Peru small group voluntourism trip (sorry the pretty pictures can make it slow to load)

Your Peruvian Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (19th April, 5th July & 2nd November, 2014) Price per person US$3,820*

Overview

Day 1:

For anyone that has had the opportunity to wander among the ruins of Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas�, it is not only a breathtaking sight, it is also a testament to human endurance and perseverance.

LIMA You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

These are also qualities that you will observe in many ordinary people as you immerse yourself in village life and help improve the situation of impoverished children in the Andes. Giving back by restoring their school, you will not only make it a more conducive place to learn, but you will also have time to help the children practice their English: a vital skill in a region with a booming tourism industry.

Your improved understanding of local culture and traditions will only serve to heighten your enjoyment and appreciation of the fascinating historical sights you will explore.

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Here are some interesting places for you to consider visiting in Lima: the Plaza De Armas and the San Francisco catacombs are fascinating and many people find the Huacapucclana site to be well worth seeing. For something more relaxed, a walk around the cliffs overlooking the ocean is lovely. If you feel like some retail therapy you can shop at Larcomar Mall in the upmarket Miraflores district, along the cliff, next to the ocean. You could also consider the evening open-top bus tour of Lima which includes the Magic Fountains Water Show. Or, relax by the pool and recover from your flight.

Tonight, over a welcome dinner, you can meet the rest of your group.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

info@handsupholidays.com

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Day 2:

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LIMA - CUSCO After breakfast you are taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco, where you are met and taken to your hotel.

Cuzco is a beautiful colonial city with wellpreserved architecture, which reflects a rich and complex history. It serves as the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and as you amble through the streets you will discover many layers of history woven into the modern day city, such as the Spanish colonial buildings erected on the foundations of Inca walls lining the square.

The city is at an elevation of around 3,400m (11,200ft), which may cause you to experience some shortness of breath on exertion. Make sure you stay well hydrated to assist with the acclimatization process.

Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire (13th century-1532) and many believe that the city was planned as an effigy in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal. According to Inca legend, the city was built by Sapa Inca Pachacuti, the man who transformed the Kingdom of Cuzco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu.

Visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun and pay tribute to the enduring masonry skills of the

Incas. Then contrast this with the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral and its carved altars and paintings.

At the ancient Inca fortress of Sacsahuamán, explore the underground cave and then emerge into the temple of Kenko with its fantastic panoramic views. Your next stop is Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca.

Though not as expansive as other ruins, the intricate water systems are intriguing. However, don’t forget you are at altitude, so take it slowly on the short walk to the site, or it will certainly knock the wind out of you.

Your final stop is the living art workshop “Inka´s Expression”. Here local artisans create wonderful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 3:

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CUSCO After a buffet breakfast you are taken to the train station for the gorgeous scenic journey on the Vistadome train to the infamous city of Machu Picchu.

On arrival at the Aguas Calientes Station you are transported by bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu, nestled on top of an Andean peak.

This is one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture, surrounded by lush cloud forest. Once a thriving city it was lost in history for almost 400 years and was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

info@handsupholidays.com

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Archaeologists estimate that around 1200 people could have lived in the city, though it may be more likely that it was a retreat for Incan rulers. The extreme isolation would require goods to be transported great distances even from the nearest village.

After working alongside locals, and playing with some of the kids no doubt, enjoy lunch in the community (lunch box).

Pictures do not do this amazing architectural feat justice. Neglected, overgrown and shaken by tremors it has endured through the ages and as you wander the ruins, you can still get a sense of what life here must have been like.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

After building up an appetite on a guided visit of the ruins, filled with fascinating stories, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then back to the train for the scenic journey back to Cusco, no doubt with a far greater respect for the ancient Inca culture.

CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO Continue with your refurbishment activities such as painting or cleaning, while some can start changing the roof on some of the school rooms.

Stopping the leaks and providing clean bright new walls will provide a far more congenial environment for studying!

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 4:

In the afternoon, you return to Cusco to rest or explore the town at your leisure.

Day 5:

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In the afternoon, after your boxed lunch and another session of refurbishment, you return to Cusco to rest or explore at your leisure.

