Itinerary

Actionquest, the global adventure travel arm of our organization, and Lifeworks collectively offer two 21-day programs in Peru. The nature and feel of the programs is fairly different, so it's best to consider them separately.

 

Session 1, otherwise known as the Inca voyage, students earn approximately 40 hours of community service with increased touring and adventure activities. This action-oriented trip includes more extensive trekking and camping in the breathtaking Andean Mountains, as well as immersion into traditional Peruvian life. Adventure activities include Machu Picchu, whitewater rafting, biking, horseback riding, and cultural classes.

 

Session 2 students earn 100 hours of community service and the President's Volunteer Service Award. With this increase in community service time, students leave having greater immersed themselves into the culture and complex issues of Peru. Projects focus on childcare and construction work for underserved populations. Students work hard, but also play hard with afternoons and weekends spent touring Machu Picchu, colonial Cuzco, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and cultural classes such as cooking and weaving.

 

Below we have included a sample itinerary for the second session program. As our community service work changes year to year with the needs of our partnering organizations, please take the table below as an example only. As always, feel free to give us a call at 800.808.2115 or +1.941.924.2115 for the most up-to-date information.

Day	Description
1	Fly day! - Students collect in Miami to fly overnight to Lima with the help of a Lifeworks representative. Excitement is in the air as months of anticipation have finally come to an end!
2	Let's Catch Our Breath - Students and staff take the early morning flight to Cuzco, once center of the mighty Incan Empire, and get settled into a beautiful hotel near the historic center. After a delicious meal, students participate in Lifeworks orientation as well as some energized team building activities and games. In the afternoon, students embark on a short walking tour of colonial Cuzco, including the main cathedrals and town squares.
3	Pisac Market - Morning bus ride through the mountain landscapes of the Sacred Valley to the colorful markets of Pisac. After some fun-filled interaction with the locals while bargaining for traditional Andean handicrafts, students return to Cuzco for an eye-opening discussion on Peruvian issues and the community service work. Students have an evening Spanish lesson after dinner, and sleep well after an active and insightful day.
4 - 7	Children of Cuzco - Students engage their hearts, hands, and minds for projects benefiting the children of Cuzco. A typical day includes... • Morning and afternoon service work with local nonprofit agencies such as Casa Mantay (shelter for single teenage mothers) and Aldea Yanapay (after school program) • Evening Peruvian cultural or adventure activity including weaving, cooking, craft making, soccer, dance, hiking and horseback riding • After dinner meetings, games, and Lifeworks Forum nights
8 - 9	Sunrise of the Incas - Machu Picchu - Students bus to Ollantaytambo, home of famed Incan archaeological sites, before taking the train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu. After an afternoon soccer game and a visit to the hot springs from which this town gets its name, students settle into their hotel for an early evening and night of rest before the sunrise hike to Machu Picchu. Arriving before the crowds, "magical" seems to sum it up for most. Students get a chance to explore this awe-inspiring Wonder of the World and climb Huayna Picchu for some breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys below.
10 - 13	Children of Cuzco - Full program days in Cuzco. See days 4 - 7.
14 - 18	Andes Mountains - Students explore quaint villages in the high Andes mountains. Traveling via foot, horse, and bus, students are exposed to the more traditional part of Peru, where local indigenous people live off the land. Here, too, Lifeworkers engage in much needed community development programs. Working with local schools and community centers, our work in construction is hard yet satisfying. When our work is done, we retire to a campfire at night and marvel at the blanket of stars.
19	Rafting day - Students round out their experience in the Sacred Valley with an action-packed day of whitewater rafting on the Rio Urubamba. With up to class III rapids and wild and dramatic scenery, students undoubtedly go to bed a bit tired but with wide smiles on their faces.
20	Cuzco to Lima - Students take the early morning flight to the Peruvian capital of Lima. Afternoon activities include last-minute shopping and city exploration in beautiful Miraflores. Students have a grand feast on their final night, and, perhaps, shed a few tears during our slide show and closing program.
21	So Hard To Say Goodbye - Students say goodbye to their new friends at Lifeworks. Without fail there is a mix of emotions - there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. Students fly together from Lima to Miami with the help of a Lifeworks representative and continue on to their respective homes and families.

 

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