Detailed Itinerary

Date: June 28 - July 25, 2010

Day Zero: Arrive in Cusco
Upon arrival in ancient Incan capital of Cusco, you will be met by our representative and taken to the base.

Day One: Introduction and Orientation in Cusco
You will to Rustic’s office in Cusco where an orientation session will be held. Rustic coordinator will go over the history, culture, life style and the program during the orientation and introduction session. You will go for a short city tour after the orientation.

Day Two – Five: Spanish Lesson (Volunteer work begins)
During those 4 days, you will be taking part in Spanish lesson which will be held in Rustic office. It’s only about two hours in the mornings. Rest of time is free but volunteers can choose to start their volunteer work from the same day after the Spanish lesson.

Day Six: Rest Day

Day Seven: Sacred Valley Tour
Sacred valley is the ancient agricultural center of the Incas. You will take a bus from Cusco to green Sacred Valley in the morning. Then you go visit Pisac Market through the valley. You will stop for a lunch at Urumamba city which is also know as Pearl of the Vilcanota. We go further into the valley to visit small villages such as Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. After this sensational day you will then drive back to Cusco.

Day Eight to Twenty Two: End of Spanish Lesson, Volunteer Work Begins
You will be transferred to the project site where you will be introduced to the staff. You will start your work straight away. You will mainly work to improve the lives of poor and downtrodden children in either a school or an orphanage. Teach English, converse with them in English, and be involved in extra-curricular activities.

In an orphanage, you will have to take care of the children. Wash them, tidy their beds, change their clothes, make sure they are fed well, and teach them English and many creative things. You will be helped by orphanage staff. Work with drive, care and love the children.

During the project work, you will also learn Spanish. The lessons come as part of the program. Taking the class also helps you communicate better with the children. So you are encouraged to participate.

Day Twenty Three - Twenty Eight: Peru Discovery
Discover the magnificence of Peru after your hard work. Be mesmerized by the architecture and the landscapes the ancient Incan have left Peru. From world renowned Machu Picchu, where the ‘gods became mountains’, to Amazonian trials, the program is packed with excitement and amazement.

Day Twenty Three: Aguas Calientes
The tour starts with a train ride to the foot of mesmeric Machu Picchu. The village of Aguas Calientes is not only on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest, but is also the closest village to Machu Picchu. A guide will be waiting to meet and escort you after your arrival in Aguas Calientes. Spend the day relaxing and getting to know the small pueblo of Aguas Calientes. You can also take a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs of the village. There are a multitude of little restaurants and shops in Aguas Calientes and you can enjoy one of the 3-for-1 Happy Hour specials.

Day Twenty Four: Machu Picchu
Visit the glorious Machu Picchu today. Get up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You will then ride to Machu Picchu, about 20 minutes on a bus. You will begin the tour with the Inca Guard House to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

Then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the ancient ruins. At the end of the tour, there’ll be time for those wanting to climb the top of Huayna Picchu – the pointy mountain overlooking Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can hike to Inti Punktu (‘Sun Gate’), which is the last point on the Inca Trail. There is also a hike to the Temple of the Moon, or you can go back down to Aguas Calients to do some shopping and relax in the hot springs.

Day Twenty Five: Transfer Cusco – Tambopata
From the mystical high mountains of Peru, the tour today shifts gear when you leaven for the teaming jungles of Amazon. From Cusco, you will take an hour long flight to Puerto Maldonado. The city of Puerto Maldonado is considered the most bio diverse city in Peru.

You will then be involved in a 4 hour long boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. Arrive in a jungle lodge following that where you will be welcomed with a traditional beverage. You will then settle in your bungalow and have lunch. Later in the afternoon, an expert jungle guide will take you for a visit to Monkey Island in the core of the Madre de Dios River. The group will also visit the Tambopata Reserve.

The Tambopata Reserved Zone covers an area of approximately 3.66 million acres and is considered one of the most preserved areas in Amazon forest. Three ecosystems converge in this amazing biological reserve resulting in an astounding variety of flora and fauna. You will also find endangered animals like jaguar, giant otter, and harpy eagle. In addition, one of the highlights of Tambopata is the Colpa de Guacamayos, one the largest clay licks in Peru, which attracts thousands of macaws and parrots who come to feed on the mineral salts.

Day Twenty Six: Lost Cocha
Visit Loct Cocha, where astonishing variety of giant otters, crocodiles, turtles, numerous bird species and jaguars come for food. A experience will lead your through the virgin rainforest to Lost Cocha. Later, you will hike through the jungle to the famous Amazonian Viewing Point, built on the top of a Shihuahuaco tree. In the evening, if there is time, your guide will take you across the river by canoe to visit a local native family living in the jungle.

Day Twenty Seven: Tambopata - Puerto Maldonado
Time for you to leave Amazon and come back to civilization. Ride back through Madre de Dios River to Puerto Maldonado. From there, fly back to Cusco.

Day Twenty Eight: Depart Cusco

The itinerary present above is a sample and maybe subject to change depending to field condition. This itinerary will be finalized in Cusco during orientation.