P R O G R A M
D E T A I L S
NOBLESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS:
PERU
Few places on Earth can rival the rich diversity, both cultural and ecological, of the Amazon rainforest. The vastness of the
Amazon captivates the mind and reveals a world full of secrets. Experience the hustle and bustle of Iquitos, one of the largest
cities in the Amazon basin, and immerse yourself in the slower lifestyle of rural river communities. Along the way, search for
scarlet macaws, poison dart frogs and thousands of other species that call this amazing place home. Through engaging science
activities and meaningful visits to local communities, this program presents a genuine opportunity to understand the importance
of conservation in the rainforest. A true living classroom, the Amazon has the power to open the mind like no textbook can.
Choose to stay on the extended program to Machu Picchu, a place that tops the must-see list for many of the world’s intrepid
travelers. After encountering this mysterious sanctuary and its famous walls, it comes as no surprise that Machu Picchu was
named one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World.” This adventure also brings us through the lush and jagged peaks of the Andes
and to a variety of rich cultural and historical sites in Cusco and the mystical Sacred Valley. We engage in service, immerse
ourselves in the lively culture of the Peruvian highlands and reflect on our own lives amidst a backdrop of some of Earth’s most
extraordinary scenery.
Pre-Travel Curriculum:
• Amazon ecology and rainforest conservation
• Peruvian history, Yagua culture, Incan culture and
Spanish language
• Andes ecology
• Leadership skills, service learning and responsible
travel knowledge
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PROGR AM ITINER ARY: AMAZON PORTION
Dates: Summer 2016
Program Fee: TBD
Day 1:
You depart the U.S. and arrive in Lima, the capital of Peru.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may spend the
night at a hotel or you may head directly to Iquitos.
Days 2 and 3:
A short flight brings you to Iquitos, a bustling jungle town on
the banks of the Amazon River. From here, you climb aboard
a motorized boat for a spectacular ride down the river to
Explorama Lodge, your home for the next two nights. Here,
you meet your local guides, enjoy open air meals and learn
a few skills used to live in this ecosystem. You visit a Yagua
community to catch a glimpse of a different rainforest life
and barter for handicrafts. The surrounding forest offers
many opportunities for guided afternoon hikes and nighttime
forest walks by flashlight.
Days 4 and 5:
At dawn, you enjoy a short wildlife excursion into the forest
to look for and identify a few of the hundreds of species of
birds in the region. You then get back on the motor boat to
travel further downriver to ExplorNapo Lodge, a more remote
facility where you visit a local shaman. Later, you explore a
blackwater lake and spend the evening on a moonlight river
float, enjoying the magnificent night sky. A short hike on Day
5 brings you to the Amazon Conservatory of Tropical Studies
(ACTS) Field Station, home to one of the longest canopy
walkways in the world. From the walkway, you watch the
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NOBLESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS: PERU
Group Leader: Mrs. Mueller and Mr. Towle
sun set over the canopy and learn about the many different
layers of the forest and uses for plant life.
Days 6 and 7:
A short boat ride brings you back to Explorama where you will
stay two more nights. You eat lunch and spend the afternoon
fishing, swimming and searching for pink river dolphins in
the magnificent Amazon river. You may have the opportunity
to hear from Dr. Linnea Smith, an American physician who
moved to the region and opened a rural health clinic. On
Day 7, you participate in a service project alongside local
community members. This is often the highlight of the week
for many participants!
Days 8 and 9:
After a morning hike you say goodbye to the rainforest and
make your way by boat back to the friendly city of Iquitos in
the late afternoon. You enjoy dinner at a restaurant in town,
then spend the night at a hotel. The morning of Day 9 is spent
touring the city by foot. You do some souvenir shopping and
visit a market before catching a late afternoon flight back
to Lima. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stay
at the airport and wait for your connection back to the U.S.
or have time to sleep at a hotel in Lima.
Day 10:
Today you continue traveling and arrive home, or arrive in
Cusco.
PROGR AM ITINER ARY: HIGHL ANDS PORTION
Dates: Summer 2016
Program Fee: TBD
Day 10:
You explore the Sacred Valley, beginning in the colonial town
and Inca city of Pisac. After shopping, you follow the sacred
Urubamba River on your way to Ollantaytambo. You spend
the night at Hotel Cusco.
Day 11:
Today you depart from Cusco and travel to Urubamba where
you stop briefly at Ollantaytambo. Here you can buy last
minute gear and personal items. A day of initially gentle
hiking along the Urubamba River brings you to the ruins of
Llactapata. Later, you proceed to your private campsite at
Km. 82, where you enjoy a Pachamanca dinner and camp
for the night.
Days 12 and 13:
You start the day, early in the morning to climb up to the
highest point of the Inca Trail. Here, you can see different
ecological zones and microclimates, which make up the
area, mapped out in front of us. You cross the Warmiwanusca
pass at 13,780 feet above sea level. On day 13, you continue
climbing up to the second pass on the Trail, 12,795 feet
above sea level, and along the way you visit Runcuracay
archeological site. During the day walk, you also visit
Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca archeological remains.
Day 14:
Today you begin the final leg of the trek to the lost city of
Machu Picchu. First, you walk to Inti Punku (“Sun Gate”),
where you take in a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. You
have a tour of the sanctuary-city and then you take the
bus down to Aguas Calientes where you meet up with the
cultural group. Tonight you spend the evening at the hotel,
Aguas Calientes.
Day 15:
Today you have a full day of guided tours of Machu Picchu
followed by some additional time to explore the ruins on
your own. In the afternoon you board the train to return to
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NOBLESVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLS: PERU
Group Leader: Mrs. Mueller and Mr. Towle
Ollantaytambo and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 16:
You start the day with a guided city tour of Cusco where you
will visit the cathedral and nearby ruins. In the afternoon you
transfer to the airport and begin traveling home.
Day 17:
You catch a flight to Lima and hop aboard your late night
flight home.
*Students will have the option to have a cultural extension
rather than the trekking extension. While the trekking
students are on the trail from Day 11 - Day 14, the
cultural students will visit different communities and
archaeological sites, and participate in extra service
projects with locals*