Big Kids – Peru 40+
PERU: DISASTER RELIEF
PROGRAM DATES: MARCH 17 – MARCH 31
PROGRAM FEE: $2,899
Join Operation Groundswell for a 14 day journey of beautiful Peru. Work on disaster relief projects in Pisco, get a crash course in Spanish language, meet inspiring indigenous communities and get a first hand look at what development looks like. Of course, no trip to Peru is complete without visiting the world-famous Machu Picchu ruins.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience everyday life in the real heart of Peru with a small, intimate group of adults.
- Hike the ancient Incan ruins of Machu Picchu!
- Work on earthquake disaster relief projects in Pisco.
- Take an exciting bike tour of Lima, the capital city of Peru.
Click here for sample itinerary
PERU…
THE WAY WE SEE IT
Peru isn’t really the country you might expect it to be. While everyone has heard of Machu Picchu and the Inca civilization, very few know that 60% of the country is the Amazon rainforest and much of the rest of the country is coastal desert. But that’s just the geography.
For adventure travelers, Peru’s canyons, mountain ranges, glaciers and beaches are a playground unlike anything they’ve ever seen. For history buffs, the Spanish colonial architecture sitting on top of traditional indigenous temples literally jumps out of the ground at you. Peru is also a country of smiles, family meals with strangers and greetings with a kiss on the cheek.
Peru does have a dark side however. Foreign mining companies exploit indigenous lands leading to environmental and social upheaval, an overwhelmingly agrarian society is at risk in an increasingly globalized world and the gap between rich and poor is often shocking.
There’s so much more to say about the country of Peru, you’ll just have to come see it for yourself…
ACCOMMODATION
WITH OG YOU LIVE LIKE THE LOCALS.
Let’s face it, sleeping in group dorms doesn’t sound like a great vacation. Instead, Groundswell 40+ participants can expect to sleep in safe and secure, first-class hotels. If you’re planning on trekking the Inca Trail, get excited for some beautiful nights sleeping under the stars. If camping isn’t your thing, you will have the option to stay in a beautiful hotel in Cusco where you will have a chance to delve deep into local culture. During our volunteer time in Pisco, we will be staying at a clean and comfortable hotel.
TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport Pick-up
Step off the plane and into the hands of our experienced program coordinators at Jorge Chavez Int’l Airport. Drive through some of the unique neighbourhoods along the Pacific coast, before reaching the bohemian district of Miraflores. Sleep in a comfortable, modern hotel with typical Peruvian hospitality.
Day 2-3: In-Country Orientation
Our program starts in Lima, capital of Peru and the gateway to the colonial Spanish empire of South America. Here we have our in-country orientation: a crash course in Peruvian culture, politics, Spanish language and of course, the cuisine. Highlights include a historical walking tour in downtown Lima and a coastal bike tour. We will also have the privilege of attending a briefing from the Canadian Embassy about the role Canadian mining companies have in Peru. After this, we will take to the streets to understand how indigenous and colonial cultures mix, how deforestation and expanding deserts are causing major problems for local agriculture and how Peru is dealing with its changing environment. Each day, we will sample a diverse variety of cuisines from across the country. Each night, we will return to our hotel for reflection and analysis.
Day 4-9: Disaster Relief in Pisco
Before conquering Machu Picchu, we will head down to the coastal town of Pisco. More than just a namesake for Peru’s trademark spirit, Pisco was a town devastated by the massive earthquake that shook Peru in 2007. Located directly at the earthquake’s epicenter, Pisco experienced the greatest devastation in the area and is still recovering today. Participants will spend five days volunteering with a local NGO, Pisco Sin Fronteras, which has been in the city since the disaster. Working on both construction and community development, PSF has already had success building homes, community centres, parks, day cares, starting recycling programs in schools, and establishing a biodiesel project! Participants are free to choose from a variety of projects they want to be involved in on a daily basis. Nightly activities will include: Spanish language courses, Peruvian cooking classes and salsa dancing!
Day 10: Cuzco – Capital of the Inca Empire
From Pisco, we will fly into the Andes landing in Cuzco, the ancient Incan capital. From the moment you arrive in Cuzco, the mountainous landscape and colonial architecture perched upon indigenous temples are wonderful sights to see. Here we will explore the local markets in the main plaza, several beautiful historic churches, and prepare for our great adventure.
Day 11-13: Machu Picchu!
Famed for being one of the only Incan sites not to be discovered and destroyed by the Spanish, Machu Picchu is a world-famous site that surpasses expectations. Before reaching this bucket-list worthy site, participants will have two options: hike the Inca trail or visit more ancient ruins. For the adventurous trek lover, hiking the Inca trail is a must-do, where you will trace the traditional footsteps of the Inca through massive valleys and past jagged-rock cliff faces. Beyond the amazing sense of accomplishment after a good days hike at 3,000 metres elevation, we will be rewarded each night sleeping with the stars above our heads. For those less inclined to camp out, additional days will be spent in Cuzco with a tour of the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Pisac. Whether treking the Inca trail or not, all participants will meet at a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes before going up to see Machu Picchu.
Day 14: Fly home from Cuzco
After conquering Machu Picchu, the group will return by train to Cuzco for a last chance to purchase souvenirs before a flight home.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health, safety, and security are of the utmost importance to Operation Groundswell. We take every possible step to keep our groups safe and secure throughout the program. With that in mind, it is important to remember that every OG trip prides itself on taking participants directly into the experience of living in that region. We will take public transportation at least once, we will meet real people, and we will experience real life. OG and its Peruvian partners are familiar with these realities and their risks. Trip Leaders are trained in wilderness first-aid, are proficient in Spanish, and have undertaken the trips before group arrivals to ensure that all of the people and places to be visited are safe and secure. OG also maintains near constant communication with its headquarters, its partners, local contacts, and in-country officials. To help mitigate health risks, Operation Groundswell expects every trip participant to meet with a travel doctor before leaving their country of origin. They must be up-to-date with all necessary vaccinations and equipped with any necessary medications for travel in-country.
