today's the day! We will wake early and take the bus to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. With our local guide, we will learn about the history and significance of this citadel set high in the Andes, and take time to reflect on our journey thus far. We will then head back to Cusco for the evening. | Hotel Cusco |
| 8 | Cusco - 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 three 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 Lodge |
| 9 | Amazon | We will begin today by exploring the jungle's canopy by hiking through a series of suspension bridges. We will continue onward to a wildlife rescue center, where we may see jaguars, monkeys, bush dogs, tapirs and more, to learn about the work being done to rehabilitate displaced wildlife back into their habitat. Later, we will hike around an agroforestry farm in the area before searching for caiman on the river's edge this evening! | Amazon Lodge |
| 10 | Amazon | This morning we will venture even deeper in the rainforest to Lake Sandoval, a stunning palm-ringed lake in the heart of the Tambopata reserve. We will paddle around the pristine lake, keeping our eyes peeled for howler monkeys, macaws, hoatzin, and the endangered river otter. Back near the lodge, we will enjoy a relaxing afternoon floating the river, watching for turtles, heron, and capybara. We will end our adventures in the Amazon tonight with lectures from local conservationists on the projects they are working on to preserve this delicate ecosystem before falling asleep to the sounds of the forest. | Amazon Lodge |
| 11 | Puerto Maldonado - Lima - USA | This morning we will say goodbye to the Amazon basin and begin our journey back to the USA. We will take an afternoon flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima. If time permits, we will leave the airport to enjoy a final meal overlooking the Pacific Ocean before catching our overnight flight from Lima to the USA. | Airplane |
| 12 | USA | We will arrive home! | Home |
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.
Corto Maltes Amazonia
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.
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.
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
I was very concerned about my daughter who has a peanut allergy travelling to a foreign country for the first time without us. Walking Tree was very sensitive to my concerns and reassured me that this is something they could handle and they did! I would send her again in a heartbeat. Thank you Walking Tree.
Kerry
Parent of Emilie, traveler on 2018 Service Program to Costa Rica
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.