SACRED VALLEY SERVCE
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover the Wonder and Breathtaking Vistas of Machu Picchu
• Assist in a Sustainable Development Project in a Remote
Quechua Village
• Lead Activities and Mentor Students at a Primary School
• Whitewater Raft the Exhilarating Urubamba River
• Walk in the Footsteps of Incas in the Famed Sacred Valley
• Experience Age-Old Traditions of Peruvian Culture
• Wander the Cobblestone Streets of Cusco
• 30 Hours of Community Service
Spotlight Project: Sustainable Development Project
This year we have been presented with a unique opportunity to assist a rural Peruvian community in creating a microbusiness to increase revenue for their village. Through this project, we will learn about local sustainable development through guinea pig farming and building a greenhouse. Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and
culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and we get a first-hand
look at how this method creates a sustainable environment in the local community. Guinea pig, locally known as
‘Cuy,’ is a staple in the Peruvian diet. We donate breeding guinea pigs and construct their cages, enabling families to
raise them for consumption and revenue. We also fund and assist the community in building a greenhouse to allow
for a longer growing season, which will be a source of income and food throughout the year. This project allows us
unique access to village homes and a culture very different from ours. With this new project, we are continuing our
commitment to being a part of the growth of these Peruvian communities!
Days 1 - 2: Travel to Cusco
Participants meet at the Miami International Airport (MIA) in Miami, Florida. After a brief orientation, we board
our overnight group flight to Cusco, Peru, a high-altitude city nestled at over 11,000 feet in the Andes mountain
range. Accommodations: Overnight Flight
ARCC Programs | Peru: Sacred Valley Service
Day 3: Cusco Exploration
After a brief layover in Lima, we land in Cusco and settle into our accommodation. Soon after, we take the day to explore this historic capital of the
Inca Empire. We wander around the traditional artisan markets, experience
our first taste of Peruvian food: delicious soups, potatoes, yucca, and spicy
peppers and discover the many hidden plazas and side streets with colorful
balconies overhead. We get to know each other through games, activities,
and icebreakers and introduce the role of “Leader of the Day,” an essential
component of every ARCC program. Accommodations: Hostel
Day 4: Travel to Patabamba
Today, we begin our journey into the heart of the Sacred Valley and get
acquainted with the local culture in Pisac, home to the largest fortress-city
complex of the Incas. We take in the fascinating ruins including the Temple
of the Sun and other religious, agricultural and military structures. Later
we venture into the centuries-old Pisac market full of colorful textiles and
vibrant people. This evening we settle into the small community of Patabamba where our Sustainable Farming Project begins tomorrow. Accommodations: Schoolhouse
Days 5 – 7: Spotlight Project: Sustainable
Farming Project
This morning we awake in the small rural community located on the plains
of the Pampa de Anta region. Surrounded by awe-inspiring, glaciercapped mountains, this village is home to about fifty Quechua families.
The Quechua live off the land, dedicating themselves to farming, sheep
and cattle-herding, and cultivating native crops. We relish the opportunity
to experience the everyday life of true descendants of the Incas and we
are welcomed into the community with open arms. We roll up our sleeves
to help community members create their micro business. All our efforts
will greatly improve their ability to make an income and provide for their
families. During down time, we may swim in the lake or teach informal
English lessons.
After successfully completing our project, we say goodbye to this incredibly warm and welcoming community. We are sad to go but thankful for the
positive and lasting impact we leave behind on the community. We travel
back to Cusco where we have a chance to take hot showers, relax, and
prepare for our whitewater rafting adventure tomorrow. Accommodations:
Sacred Valley – Schoolhouse / Cusco – Hostel
Day 8: Urubamba River Whitewater Rafting
Our rafting adventure down the Urubamba River is an exciting day of
play in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We start the day getting outfitted
with all of the necessary safety gear and complete our safety briefings
from the river guides. We then jump in our rafts and experience the
thrill of conquering Class III and IV rapids! We have lunch at a scenic
spot along the river and explore the surrounding land. Accommodations: Hostel
ARCC Programs | Peru: Sacred Valley Service
Day 9: Zig-Zag Train to Aguas Calientes
Today we descend into the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, once the royal
estate of the ninth Inca, Pachacuti, one of the most important Inca rulers because of his role in expanding the Inca Empire throughout South America.
Ollantaytambo still retains the original street plan and foundations designed
by the Incas. We explore the cobblestone streets and observe the Fortress
and remains of the sun temple, taking time to soak in the local culture. In
the afternoon, we board our train headed for Aguas Calientes, a small village
and entry point to Machu Picchu. We take in the beauty of the famous zigzag train route, gazing through the expansive windows that extend overhead. Upon our arrival in Aguas Calientes, we enjoy dinner and rest before
our full day in Machu Picchu tomorrow. Accommodations: Hostel
Day 10: Machu Picchu
Our day begins as we watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu, one of the
most breathtaking scenes in the world! After lots of photographs, we begin
our guided tour of Machu Picchu to get an insider’s look at this remarkable
UNESCO World Heritage site. We learn about the ancient civilization of the
Incas and revel in the structures made from precisely placed stones. As one
of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu’s majesty takes us
back in time as we step into the Temple of the Sun and crawl through endless stone passageways. This once-in-a-lifetime experience provides us with
a newfound base of Inca culture, knowledge and traditions. After a full day,
we board our train back into the Sacred Valley and enjoy beautiful views of
the Andes. Accommodations: Hostel
Day 11: Sacred Valley
We explore more of the Sacred Valley and its wonderful treasures as we
make our way to our final service project. Our first stop is at the Inca’s
mysterious crop laboratory, Moray. Possibly built to study different climate
conditions effect on crops, the Moray are three massive amphitheaters of
incredible engineering precision and stern, magnificent beauty.
After lunch, an easy stroll through rolling farmland and views of the high
Andes brings us to one of the best-kept secrets in the region, Salineras, a
still-functioning Inca salt mine. This surreal and beautiful patchwork of pools
and paths carved out of the side of an Andean mountain is an incredible
sight you won’t soon forget. Later in the afternoon we head to Chinchero, a
quiet little town known for its outdoor weaving studios, terraced Inca ruin,
and intricately-frescoed colonial church. We get a good night’s rest before
diving into service tomorrow. Accommodations: Hostel
ARCC Programs | Peru: Sacred Valley Service
Days 12 – 13: Urubamba Service Project
For the next two days, we join in on a community effort to tutor elementary school children in Urubamba. Just like the community with the sustainable farming project, this area is one that we have an on-going relationship
with. We spend our days working at a pre-school where we are welcomed
by lots of excited children. The school provides a haven of supportive
teachers and resources for the students. We become mentors to the
children as we engage in different activities like English lessons, teaching
physical education, or a construction project to help improve the center,
and they in turn leave a long-lasting positive impact on us as well.
Day 14: Departure Day
Eventually all good things must come to an end. We wave goodbye to
Cusco and begin our journey back to Miami. Once we arrive in Miami, we
get everyone to their connecting flights home. The memories of the experience and the group will carry us through to next summer!
Want to Learn More?
Contact the Regional Director:
Whitney Hall | Regional Director: Peru
[email protected]
415-332-5075 Ext. 251
www.adventurescrosscountry.com
ARCC Programs | Peru: Sacred Valley Service
www.adventurescrosscountry.com | 415.332.5075