Cusco, Peru lies in the center of the Andes, the longest and one of the highest mountain ranges in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage City's name comes from the Quechua word for “navel,” because the Incas viewed it as the center — the navel — of the earth. Host to 83 of the world’s 118 ecological life-zones and one of only nine mega-diverse countries on the planet, Peru is truly awe-inspiring. Upon arrival, we immediately notice the thin, clear, mountain air, a result of the city’s high altitude. One of our first views is of the massive Inca walls that have survived the test of time. Enormous granite blocks carved to fit together perfectly without the aid of mortar beds, give Cusco its rare beauty. Our first day is spent quietly relaxing as we gently acclimate.
The following day, our orientation includes getting to know one another while we familiarize ourselves with the region’s inhabitants and their way of life — living off of Pachamama’s land, or Mother Earth. On our first day, we travel through snow-capped peaks and rolling hills terraced with a checkerboard of tiny agricultural farms. We descend into the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba River, set up camp by the river and prepare for our adventure ahead.
In the morning, we raft down the Urubamba River. Watched over by ancient Incan ruins hanging high on the hilltops and spotted with traditional settlements along the way, our route is calm — until we encounter the powerful rapids at Ollantaytambo!
We continue to acclimate as we follow a trail that heads past ancient ruins and elaborate Incan terracing, following alongside the Urubamba. No walk anywhere in the world holds such a combination of natural beauty, history and sheer mystery as does the trail to Machu Picchu. We take Peru Rail for a stretch and then continue by foot on the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu, “The Lost City of the Incas,” built high among the rugged mountains. We spend the day exploring the impressive Incan houses and temples, observing Peruvians spinning their yarn for weaving.
We then hike high into the Andes to our host village of Cajllaraquay in the Urubamba Valley. Dressed in traditional ponchos, the warmth of the people of this mountainous region, who subsist primarily on agriculture and weaving traditional textiles, welcomes us as they share their unique way of life. For many years, The Road Less Traveled has been working alongside native communities in an effort to improve the local schools and medical facilities. Our project in this village is to construct a medical outpost for use by visiting doctors. Using traditional methods of Peruvian construction, we lay adobe bricks and make mortar by mixing mud, water and straw with our feet. In the evenings, we hike the surrounding hillsides or enjoy a game of soccer with the local children who look forward to a rematch on our yearly visits.
Satisfied with our work, we’re off to Lake Titicaca, “The Sacred Lake" and the highest navigable lake in the world, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia. According to legend, this lake gave birth to the Inca civilization. We spend two days sea kayaking and sailing the soft blue waters in traditional Andean boats. We visit the exceptional culture of the Uros Islands, man-made floating islands entirely comprised of totora reeds. Protected within the Bay of Puno, Uros claim to have "black blood" making them immune to the cold. We explore these islands, then travel back by boat to the peninsula of Llachon, where we enjoy traditional Peruvian customs and fare as we recount our travels in a final banquet.
| AGES |
DAYS
|
TUITION |
DATES |
ARRIVE/DEPART |
| 15–19 |
25 |
5,550 |
6/26/10–7/20/10
|
Miami, FL
|