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CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO After a delicious breakfast, you’ll travel the 30 minutes from Cusco to the village of Chocco.

This impoverished community is where you have an opportunity to make a big difference and begin your immersion into the local culture.

Many families in this small town are unable to send their children to school and some struggle even to provide adequate nourishment.

You’ll meet the local representatives who will coordinate your volunteering and familiarize you with the area.

Assist at a local school where you will help to improve the educational environment for children. You will be given much needed refurbishment tasks to perform.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 6:

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CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO Today you’ll get straight to work repairing the leaks and painting the walls of the class rooms to create a far more comfortable study environment.

After this, you’ll get to work in the school’s kitchen and dining area. Your donation will help to provide a stove, pots, mugs, etc, whilst your refurbishment efforts will go toward making it a more pleasant place to eat.

After lunch, you will assist with the installation of gutters to collect the rain water and reduce the amount of mud the children must trudge through on rainy days. It will also assist greatly with the sustainability of the structure.

Day 7:

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CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO Today, you finish your activities at the school and hand over your work to the children in a special ceremony. It is another opportunity for you to play with the kids and spend a wonderful day with the youths that will be benefiting from your generous assistance.

Following lunch (lunch box), return to the hotel, having shared a memorable experience in this little part of the Peruvian Andes.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Later in the afternoon, you return to Cusco to rest or explore at your leisure. Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco.

info@handsupholidays.com

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Day 8:

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CUSCO Today is a free day at your leisure.

You may want to choose one of the optional activities (some at an additional cost) such as white-water rafting, a day hike, mountain biking, shopping, or explore some of Cusco’s fine museums.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 9:

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CUSCO Early in the morning, following breakfast you will be taken to Ollantaytambo, an Inca ruin that in its heyday was a military, religious and agricultural center.

At the top of the mountain you will discover a fortress designed to protect the valley from invaders. The view of Ollantaytambo from this location is sublime, behold narrow streets and ancient water channels that are still used by the locals today.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll be taken to Pisac, a beautiful town famous for its traditional handicraft market, full of color and tradition.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 10:

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CUSCO After a buffet breakfast, you’ll be transfer for your scheduled flight back home.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Email bookings@handsupholidays.com with these details: 1.

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Trip Destination: Trip date: Number of people booking: Participant name(s) and email address: Phone number:

You can reserve your trip with payment of 20% deposit, with the balance paid at least 60 days prior to the start of your trip. You can pay your deposit by bank transfer (in US$ or GBP) or by credit card (in GBP only, and a 2% handling fee applies). Please indicate which option you prefer.

All bookings are subject to our usual Terms and Conditions except that any payments you make are fully refundable should we fail to reach the minimum number of participants for your trip within 60 days of your trip start date.

Included

✓ All transfers and excursions are inclusive of local English speaking guide. ✓ Accommodation and meals mentioned in the tour description ✓ Drinks only if stated on the tour description ✓ Taxes ✓ Tourist tickets and entrance fees ✓ Service charges at the hotels as well luggage handling fees at the airports, stations and hotels based on one piece of luggage per passenger

Not included

✓ Airfares and airport-taxes which are quoted separately ✓ Personal expenses ✓ Extras at the hotels ✓ Drinks during meals (if not mentioned on the tour descriptions) ✓ Tips to the guides, drivers and waitress (if not specified on the tour description) ✓ Visas

VOLUNTEERING RECOMMENDATIONS

✓ Trainers or walking shoes ✓ Light clothing during the day when it is hot and a waterproof jacket in case of rain (especially between October and April) ✓ Camera, torch and binoculars. ✓ Water bottle, sunscreen and hat or cap (the sun is fierce at high altitude and we will spend a good part of the day in the sun). ✓ Gloves to work because the activity can be hard for your hands Key B = Breakfast L = Lunch BL = Boxed Lunch D = Dinner * Price is excludes flights and is based on sharing a room with one other person

VOLUNTEERING INCLUSIONS

✓ Volunteering donation $510 per person ✓ Escort in the required language and a local host (Not tour guide) ✓ Picnic or box lunch ✓ Tools, materials and components as required to complete the school improvements

info@handsupholidays.com

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)