Inca Trail and Volunteer in Peru

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco
• Lima: 
Lima
• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Pisco,  Puerto Maldonado,  Puno,  Ollantaytambo,  Sacred Valley of the Incas,  Amantani Island,  Machu Picchu

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Explore the highlights of Peru and help to improve facilities for a rural community.

Exploring the sights of Peru, including the parched coastal desert, the high Andean mountains, the dense Amazon jungle plus a wealth of ancient ruins, along with working on a remote village volunteer programme in the beautiful Sacred Valley area, make this trip an all-time best! Helping the families of Inca Trail porters to improve village facilities, Imaginative Volunteers will be absorbed into the everyday life of a small community. Later, an optional trek along the famous Inca Trail and visits to ancient ruins, lost cities and bustling markets offer great contrasting experiences to make this the ultimate Peruvian adventure!

Itinerary:

Day 1, Lima - Arrive in Lima.

Day 2, Cuzco - Volunteer Programme - Today we take a flight to Cuzco and transfer to our volunteer programme. (BD)

Days 3-6, Volunteer Programme - Four days at a rural village near Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, working alongside the families of porters to improve facilities. (BLD)

Day 7, Cuzco - Leave the volunteer programme and head back to Cuzco. (B)

Day 8, Cuzco - A free day for you to explore this intriguing city. (B)

Days 9-12, Inca Trail (or free time) - We set off on the four day Inca Trail, over high mountain passes through striking scenery, visiting local ruins along the way. On Day 12 we reach the awesome ruins of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. We then return to Cuzco by train. For those not wanting to trek, there is free time in Cuzco before a train ride to Aguas Calientes from where we visit Machu Picchu. (Meals included on Inca Trail trek only. Days 9-11 - BLD, Day 12 - B)

Day 13, Sacred Valley - A full day excursion to the Sacred Valley. (B)

Day 14, Puerto Maldonado - Fly to Puerto Maldonado in the jungle and then travel by canoe up river to our lodge in the Amazon. (BD)

Day 15, Puerto Maldonado - We spend today exploring the rainforest, both on foot and in canoes. Our local guide will be able to explain about the fauna and flora of this delicate ecosystem and there are chances to spot some of the local wildlife including monkeys and caimans. (BLD)

Day 16, Cuzco - Today we leave the jungle behind and fly back to Cuzco where the rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 17, Puno - Take a bus journey across the altiplano and cross La Raya pass (4,321m) before descending to Puno, which we use as our base for visiting Lake Titicaca. (B)

Day 18, Lake Titicaca - Heading out to Lake Titicaca, we stop at the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians. We then make our way to Amantani and Taquile, traditional islands without modern facilities, home to the Aymara and Quechua Indians, to spend the night in local homes and learn more about the lives of the people here. (BLD)

Day 19, Puno - Head back to Puno, the rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 20, Lima - Travel to nearby Juliaca and fly back to Lima, where we have time for any last minute shopping or sightseeing. (B)

Day 21, Lima - Tour ends. (B)

Highlights:
* Spectacular ruins at Machu Picchu
* Homestay on Lake Titicaca
* Exploring the Amazon jungle
* Volunteer programme in the Sacred Valley

Cost in US$: 2080USD + 240lp + 570donation

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Someone who enjoys adventure travel and has a passion to volunteer.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 12

The Imaginative Traveller's Mission Statement: Our aim has always been to provide exceptional travel experiences. We believe that travel should be stimulating. We want our travellers to relish the diversity of countries and cultures our world has to offer. Our focus is on innovation not imitation and it is gratifying to see so many of our ideas finding their way into our competitors programmes. Established in 1991, The Imaginative Traveller has grown steadily to become one of the world's leading operators of small group adventure tours.

Year Founded: 1991